GENERAL suspicion of federal agricultural programs seems to have reached the point where no program meets the approval of the agricultural masses. It’s understandable given the long list of failed or only semi-successful programs launched in recent years, and the continuing challenges of making ends meet in the farm economy.
However, the federal government’s Canadian Farm Families Options Program seems likely to a meet a need and address the income problems of farmers in the direst of straits.
If so, paranoia can take a short vacation and see how this turns out.
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The Options program is a two-year, $550 million project designed to provide short-term income to farmers with income less than $15,000 or farm families with income less than $25,000.
Applications are required. The program is not being foisted upon anyone. And applicants who meet certain other criteria will receive money to raise their incomes to a certain level. In return, the recipients must either undergo a farm business assessment or develop a learning plan and take agricultural-related skills training.
The government expects to start distributing the money this fall. That’s the short-term help. The assessment or training constitutes the longer-term help. The bones of the program appear to meet the criteria for a hand up, not a handout.
Critics have suggested the requirements for assessment or training imply that some farmers are in dire straits due to incompetence or inefficiency, when the real culprits are high input prices and low commodity prices.
The more charitable view is that money is available to those with lowest incomes, and the cheque in return for a commitment makes it an investment rather than a freebie.
Critics have also suggested the program is a scheme to shuffle farmers off the land. But the provisions for farm assessment or farm skills training indicate otherwise.
The assessments are said to be designed to determine options for improved business prospects. The training can point the way to alternate sources of income, it is true, but it can also provide funding for courses that will help people improve their farm businesses.
Critics caution that the Options program is no substitute for an agricultural policy that addresses the industry’s deep-seated problems. They’re right about that. And the program has not been promoted as anything but a short-term method of assistance.
Laughably, federal Liberals have criticized the new program as evidence that agriculture policy has failed. True, and it’s Liberal government policies that have let farmers down over the past decade.
The Options program is under way and will function with or without praise, with or without criticism. But at this stage, it appears a reasonable response to assist the farmers who need help the most. Stand back and give it some room.
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