Region 1: Wendell Yeo

Wendell Yeo is a man of few words. His philosophy of life? Don't work too hard! A fine thing for a dairy farmer to say! The Yeo's operate a 200 acre dairy farm near Summerside P.E.I. They milk about 30 cows, and run about 25 heifers.

Wendell's been involved in the union for ten or twelve years. He likes the NFU because""We're farmers working together instead of against each other. Here on the island, we have deals with the oil company that save us a few cents a liter on everything -- fuel, stove oil, grease. Same with fertilizer. It adds up."

Wendell believes that the big battle for island farmers right now is protecting land from being bought up by or rented out to big farmers. "Little guys can make more money by renting their land and sitting there doing nothing than by farming it."

Region 3: Lauretta Rice

Lauretta Rice and son Michael operate a 32-cow dairy farm and run about 110 registered Holsteins near Renfrew, Ontario. The farm has been registered in the Rice name since 1838, and is now being transferred to her son.

Her involvement with the NFU stems from her dad. She learned from him that farmers are a vital part of society. "It is just so good to work together with farmers who want to work together. In my day job, I see farmers plotting against farmers. We seem to have lost that identity of working together. A good year for grain producers means beef producers suffer, and vice versa.

"That's why I worked so hard on the beef issue here. I wanted to see beef producers get the advantages of a market board. Dairy has it and it really helps us."

Region 5 Lyle & Sandra Ross

Lyle and Sandra Ross live just east of Selkirk, Manitoba on a busy farm that grows grain and hay, and produces cattle, sheep and goats. "There's no simple reason I stay in the NFU," Lyle says. "When I was active ('73 -'78), it was important to work with like-minded people. Now, I'm less involved, but I still like the sense that I'm not alone, and that there are people who share my philosophy."

Lyle says that the NFU has always stood firm on two things he values: protecting the marketing structures that farmers have developed, and providing education and leadership development for rural leaders.

Right now, Lyle believes that the Union faces a critical choice. "We have to become more broadly-based to reflect the needs of rural communities. We're close to the city and have lots of commuters. Those people made a quality of life choice. I think the Union can help to make sure the maintenance of that lifestyle quality."

Region 6 Frank & Vi Cushon

Frank and Vi Cushon took over the farm on which they've spent most of their lives in 1921. They're retired now, but as Frank says, "That doesn't mean that I don't still farm!"

He's a global thinker, and remains involved in and committed to the NFU because it's a cross-sectoral, direct membership organization. According to Frank, the NFU's strength is that it looks at the big picture: all of the issues affecting farmers everywhere that they farm. "I've got no damned use for narrow-minded organizations with limited interests. If the NFU ever leaves its broad view behind, it just becomes another organization with no substance. I couldn't take that."

Frank thinks that the way to counter the mean-spirited individualism of today is for people to get back to being concerned about the people and the communities where they live. "Start close to home," he says, "and then see what else needs to happen."

Region 7: Oiva Laukkanen

For the past 15 or so years, Oiva Laukkanen has puttered around the last quarter-section that he and Olga own. Olga says, "He puts in some fall rye, and a little patch of timothy -- just enough to keep him busy."

Olga was talking for the both of them, since Oiva is in the hospital about 60 miles away from their home in Waskatenau. He had a major stroke last October. "He's a determined man," says Olga. "He can walk now. And he's talking."

When Olga showed him the "Grassroots Leader Award" that they had received, she said "There were tears in his eyes. We're so proud of this."

The Laukkenens have been members of the NFU right from the very start. According to Olga, "Farmers are important, and people need to know that farming is important to society. Today, the young farmers are wondering why they have to work so hard for so little. It's a hard question to answer."

Olga continues, "If I were to offer one piece of advice to these young people, I'd say "Join a group! With a group, you'll have more strength, you are able to speak more loudly. And in a group, there are more ears to listen."

Region 8: Mabel Hunder

Mabel Hunder of Pouce Coupe, B.C. laughed when I called to talk to about the Grassroots Leader award she and Frank had just received. "You'll never believe this! We just sold our farm!" Like the old masters, recognition and honor sometimes comes a bit after the fact. "

I've been the one that has gone to the meetings -- Frank's just not a meeting person. But we really do believe in what the NFU stands for. That's why we kept on in the organization."

"I think what I like most about the NFU is that we really do believe that farmers have both rights and responsibilities. That's what we are working for. I think we need more of that. And farm life is a one of the best ways for kids -- and anyone else -- to learn about the connection between rights and responsibilities."

Will she stay involved with the NFU? "We're taking this year just to settle in a bit, and make some decisions about what to do next. I can't say yet how active I'll be, but I will always support the work and philosophy of the union."

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