wcwga - need some info

[Braveheart]

Bucket, I've never gone to the website. Not that makes any difference to me, but I'll check it out.

[tweety]

Maybe the question worth asking is:

Does a director on WCWGA who often pays for his own expenses have more skin in the game and passion for not only themselves but the farmers they represent then a commission'd director who has everything paid for?

Also, in terms of numbers, it would be nice to know, but they represent their membership and not every farmer in Canada. Whether individually, as a small group, or very large, we all can advise the minister.

With WCWGA, you know exactly where they stand on issues, and that's worth a lot.

I am not a member of WCWGA.

[tweety]

MBgrower, that's like asking Catholics and Protestants to work together in Ireland!

[foragefarmer]

Braveheart

you stated

"Bucket, to my knowledge, equipment cos and certainly not railways (they don't like the WG'ers) were never members."

How would you know this if you're not a member of WCWGA "nor have been on their website" as you stated to Bucket in two posts above.

Braveheart why even comment on the topic if you don't know and you're only guessing.

[bucket]

The problem tweety is that numerous times I have been told my opinions don't count as an individual - get involved.

So before I do so I got to do my due diligence.

[Braveheart]

Forage, I used to be a member in the 1990s. I know, from being at a convention, the railways were very unhappy with the policy proposed by the WG'ers during that whole Estey/Kroeger circus. The rail representative in a panel discussion got downright mad. He was obviously scared they were on to something. It was highly entertaining.

Forage, you stated, why even comment if you don't know. Well, that was my experience.

The more I spar with you Forage, the more convinced I am that the Wheat Growers are the ones to join.

[foragefarmer]

Braveheart

Wasn't it in the 1990's when the WCWGA threw in the towel and called it quits due to low membership, lack of ideas, out of touch with the farming community, corporate sponsorship drying up, etc etc. I'm guessing you were a member at the time it happened.

You had nothing to offer the organization at that time so what would change this time if you joined?

Barveheart you call this sparring, your not that challenging!!!

[tweety]

It is odd no one on agriville knows how many members they have.

Or just that the ones that do won't say

[TOM4CWB]

Tweety,

I am a 'lifer' wheat grower... they took my money... we did and are doing the time together.

This is a state of mind... not numbers!

If you think gov control is the answer... join the NFU.

As for me and my house... Freedom, the right to make individual choices... and the belief that private property rights are key to a prosperous future... are enduring principals all grain growers have in common with the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.

Those who don't stand for something... will fall for anything!

Numbers alone do not make an organization strong... the principals they stand for... DO.

God bless Canada... and the Wheat Growers!

Cheers!

[tstep]

NFU is a nation wide lobby group that does a lot of work for agriculture in Ottawa. WCWGA is just the 3 prairie provinces.

[mustardman]

So Tom Are you saying "if you want Corporate Control,join the WCWGA" ?

Cause that is what happens when the wheatgrowers whisper in the gov't ear

At least you can vote Out a gov't but handing all Ag Power over to Corporations is similar to feudalism.Its why our ancestors left the old country

[bucket]

Tomlifer

What's the membership numbers?

[mustardman]

I was a member in the early 80's, before I was aware that they were basically corporate lobbyists masquerading as a FARM group

[grassfarmer]

"If you think gov control is the answer... join the NFU"

Isn't that ironic? The one farm organization that most often opposes Government policy.
Meanwhile wcwga and many of these other commodity groups are just "dummy" organizations set up and sponsored by the Government and corporate interests to be their mouthpiece. Wouldn't they be the ones "Government controlled"?

How timely now that Bill C-18 has passed third reading and looks like its going to become law. I'm proud to be an NFU member, the only organization that fought for farmers rights to retain seed.
During the debate on Bill C-18, Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz said that "there is only one small splinter farm group" that is against moving ahead on Bill C-18."
He also said he was "not interested in hearing from people in downtown Vancouver or downtown Montreal."
So there you have it. Farmers screwed over once again by big corporate Ag while Tom and his ilk in the dummy farm organizations are happy to be their pimps.

[CptnObvious]

The NFU has many times the number of members as the WCWGA, but as was said this is not really about numbers. Still good advertising though.
What matters to prospective members is philosophy.
The WG has a very corporate/industrial philosophy, a belief that anything new is by definition good and that if farmers are free to operate without any rules they will thrive because...well, just because. They do well on motherhood issues but on big things they tend to leave farmers in a weaker bargaining position. They rely on emotional appeal.
The NFU is more strategic and of course has a very strong ethical compass. It often has noted ag economists( professors, not consultants) report to it and it's research is globally respected( CETA, C-18, land grabbing...). They rely on logic.
Check out the publications of each. Be critical.