Question For CharlieP

[Burbert]

Do you think that the closure of Ag offices all across the Province of Alberta, a few years ago, was a sound move that helped the Ag industry? Your answer should be interesting since you obviously have a vested interest in the department.

[TOM4CWB]

Burbert;

What an interesting side issue!

Do you think Charlie P was responsible for the closing of Ag offices in Alberta?

What exactly is the purpose of this question?

Was it to be an Insult, Embarasment, Intimidation, are we to have Fear that Charlie might lose his job if you influenced the "right" people in the Alberta Government?

Whats up?

[charliep]

Would agree was a significant decision. There will be many comments from others in this chat room about the impact. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are moving a similar direction.

I will note that agriculture did not cease to function as a result of the changes (moving resources from advice to primary agriculture to a value added focus). Things changed in that other organizations stepped up to the plate to provide some of the services that government extension services used to provide (applied research associations, producer funded commissions, consultants, agribusiness, etc.). Farmers also changed by getting together in production/marketing clubs. Access to high speed internet also is increasing. Rather than working directly with farmers, Alberta Agriculture and Food now spends a lot more time working with partners who provide the direct services.

Is it working? That is a question for you/others that use our services. My observation is that decisions like this are like pendelums - a decision that pushes things too far one way will move back to a more appropriate place. The one constant is change. Not likely government extension services will go back to where they were 30 years ago when I started. The main reason is our clients (you) have changed. Governments role in your business has also changed.

Will leave there for comments.

[parsley]

Burbert,

My observation and experience is that the eductated-elite that have something to offer to my bottom line, any farmer's bottom line,any company's better line, is worth money. Good cash.

Their knowledge base is ever evolving, ever linking. Their value parallels what they know, hence what they can offer.

charliep, for example, doesn't miss the subtleties and the details.

Professional professionals will be sought after, and they will be in demand, because they are respected.

And only those who are capable of creating wealth will recognize the essential traits in others that will help make it happen through forging relationships and seeking services.

Parsley

Sorry if this is all mumbo jumbo to you, Burbert.

[stubblejumper]

The professionals who were paid by the provincial government are now paid by chemical and fertilizer companies.

[parsley]

.....and....

[northfarmer]

maybe some of them are hired by vendors in the marketplace, others have moved away from agriculture and are working in environemntal roles, and there are those who have joined regional reserach groups....etc..etc...

one the other hand there are some working as consultants and farmers are paying for their dedicated services as such or have hired them.....

as I got started farming when they were still in place, and built most of my operation through the restructuring, I would say that the move was the right one and reflected the times, new and improved means for accessing informantion, ie. internet/satellite, computers, and better educational opportunities...

the degree of inhouse/onfarm expertise that has developed in this new realm of agriculture has also driven these changes......IMHO

[Burbert]

CharlieP,Tom4cwb, parsley, First of all, thank you Charlie for your response, it did put you in a difficult position, however it shows how politics play a part in all our lives. No Tom4cwb, I did not mean to demean or intimidate Charlie, but your response shows how pathetic you self proclaimed pro's are. After all you are just like the rest of us. In the morning when you get up, you put on your pants one leg at a time. Parsley you are an enigma, probably after all you said and professed, you too will come out just like Chaffmeiser and say that you have no vested interest whatsoever in farming and are simply just fond of teasing small helpless farmers with your worldly views and opinions. Or are you an old CWB employee spreading sour g****s far and wide to get even with the ##$$#$#$$'s for putting you out to pasture!

[TOM4CWB]

Burbert,

I appreciate Charlie, and the many hours he shares with us. That he is allowed to work through our issues with us... shows great tolerance and patience by those in authority of the Ag Dept.... a big thanks to them.

Charlie and Lee have many duties... and are important fibers that help hold the fabric of our Ag community together in Alberta.

Thanks to you both!

And thanks to all those DA's and specialists who helped make Ag in Alberta a heritage we can all be proud of!

I detected a difficult subject... and asked hard the questions. Hope you will forgive me for this.

[parsley]

Burbert,

I am a farmer. A real one. For nearly 40 years. Educated as a professional, but chose farming.

I live on farming income, which I have to enter on that income tax line, don't even have old age pension.

The farm is the best place to have wonderful neighbors, best place to raise kids.

And I'll say it agin, Burbert, I am amazed at the skills farmers have, and the hard work that farmers do.

I am in awe of the wealth farmers create. I am appreciative of what good children farmers raise. Show me the incarceration sheet, and try find a farm kid.

I am amazed at the adaptability of the farm community, moving from from horses and a stone-boat, when I was a kid, to hand-held GPS today, all in my lifetime.

I may take a round out of you Burbert because I don't like the way you want to get something done, like sell wheat, but make no mistake burbert, I like and respect all farmers.

Parsley

[Burbert]

parsley, Slick. Are you mellowing out? Farmed for 40 years and a professional too, bet you had a real humble upbringing. I must admit, shock and awe, IIIII don't know what to say, except you are obviously a legend in your own mind. My suspicions have all been laid to rest, cause you said it on the NET, and I am forced to accept it at face value, it must be the truth now because it's in writing. Do you play poker? I bet you bluff a lot.

[Burbert]

charliep, Did you feel that little knot tighten in you stomach when I asked this question, obviously expecting an answer? Guess Tom4cwb did, when he rushed to your defense! At any rate, it is the same gut reaction we all feel, when stressed (Fight or Flight) I think that is what they call it. This CWB issue is being clouded with smoke and mirrors. It should/will ultimately be decided by farmers, it is our agency we run it, we will decide its fate... Your input is interesting and informative, but not unbias, after all Alberta Gov't policy does want the CWB destroyed. Doesn't it?

[silverback]

Very Mature.

If Charlie can hasten the freedom of choice in Alberta, I will vote for him to become the next premier!

Go Charlie.

[wedino]

Burbert, "after all Alberta Gov't policy does want the CWB destroyed."
You made the statement, why don't you back it up?

[charliep]

Burbert

Your question was legit and relevant to the discussion. Alberta/civil servants were asked to take a new direction just the same as the CWB staff are being asked today. Your follow up comment was also correct - at the end of the day a decision by politicians and upper management at Alberta Agriculture.

Does the Alberta government want to destroy the CWB? Why would they? As long as it provides Alberta farmers with products and services that help them management their business better/add to profitability, the CWB will be supported in an open market. You have to realize there are other farmers in Alberta who have a different view than you do - we also have to listen to their views.

A final comment is that Alberta government has been consistent in their position over time (at least for the 30 years I have been around). I will note that several people in this discussion have indicated we have not gone far enough/been too slow.