The battle against education tax on farmland that began in the southeast is starting to move north.

Two RMs in the Whitewood area held a joint meeting last night, where ratepayers in Willowdale and Silverwood voted in favor of withholding their taxes.

That makes a total of eight municipalities that will see fewer tax bills paid this year.

Meeting dates have also been set for Thursday in the RM of Wawota, and Monday, Nov. 1 in the RM of Montmartre.

Francis farmer Ron Borys, who began sending out tax revolt petitions to dozens of RMs during the summer in an effort to spread support for the idea, says there are now forms circulating all over the province.

"I don't think there's any stopping it now. These people did not call for any help from us at all, they did it all on their own," Borys said, referring to the Whitewood petitioners. "It really shows just how fed up people are with the current tax situation."

Farmers pay a higher portion for education than urban homeowners because of the significant amount of tax placed on agricultural land.

It has spawned rural land owners into action at a time when commodity prices, driven down by export subsidies, are at their lowest point in decades causing farm income levels to fall in the red.

Rural Municipalities have become the target since they collect the education tax along with municipal taxes. Local school divisions set the mill rates.

"The education tax on property is totally unfair, and it's an extra expense we don't need. With the whole farm crisis looming people know they have to do something," Borys said.

Education Minister Jim Melenchuk, along with Agriculture Minister Dwain Lingenfelter, have been invited to Monday's meeting in Montmartre at 1:30 p.m. in the Catholic Church basement.

Tax revolt petitioner Lucien Lepage has not received a response.

"If I was a betting man I would say no," said Lepage when asked if he thought they would show.

Lepage says he won't be paying the $4,000 in education tax on his farm land this year, despite concerns that the RM may have to reduce services.

"When people can't make a living at what they're doing how is a road important? If there's no one left in rural Saskatchewan we don't needs roads or schools - that's the whole point. We know it can hurt ourselves but we have to start someplace," he said.

Montmartre Reeve Mike Weichel says he sympathizes with farmers but can't support the tax revolt.

"If nobody pays their taxes we'd automatically have to shut down the RM, or else borrow money. It will cost taxpayers more in the long run - they lose their five per cent discount (for early tax payment) and after January will be charged nine per cent interest," he said.

"I just can't see it working. We're in the middle of paving nine miles of road," he added.

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president Sinclair Harrison met with Melenchuk last week.

"We impressed upon him that the provincial government should be coming out to these meetings. We've also talked with Clay Serby, municipal affairs minister, and gave him a similar message," Harrison said.

Harrison says Melenchuk didn't make any promises.

"He said it's a new cabinet and they're going to set their priorities but they haven't done that yet. We told him this should be a high priority."

Special sessions on the tax revolt issue and farm crisis will be held at the SARM convention in Regina at the Centre of the Arts on Nov. 9 and 10. Lingenfelter will be in attendance.