Key members of the Sask. Rally Group spoke about what the organization would like to accomplish for farmers at an information meeting held at Goodwater on March 27.

The group, officially organized in November, has drawn national attention to the plight of the farm economy through sit-ins at the Saskatchewan Legislature building and through intense lobbying efforts from its "embassy room" in Ottawa.

Speaking to approximately 40 people at the meeting, Weyburn director Dave Pulfer spoke about the need for more participation and cooperation from farmers.

"I don't think government is going to solve our problems," he said. "We've entrusted them with our right to farm and more and more freedoms were taken away. With commodity prices so low, no one can be an individual farmer right now."

Doug Hoffman, a Weyburn farmer, has just returned from a week of lobbying in Ottawa. He met with a dozen MPs while there, trying to make them understand a world and situation much different than their own.

"One of the main concerns that came across from all of them wasn't about the amount of money needed," said Hoffman. "They were concerned about how to put it into the hands of the people who need it, not those who don't. A lot were willing to fight for us. In less than a week, we were well-known on the hill."

Weyburn farmer Mark Alexander hopes to bridge the gap between American and Canadian producers. He is acting secretary for a temporary committee of the North American Farm Coalition, formed on Feb. 29.

The committee involves farm leaders representing nine Canadian agriculture-related organizations and the National Farmers Organization (NFO) of the United States. The new committee will explore the idea of forming a joint marketing agency for farm commodities.

Alexander said there is no logical reason why a farm can't operate like other business, where what is needed to cover costs and make a profit is looked at first rather than at the end. "If you allow the customer to always set your price, you won't be in business long," he said, in relation to the inverse pricing system farmers must deal with now.

The NFO wants farmers to have control of commodity prices by 2007-2008, partially through the establishment of a food reserve that would protect food supply and safety, prevent the creation of artificial food shortages and price gouging.

Ron Borys spoke regarding the tax revolt movement. He said that one-third of rural municipalities have voted to withhold property taxes in 2000 and forthcoming years unless the education tax is removed and applied fairly to all Saskatchewan residents.

Borys was questioned about whether it was possible to pay municipal tax so that the rural government has the money it needs, and to get around paying the education tax somehow. He said it would not be possible to do this. Hoffman said that if it came to down to it, RMs could operate for six to eight months without taxes, at which time farmers would have made their point.

Sask. Rally president Ray Bashutsky, a Wynyard farmer, explained the evolution of the group to this point as well as its current mandate.

He said the group consists of volunteers who have been remarkably effective lobbyists, and has spent $13,000 on its lobby efforts in Ottawa - Bashutsky thinks the group has gotten full value for it.

Janet Ledingham, councillor for the RM of Lomond, questioned the Sask. Rally position regarding the farm organization to be established through SARM. She felt it was necessary that farmers unite in one voice in the province.

Bashutsky said the group would look at endorsing the organization when it is established. He views the two organizations as parallel, not in competition with one another.

One farmer wondered why private business wasn't raising concerns about commodity prices, as their success is reliant on the farm economy. Bashutsky said it is already too late for some communities, but in his community, small business is on side.

Bashutsky said the level of the farm crisis is much higher than he expected when he first became aware of rally efforts six months ago. He urged people to look out for their neighbors and to become actively involved in making a difference. He spoke about his disappointment with the actions of some politicians, whom he has less faith in than before.

The group is hosting a meeting regarding Focus on Sabbatical at 7:30 p.m. at the Weyburn Inn on Wednesday, March 29 (tonight). It features Ken Goudy, who endorses a plan to cut production in order to raise commodity prices