SOCIAL GOALS

FOR RURAL

COMMUNITIES

As you can see, several of the most influential changes aim to "improve" the lives of the farmers. These are tough situations to argue against, much less fight.

And frankly, many urban residents don't even care. The rural community as a whole has not communicated the importance of conserving small communities and family farms. At best, urban residents hear of the value of agriculture.

Let's take a look at the benefits to the Great Plains of having healthy smaller communities and viable family-scale farms and ranches. But first, I feel the arguement that prairie farmers "feed the starving masses around the world" is simply a misleading and emotional plea that costs farmers credibility. Over the past few decades, we have lost over half our farmers, and both the acreage and production have increased. We can probably lose half of the current producers without any loss of production. Instead of this diversion, let's explore other factors more relevant to urban residents.

• Farmers with smaller holdings can better manage the land for non-agricultural benefits such as wildlife, recreation and healthier watersheds.
• The quality of food can be much better when produced on a small farm.
• Consumers have the opportunity to determine for themselves what the growing conditions have been, and can form personal relationships with the producers.
• Towns and villages offer an alternative lifestyle, providing a less stressful lifestyle that many people prefer.
• The rural environment often provides welcome new experiences that contrast with urban life. This function falls within the definition of "recreation", although the activities may not be traditionally grouped in this field.

Specific Social Goals

I have not seen overall social goals for rural communities presented as a single list, and perhaps this lack of a specific agenda has reduced the effectiveness of lobbying efforts. A draft list is presented here for consideration and discussion. The suggested target would be for 95% of the population of rural jurisdictions to be able to reach these services with a travel time of less than 30 minutes (one way).

• Both elementary and high schools
• Emergency police and ambulance services
• Experts in agricultural and rural living (i.e. water treatment) techniques available for consultation
• Basic goods and services (gasoline, groceries, post office, doctor, mechanic, hardware)
• Senior citizens lodging, with basic supervision and minor medical assistance
• A community hall
• At least one viable church

These objectives seem modest enough, and most of the residents of Palliser's Country have indeed achieved (or retained) them. However, there has been no agreement that these are suitable standards. Do you agree with these? Are other services "essential" for you? Is 30 minutes a suitable and realistic time, for people that value their privacy and independence? Regardless of the exact criteria, the declining population suggests that some residents do not feel that they receive the minimum level of service that they personally require.

It is important to recognize that the goals are interdependent. For example, if people must drive to a larger centre for one errand, they will generally make other purchases there at the same time.

Community Development Resources

Reversing this trend is difficult. The isolation typical of this region can work against anyone trying to implement social change. However, the internet has the capacity to bring together people with common goals, no matter how far apart they might be physically. Partly because of this, farmers are among the most "connected" of occupational groups.

As an example of the range of resources that can be easily found, it is possible for farmers in North America to learn from the current situation in Britain. The crushing and heart-rending impact of 2001's Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic has led to dramatic restructuring in agriculture. Britain's National Trust presents comments on the new direction for agriculture, some of which may be applicable to our region.

A more local source is the Heartland Center for Leadership Development in Lincoln, NE (telephone 402 474-7667). This organization specializes in training rural leaders in community development techniques.

Heartland Center's 20 Clues to Rural Community Survival
1. Evidence of community pride.	6. Realistic appraisal of future opportunities.	11. Acceptance of women in leadership roles.	16. Attention to sound and well-maintained infra-structure.
2. Emphasis on quality in business and community life.	7. Awareness of competitive positioning.	12. Strong belief in, and support for, education.	17. Careful use of fiscal resources.
3. Willingness to invest in the future.	8. Knowledge of the physical environment.	13. Problem-solving approach to providing health care.	18. Sophisticated use of information resources.
4. Participatory approach to community decision-making.	9. Active economic development program.	14. Strong multi-generational family orientation.	19. Willingness to seek help from the outside.
5. Cooperative community spirit.	10. Deliberate transition of power to a younger generation of leaders.	15. Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life.	20. Conviction that, in the long run, you have to do it yourself.

A recent book edited by Roger Epp and Dave Whitson, Writing Off the Rural West, contains essays that explore aspects of this subject. The link also has several columns by Mr. Epp.

The Center for Holistic Resource Management provides seminars and books with a value-based theme. They encourage participants to set personal goals, then determine the best way to achieve them. One important aspect is to recognize the limited role that money plays in providing happiness. The general contact telephone number is 800 654-3619, although they have associates in many locations.

Al Scholz has explored eighteen examples of successful rural enterprise in Saskatchewan. His book, Don't Turn Out the Lights, is available through u.learn@usask.ca.

Agri-ville.com, a Canadian agricultural web site, has a section on rural life. You might want to look at this article on rural decline to seek insight, or at least, support.

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