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| How did OCBGA come to be? |
| cheap hotel in SetubalThe Ontario Coloured Bean Growers' Association was informally formed in 1985 following a rather harsh harvest year, where producers experienced frustration and helplessness at being "at the mercy" of local Bean Dealers. With this attitude, a handful of producers met to join forces and bring about a united voice of producers. At that time, the issues of importance included a fair pick system, uniform drying standards and a general need to share more information amongst other producers. Growing coloured beans 20-25 years ago was like treading in untested waters with no life-jacket. There was no current information available concerning varieties, herbicide usage, contract pricing, etc.. Generally, it was what ever deal you could strike with the Bean Dealer of your choice. |
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| After several winter meetings held at local OMAF offices around southwestern Ontario, it was readily apparent that growers' were keenly interested in having a united voice in matters such as Crop Insurance, GRIP, Canadian Special Grains Programs, Financial Protection Plans, Variety Testing, Herbicide Testing, etc.. It was also clear that producers do not want a marketing board of any kind, in fact, they were definitely against anything that vaguely resembled a marketing board. With these directives, an interim board of directors approached the Farm Products Marketing Commission in early 1986 with a business plan of how an Ontario Coloured Bean Growers' Association would function to represent all coloured bean growers and the benefits that would be derived from such an association. A mail-in producer vote with 66% in favor was required to display to Farm Products that producers were indeed in favour of this proposal. An overwhelming response by producers allowed the O.C.B.G.A. to be formed under Section 13 of The Farm Products Marketing Act. |
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| Armed with a new constitution and support of the producers, (and a $5.00/tonne mandatory, non-refundable license fee payable from all producers), we set out to tackle the problems our industry faced. This was no easy task, as the Bean Dealers did not look too kindly on this newly formed "radical" group. The association sustained a few bumpy years convincing some very stubborn dealers that our intentions were to better the industry, not destroy it. Co-operation between these two associations has been very slow in coming, but here we are some two decades later, and finally things are clicking. Now the two associations meet regularly, correspond on matters of mutual importance, join forces on some projects, and even help with updating our growers' list. The association has assisted in having coloured beans recognized as a viable and important Ontario crop. |
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