tobacco buyout done deal

Just got back from the meeting in the delhi warhouse, got a ticket on the way , but anyways the long awaited buyout for tobacco farmers is indeed finalized. The federal government will be putting in 300 million or so and according the them the provincial government will put in the rest which comes to 1.74/lb no strings attached. Joe preston also noted that a large chunk of money in the hundred of millions will go to communities to help recover from the tobacco demise. This announcement was made two days after the big tobacco companies pleaded guilty to selling illegal cigs world wide and I assume the billion dollars they have to pay will fund this buyout, not the tax payers.

In all I think this is a great day for farmers, for the community and while some expected more than 1.74 I feel while short of what was needed it is atleast equal to the last one and will aid every farmer across the board. Also included in the agreement is some sort of new system for farmers who do not want the buyout and want to keep growing, me personally im tired of it all and im moving on.

Thanks to those that supported us on local boards, those who didnt and called us selfish I hope this plan with millions going to communities and no tax money used pleases you as well. To those that said the cons were liars and snakes and said they would never produce a buyout, you were wrong and sometimes keeping the faith does infact work.

I will use most the money to pay debts and I will be consdering a resturant/bar down the road if all works out well, but for now im gonna go buy a six pack and have a few cold ones under a shaded tree

Glad to hear the end is near. Those of you that haven't had a peaceful nights sleep in a long time enjoy. Hope all the families that have been effected will be able to get past this and get back to what passes at normal. Its not only tobacco families that have been left in uncertain times, all those businesses that counted on the farm community to give them their bread and butter, have been waiting too. What you didn't state was is Ms. Finley taking credit for this? Haven't heard much of her of late.

As a "farmers daughter", former third generation tobacco farmer and proud supporter of farmers everywhere, I say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who will benefit from this exit strategy.

It's been a long, hard road for farmers and with prayer, hard work and faith a fair plan is now in place. I'm sure many people will be sleeping better tonight.

A pat on the back to everyone who brought this to fruition.

A great day for tobacco farmers and everyone in the community. Hopefully, people will be able to move on with their lives and we can all find the resolve to work together and become the best community we can be. Congratulations to all.

Its about time im glad

I seen a kiln getting filled today on my way to work...always brings back memories
from when I worked on a tobacco farm...glad to hear there is finally a settlement

we as farmers have waited a very long time for this to come some do not even speak of the complications or the real hardships that were occurring during the long wait, no one really knows what was going on
I am a third generation tobacco farmer,my husband is too, we waited a long time for this and under a mothers perspective my kids have suffered along the way. thank god this has come to an end.

My favourite memory is at 5:30am waiting for the first load of tobacco to come in and the kiln yard is filled with that sweet curing smell.