A2O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 11, 1992
Irwin’s Extension Work
In Poland Helps Transition
To Free Enterprise
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Farming Staff
LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) For six months Jay
and Betty Irwin called a Polish palace their home. It was
the place where the Irwins learned to understand the com
plex problems that face Poland. It was also die place that
the Irwins learned to appreciate little things like a glass of
cold milk, a lamp, and the afternoon sun streaming
through the window. But, most of all, it was the place
where the Irwins learned to love the Polish people.
The Irwins we/e part of a team of American Extension
specialists selected to assist the Polish agricultural sector
in its transition to a free market economy.
“We did not go to teach them to farm, but to work with
them to market their products and to increase economical
profits,” Jay stressed.
Jay, who was director for Lancaster County Extension
prior to his trip, said that the 95,000 farmers located in the
southeastern region of Poland average farms about eight
acres in size. Because the acreage has been passed down
through the generations, the eight aercas usually consist of
two-acre plots scattered across the countryside.
Although Jay tried to encourage the farmers to trade
acres in order to have adjoining fields to save time, the
Polish people arc skeptical of giving up land that has been
in the family for years.
While this idea was not receptive, other suggestions
from Jay arc being implemented.
One of these suggestions was using advertising to sell
their products. When the Irwins first suggested advertis
ing, the Polish people were puzzled. They held the precon
ceived idea that people who advertised had an inferior pro
duct. After Jay’s explanation on the benefits of advertis
ing, handmade signs began popping up and by the time the
Irwins returned to the U.S. in December, signs listing pro
ducts and services were commonplace in Poland.
“Granted Ihc signs were not professional and the word
ing too crowded, but it is a start," Jay said.
He secs great potential for Poland as they seek a free
market economy after struggling under communist rule
until 1989.
“The changes in government have left a mark upon its
people,” said Jay. “They arc not sure there really is a better
tomorrow.”
Banks charge interest rates of 50 to 70 percent, which
causes a severe money shortage to make improvements on
the farm.
The older generation, accustomed to being told what
and what not to do, find it terrifying to make decisions.
They found the old system more secure.
The Irwins said that Poland was very tense during the
Russian Coup in Moscow. It was then that the Irwins
learned that there were 120,000 Soviet troops that
remained in Poland after the revolution because they don’t
want to return to Soviet territory. Poland does not appreci
ate that the troops stay and eat their food.
The Irwins stressed the need for the people to think
positive. “Instead of concentrating on all the bad things
that have happened in their country and the things that
might happen, they need to look at the positive things that
arc happening and have vision of the future,” Jay said.
The Polish arc suspicious of new ideas and new govern
ing methods. Many of the younger generation long to
come to the U.S. either permanently or long enough to
accumulate some money and take it back to their home
land where the purchasing power with U.S. dollars would
help them get a good start in their country.
“Within the last 10 years, 500,000 Poles have come to
the U.S. Most of the people we talked with had relatives in
the U.S. They claim that the largest Polish city in the world
is Chicago,” Jay said. “The Polish are hardworking people
and many who come to the U.S. do send money to their
relatives who remain in Poland.”
Poland is comparable to the size of New Mexico. About
40 percent of the population lives on a farm compared to
two percent in the U.S. About 39 percent of a Polish fami
ly’s income is spent for food. If alcoholic beverages are
included in the food income, it takes 51 percent of their
income.
‘The people have a lot of problems with alcoholism and
depression,” Betty said. Other than alcohol, drugs are not a
problem in Poland because drugs accompany a more
affluent society.
Since the Communist overthrow in 1989, the Polish
have lost their market for agricultural products, which had
been shipped to the former U.S.S.R.
Poland docs not have money to subsidize fanning and
farmers have a hard time competing in a free market,” Jay
said.
Poland has huge coal mines but it is soft coal that causes
air contamination. The Polish are extremely concerned
about environmental and health issues, and these concerns
are sometimes detriment to farming.
For example, the Irwins had a difficult time persuading
ter a six-month stay In Poland, Jay and Betty Irwin’s first request when they
reached Washington D.C. was a glass of cold milk. Jay, former director for Lancaster
County Extension, searched for methods Polish farmers could use to upgrade milk
and other agricultural products.
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