B—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 2,1971 Farmers Association Explains Program The following run-down on the activities of the Farmers As sociation was submitted by local members this week on the eve of the organization’s annual mem bership drive: What farmer hasn’t at some time or other said, when think ing of some distasteful piece of government legislation, “as soon as I can I’m going to sit down and write my senator a letter and tell him what I think’” Most of us know what happens —it is usually lorgotten, or put off. The Lancaster County Farm ers Association is the county’s largest farm organization, woik ing for the farmer both in farm legislation and in most other fields that concern the farmer While the Association would still recommend that any farm er that so desires should still in dividually write his congress man, it is an organization that is doing for the farmer, by group action and power, what he can’t do individually. The Lancaster County Farmers Association is the farmers voice Stz the county level, which in turn makes him a part of the State and National Farmers Associa tion. ' This organization is composed of progressive thinking farmers who are not only interested in the success of agriculture for themselves now, but are con cerned about the future of agri culture, and what promise farm ing has for their children. This farm group is interested both in a higher net income now, and in a guaranteed future through legislative action at the local, state and national level.' Just a few of the many services they provide their members in clude farm management (profes sional bookkeeping service), a full line of insurances for fann ers, a farm supply program, and a farm commodity marketing service When a faimer joins the Lan caster County Farmers Associa tion, it means that he, plus the Farmers Association, equals “Power for Agnculture ” It also means that he joins hands with the other 12,416 families in Pennsylvania, and 1,870,000 others across the nation to help achieve more net income and im prove the farmei’s way of life in the business of tanning Each member helps create this “Pow er for Agncultuie” through the united effoit of each individual In legislation the Farmers As sociation has full time represen tation in both the Pennsylvania General Assembly and in the United States Congress This is the only state organization with a legislative department devot ing 100 per cent of its time and energy to carrying out the wish es of farmers These policies are detei mined and made by the members [Farmers adopt, change or delete any policy governing this organi sation Every effort is made to eeek the individual member's opinions and ideas, and fiom the total membership through the “policy development system ” The farmer also has the op portunity to discuss important issues on a monthly through the “Advisory Council” program. This is called “grass roots” control Just a few of the recent ac complishments in legislature are - Law preventing buyers of farm products from discriminat ing against members of coop marketing groups, law keeping sales tax off farm production items state meat inspection, rather than federal, false label ing of pioducts, dumping sol/d wastes in mines law giving farm owners more protection in the law of eminent domain, defeated legislation giving the Highways Department unlim'ted powers in taking farm property; halted legislation curbing all use of farm chemicals; killed bill elimi nating milk marketing law, and had part in many others to aid the farmers. The Pennsylvania Farmers As sociation is the only State farm organization with a full-time in formation department, dedicated to informing the public and other farmers about today’s agri culture This department also issues information pertinent to state and national issues through member and leadership publications. PFA, being a family organiza tion, recognizes the importance of the wife as a business partner Special activities are conducted and sponsored by the various Womens Committees at county, state and national levels At present, on the county level, the women’s groups are working on a farm safety cam paign, both by tabulating farm accidents as to type and age lev el. and by striving to make recommendations to lower the accident level In marketing, the Farmers As sociation is a cooperative mar keting affiliate of PFA It offers marketing and bargaining pro grams for different commodities consisting of apples, grapes, tomatoes, vegetables, cherries and spent hens The latter will enable farmers to maiket sever al million birds at a higher price to the poultryman. And, of course, with the marketing pro gram, they keep the members up to date in marketing trends. One of the large, and direct, services to its members is the farm supply program The As sociation has formed a supply purchasing company—The PFA Supply Company—to group pur chase tires and batteues, mar keted under the name “Safe mark” with laige savings passed on directly to the member Only members have this service avail able The items can be pur chased through vanous local service agents in each county Any farmer with a good-sized op eration is able to save much more than his membership fee each year by buying these “Safemark” tires and batteries Now, in these days of more complex bookkeeping, due both to larger farm operations and to the many government demands, the Farmers Association has provided the Farm Management and Business Analysis Service (FMBA Service). This is a com plete record keeping, tax serv ice, and business analysis serv ice program for farmer-mem bers This service can save a farmer hard cash through good business practices The informa tion on what can or cannot be deducted at Income Tix time amne may save a farmer hun dreds of dollars Another service that could be worth more to an individual farmer, or his family is the com plete insurance service offered by the Pennsylvania Farmers As sociation through its farmer owned affiliate—The Farm Fam ily Insurance Companies This is a top quality insurance service tailored to the individual’s needs, and the profits of the companies are returned to the policy holders through divi dends. Just a few of the other ac complishments of the Faimers Association are - the continued publication of marketing news of interest for fruit and vegetable growers, increased public rela tions campaign to explain cost of foods to consumers, by utiliz ing radio, TV and newspapers; additional discounts to all mem bers on fire, auto, and life insur ance holders, and better Ad visory Councils to take part in policy development. The Lancaster County Farm ers Association is now making a drive for membership, the slogan being “See Everyone in 71 ” In this age of dwindling farm population and increased urban government repiesentation, it would be foolish to turn down the opportunity to join this ‘ Powei for the Farmei” organi zation Plans are being made to operate the Lititz branch store of L. H. Brubaker, Inc. under the separate name and ownership of Mr & Mrs. Roy A. Brubaker who have been managing the Lititz store since it has begun serving formers of this area 24 years ago. In this change we hope to continue uninter rupted service of farm equipment to farmers in this area. MANPOWER: Our Lititz staff will continue to sup port our efforts to furnish and service your equipment needs as in the past. One of the deciding factors in our decision to take over the business was that we riot only have a staff of men with farm background but also with as much as 20 years or more training and experi ence in tractor and New Holland baler service proce dures. MERCHANDISE: We plan to continue represent ing and servicing most of the lines of equipment we formerly carried including New Holland new machin ery and parts. FACILITIES: We now have the footings poured to add a 30’ x 40’ addition to our rear ground level service shop. This will enable us to get inside at one time more and larger pieces of equipment to work more efficient ly in winter or rainy weather. Howard Erb who most of you know as a farmer, a sales clerk, or former parts man or as our present sales representative will continue to call on you as requested or as his limited time permits. Your part: We need and sincerely appreciate and will try to deserve your patronage and friendship. Please call us or talk to Howard Erb about any pre sent or future interest in farm, lawn or barn chore equip ment you may be needing this Spring or Summer. We have free financing terms and Early-Buyers Dividend refunds for many items Please call us or talk to Frank Ortlieb, service fore man or Lloyd Lefever, George Knight or Clair Becker about equipment overhaul or service. We will make special terms or hauling allowances for some jobs during slack work, seasons. ssj • Check over your equipment now for needed parts/ attachments or service to make sure your equip ment is ready to work next Summer • Stop & ask for your 1971 calendar SEASONS GREETINGS, ROY & M. JANE BRUBAKER RDi±3 Lititz Phone 626-7766 mi CORN BOOK 4 S SEED CORN Now is Hie Time fo Order MUNCY CHIEF CHAMPION HYBRIDS For Spring 1971 From Local Dealer or Direct Write for Corn Literature and Corn Blight Book and price list. Stop in to See us at booth 562-563 Penna. Farm Show. CLIP AND MAIL | MUNCY-CHIEF HYBRIDS 1 Muncy, Pennsylvania 17756 | I Please send catalog and com blight book, ■ i ; • Name I I Address - □ Farmer □ Dealer □ Student □ Teacher * □ Check here if interested in becoming a dealer I I for Muncy-Chief Seeds I Acres Farmed Acres to Corn