10 —UmcMtar F«rm*i*. Saturday, Nov. 22,1975 Farm Commentary By Dieter Krieg, Editor Thank-you People are important in any business whether it’s farming, manufacturing, retailing, or publishing. We at LANCASTER FARMING depend on people as much as most anyone. Our success depends not only on the capabilities of our staff, but also on the willingness of ad vertisers and readers to accept our product and service. It is with this in mind that we thank our subscribers, advertisers, staff and newsmakers for 20 years of LANCASTER FARMING. This issue marks the beginning of our 21st year and we’re grateful for the support we have received through the years. Now serving the southeastern and southcentral Pennsylvania areas, LANCASTER FARMING was first published in Quarryville moving to its present location in Lititz in 1962. Its birth prompted congratulatory notes from then Secretary of U.S. Agriculture, Ezra Taft Benson; Pennsylvania’s former Agriculture Secretary, Bill Henning, as well as scores of compliments from readers and advertisers. Two paragraphs from an in- A Thanksgiving memory Two years ago our former pastor asked members of the congregation to present a short talk on what they're most thankful fo r . I was among those he picked. Admittedly a bit nervous, I walked to the front of the sanctuary with a dark-red towel tucked tightly under my arm. ‘Tm most thankful for this towel,” I began, as I lifted it up and allowed it to unfurl for all to see. “It represents a number of things in my life, and yet it doesn’t even get used any more it's just a momento.” Up until I was eight years old, my family lived m communist-ruled East Germany. Most of the .liberties, freedoms and opportunities we take for granted in the United States do not exist under commonist-ruled nations. There's no free-enterpnse. system, no freedom of speech, no freedom of religion, no privilege to travel just to name a few. As a young boy I saw my father being hustled off to jail for believing in the free-enterpnse system. All our possessions were taken land, cows, equipment, horses, furniture, house, and more. Like thousands of others who fled the country because of Soviet-inspired oppression, my father risked his life to cross the border in order to join a free and prosperous Western society. The towel I held up represented leaving a communist-ruled country. After having left East Germany, we lived in refugee camps for two years. For much of that time our home was one room shared with one or two other, families; our clothes were those we wore during our escape and what had been donated to us after our arrival, our food was that which was provided by the relief organizations and the governments of West Germany and the United States. My towel represented life in those refugee camps. for 20 years troductory message appearing in LANCASTER FARMING’S first issue sum up the paper’s purpose. We quote: “For many, many years this region has been recognized as one of the most outstanding agricultural sections of the nation, even the world. But not for many decades has there been a publication specifically designed for the farmer, no publication that has served as a clearing house for news the farmer needs. “Such is the purpose of LAN CASTER FARMING ...’’ Our apmversary comes at an ap propriate time ~ Thanksgiving because 21 years of existence is something to be thankful for. Our “Home base" is one of America’s richest agricultural areas that is something to be thankful for. Agriculture is a giant in southeastern Pennsylvania, which is a tribute to this geographical area and the people who developed it. Lancaster Farming is 20 years young. We thank you for having made it possible and extend heartiest wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. It was 20 years ago,this month that the Kneg family came to the United States to start a new life. My father began Working on a farm first as a hired man, a few years later as a tenant, and finally as an owner of 297 acres and more than 200 head of top quality Holsteins in York County. Today he owns an operation more than twice that size in northern Florida. There’s no two ways about it that my father worked hard for what he owns today, but on the other hand, let it be known that such rapid success could not have been achieved m a communist-ruled nation, nor in most free countries. That deep-red rectangular piece of cloth I held up before the congregation represented life in the United States. Talk about generosity, and the American people spring to mind instantly. Millions of people all over the world have needed help at one time or another, and most of the help always comes from this country. Much of what we and other families at refugee camps were provided with came from generous Americans. My towel was among the items which came in a CARE package while we lived in a refugee camp near Hamburg. The friendly hand of understanding and help isn’t withdrawn once the refugee from a foreign country arrives here. The same spirit which sparked America’s birth 200 years ago is still alive, especially among rural people, and 1 am thankful for that. This commentary wouldn’t be complete without mentioning who was responsible for sending the towels, toy tractors, T-shirts and much more. Many years ag6 my father told me that the card inside the package ,said: “...from Lancaster County Mennomtes.” Thank you, neighbors! THE CROSS IN EGYPT L«»on for November 23,197$ Background Scripture: To Be Careful Genesis 43 through 44. _ ®* Devotional Reading: John ' Brucellosis infected cattle 10- 7-is. are going to market in large The word “cross" does not numbers these days in a few appear in the Old Testament southern state*. Many of (not as a noun, at least). Yet |bem * re , well-bred good the idea behind the New looking animals and they re Testament cross appears f° r less beef from time to time in the Old prices. However, they are a Testament. menace to Pennsylvania Back in the 1950’s British herds, theologian, H. Wheeler These cattle can find their Robinson, published a book way into Pennsylvania cattle entitled, THE CROSS IN herds - » takes is some THE OLD TESTAMENT e *rt*g and health chart (Westminister Press). In an “ this remarkable book he c*ttie oeslers around who examined the idea of the are n °t above doing that, cross in the Old Testament Sam Guss, Extension Book of Job. in Isiah’s veterinarian at the Penn- Suffering Servant, and in the sylvania State University, life and ministry of the advises those wha must buy prophet Jeremiah. cows to be snare of their Our Father’s sorrow source, isolate them and In each of these Old h * ve them blood tested Testament sources, before exposing the herd to Robinson saw a per- them No new animal should figurement of die cross of be added to a Pennsylvania Christ. In each case there cfttle herd unless it is was a willingness to bear negative to the brucellosis burdens of suffering as a tost. __ response to God's grace. On To Expect Healthier the part of the Suffering Sheep Servant and Jeremiah, it is a f n 1956, twenty-two willingness to bear suffering American flocks of sheep for the sake of the people of were destroyed because the Israel - vicarious suffering, dread virus disease, Scrapie Job, Isiah, and Jeremiah was found. That year are among the later Old marked a high point in the Testament books. But one struggle to eradicate the can find the cross-idea even . disease which began when in the beginning of the Old Scrapie was first discovered Testament. In Genesis 43,44, i® tbe U.S.-in 1947. for example, we find it in the Scrapie is caused by one of story of Joseph and his 016 toughest viruses known brothers. to exist and measures chosen Joseph is playing a game by regulatory, veterinarians with his brothers. They do were widely criticized by not recognize his identity, so some segments of the sheep he tests -them, perhaps industry. They were heroic wanting to see whether time measures designed to and life have brought any destroy all known Infected or changes in them, exposed flocks, points out Threatening to keep Ben- ®r* Sam B. Guss, Extension ’ jamin, Israel’s youngest, veterinarian at the Penn with him as a slave, Joseph sylvania State University. A tests his brothers’ concern total of 207 flocks have been for their father. wiped out during the The test brings out the best eradication program to date, in Judah, one of IsreTs but this year only two in twelve sons. He tries to fected or exposed flocks (one reason with Joseph, hi Illinois and one in West reminding him that he had ‘Virginia) have been implied that young, Ben- destroyed. jamine could return to his With a httle bit of luck, this father. When that seems to. ma i°. r . threat to the gain him no advantage, productivity of the American Judah makes an appeal on sh**? industry will soon be his father’s account. He totally eradicated, speaks of Israel’s great love To Prepared to for Benjamin, the Trap Muskrats of the brothers and his During the past several father's favorite since the y ears muskrats have in departure of Josenh: ._ <■ creased their numbers to the “His life is bound up in the point where they are lad’s life” (44:30). ‘ bothersome and destructive There would have been a turm ponds, says Robert time when Judah and his brothers could not have made that admission favortism without violent hostility. Now, however, many years later, they seem to accept the favored status of Benjamin without rancor and bitterness. “I shall bear the blame” Judah gave Israel his word that the lad would be able to return home when the governor (Joseph) had seen him. But" Judah' wasn’t thinking of himself,-he was truly concerned about his father. If Benjamin should not return to his father, Israel might easily die of a broken heart. “For how can I go back to my father if the lad is not with me? I fear to see die evil that would come, upon my-father” (44:33)). Judah’s condem is for his father’s welfare. He has put him first. Out of his concern for his father grows Judah’s cross: “Now therefore, let your servant..., remain instead as a slave to my lord; and let the lad go back with' his brothers.” Judah offers to take upon himself the fate that seems destined for his brother Benjamin. He will pay the price willingly out of love for his father. Isn’t that what Jesus did on Calvary? NOW IS THE TIME. . J ■Max Smith County Agr. Agent Telephone :m-C.K. r .i G. Wingard, Extension wildlife specialist, The Pennsylvania State University. Part of this build-up In the muskrat population can be attributed to high produc tivity, good habitat, and to a lack of trapping. Fur prices are improved so there may be more incentive to the trapper for harvesting surplus muskrats this year. Pond owners would do well to trap at their ponds or encourage others to do so. Trappers looking for a choice spot should check with local pond owners for permission to trap at ponds or streams on their property. Check the game law for season dates and other regulations relating to trapping. To Prevent Firearm Accidents in Home The National Safety Council reports that about half the accidental firearm fatalities occur in the home. Many of these' accidents occured because guns were .improperly stored. To help reduce these jaccidents, Robert G, Wingard, Ex tension wildlife specialist, the Pennsylvania State University, urges all gun owners, especially hunters during the season, to observe . these safety rules: ' Unload 'guns .before en tering the house. In the home, guns should be locked in. a safe place. Store am? muniction separately froth guns in a safe place. Teach all members of the family sa-fe gun-handling procedures and appropriate respect for firearms. Finally, never point a gun at anything that you do not want to shoot. Farm Calendar Monday, Nov. 24 Twin Valley Young Fanners meeting at the Twin Valley High School, Elverson, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Interstate Milk Producer’s Annual Conference to be held at the Host Resort thru Wednesday. Tuesday, Nov. 25 Garden Spot Young Fanners meeting on tax management. Garden Spot High School classroom 7:30 p.m. Ephrata Area young far mers’ meeting at the Ephrata Senior High School 7:45 p.m. Interstate Banquet in the Cabaret Room, Host Resort 6:30 p.m. Reservations necessary. Wednesday, Nov. 26 Adult farmers meeting at the Hinkletown Alternative School on Wanner Rd., * east of Hinkletown at 7:45 p.m. Topic will be tobacco raising: Saturday, Nov. 29 ' Food conference - Blue Ball Fire Hall 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dr. Paul A. Buck, Speaker. 0 £ ij. 0 4 ■y.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers