Social service work should be questioned The confrontation between the Pennsylvania • Farmers Association and social service agencies - specifically the Farmworkers Cor poration, and even more specifically Susquehanna Human Services - is an issue which should not be taken lightly by anyone. The fact that the Pennsylvania Farmers Association has a long and established record of working methodically and carefully should give merit to their complaint that some Pennsylvania farmers are being unduly harrassed by overly zealous social workers. PFA does not jump to conclusions, and the organization waited for quite some time before it decided to expose the questionable tactics and motives of the Farmworkers Corporation It’s time to listen to PFA’s story and the varied implications. Questions which arise concern the work and money of our churches, federally funded public assistance programs, and the ability of the farmer to deal with his own labor situations. We should also question the purpose of assistance programs THE PRESCRIPTION Lesson for September 17, 1978 Background Scripture: Acts 2:42-47; Galatians 5:25 through 6:5; Ephesians6:lo-18; lPeters:G-il Devotional Reading: John 15:1-11. TO CUT CORN SILAGE AT PROPER STAGE Corn silage can provide a large part of the stored feed needed on a dairy farm. So, it’s very important to keep a dose watch on the com intended for silage. Both the nutrient content and preservation of silage are affected by the stage of harvest and moisture con tent. For best results, RURAL ROUTE If I told you that I have m my possession a prescription that, if filled and taken, would guarantee a life of peace and power assuming, of course, that you believed me -1 am sure that you would be willing to pay a substantial sum of money for that prescription. Your assumption, very likely, would be that what you would receive for your money would be a bottle of pills, capsules, or some medicinal formula from your local pharmacist. If, instead of receiving some kind of phar maceutical product, however, you were to be - ir* Tl ir "VI Ik k W By 'Max Smith, Lancaster County Agricultural, Agent . NOW IS THE TIME , ~ H Phone394jKsl dairymen should harvest com silage in the full dent stage of maturity. The total com plant at this stage has close to 70% moisture which is ideal with a grain moisture of 35 to 40%. The grain content is also higher than that of com cut earlier. High' moisture is one problem that has troubled many dairymen in storing high quality silage. High moisture can result in loss of nutrients from seepage of juices from the silo. Too much moisture also results in a bad odor, and con sumption drops. and the qualifications of those who administer them. On the latter question, it is in teresting to note that at least one of the employees of the Farmworkers Corporatiom was born and reared in a large city. His only claim to some degree of understanding of rural happenings are that he “spent Summers away from home at a cottage and he graduated from Pennsylvania State University, having studied rural sociology and related courses. While the young man who claims those credentials undoubtedly has good intentions to putting his talents to use, a lack of understanding of farm matters is clear when one considers the con frontations which have taken place at the Keith EcKel farm in Lackawanna County. (See story on page 1.) In related areas of misun derstandings between farmers and social service groups, it is disturbing to note that churches in Ohio have contributed $130,000 to the cause of a farmworkers strike Equally disturbing is the fact that the given a piece of paperupon which was inscribed various passages of scripture - such as those listed above - you would probably feel you had been cheated. After all, we’re a society that pops pills, not scriptures, to deal with our ills. A Pill Or A Program? A man suffering from a very serious disease came to a physician friend of mine, proclaiming, “I’ll do anything to be cured of this condition!” The physician outlined a program of various practices and disciplines which would have substantially altered the patient’s lifestyle. The TOBEAWAREOF LT IN POULTRY FLOCKS Laryngotracheitis (LT), a viral respiratory disease in poultry, was a real problem last winter and spring. It’s been dormant this summer, due to lots of sunshine and hot weather, but we are coming into the season where all poultrymen should be alert to the problem. Several factors mav be involved in these recent LT outbreaks. Improper use of LT vaccines is one possibility. Only the eye drop type of LT vaccine is cleared for use in Pennsylvania. *' I AFTER You've CHAFED A WREUCH DOm A FIFTY <JL FOOT SILO A FE-WTIMrS P V \you LEARN SOMETHING majority of the farmworkers are willing and able to work, but can’t because a handful of agitators are stopping them. What becomes of the rights and dignity of the farm workers them selves, and their farmer-employers if self-righteous crusaders for human services thrust their programs unto migrants and others? Such a situation is as bad as forced unionism, especially when the far mworkers have clearly indicated on their own that they don’t want the services of assistance agencies. By encouraging questionable and even unwanted social service efforts we accomplish little but the degradation of the human mind and spirit The farm workers at the Keith Eckel farm, and those in Ohio, for example, are willing to work. They want to work. Some are reportedly making more than the social service < workers Yet the blindly zealous social service workers are trying to lead good workers on a oath of food program included only a minimal amount of medication. Although the prognosis without this program was “terminal”, the man who had said he’d “do anything” refused the program that was proposed. He had been looking for a pill, not a program. He wanted to be healed, but he didn’t want to have his life changed. The Bible gives us many prescriptions for the kind of life all of us say we would “give anything” to have. Perhaps one reason we do not take them seriously is that they seem too simple, too commonplace. In 2 Kings 5 we find the fascinating Spread to adjacent and neighboring flocks is another likelikhood. LT spreads easily on contaminated crates, vehicles and clothing; therefore un necessary visitations to infected farms could result in an LT break. A third possibility is that an LT break occurs but is not diagnosed and not reported. Keep in mind that LT is a reportable disease. If you have any sick or ailing birds, take them to a poultry veterinarian or diagnostic lab for analysis. Preventative measures are invaluable in controlling LT. By Tom Armstrong stamps and other handouts. We already have too many people who demand far too much for way too little. It's a sin to encourge more of the same. The farm workers who have shown a willingness to work deserve total respect. They are to be commended for their attitude. It's fine and commendable for groups and individuals to be con cerned about the well-being of migrants and other rural people. No one disputes the fact that there is a-, need for such concern. The question is how will social,service programs be administered. On a basis of mutaul understanding? Or on a basis of “relax, good buddy, you're too dumb to know hat’s good for you - let me tell you what you want and need." It’s up to each of us, as individuals, to give or cut support, whether it is through taxation, 'or the offering plate in church. The questions in volved should be carefully weighed in each person's conscience. story of Naaman the Syrian general whose career is threatened by leprosy. Journeying to Israel to seek healing from the Prophet Elisha, the great general is contemptuous of Elisha’s command to “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored...” He is on the verge of going back to Syria when his servants come to him and reason: “My father, if the prophet had com manded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (5:8-14). They Devoted Themselves So too, when the writer of TO CHECK FEED BINS The fall season brings with it considerable temperature changes from day to nght. This causes a lot of moisture condensation, as we see it on car windows in the morning. This same type of con densation takes place in the bulk feed bins on our farms. It causes the build-up of molds on the bins and in the feed. When feed bins are cleaned out, they should be inspected, thoroughly, right Farm Calendar Today, Sept. 16 Paradise Rotary Club has “Travel and Adventure” slide program. “Ontario Onward,” 7:30 p.m. at Conestoga Valley High School. Sunday, Sept. 17' The Our Gang Riding Club. Inc. of York holds is All- Western Open Horse Show. At the Club’s grounds, 10 a.m., rain or shine. Club grounds on Gun Club Road off of Acts spells out the simple resources which made great the life of the apostolic Church - “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (2:42) - we tend to dismiss them because they do not seem very unique or dramatic. Yet it was because of that simple prescription of the ordered life together that we also read that “many wonders and signs were done through the apostles” (2:43). The prescription for a life of spiritual power and peace is no secret and it is never beyond our means if we really want it. down to the boot. Also, when you are taking feed out of the bin, keep a close watch for chunks of feed, it will tell you if the problem is there. After cleaning out the bin, it should be sprayed with a milk inhibitor and allowed to dry. You can use calcium proprionate solution on the inhibitor. One of the best preventions for condensation is to in sulate the bin. This will slow down the temperature fluctuation. (Turn to Page 20) Bancroft Road, near Holtz. Monday, Sept. 18 Elizabethtown Community Fair begins, continues through the 23rd. ' Williamsburg Community ' Fair begins, continues through the 21st. Tuesday, Sept. 19 Chickies Creek Watershed meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Manheim Community Building, 15 East High- Street. (Turn to Page 29) 1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers