—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 18,1978 20 YORK - John T. Smith, York County Extension director on The Penn sylvania State University staff, has been named recipient of the first Penn sylvania Cooperative Ex tension Service Award. Smith received the award October 30 during ceremonies on the Penn State University Park Campus. It is based on outstanding educational programming at the county or state level. In presenting the plaque, Dr. Thomas B. King, Penn State associate dean for Extension, said that Smith’s efforts in determining the site for a sanitary landfill in York County were in strumental in establishing a unique system of land rental proven successful for both farm landowners and the solid waste authority. “When York County recognized the need for a sanitary landfill, even before it was required by law, the public reaction to the proposal was in flammatory,” Dr. King noted. “No township was willing to allow the landfill to be built within its boun daries. Some townships even passed ordinances against it.” Heated public meetings were held throughout the area, but Smith didn’t attend any of them or take sides. His proximity to the THE BOBCAT comes as BUY OR RENT a variety of narrow as 35 is built buckets and other low to work in tight areas attachments Bob Tach turns full circle in its locks lhem on fast and own tracks so|id LET US DEMONSTRATE what the Melroe Bobcat loader can do for you Drop in or call Bobcat—for the new breed of farmer and contractor GRUMELLI’S STAUFFER FARM SERVICE DIESEL, INC. Quarryvtlle, PA 312 W Mam St 17566 New Holland, PA 17557 Ph 717 786 7318 Ph 717-354 4181 L & S LIFT TRUCK SERVICES, INC. RDI Rt 74 South Red Lion PA 17356 Ph 717-244 8592 Landfill solution wins award for John Smith John Smith authority officials and his frequent farm visits to potential condemned sites made it possible for him to understand the positions of both groups. The agent, whose long time Extension career has earned him the respect of the community, discussed the issues with both sides. He approached the subject informally after dealing with other issues. Once he become convinced that the one major reason farmers opposed the land fill was the fear of losing the land, he came up with this novel suggestion: instead of acquiring the land through purchase and after using it, restore it so that it could be farmed by its owners. The proposal was ac cepted. Rental is far cheaper than purchase and the land remains on the tax rolls. Farmers whose land is being rented receive an annual rent and when the land is completely filled, it is returned to the farmer. Today, the landfill is operating below the amount needed to meet expenses. Citizens of the township where the landfill is located have noted an additional benefit. The amount of litter along roads and streams, in woods and fields, long a severe problem in the area, has been minimized. As Smith himself has said, “Even though the com munity is not happy with the landfill, it seems to be much more acceptable to them because farmers still own the land.” “John Smith’s key role in helping residents of York County achieve a satisfactory resolution to a community problem, is indicative of the type of work Extension is commited to for the welfare of Penn sylvanians,” Dr. King emphasized. A cloud takes 20 seconds to recharge after lightning flashes. H v 1 v> T*
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