92—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, January 20,1979
Guided growth is the key to land use
Amos Funk
MOUNT JOY - Amos Funk, well-known Lancaster
County fanner and conservationist believes we have a
choice in deciding how much land will be developed in the
Garden Spot by the year 2000. Speaking here recently at a
regular meeting of the Mount Joy Rotary Club, the
grandfatherly champion of land preservation said a goal
of “guided growth away from our best farmland” is
achievable.
Noting that he is the third generation farmer at the
family’s Millersville property, he told the Rotanans he
feels strongly about what happens in Lancaster County
“because our land and our farmers are so special.” He
pointed out that 76 per cent of the County’s land is prime
farmland, while the average for the state is only 38 per
cent.
“Where else in the United States do we find fanners
outbidding developers for land to farm? And they are
paying such amazing prices. Few of us can understand the
economics involved, but it is happening,” Funk declared.
“Directions, a Comprehensive Plan for die County,
adopted by the County Commissioners in 1975, has set a
goal for the retention of 287,000 acres of our best
agricultural land by the year 2000. This would allow more
than 100,000 acres of land presently used for agricultural
production to be used for other purposes.
Disengage tines white driving to and from
garden (except 5 HP.).
9 Position Handle: up, down, left, right.
5 Speeds forward, 1 reverse.
Briggs & Stratton engine.
ITS NOT THE TIME OF YEAR TO
USE A TILLER, HOWEVER, IT’S THE
BEST TIME TO BUY A YARDMAN
AT THESE LOW PRICES!
5 H.P.
8 H.P
4 H.P. FRONT TINE ONLY ’259
AUTHORIZED DEALER
LAWN CARE OF PA.
SALES & SERVICE
Martmdale. PA 17549
Phone 215 445-4541
1 mile north of Martmdale on Grist Mill Road
Mon , Tues , Thurs & Fn 8 to 8,
Wed Btos,Sat Bto2
aj think it is time
we treat our land
as a non-renewable
resource rather
than just an
economic unit to
be traded at will
without any
thought of the
future impact
of such action
List SALE
$749.95 $ 599
$879.95 $ 699
“I have a great deal of concern about the im
plementation of the County Comprehensive Plan. Are we
doing enough to implement this plan’ Will the plan ever
be implemented? Sometimes I think we spend 75 percent
of our time making plans and only 25 per cent of our effort
is spent implementing those plans. I would like to see it
turned around. Spend 25 per cent of our tune making plans
and 75 per cent of our time implementing them,” Funk
said. The noted conservationist - farmer said further: “I
suppose my concern about plan implementation arises
from a personal experience and a situation so nearly like
our situation here in Lancaster County, that it scares me.
“First, my personal experience. In 1967, I was ap
pointed by former Governor Shafer, to an 18-member
committee and given the charge to develop a plan to
“Preserve Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Land”.
After two years’of work, we presented our report and
recommendations to the governor. He and others com
plimented us on the report and described it as a good
report. Unfortunately to date, few of our recomendations
have been implemented. Naturally, this has been very
frustrating to me.”
Funk noted that in Santa Clara County, California
residential development was to be guided to the foothills
in the county and allow the rich valley floor to remain in
agricultural production. “Instead, 800,000 people moved
into the Santa Clara Valley in 20 years. Commercial
DISTRICT MANAGER GEORGE HEATH 472 Woodcrest Dr. Mechamcsburg, PA 17055 717-737-9400
ALEXANDRIA
MAX ISENBERG
717-669-4027
BALLY
LONGACRE
ELECTRIC
215-845-2261
BELLEFONTE
LUCAS BARN
EQUIPMENT
814-383-2806
BELLEVILLE
MACldre& r S6T
717-935-2101
£7-9.
CAMP HILL
LLOYD SULTZBAUGH
717-737-4554
Contact your nearest Patz dealer
CHAMBERSBURG
VALLEY FARM
AUTOMATION
717-264-3814
HAMBURG
SHARTLESVILLE
FARM SERVICE
215-488-1025
KIRKWOOD
LANDIS &
ESBENSHADE
717-786-4158
LEBANON
MARVIN J HORST
DAIRY EQUIPMENT
717-272-0871
McALISTERVILLE
SANER FARM
SYSTEMS
717-463-2606
agriculture has been destroyed. What has been the
economic unpact on the county? The cost of services
demanded by the new residents for exceeded the new tax
revenue to support these services and as a result, Santa
Clara County has the highest per capita debt load of any
county in California. I trust we won’t let this happen
here,” Funk declared.
“Lancaster County has just recently achieved the
dubious distinction of being the fastest developing county
in the state. Some of you may also recall the news articles
pointing out that Lancaster County ranks first in the
nation in agricultural production without the use of
irrigation,” he continued.
“Can Lancaster County continue to be the fastest
developing county in the state and still retain cur position
as the leading non-irrigated agricultural county in the
nation? TdoubtTffWhich way do we'goTT ddiftthink we
can afford the loss of Lancaster County’s agriculture,”
the speaker asserted.
“Would any manufacturer reduce the,size of his plant
that is twice as efficient as competing plants in the state?
Lancaster County’s soils are twice as efficient in
productivity as the average soils used in agricultural
production in the rest of the state. 76 per cent of our soils
are Class I, 11, and 111, compared to 38 per cent for the
state.
/
/
/
MILLERSBURG
LANDIS
LABOR SAVERS
717-692-4647
MILTON
LANDIS FARMSTEAD
AUTOMATION
717-437-2375
piper;
iVILLE
MOYER
FARM SERVICE
215-766-8675
TERRE HILL
TERRE HILL
SILO CO INC
215-445-6736
WILLIAMSBURG
LONGENECKERS, INC
814-793-3731
(Turn to Page 93)
MARYLAND DEALERS
EASTON, MD
WALTER J.HARMSEN
301-822-3085
HAGERSTOWN. MD
TRI-STATE
FARM AUTOMATION
301-790-3698
KENNEDYVILLE. MD
FINDER SERVICE CO,
301-348-5263
LINEBORO. MD
WERTZ GARAGE. INC,
301-374-2672
NEW WINDSOR
TRI-COUNTY
FARM AUTOMATION
301-775-7365
STREET. MD
WALTER WEBSTER
301-452-8521
MD