—Lancaster farming, Saturday, April 7,1979 10 COMMENTS By DIETER KRIEG, EDITOR j Reactor Because newsmen from around the world have made such a big case out of the accident that occurred ten days ago on Three Mile Island, agriculture in southeastern Penn sylvania may end up being the biggest loser of all. While the nuclear mishap might well be considered dangerous, much of the country ended up being poisoned not by radiation, but rather by the heavy coverage given by news reporters and broadcasters. And because of that, many consumers will be shying away from farm products which were produced in the Keystone State. That would be unfortunate, although not surprising. There is no denying that the Three Mile Island incident was and is newsworthy, and it will undoubtedly be rated as the top story of the year, but if journalists were ever guilty of overdoing it, this had to be it. Day after day the big headlines appeared. And along with it came the un warranted reports - even rumors - and downright ridiculous statements. Suddenly everybody became an expert on nuclear energy and the facts became twisted and confusing. The rumors flew and alarm grew steadily. As a matter of fact, more than 10. times as much radiation dropped on that you eat”! How those words must have jarred the church at Corinth! They were not any more welcome in Corinth than they would be in your church today. None of us would likely take kindly the judgement that, whatever we are doing, it is not the Lord’s Supper. Paul was shocked with what went on in Corinth when the church came together for the Lord's Background Scripture: Supper. In Corinth, as 1 Corinthians 11. probably in other places in Devotional Reading: the early church, it was Mark 14:17-26. observed as part of a “When you meet together, common meal, known as the it is not the Lord’s supper Agape or love feast. It NOT THE LORD’S SUPPER Lesson lor April 8, 1979 TO PRODUCE meeting we learned that MAXIMUM ALFALFA good alfalfa hay was the YIELDS backbone of the ewe feeding With nearly every species program. Alfalfa meal is RURAL ROUTE is cool ... now the people our Garden Spot in October of 1976 when fallout from a Chinese bomb blast circled the globe. But back then, news reporters and politicians hardly even noticed. Life went on as normal, and few people - if anybody - were really concerned. In contrast, radiation from Three Mile Island was oftentimes barely detectable, if present at all But panic struck a lot of people and decisions are still being made which won't do Pennsylvania’s farmers a bit of good. True, the Three Mile Island situation could have been more serious than it was Maybe the an ticipation of a disaster is what caused the stories to be so heavily laden with negative thinking. As the stories and rumors spread, people got the idea into their heads that our soils and farm products are contaminated. Some orders for sales have already been cancelled and a few merchants are known to be telling their customers that their milk or vegetables didn’t come from Pennsylvania. Ironically, the problem isn’t in the immediate area, it’s in neighboring states. In the minds of at least some of the public, our farm products are unfit for human consumption. In truth, they’re as good as they ever were. There has been no scientific evidence to indicate that anything was con- of livestock the feeding of top quality alfalfa hay or silage is strongly recommended. At dairy meetings we hear how good alfalfa is in the rations and at a recent sheep started out as a good idea, for eating together m the ancient world always had a special spiritual significance. The Last Supper of Jesus had also been a common sharing of the Passover Supper. No Commendation But something had hap pened to this good idea. In time, the common meal became really more im portant than the Lord’s Supper. It became an oc casion for eating and drinking in excess. It gave rise to selfish displays, some people using it as an op portunity to flaunt their often used as a source of protein in other rations. It all sums up the fact that alfalfa is one of our most important forage crops. Every farmer should make a special effort to produce maximum amounts per acre This takes management along with proper lime, fertilizer, in- // / tammated -lest it be the tarnishing as a result of too much negative and alarming publicity I know of at least one picture that appeared in newspapers which was totally ridiculous, and yet somewhat indicative of the type of reporting that was-going on A couple of Holstein steers were feeding on a lot somewhere, and the caption asked whether or not the milk from those cows might be contaminated with radiation. I’m sure that was just one of many mistakes the reporters and photographers made After all, hoW much do city reporters know about farming? And yes, how much do they know of nuclear physics 7 Judging by the number of reports that were being written, our jour nalists know more about farming and nuclear energy than you and I combined. They may have meant well, but I'd say they overreacted And they were responsible for a segment of our population overreacting as well Some of our politicians didn’t help matters either. Seeing the op portunity to bale tons of political hay, they acted as though they were the all-knowing and all-guarding fathers of our country. Through their actions and words, some folks have inad vertently magnified a of concern into a story bordering on hopelessness. This made our matenal well-being: “... do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.” Today the service of Holy Communion is seldom performed in conjunction with a common meal. Therefore, you may be tempted to conclude that what Paul has to say on this subject in 1 Corinthians 11 has no relevance for us today. Certainly our services of Holy Communion are not conducted like that! Profaning The Lord But there is more involved sect, and disease control, manner. The crop is worthy Since we are now at the of the best of attention. . . , TO PROTECT beginning of another PERMANENT PASTURES cropping season, more at- Some permanent pastures tendon to alfalfa might have livestock running on benefit many fanners. Don’t them twelve months of the be satisfied with half a year. When animals are stand, or with doing alfalfa allowed to tramp these practices in a hap-hazard pastures early in the spring, , a they dig up the grass roots om Armstrong and do considerable damage. Some fields look more like a plowed field. This should not be allowed. I’d suggest that animals be kept from these pastures until the grass is tall enough to graze. Also, an application of complete fertilizer, such 10-10-10, would bring the grass along faster and in crease grazing capacity. Give the grass a chance to get started before the flock or herd is admitted to the area. By situation here at horhe even more vulnerable I certainly share the concern that many farmers have for their families and property. And 1 can understand why thousands of families wanted to leave the area for a few days. And I can see the reason for apprehension and fear among those who live and work close to the nuclear electric plant There is no denying that the entire situation shouldn’t have been taken lightly But there was no reason for the national news media and politicians to stretch the situation so far out of proportion that it left an indelible mark on Pennsylvania agriculture Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Penrose- Ha Howell has been saying ever since he took office that he wants to promote Penn sylvania’s farm products. Well, I’m afraid he and you and I are going to have a real job to do in that regard. After all the alarming publicity that’s come out of the Three Mile Island thing, we had better not neglect our public relations duties'to help bring things back to normal. People in our own area don't appear to be too worried about our farm products, but evidence is already showing up in other states that our products won’t be as easily sold as before. here than the practices of the Corinthian Christians at the Lord’s Supper. First, Paul reminds us of the essence of the Lord’s Supper: “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (11:24). In the Lord’s Supper we must never forget that Christ himself is somehow present. If there is any ac tion or attitude in us that is inharmonious with the Spirit of Christ, it is not the Lord’s Supper we are celebrating. “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord m an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine Himself and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (11:27,28). How often do we eat the bread and dnnk the cup without seriously “examining” ourselves - without looking deeply within ourselves, without evaluating our relationships with those about us? Are not Paul’s words just as much a warning to us? “For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement upon himself” (11:29)? A service of Holy Com munion is not necessarily the Lord’s Supper! TO GRAZE CAUTIOUSLY The winter rye will soon be ready for grazing in this part of the country. Also, if warm Spring rains continue, many stands of well-fertilized pastures will be ready to graze. Most animals are anxious to get on this lush growth and may over-eat the first few days. We suggest that animals be allowed on this fresh grass only after they have been fed other roughages such as hay, straw, or silage. In addition, they should be permitted to graze only for short periods, for the first few days; starting with 30 minutes and allowing longer each day. If the forage is dry at the time t of grazing, it will be less likely to cause scouring or (Turn to Page 38)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers