—Lancaster Famine, Saturday, October 27,1979 108 Changing farm finance structure affects local By SALLY BAIR Staff Writer LANCASTER In six Southern Pennsylvania counties there are 15,700 farms, 22 per cent of the total in Pennsylvania. Five of the six counties rank in the top ten in the state for gross cash farm income from crops and livestock production, and. Darvin Boyd, left, and John E. Moose go over some of the records in their Agri-Finance Department of National Central Bank. Boyd is director and Moose, assistant director. P. L. ROHRER &BRO., INC. SMOKETOWN, PA combined, they provide over fifty percent of the total value of production in the Keystone state in some agricultural commodities. For National Central Bank, these figures mean potential potential to serve a prosperous, thriving agriculture community. Because of the lush production of their service T M's ORTHO. Chevron and design UNIPEL Reg U S Pat Off CHV677 22F area, National Central Bank jumped from the 69th to the 44th largest bank in agricultural lending in 1978. According to Damn Boyd, director of the agri-finance department at National Central, the loan growth in 1977 showed 51 per cent jump over the previous year, and 38.5 per cent growth in 1978. The total level of current PH: 717-299-2571 bank loans is about $37 million. Boyd noted that there were only three other banks in the United States that exceeded National Central in gain in ranking in 1978. - Of course, part of National Central’s spectacular growth can be attributed to the changing structure of financing for farms. Boyd said, “Ten to fifteen years ago the average financial need of a farm was nominal compared to what they are asking for today. It is not unusual for agriculture credit to go well over a half million dollars in some cases.” Boyd says inflation is probably the largest con tributor to the fact that farm loans are significantly AMERICAS DELUXE RECEIVER PANEL JAR ★ Completely assembled ★ Double inlet 2” glass receiver jar ★ 3 A hp milk pump ★ Stainless steel back panel ★ Heavy duty liquid level control ★ CIP self-draining ★ Stainless steel moisture trap Also includes wash diverter assembly, air injector, couplings, fittings, vacuum guage, check valve, milk filter coil, sock dispenser. ,—j Distributed By: \Kjeystone Nu-Pulse Cochranyille, PA 19330 215-932-4700 Dealer inquiries invited AUTHORIZED DEALERS: LANCASTER CO. SUIT'S REFRIGERATION SERVICE Gordonville, PA 17529 717-768-8555 BRADFORD CO. PENQUIN REFRIGERATION Troy, PA 16947 Ph 717-297-4060 MIFFLIN CO. BYLER’S DIESEL & REFRIGERATION Belleville, PA 17004 LYCOMiNGCQ SIMPLIFIED MILKING IIMC _ nillnucMT SYSTEMS, LTD. Ims EQUIPMENT °Ph"lo 1 Sprmgville, PA 18844 717-942-6928 JAMES LUCKENBILL RD2 Montgomery, Pa 17752 717-547-1516 HUNDREDS OF INSTALLATIONS IN THE ILSJLTHOOSANDS WORLDWIDE larger now than even a decade ago. However, such items as the need for specialization, mechanizat ion and ,the present precarious oil situation also contribute to the skyrocketing need for larger sums. Boyd also pointed out that the average family farm in , Lancaster County is 80 acres. With land going for between $4500 and $6500 per acre, he said; it is important that the farm family look: at other options and not Just plan to buy additional land. He said formers must consider getting into other productive enterprises to complement their present operation; in many cases, this may mean adding a layer or broiler facility, or some other means of adding to the income. In many cases a farm family may need additional income to support more than one family as children grow up and choose to join in the farm operation. As far as young people going into agriculture, Darvin states, “There’s no LEBANON I BERKS CO. CLYDE C. LUTZ Ephrata, PA 17522 717-738-1718 SOMERSET CO. SAM WEIDNER Somerset, PA 15501 Ph 814-445-BS2I CHESTER CO. & MARYLAND question that it’s very dif. ficult to get into fanning if there is no assistance from families.” He said most young people they work with dohave help from families. “We live in a very unusual area with respect to the character of the people, and we see a lot of enthusiasm about going into farming and making it a career. Agriculture is big business and we need managers today, not just workers,” he stated. Boyd notes that National Central believes firmly that agriculture, and the family farm, is the backbone of America. He says it is particularly , true of the productive agricultural area of south central and southeastern Pennsylvania. He said, “One of our primary objectives is to serve and help preserve the family farm. We see it as the cornerstone of agriculture in our service area.” “There is no question that we have structured our efforts to allow us to give (Turrrto Page 109) c I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT BODMIN NU-PULSE Name Address I City I State. i Phone | □ Interested in Bodmin Milker j □ Interested in Dealership NORTHAMPTON S' MONROE CO. CALVIN GUM Wmdgap, PA 18091 215-863-4557 MONTGOMERY CO. PENN VALLEY CROPSTOREINC. Schwenksville, PA 19473 Ph 215-287-9650 HUNTINGDON CO. CLAPPER FARM EQUIPMENT, INC. Alexandra, PA 16611 Ph 814-669-4465 SUSQUEHANNACO.
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