Truck farmer controls product from planting to pricing £ PINE FORGE - Gene is in an enviable position for a farmer. Wilcox, his wife, Mary, and daughter, Connie, own and operate a direct marketing truck farm on the fertile, gentle, rolling ndges of eastern Berks County. Having control of his product from the planting to the pricing helps Wilcox maintain a very low debt ratio m the family business. “We’ve got control of the prices and that’s im portant,” he said. Wilcox was raised on a beef farm southeast of Quakertown. His father raised tomatoes under All-Season by JAMESWAY 0 Fresh idea More than just a fan, All-Season ventilation gives you control of the air in your buildings. Set it, then it’s automatic. Controls drafts, dead air pockets and condensation. Air stays fresh. Reduces stress; helps livestock improve production. See us for systems and service that help make the good life better. AGRI EQUIPMENT INC. 2754 Creek Hill Rd Leola, PA 17540 717-656-4151 I. G. SALES Rt. 113, Box 200 Silverdale, PA 215-257-5135 G. HIRAM BUCHMAN, INC. Rte.sl9-N.offßte.46 P.O. Box 185 , Belvidere, NJ 07823 ERB & HENRY EQUIP., INC. 22-26 Henry Avenue New Beiiinville, PA 215-367-2169 contract and the family sold some at a roadside stand along with orchard fruit. In 1946, his father bought the present 240-acre Wilcox farm in order to be nearer to the fruit supply. His father died m 1947 and Wilcox entered a partnership with his mother. He bought her share of the farm last year, making his wife and daughter full partners in the operation. The family’s retail business began in 1960, when they set-up an 8’ by 10’ portable roadside stand for tomatoes and sweet corn. The stand was an instant success and in 1961, Wilcox ventilation DEPENDABLE MOTORS ROVENOALE SUPPLY Honey Brook. PA RD 2, Watsontown, PA 17777 215-273-3131 717-538-5521 215-273-3737 HENRY S. LAPP SOLLENBERGER SILOS -RDI, Cains, Gap, PA 17527 RFD 2, Chambersburg, PA 717-442-8134 717-264-9588 HARRY L. TROOP Rt. 1 Cochranville, PA 19330 215-593-6731 DETWILER SILO REPAIR ED LIPSCOMB EQUIPMENT used a Production Credit Association loan to build his roadside market. In 1975, he used another PCA loan to double the size of the building. Wilcox raised beef until 1972, when canng for them conflicted with the operation of the roadside market. He switched to hogs but gave them up in 1976, when he learned some good customers didn’t like the smell. On a typical weekday the market sells more than 8,000 ears of sweet corn and over 200 head of cabbage. Wilcox picks his vegetables daily - especially the sweet corn Rt 2, Newville, PA 717-776-7533 which is put in the cooler immediately to prevent the natural sugars from turning into starch. The farm is fully irrigated. Wilcox grows 130 acres of sweet com, 15 acres of tomatoes, and 15 acres of potatoes. Other vegetables grown include lima beans, popcorn, pumpkins, squash, onions, green beans, peas, asparagus, cantaloupe, peppers, cucumbers, brussels sprout, cauliflower, broccoli and strawberries. Always willing to try something new, Wilcox sold fresh flowers this summer. When something doesn’t sell well, however, Wilcox drops J. A. SWOPE Box 121, RDI Myerstown, PA 717-933-4758 Rt 1. Box 321 Eglon, WV 304-735-6286 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 15,1950-D7 it. Nor does he grow fruit on the right time. Steady the farm, buying it instead customers come from from neighbors. . nearby Pottstown and Wilcox credits his success Boyertown. on being in the right place at (Turn to Pace 06) v , —- tr* •y'J fv t , A family business, Wilcox's daughter. Connie (seated on the tractor) and wife, Mary, are full working partners. At right is daughter, Judy, and not pictured is a third daughter, Lisa. /SX IT PAYS YOU TO OWN ONE! Not Only In Performance But Also In Savings Up To $2OOO. (Depending On The Model You Purchase) PRESENTING The All NEW Shift On-The-Go. Live PTO. Powerful, trouble free'lB HP and 33 HP 3-cylinder Yanmar Diesel. 2 WD & 4 WD. Ag or Turf. The New easy-to-use Yanmar Tractor The Eneri No other tractor in this class otters you so much in the way of exclusive time and work saving features Yanmar's Power Shift transmission which gives you the best of mechanical and hydraulic transmissions for one touch on the go clutchless shifting a live 2 speed PTO which starts driving the implement before the tractor moves allowing immediate and full implement performance and a new 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel engine with smoother and quieter operation along with Yanmar s legendary economy power reserve and durability the features that make Yanmar the world s largest seller of small diesel engines They re all built into the new YMIB6<D) ★ Full Line of YANMAR 13 to 33 H.P. Traders In stock "Service 1$ Oar Motto" LAWN CARE OF PENNA. 1 MILE NORTH OF MARTINGALE ON GRIST MILL RD A little out oi the way but a lot less to pay." MON., THURS., FRI. 8 to 8 TUES. & WED. 8 to 5:30; SAT. 8 to 2 (215) 445-4541 ■* « ■ ' Saver
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers