* KENNETT SQUARE - “The horse and its support industries represent a 12 million dollar yearly investment in Chester County. Horsemen roust work together locally and on the county level to make the public and government leaders aware of the needs and importance of the horse industry in Chester county,” urged Leslie Sharpnack, president of the newly formed Chester County Equine Council, addressing sixty-five counfy horsemen recently in a meeting at New Bolton Center. Citing the 1978 Chester County census, Sharpnack pointed out that, in a time when agricultural farms are decreasing in Chester County, horse farms are on the increase, showing a growth rate of 35 percent between the 1974 and 1978 census. With an increasing horse population comes a demand Chester Equine for hay, bedding, feed, equipment and farm supplies, also for the services of veterinarians, farriers, equine trainers, riding instructors, farm workers all of which broadens the job market in Chester County. Historically Chester County, has always been one of the major horse areas in the Bast. It boasts one of the finest equine medical centers in the nation, has one of the top polo teams in the states, hosts annually one of the largest outdoor shows in the world, one of the toughest steeplechase races in the U.S., has the only internationally sanctioned three-day course in the U.S., one of the top dressage shows in the nation, a major driving show, several endurance rides and an outstanding regional breed show for Arabians. Both recognized and unrecognized hunts Council holds first meeting meet regularly within the county, providing enjoyment for par ticipants and spectators alike. Mares and foals graze in lush meadows of breeding farms which dot the county. Biding schools, pony clubs and 4-H groups prosper, training Olympic hopefuls, potential foxhunters and trail riders alike. Scores of horse shows, hunt races, combined training events and organized trail rides raise thousands of dollars for both 1 private and public institutions in the area. Taken together horse activities provide a powerful thrust for the county in civic, economic and agricultural growth. The Chester County Equine Council was formed in January, 1981 in conjunction with the Chester County Cooperative Ex tension Service. It will act as an umbrella organization working with all facets of the Chester County Equine Industry to serve the needs of horsemen. Council committees will research and develop programs to educate the public, and govern mental decision-makers of the needs of horsemen in Chester County, such as establishing or preserving trial networks, af fecting legislation which will aid horse interests, or working with humanitarian groups to help horses' subjected to abuse of any kind. The Council will work with other trail or open space groups to preserve iarndand being lost to creeping suburbanization in many areas of the county. Officers and board members of the C.C.E.C, are: President Leslie* Sharpnack, West Whiteland; Vice President Sabrena Paaby, Charlestown: Secretary Cooky Bender gets station post COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Filmore Bender has been ap pointed Associate Director of the Maryland Agricultural Ex periment Station and Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture, University of Maryland. Lamar Harris, director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, said, “Dr. Bender’s many years oi experience in research as an agricultural economist and his experience in the classroom give him an excellent background foi this position.” Earl H. Brown, Dean of the College of Agriculture, explained that Bender will serve as liaison between the College and the Ex periment StMtloa, and will coor dinate research activities with iancastf Farming, Saturday. May 30,1M1-Al7 McClung, West Plkeland; Treasurer Pat Theurkauf, West Pikeland; Valerie Kanavey, West Vincent and Lisa Knox, Pocopson. Sandy Shuman, East Coventry, will act as Trail Coordinator, Phebe Hepburn, West Vincent, will be in charge of membership and Ira Hicks, East Goshen and Marshall Jones, Westtown, will act as liasons with the Chester County Agricultural Development Council. A membership drive is un derway with adult membership $5 pei' year and Junior membership for those under 18 $2. For further information on the Chester County Equine Council contact Cheryl Moran County Agricultural Agent for Chester County Cooperative Extension Service, Paul B. Dague Bldg., 235 W. Market St., West Chester, Pa., 19380 or call 215/69^3500. those in teaching and Extension. Bender, a professor oi Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University oi Maryland, has had assignments in both research and teaching since he came to Maryland in 1964. Hie courses on both the undergraduate and graduate level have dealt mostly with business management and systems analysis in the food production, processing and marketing industries. Research projects beaded by Bender include an economic analysis of contract production and marketing of broilers and eggs, and in-depth studies of the food service systems of the armed services.
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