Al6—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 28,1981 Transplanted ‘city BY DICK ANGLESTEIN JONESTOWN - From selt admitted “city slicker” to earning the top national FFA proficiency award in poultry production in eight short years is the amazing st~ry of Lisa Weikel, of R 2 Jonestown. But even more startling is the fact that Lisa is only 18 and out of high school less than a year. And, if that isn’t enough, the pert, youthful egg producer is sole manager and primarily respon sible for a 47,008-layer operation and thereby shoulders a good bit of ' her family’s livelihood. Thus anyone who says there’s no future in agriculture for today’s youth, particularly those who don’t come from an existing farm background, need only talk for a few minutes to Lisa, graduate of the FFA program at Northern Lebanon High School. “It’s a 24-hour baby sitting job. Block appoints Pa. ASCS director WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Agriculture John Block has appointed Eugene F. Thompson, of Marion Center, as State Executive Director of the Pennsyylama Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. As Executive Director, Thomp son will be responsible for carrying out Federal farm price support, production adjustment and cost sharing conservation programs in Pennsylvania. Thompson, a former dairy farmer, has owned and operated a dairy farm for over 30 years in Indiana -Country. The Holstein but 1 love it,” she said. “I enjoy best working with the birds and seemg just how well 1 can do with them. *Tve always liked working with animals.” The toughest part of the operation for her is trying to keep up with the mechanical end - the automatic waterers, feeders and egg collecting machinery. ‘ But younger brother, Doug, who is mechanically and electrically inclined, helps out in this area. The Weikel family moved to the northern part of Lebanon County near the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation eight years ago from Harrisburg. “We were city slickers in Harrisburg,” Lisa explained, “but had a couple of horses.” “When it got too expensive to board the horses, we decided to get a small farm of our own. ” herd was dispersed m Augut 1081, with the farm being retamed at the present time. He has been president of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association, Pennsyvlama Far mers Association, president of the Indiana Country Agricultural Extension Service Association and a member of the board of directors of the Atlantic Breeders Cooperative Association. Thompson has been Acting State Executive Director for the Penn sylvania Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service since August 10,1981. Management and operational techniques of 18-year old Lebanon County FFA memberthe Lisa Weikel in this 47,000-layer house won the top national award in poultry production. But after moving to the 3ts-acre farm, Lisa’s father, Walter, suf fered a stroke. There had to be a revamping of the family’s plans. Thus in 1978, the family went into the layer business with a 47,000- bird house. As the oldest child and due to' her love of animals and agriculture, Lisa became primarily responsible for the operation. She’s responsible for all phases of the operation, keeping the books and managing to attain the best production from each flock. Her mother, Andrea, helps in the morning and brother Doug on the night shift. But the chickens haven’t dampened Lisa’s first ag love of horses. She has a string of six quarter horses and has bred some of the stock for herself and a friend. FARMER BOY AG INC. BEACON STEEL PRODUCTS Adult Turkey Feeder Featuring Equipment For: Broiler Pan Feeding System FARMER BOY AG. inc. Best In Design, Price and Experience 457 E. MAIM AVE., MYERSTOWN, PA 17067 Vz Mile East of Myerstown Call 717-866-7565 For An Appointment or Stop By Our Office. Our Trained Staff Will Do Their Best To Assist You With Layout And Design. Although just 18, Lisa has definite future plans for both the horses and chickens. ‘T’d like to expand the horse operation to include boarding and put up another chicken house, if and when interest rates improve,” she explained. The future poultry plans include an 80,000-layer house and possibly an egg processing facility so the family can go directly into wholesaling and retailing their product. - - The well and electrical generator facilities are sufficient to handle another house, but like many in agriculture today future plans are being delayed pending improvement in the economic picture. Lisa has been quite active mboth FFA and 4-H. She participated in ‘ public speaking and horse judging DISTRIBUTORS FOR: "45 Years of Manufacturing For The Poultry Farmer” TURKEYS AND BROILERS Swine and Poultry in FFA. She was third in the state in horse proficiency. In 4-H, her activities have centered around her horses and she serves as vice president of the Hoof and Horn 4-H Horse and Pony Club. And in her spare tune, she’s in charge of a, gathering crew for Dutch Country Egg Farms. “1 was surprised when I won the national proficiency award,” she said. “Two of the other regional winners had 30,000 pullets and one an additional 60,000 broilers. “Another had just a few hundred and-I thought well at least 1 have him beat.” But Lisa’s enviable track record in just the past few years and her bright, optimistic plans for the future evidently made quite an impression on the" judges. ★ DICKISON LAYING CAGES ★ DICKISON BROOD GROW CAGES rro C3M DKKOOM WOUtrNKt’ umalu imm 19 years of Manufacturing Experience of Poultry Equipment and will Custom Make to your Specifications Pullet Grow Cage System Flat Chain Feeding System
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