B3B—Lancaster Firming, Saturday, April 10,1982 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Citing concerns in recent weeks that have appeared to have shaken the faith in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s conservation policy, U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen (R -lowa) last Wednesday called on Secretary John Block to “clear up the confusion” on the direction of the nation’s conservation policy Pennsylvanians oppose Block’s preferred conservation program, survey HARRISBURG - Penn sylvanians supported one of three alternative sod and water con servation programs proposed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture by Secretary of Agriculture John Block. They also backed 14 of 20 features in the Secretary’s preferred program, according to a report released by USDA officials. Graham T. Munkittnck state conservationist, USDA Soil Con servation Service, said that 2,291 individuals and 71 groups sub mitted comments on the proposed programs. Of the three alternative programs, continuing present programs was supported by 60.3 percent. The proposal to redirect Federal conservation programs was opposed by 52.7 percent. Overall, the Secretary’s preferred program had the greatest op position with 56.3 percent voicing their disagreement. Several key features were supported. The idea of targeting more of the funds to the areas with the greatest soil and water problems received 61.5 percent backing; however, many ★ 2210 - 90 Day Maturity ★ 46 -105 Day Maturity ★ 698 -105 Day Maturity ★ 2440 - 105 Day Maturity (1981 National Champ!) ★ 2620 -110 Day Maturity ★ 2910 -120 Day Maturity *» ★ CALL NOW WHILE SUPPLIES LAST ★ Jepsen calls for Senate approval of SCS chief and programs. In opening a hearing on the Administration's proposed soil and water conservation programs, Jepsen said he wondered whether the direction now is toward a stronger conservation policy or a replacement of “Conservation realities with political sen sitivities.” respondents questioned whether the Northeast would receive a smaller share of the conservation dollars. Requiring Farmers Home Ad ministration borrowers to have a conservation plan to be eligible for loans—a form of cross compliance—had 59.3 percent support. Greatest support was given to the increased use of cost effective practices such as con servation tillage and no-till, and to minimizing conflicts between USDA conservation programs. Other features that were sup ported included establishing clear national conservation policies, strengthening the partnership between land users and the Federal government, closer coordination between USDA agencies, use of tax incentives to encourage application of soil conservation measures, increasing USDA research on soil and water, setting up pilot programs to test new methods, strengthening and increasing data collection and evaluation, expanding the use of long-term agreements between USDA and farmers to conserve natural resources. JMVKdJ While Block has repeatedly listed soil conservation as a top priority, the “federal budget priorities would suggest other wise,” the lowa Republican said. “1 hope the secretary will be able to clear up... the justification for a budget request that is 10 percent below the current levels one that shows decreases in several major Among the features of the preferred program that drew opposition were several key Providing block grants from existing soil conservation program funds drew the greatest opposition with 78.7 percent against. Another series of features that lacked support was local, state and federal boards to carry out the new programs. Oppositmg varied at each level but averaged around 60 percent. Munkittnck reported these responses have been forwarded to Washington, D.C., offices of USDA dairy team places first FLEMINGTON, N.J. - Hun terdon County’s 4-H program has more than one bowl team which has made a name for itself in the past few months. The 4-H Horse Bowl Team captured first place honors in February’s state com petition. Now the 4-H Dairy Bowl Team has clinched a state title. The team of Tom Hoffman of Califon, Tom Gonzalez, team captaim, and Jeff Nelson of Pitt stown and Janet Rogers of Ringoes WE WANT YOU TO HELP US CELEBRATE HeltiMQ&l'i MA^'NC. TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: 1755 W. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522 222 E. Main St Located on Route 322 Campbelltown, PA 17010 Phone (717) 738-1131 Phone (717) 838-6021 He also questioned the effect of drastic cuts in the Agricultural Conservation Program which Jepsen said was “designed to encourage fanners to practice soil conservation measures.” Referring to the recent ap pointment of Missouri farmer Peter C. Myers as chief of the Soil Conservation Service. Jepsen said, “1 recognize the secretary has had the best of intentions, but whether he knows it or not, he has opened a pandora’s box. “It would seem that this is an inopportune time to go outside the professional ranks when we are in the first stages of redirecting this nation’s entire conservation where the reports from 50 states thrust,” he said, and Puerto Rico will be Jepsen expressed his concern manzed a national report aSI “ over the of an every mitted to Secretary Block. four-year shuffle in that top Seventy-one groups and units of P° sltlon ” and the resultant “loss of government responded. These continuity” in conservation mlcuded 40 conservation districts, policies, one federal agency, 8 units of state * do no * that position being government, 13 local govern- subject to prevailing political ments, 6 "farm organizations, 2 Wlnds >” he said. “I would not want environmental groups, and 1 the S.C.S.’s professional ex- ) academic institution. cellence and credibility to be The public responses will also be undermined. ” summarized by counties. This senator said he feared this information will be available about would 1)6 a ste P towards making mid-June, added Munkittrick. the SCS’s state and local structures “more political m nature” in the future. He asked the secretary for assurances “that this is not the way SCS is going.” Jepsen announced his plans to introduce legislation to require individuals named to head the SCS and the Forest Service to be subject to Senate confirmation. The individual would have to be qualified on the basis of scientific education and professional background. Referring to proposed federal budget cuts in conservation programs, Jepsen warned that “soil erosion efforts are not an isolated issue to be handed over to the state and local governments ( with the admonition ‘take care of it.”’ £ soil conservation service programs,” Jepsen, who is chairman of the Senate Soil Conservation Subcommittee, said. “I am concerned over a budget that terminates the Resources Conservation and Development program despite congressional action last year giving it per manent status,” Jepsen said. reveals placed first in the 1982 State 4-H Dairy Bowl Competition. Alternate was Ted Hildebrandt of Oldwick. This annual contest was held at Cook College in late March. A total, of four teams competed: Hun terdon, Sussex, Somerset and Salem-Cumerland counties. Questions through all three phases of the contest dealt with facts about the dairy industry. Coaches for Hunterdon’s team included Mark Douglass of Pitt stown and Sandy Rogers of Ringoes. The team is now eligible to compete at the national com petition to be held in Louisville, Kentucky sometime this fall. The team will work on raising funds for this trip in the near future. GET A FREE MOWER It’s Gravely’s sixtieth anniversary And to celebrate ' free 'very 4-wheel tractor , or 60 inch decks... every size lawn. And i by a Gravely tractor amous all-gear direct for years ofdepend . performance. Come >n by and help us cele brate. But hurry, this •pedal offer ends soon.' He said “as long as soil erosion is an issue affecting everyone in the world who has to put food on the table, the federal government must be involved.” FREE MOWER Value Up To *l2OO E3THE GRAVELY SYSTEM
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers