Alo—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, September 18,1982
Farming is, and always has been, a risky
business not only in the financial sense but
physically as well.
Most of us can probably relate our share of
horror stories based on farm-related mishaps
and near catastrophies. But somehow, no
matter how often we’re reminded of the
danger, we seem to think “those kinds of
accidents can't happen to me."
I remember one story told to me during my
earlier years that succeeded in giving me a
profound respect for farm machinery,
especially tractors, and the damage it can
inflict on careless or unskilled operators. The
story was about one of our neighbors who lost
her mother in a freak accident: of how the
tractor unexplainably went out of control as it
was pulling a wagon out of the barn, rolled
over the edge of the barn bank, and crushed
its terrified driver.
What actually went wrong? No one ever
found out. But, the accident most likely was
the result of an extra hand being needed
during haying time. Without the necessary
instructions or training, a temporary driver
was hoisted up onto the tractor seat, and by
taking the wheel without questioning, took her
life.
But gasoline-powered “workhorses” aren't
the only culprits in the gruesome statistics of
farm accidents. We also hear sad tales about
deaths or injuries sustained when normally
docile, lumbering equines unexpectedly bolt
for the barn, trampling or impaling their
teamsters.
These are morbid memories that come back
to haunt and hopefully help us in realizing just
how dangerous our occupations as farmers
can be.
Even though farmers sometimes have a
difficult time accepting or remembering the
dangers we face each day, each time we climb
into a waiting bull's pen or step on the first
rung of the silo chute, the public doesn't share
this disregard for safety on the farm.
Admittedly, their concern about farm safety
comes from a selfish perspective. The nonfarm
public is not so much concerned about the
farmer's health and well-being as they are
their own. They don’t worry so much whether
a farmer may develop health problems as a
result of occupational hazards, but they are
gravely concerned if various farm practices
might pose potential hazards to them.
For example, let me share a story told by
Arthur Hart of the National Agricultural
Chemical Association to the assembled
members of PennAg Industries this week.
Although he could be accused of having a
somewhat biased point of view, he pointed out
some surprising and alarming results of a
Philadelphia firm’s survey.
What did the survey ask? According to Hart,
a list of the 30 greatest health hazards was
developed by experts in the field. After the list
was made, the public was asked to take the list
—Oti*
OTIS, RALPH TELLS ME THAT
VO U REALLY HELPED HIM
GET STARTED IN THE
CATTLE BUSINESS
<yS- ■ r "
Off the
Sounding
By Sheila Miller, Editor
Nothing to fear
HE SAID, IT WAS VDUR
\’_33Sp“
Board
and put the substances they felt were most
dangerous in descending order.
The results of the survey, which polled
recent college graduates, business
professionals, and homemakers, left no doubt
as to how the public feels about pesticides.
You see, pesticides was one of the sub
stances on the list. In actuality, they appeared
at the very bottom of the danger list being
tied with three other hazards for twenty-sixth
place. But in the survey groups’ eyes,
pesticides ranked fourth, tenth and four
teenth.
Although Hart could not recall all the
substances on the “30-most-hazardous” list,
the sum and substance of his tale was easy to
understand. By telling his story, Hart was not
attempting to exonerate pesticides from being
labelled dangerous substances, which they
can be if not handled properly. Instead, his
point was aimed at the public’s paranoia of
pesticides and what this fear could ultimately
do to farmers.
Hart explained that this unjustified alarm
over agricultural pesticides has led to some
states drafting legislation which would
“handcuff” and shackle farmers’ freedoms to
operate. One bill was drawn up which would
require farmers to notify adjacent landowners
of their intent to spray prior to filling the tanks
and heading for the field.
One state took this idea one idiotic step
further and tried to require prenotification via
registered mail. A farmer would have to send
out certified letters to all parties and could not
spray until all had responded with written
permission to his request.
Why, an entire growing season could come
and go before those farmers would be able to
assemble the necessary paperwork. And, if
just one die-hard environmentalist happens to
be living next door, the farmer may as well naif
up the "For Sale" sign and save the postage.
This week hearings continued in
Washington D.C. on federal regulations
covering the use and manufacture of
pesticides, insecticides and the like, with farm
lobbyists and their agribusiness counterparts
pleading their cases to predominantly urban
congressmen. Although the federal
regulations do not seem to threaten farmers
with the hand-tieing results of the state fiascos
previously cited, the problem remains
“pestiphobia.” If agriculture’s future use of
chemicals is to continue, much needs to be
done to educate the public and some un
thinking farmers on the safety factors built
into a sound pesticide or insecticide program.
Next week is National Farm Safety Week.
While you're busy filling silos, baling your last
cutting of hay, or fixing the toaster, think
safety. And keep Hart’s warnings and
predictions in mind so that next spring, when
it's time to spray, you'll handle farm chemicals
with both yourself and your neighbor in mind
Remember, a little courtesy goes a long way
in clearing up the public's fears of pesticide
drift.
YOO MIGtfT SAY THAT I WAS
THESAME,
YET DIFFERENT
September 19,1982
Background Scripture:
Genesis 27 through 28; ’
31 through 32.
Devotional Reading:
Genesis 35; 1-15.
I did not really recognize Allen,
although when we shook hands
there was something vaguely
familiar about both his name and
his appearance. 1 dismissed this
“odd feeling” until much later in
our conversation a chance remark
he made led us both to realize that
we had met perhaps ten or more
years ago under very different
circumstances in a little New
England town.
At that time 1 was visiting a
facility for delinquent and troubled
youth and Allen was a “graduate”
of the program who decided to stay
on to help as a lay therapist,
working with teenagers who, like
himself, had considerable
emotional problems and had been
in some kind of difficulties with the
law. I remember looking at Allen
and wondering just how
rehabilitated he was. In his eyes
there were still a lot of that cun
ning that had made him a despair
to his parents and community. '•
”1 Am Not Worthy”
And then 1 forgot Allen and he
forgot me...until yesterday’s
chance meeting. (Was it really
“chancel’? As 1 left the house to
keep an appointment, 1 was sur-
NO W IS THE TIME
ByJaytrwin
LmcMtar County AfricuKura A(*nt
Pham 717-3944851
To Observe National Farm
Safety Week
The proclamation of September
19-25 as National Farm. Safety
Week is very important during this
busy corn harvest and fall grain
planting season. Safety is
something we should practice all
the time, but we need a gentle
reminder sometimes. Here are
some safety rules that apply to
everyone:
**Read and follow the operator’s
manual for each machine you’re
using.
** Make sure all workers are
trained and competent to carry out
their work safely.
**Keep all shielding in place.
Stay away from unshielded
moving parts.
** Always disengage and turn off'
the engine before unclogging,
adjusting or servicing equipment.
•• Watch where you are going.
**Keep extra riders off and
away.
•• Take work breaks with
refreshments to maintain alert
ness and reduce fatigue.
Let’s have a safe harvest season
and a safe year.
To Be Aware of Century Farm
Programs
The Century Farms Program is
aimed at recognizing the efforts of
Pennsylvania’s farm families
which have preserved the
traditions and the rural heritage of
the pioneer farm.
The program was initiated as
part of the nation’s bicentennial
observance in 1976, but is being
continued for its value in
promoting the ideals of the family
farm and the importance of far
ming to Pennsylvania’s economy.
prised I had made, if Valere had
asked me, “You aren’t really in
terested in that proposal, why are
you going?” I could not have
satisfactory answered her. Was it
the hand of God prodding me that
led me to say “yes, I’ll come”?)
Yesterday afternoon when at
last Allen and 1 recognized each
other, 1 couldn’t help but wonder to
myself: “Is he really as different
as he appears?” Around the eyes
and the mouth there seemed to
linger some flickering traces of the
old Allen. Yet, it was obvious that
he was a vastly different Allen
than the delinquent teenager who
had been sent East by his
desperateparents.
It is this same paradox that
always strikes me when 1 read the
story of Jacob. Obviously a rascal
in the deepest sense—a person of
both charm and cunning who uses
and manipulates people to get
what he wants—Jacob never
theless returned to his homeland
many years later as a man who
had changed so much that God
would give him a new name.
No More Be Called “Jacob”
The Jacob/Israel who returned
to his homeland, however, was not
just a new person in a familiar
body, but the same personality
that had been transformed by his
encounters with God. The new
Israel still had the old Jacob’s
charm, sly intelligence and “take
charge” assertiveness. He was
still as skillful as ever with his
persuasive use of words. The
essential ingredients of the old
Jacob were still in the new Israel.
What made the old scoundrel a
new patriarch was the driving
force behind all those personal
attributes and character traits.
God took what Jacob gave him of
himself and re-directed it in a new
direction and for a new purpose.
And what he did in making Jacob
Israel, he can do with you.
To be eligible for Certification as
a Pennsylvania Century Farm, a
farm must have been owned by the
same family for at least 100 con
secutive years, and a family
member must currently reside on
the land, fn addition, the farm
must consist of ten or more acres
of the original holdings or gross at
least |l,OOO a year from the sale of
agricultural products.
We encourage you to participate
in this program that is ad
ministered by the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture.
Applications are available at the
County extension Offices.
To Mow Weedy Pastures
If your pasture is weedy, get out
the mower. There are two good
reasons for this; one it eliminates
the production of weed seeds. Two,
it removes mature forage which
lets plants send out new and tender
growth. But, before you mow, you
should graze the pasture heavily.
With grazing you can utilize all the
available feed. The animals eat
some weeds, but they also eat
some of the tall grasses that would
be wasted by mowing. If the dry
weather is taking its toll, it is not a
good idea to diow all your pastures
at one time because of problems
with poor regrowth. Under these
conditions you should mow only
one-third to one-half of the land
about every two weeks.
Remember to mow d05e1y...2 to 3
inches. And instead of trashing the
clippings, save them. Many far
mers get enough hay from pasture
mowings to winter their cattle.
To Check Water Supplies
Quality drinking water is a great
asset on the farm as well as in the
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