C2—Lancaster Famiag. Saturday, Heveeher 26, IMS KANAGAWA, JAPAN - The average Lancaster County farm may be small compared to Mid western and Western U.S. stan dards, but when FFA’er Mike Pfautz got to Japan he thought his family’s farm at Stevens was in the wide open spaces. “I’ve been staying with the Yasuyuki Kayama family and they farm one and a quarter acres," reports Pfautz. “That’s the size of farms in this area of Japan and the national average is only about two acres. ” The family raises three vegetable crops per year on their postage stamp-sized farm and Pfautz has been deeply involved in the operation the pajrt couple of months. “September was fall planting season and I helped to transplant broccoli and cabbage plants,” Pfautz said. “Our other fall crop is radishes and all of the planting work is done by hand with the exception of the plowing with a small tractor and rototiller. “One of my jobs was helping to apply the fertilizer and lime by hand. Not much fun on a windy day." The former Eastern Regional State Vice President explains that as the first crop gets closer to harvest, a second batch of smaller Pa. poultry judging team sponsors William Carlin, of Hubbard Farms, Inc. and Mrs. Betty Herr, of Victor F. Weaver, Inc., at left, and coach Robert B. Lauffer, vo-ag teacher at New Holland, at right. Team members include, from left, C. Nelson Horning, Jere Hoover and Jim Weidman. Team earned a bronze medal; while Weidman got a gold, Homing a silver and Hoover a bronze. Pa. dairy cattle judging team Members of the Pennsylvania Dairy Cattle Judging Team flanked by Ardith Saverwein, of Associated Milk Producers, Inc., sponsors; and Christine Adams Williams, coach; include Clark Sattazahn, Glenn Stoitzfus and William Lesher. Cloister team places 7th EPHRATA - Four members of the Cloister FFA Chapter, Ephrata, competed in the Nor thern Exposition Dairy Judging Contest Nov. 5-7. Participating were Larry Gerhart, Jeff Martin, Marvin f*t *f ,X iFFA A report from Mike Pfautz in Japan plants is placed between the mature plants. Thus, when the first crop is harvested, the second is well established. After the second crop, the soil is reworked and the third crop - watermelons - is planted. . Pfautz has acquired a greater appreciation of his accustomed mechanization back home after helping with the hand operations of transplanting, fertilizing and liming, spraying for insects and thinning radishes. As far as eating the fruits of his farm labors in Japan, Pfautz said his host mother bows to his western ways at times and cooks him American-style food when the family eats the more traditional Japanese cuisine. In addition to visiting some of the area’s tourist attraction, Pfautz also attended the National Future Farmers of Japan convention. “I though it was interesting that both the FFA and FFJ conventions were held at the same time and both in a K.C.,” he said. “The three-day FFJ convention was held in Kureme City and I got to travel there in the bullet train at 140 mph.” On the first day of the convention was check-in, with contests and delegate meetings the second day and the only general session on the third day. Zimmerman and Phil Eby. Teams from across the country par ticipated. The Cloister team placed seventh in the team competition and Martin placed third as an individual. m*^i Mike Pfautz eating rice with chopsticks. “The have 12 contests, such as dairy and livestock judging and public speaking, and they are held at five separate ag high schools,” Pfautz explained. “We were impressed with how the contests were held and the elimination of any possible cheating.” “At the five-hour general session on the last day the final items on the agenda were announcement of the contest winners and the new national president, “We were really treated like VlP’s and had front row seats for everything.” Following the convention, Pfautz had the opportunity to visit some other farms. Hailing from a hog farm, he was impressed with the modem hog operations he saw. But the dairy and poultry operations are well behind those in theU.S.,hesaid. “It has made me real proud to realize just how great American agriculture really is,” Pfautz says. Pfautz expects to leave Japan on Wednesday and be back in Lan caster County on Dec. 5 To us, you’ll always be a ‘star’ BY DICK ANGLESTEIN SCHAEFFERSTOWN - Perhaps, his mother said it best when she said: “In this family, you’ll always be a star.” Her poignant remarks were among many bestowed last Sunday on ELCO FFA'er Glenn Wenger at a recognition dinner to honor his attainment of Eastern Regional Star Agribusinessman. Some 250 legislators, community leaders, friends, FFA advisors and chapter members gathered at the Schaefferstown Fire Hall for the surprise recognition dinner. Among the many mementos showered on the popular blue jacketed youth was an autographed photo of President and Mrs. Reagan and a personal letter from the President delivered by Congressman Robert Walker. “In paying tribute to Wenger, Jeff Martin Rototiller is used between cabbage rows on host farm of Mike Pfautz in Japan. Harvested rice dries on Bamboo posts with neeting to protect against birds. Glenn Wenger, ELCO FFA'er, is shown with his parents, Carl I. and Margaret Wenger. who was a candidate for both national office and American Star Agribusinessman a week ago in Kansas City, Walker cited the two main characteristics of agriculture. “A lot of ag is based on hope and faith,” Walker said. “And hope and faith are also the basis of the nation. These two attributes are what drives a democracy and a free people.” Glenn’s brother David turned the tables on him and served as master of ceremonies for the dinner. A couple of years ago, Glenn served in the same capacity for David’s recognition upon at taining a similar honor. Rep. Nick Moehlmann brought a proclamation from the State House of Representatives and Dennis Grumbine, who a number of years ago was an FFA candidate for national office, brought similar honors on behalf of the State Senate. Kenneth R. Good, Superin tendent of the Eastern Lebanon County Schools, cited Wenger’s Nga**} Hi qualities of leadership and per sonality; while Carlton Tucker, ELCO High School principal, stressed the wide range of ac complishments attained in Just 20 years. FFA leaders who participated in the program included Carolyn Witmer, Grassland Chapter, State FFA president; Todd Fies, of Little Dutchman Chapter, Lebanon County president; and Scott Condran, ELCO Chapter president. Also taking part were Harvey Smith, Area Vocational Education Consultant, and Gerald L. Strickler, Wenger’s FFA advisor at ELCO. Other family members in the propgram were Larry and Carl I. Wenger, brother and father. In his response, Glenn Wenger spoke of the many FFA contacts he has made across the state and nation in the past six years. He remarked he hoped that he helped inspire one or two to reach for higher goals. We're sure he has.
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