DlB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 3,1984 BY JOHN SCHMIDT Staff Correspondent PARKTON, Md. - After a long history of honors and ac complishments, the Hereford High School Agriculture Department has added yet another with the addition of an agriculture com puter. The Agri-Data system has been established at Hereford as part of a pilot program sponsored by the National Future Farmers of America. One high school F.F.A. chapter was selected in each state to participate in a new agricultural computer network. Agri-Data is a recent national computer company designed specifically for agricultural ap plications. Based in Milwaukee, Wise., Agri-Data is rapidly ex panding to farms and agriculturally related enterprises due to increased exposure through the Future Farmers of America. Any Maryland person with an interest can request to utilize the computer’s many varied agriculture programs for farming operations or related topics. Mark Adkins, a Hereford High School agriculture teacher, ex plains Agri-Data this way; “It is an opportunity to leam computer use with practical information on the only available agriculture network.” One of the main goals of this year’s curriculum will be to create hypothetical management situations with realistic produc tion. For example, the advanced crops students will operate entire individual farms on paper with all up-to-date information such as fertilizer costs or no-till planting techniques etc., available through numerous software programs. These same students can monitor and predict their hypothetical progress and profit potential throughout the year with an increasing number of programs Forage session on Nov. 12 GREENSBURG - The 1984 Forage Conference will be Keld Nov. 20 at the Mountain View Inn near Greensburg. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council and Penn State’s Cooperative Extension Service, this year’s theme will be Components of Pasture m Penn sylvania. The morning session will focus on Pasture-Animal Mangement, with topics such as selection of pasture plants and mixtures, grazing management, and pasture systems. The afternoon will highlight new developments for pasture in Citrus sale under way STRASBURG - The Lampeter- Strasburg FFA is currently holding a citrus sale. Students are selling navel oranges, juice oranges, tangeloes, pink and white grapefruit. The fruit will be delivered in two shipments. Customers can choose a Thanksgiving or Christmas Dairy team QUARRYVILLE - Three members of the Solanco FFA Chapter will travel to Kansas City, Mo., next week to compete in the the National FFA Dairy Cattle Contest. The contest will be held in conjunction with the 57th National FFA Convention and sponsored as FFA in Md. joins computer network involving commodities and futures markets on a national and worldwide basis. Access is almost limitless on most agricultural topics. Many companies offer software programs for in terchangable use. All of these programs will become valuable teaching aids when the Parkton, Md. high school receives a total of six (6) com puters for connection to the Agri- Data System. Pre tests and post tests will be given on the computer as well as Agriculture Seminar classes that have a self-pacing format. Other agriculture courses slated for Agri-Data computer use include all introductory classes, as well as Agriculture Mechanics. Jarrod Asper of Hampstead and David Mynch of White Hall, both members of Hereford F.F.A. and Agriculture Department seniors, have demonstrated an early proficiency for the computer while working with teacher Mark Adkins. Both of Hereford’s agriculture students from the Future Farmers of America, the Advanced Crops and Livestock courses will com bine their proceeds from school corn crops to purchase additional computers. Enthusiasm and in terest is high among all students Pennsylvania. Brassicas, perennial ryegrass, warm season grasses and cost sharing programs are just a few of the topics to be discussed. Experts from industry, federal agencies and Penn State will lead the programs. People involved in any phase of livestock farming - plus those in related Ag busmesse r - will find something of mtci esi at the con ference. There is a ten dollar registration fee that covers lunch and a program summary booklet. For more information, contact your county Extension office before Nov. 12. delivery or both It any people in the local community would like to order fruit, contact the High School Ag Dept, at 464-3311, extension 242 or contact any Garden Spot FFA member. Proceeds from the sale will go to provide educational trips, chain animals, FFA banquet and other activities the FFA sponsors. to compete a special project of the National FFA Foundation by the Associated Milk Producers, Inc Members of the team are Kris Esbenshade, Joe DeLong and Mark Welk. Dr. Arba Henry, vocational agriculture instructor at Solanco and chapter advisor, is the team coach. r* m FFA banner is displayed at Hereford High School for an opportunity to begin full scale computer use. “It is an excellent incentive for student enrollment,” states Mark Adkins. Conewago - New Oxford Chapter Seven members of the Conewago-New Oxford FFA Chapter and advisor Brian Campbell attended the recent Leadership Conference held at Pocono Environmental Educational Center at Oingman's Ferry. They include, front row from the left, Quae Smith, Jason Boyer, Mark Dellinger. Josie Hess; back row, Campbell, Scott Sanders, Rodney Herr and Tom Sanders. In addition to the leadership training, the FFA'ers competed in various contests. Sanders' team won the Action-Socialization Experience competition and Boyer's team finished second in the FFA Quiz Bowl competition. „ Dauphin Greenhand night held HUMMELSTOWN - The Dauphin County FFA Greenhand Night was held Thursday, Oct. 18, 1984 in the Lower Dauphin High School library, with over 15 FFA greenhands from around the county participating. In the FFA Creed speaking contest, Dawn Herr placed second, and Dale Morgan finished fifth for the Lower Dauphin chapter. Judges for this contest were state FFA officers, Heather Hernley and Tun Pfautz. In the FFA Bee competition, Lower Dauphin FFA member Lon Benefiel finished second. Also participating in this contest from Lower Dauphin were Dawn Here, Dale Morgan, Mike Halbleib, and Jeff Tetzloff. The FFA Bee is a contest in which first year members must answer questions about the FFA organization. Judges for this event were Ronald Yerger, Paul Wise, and Dave Savidge; vo-ag teachers from Dauphin county. STRASBURG Gerald Garber, He will receive his American Kenneth Garber of Willow Street member of the Garden Spot FFA degree in Kansas City, Mo. at next He is currently farming with his Chapter at Lampeter Strasburg, week’s National Convention. father and serving as herdsman has been nominated for the highest Gerald is the son of Mr. and Mrs. for their family dairy operation. Hereford High School vo-ag teacher Mark Adkins works at computer with senior students, David Myrich, center, of White Hall; and Jarrod Asper, of Hampstead. 4 FFA’ers attend conference Four members of the Lower Dauphin chapter of the Future Farmers of America recently returned from a weekend leadership training conference held at the Pocono En vironmental Education Center near Dingman’s Ferry. Attending the conference were chapter president, Jim Landvater, right; Joe Halbleib, chapter reporter, second from right; Doug Bauder, chapter chaplain, and Sue Crist. Also attending was advisor Ronald Yerger. Garber to get American