VOL 30 No. 12 Keynote speaker at the Pa. Farmers Union Convention this week in Hershey was National Farmers Union president Cy Carpenter. Study to focus on vo-ag WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an effort to find what course the vocational agriculture program in the nation’s high schools should take in the coming years the National Council on Vocational and Technical Education in Agriculture has appointed a committee of experts to study the program. Over the next 14 months the committee will review and evaluate the vocational agnculture/FFA programs at the high school level and will make recommendations to strengthen So says the big mallard drake in the center of photo who happens to be ad miral of this small armada of ducks on a farm pond belonging Marvin Shenk of ititz. These ducks weren't the only waterfowl reduced to bathtub-size swim- Four Sections them. Larry Case, chairman of the Council, said the impetus for the study came from a concern over the decreasing number of students enrolled in the vo-ag program and a belief that the program may not be keeping pace with the changing face of agriculture. Since 1980 membership in the Future Farmers of America has decreased by 29,011 members or about six percent. And although not all vo-ag students are also FFA members, Case said he believes (Turn to Page A 39) Lancaster Farming,Saturday, January 26,1985 Nat’l Farmers Union chief blasts Reagan farm policy BY JACK HUBLEY HERSHEY “Cruel and vicious indifference,” was National Farmers Union president Cy Carpenter’s description of the current administration’s laissez faire stance concerning govern mental support of agriculture. Addressing state delegates to the 13th annual Pa. Farmers Union convention held at the Hotel Hershey on Tuesday and Wed nesday, the NFU chief pointed out that farmers’ willingness to participate in production control programs in order to insure fair commodity prices has apparently fallen on deaf ears in Washington. Farm Show champs bring ‘beefy’ bids BY JACK RUBLEY HARRISBURG Although most veteran Farm Show junior market showmen are quick to admit that it’s never easy to say goodbye to your “partner” come sale day, a host of enthusiastic buyers were again on hand at this year’s sale to make the parting easier. At sale’s end last Friday af ternoon, buyers had bid a total of $172,533 for the 407 head of beef, sheep and swine offered. And heading the day’s grocery list was Casey, the grand cham pion steer exhibited by Kelly Rohrer of Manheim. Danny George of George’s Foodliner, Bethlehem, topped the bidding at $8.50 per pound, making Casey the second highest priced steer in Farm Show history. Miss Rohrer received $10,752 for her 1265-pound entry. A long-time supporter of the 4-H program, George has pur Keep paddling, guys! “If we can afford $5O designer jeans, we can afford a decent price for food at the farm level,” em phasized Carpenter, “but this administration is forcing the cost of food lower and lower with no protection for farmers in the marketplace.” Carpenter pointed to the government’s apparent refusal to consider extending the dairy diversion program as a symptom of its lack of regard for the serious economic plight of farmers. He noted that the producer-financed diversion program has reduced production and maintained a steady supply of products at no chased about 15 Farm show champions. Willie the Butcher went home with the reserve champion steer owned by Sally Messick of Mid dletown. At $3 per pound, Willie’s beef cost him $3,735. Contending bidder for the grand champion was Arthur J. Glatfelter of York, the purchaser of 1983’s top steer that went for an all-time record of $l2 per pound. This year Glatfelter was again in the running for some of the show’s top beef, buying Joe Druck’s heavyweight division champion for $2 per pound. The steer was then donated to the York area Chamber of Commerce to be used in fund raising activities for the York County 4-H and FFA programs. Buying the grand champion lamb has become a tradition for Leroy Fox Sr. of Fox’s Foods, Inc., with locations in Hershey, Mid- ming holes when temperatures dropped well below zero across the state early this week. For such year 'round bathers Mother Nature’s message range loud and clear; Keep paddling...or head for Miami. 17.50 per Tear additional cost to the taxpayer. “There is no reason for not continuing the program,” Car penter said, predicting serious consequences when the diversion program comes to an end this spring. A substantial increase in cow numbers and milk production, will cause the administration to call for even lower prices, driving large numbers of dairymen out of business and putting the industry m the hands of a few, he said. Instead of scrapping the diversion program, the NFU chief favors stronger compliance, and a (Turn to Page A3B) Along with the scores of champion livestock exhibited this year, the Farm Show also had a champion exhibitor by the name of Dwayne Coble. Read his story on page A -19. dletown and Union Deposit. And at $5,040, this year’s top market lamb, exhibited by Margaret Herr (Turn to Page A 32)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers