Al6-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, February 16,1985 Equipment Operators meet for annual workshop BY ROBIN PHILLIPS Staff Correspondent LEESPORT - Jack W. Schonely, district manager of the Berks County Conservation District, welcomed “land movers and improvers” to the 30th Annual Equipment Operators Workshop in Berks County last week. The workshop featured speakers from conservation services and commissions, and representatives from UGI, AT&T, and Texas Eastern. Many area contractors were represented as efforts cen tered on awareness of soil con servation and underground utilities when digging. Bernard Morrissey, represen ting Bernard Morrissey Insurance, Inc., and the Pennsylvania Land Maryland’s Farm Fairs set for ’B5 ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Over 2 million persons attend Maryland agricultural fairs and shows an nually. The interest in the agricultural fair program expands con tinuously as new and exciting entertainment and educational events are added to fair schedules. You can view agricultural exhibits and talk directly with producers during the Maryland Agriculture Week program held at selected malls throughout the state from late January through March. LED PH2 Water Cooled Version Available • Hand Cranked Standard • 24 Air & Water Cooled Models Available -I>/ 2 - 40 H.P. Diesels Our Specialty Call For Used Diesels Let Us Know Your Service Problems 24 Hour Service Check Our Prices AUTHORIZED FETTER DISTRIBUTOR HOOVER DIESEL SERVICE Mam Location PH: 717-656-3322 717-295-1729 2998 West Newport Rd Ronks, PA 17572 2Vt miles East of Leola Along Rt. 772 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED Improvement Contractors, began the meeting with a film presen tation on land conservation. The I .and Improvement Con tractors of America (LICA) represents contractors who protect the land and water resources through modern, efficient con servation techniques. It is the leading voice in the United States for the conservation contractor. The LICA sponsors contractor workshops, management seminars, and various publications to educate its members on current, efficient ways of conserving natural resources. Members in clude contractors who build or work on dams and related struc tures, drainage systems, farm ponds, land clearing, irrigation, In the spring youth exhibitions and livestock promotion are held at the Pork Expo and Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. The fair season kicks off in July with county fair programs con ducted in all counties throughout the state. City and country folk alike enjoy the opportunity for hands-on experience with farm animals and products. They can view prize winning quilts and cakes while their children thrill to the sights and sounds of the car nival. Autumn is a beautiful tune to view the fruits of the harvest at fairs in Southern Maryland and community shows held throughout Western Maryland. The. year closes with an extravaganza at Lexington Market in Baltimore by the Maryland Beekeepers. A listing of all agricultural exhibitions is available, free of charge, from the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board. Requests should be directed to “Fair & Show Schedule”, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. PETTER DIESELS Branch Location PH: 717-786-2173 RD 3, Box 91A Quarryville, PA 17566 2 miles West of Georgetown on Furnace Rd. seeding and sodding, surveying, waste treatment, and many other related practices. Morrissey informed the con tractors that the Pennsylvania LICA is currently lobbying to get bills passed to help contractors and to make their jobs easier. ' Only three percent of land feeds tour billion people,” the film in formed those attending the workshop. With an emphasis on controlling erosion on existing farmland, Morrissey and Mike Allyger, director of the LICA chapter, encouraged involvement from contractors. Duane Pysher, district con servationist, and Roy Shryock, conservation technician, were on hand to review current con servation concerns with the con tractors. Representing the USDA Soil Conservation Service, Pysher presented ideas on keeping the soil where it belongs." The ideas applied to the condition of the soil, and vegetation applications. Adding that Berks County soils are naturally acidic, Pysher recom mended the use of bio-degradable netting to hold the soil. Shryock discussed terrace methods of water control, and stressed the uniformity of farm land if possible. Ammon Ziegentus, waterways conservation officer, represented the Pennsylvania Fish Com mission at the meeting. Con tractors are liable for any fish that may be killed during a work project," he told operators, 'anytime working within 25 feet of water shed or stream " A permit is needed fromDER. Morrissey followed with a discussion of adequate insurance coverage for anyone digging un derground. He recommended a minimum of one and one-half million dollars coverage for most contractors. If a company is not covered, he told operators, a utility can attach the assets of the company if a claim is filed for Thanks and Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Powell & Family On Their New Garage And Work Shop AGRI-INC ■ DESIGNERS & BUILDERS of SYSTEMS RD 4 EPHRATA. PA 17522 Located In Farmersville Phone 717-354-4271 hitting an underground gas line oi utility. The Pennsylvania One Call System was advocated for all equipment operators. A telephone system designed to alert all its participating utilities when someone is excavating, the net work has greatly unproved utility - contractor relations and radically lowered the number of times a utility line has been hit and con sequently, shut down. UGI representative Tom Price informed operators that their line was hit 200 times in 1983, and was lowered to 124 hits in 1984, much to the credit of the One Call System. Bill Kiger, director of operations of the Pennsylvania One Call System, urged contractors to use this system before digging. "Before You Dig Anywhere in Pennsylvania - Call: 1-800-242-1776 - Investigate Before You Ex cavate,” the system’s signs ad- of Columbus, N. J. BUILT BY: vise. The system allows this free call to alert all of the participating utilities at the same time and enables the excavator to answer a tew questions concerning the location of the digging site and the nature of the excavation Utilities will be notified and the location requesdt will be filed faul Kramer, Texas Eastern, informed operators that for every mile of line that has to be shut down, it costs the contractor $6,000 The line must be shut down after a hit” and the gas must be released. The informative workshop also featured speakers from Concrete Safety Systems, Bethel, Reading Branch of C.N.A., and Design Data of Lancaster, A.T.&T. Displays, handouts, and safety signs were available for all par ticipants as equipment operators were urged to construct con servation measures safely." FEATURES • Pole Barn Construction • Roof Trusses 4’ On Center, Which Allows Heavier Snow Load. • Painted Steel Roof And Siding. Let Our Experience Work For You In 1985 For All Your Farm Building Needs, Large Or Small REYNOLDS ROOFING & SIDING
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