Montyomeiy County 4-H Center BY MARTHA GEHRINGER Staff Correspondent NORRISTOWN - Can you imagine operating a 4-H center out of a remodeled, two-story com mercial chicken house? This is exactly what Montgomery County did for 17 years, and with much success before growth of the 4-H program and urban sprawl forced them to search for a new and more suitable location. They found this location in the former Skippack Elementary School, in Creamery. This school has been transformed to accommodate the new 4-H center, plus various ag agencies. This new center is the result of much planning and hard work. To fully understand what the new 4-H center means to Montgomery County, 4-H, and the agricultural community, travel back to 1966 when the first Montgomery County 4-H was purchased and remodeled. It served 4-H very well, hosting approximately 600 meetings and events annually. Such events as 4- H fairs, chicken barbeques, dog and horse shows, and even wed ding receptions have utilized the grounds and buildings. But, in recent years some of the limitations of the center became more and more obvious. More meeting space was needed, show and exhibit grounds needed enlargement, and urbanization seemed only an arm’s length away. A less obvious limitation was the ever increasing burden of maintaining and heating a building with decreasing revenues. The Farm, Home, and 4-H Foundation of Montgomery County was organized in February 1984. The sole purpose of the Foundation was to provide facilities and program support for over 3,200 4-H members in the county. In early 1984 the Skippack Elementary School became available and the wheels of progress were set in motion. Hatfield Packing Company, understanding the need that Turn your compact tractor into a loader/dozer! Handle heavy payloads-quickly, easily—with the new Powerlift loader from Ag-Tech The Powerlift attaches to your tractor in seconds —two control levers put you in com plete command of elevation and bucket lift. Advanced design features include tapered frame for less deflection under tension and compression Heavy-duty bucket with torsion member for extra rigidity. And abrasion-resistant steel edge for longer wear The Powerlift is on display right now at your local Ag-Tech dealer Stop by for a demon stration . N existed, pledged a generous gift of $300,000 to launch the formation of a “4-H Center.” An additional $lOO,OOO came from the Mon tgomery County Commissioners toward remodeling the main building. The total budget needs of the project was estimated at $950,000. Looking toward the future and wishing to develop a sound financial base, the foundation invited several regional and county agricultural agencies to enter the center as rent paying units. This would also aid in creating an ag center for Mon tgomery County that would benefit 4-H, farm, home and the ag community. Currently the agencies operating at the Center include the County’s Penn State-Cooperative Extension Service, the Southeastern Penn sylvania regional office of the state Department of Agriculture, the USDA Soil Conservation Service, USDA Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the Farm Credit office. Locating these offices in one building and the building’s proximity to the county’s geographic center, all contribute to making these agencies more accessible to the general agricultural community. Now farmers can visit several agencies with one visit. The union of these agencies creates a feeling similar to that behind the Foundation - a feeling of everyone working together toward one goal, the benefit of 4-H and agriculture. The climax of all this work was the dedication and open house of the Montgomery County 4-H Center on Dec. 10,1984. Although it was the climax, the work at the center is far from finished, a fact that is well illustrated by the president of the Foundation, Merrill K. Zimmerman. He continues to work on fun draising and various other projects that need his attention. At the Gi Ag-Tech 'jr VB HAMILTON EQUIPMENT, INC. WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS 567 South Reading Road, P.O. Box 478 Ephrata, PA 17522 Phone: 717/733-7951 dedication, Zimmerman was singled out for special praise. Vice President Fred L. Seipt said, “Lesser men would have been discouraged from undertaking such a task and would have given up. But Merrill Zimmerman never wavered and worked harder than anyone else leading the campaign that has provided the center. ” Future plans for completion of the center include outdoor land scaping, completion of meeting rooms, and procurement of ad jacent land. Plans for this ad ditional land include rings for horse and large animal shows, and activities that require level areas; an indoor arena for winter ac tivities of large animals, rabbit and dog shows, and 4-H fair exhibits; barns for housing show animals, demonstration of Industries v #V\ moves from chicken coop to modem facility Jf m A f „ r Ashley Jones of Schwenksville presented a "piece of the rock" to Merrill Zimmerman, chairman of the Montgomery County Farm, Home & 4-H Foundation, for his dedication to the construction of the new 4-H Center in Creamery. Also recognized for their out standing efforts were from left. Fred Seipt of Lansdale, County Agent Joseph Way and Walton Hackman of Hatfield. s\ rj $ animals, sheep shearing schools, hoof trimming; an athletic field for community use including little league baseball and other recreational activities, and a wooded area for day camping and nature study for children ages 6-12. The additional land will also allow for expansion of the annual 4-H fair. The Foundation is still searching for $400,000 from businesses and Berks County Executive Board The Berks County Farm Women Executive Board met recently at the Ag Center with 20 members attending. State craft project ribbons were rti«trihntpH Fifty-seven members •ass costs a loss _ evaporation. A one-pass incorporation of PROWI! herbicide gives you protection against 21 grasses and broadleaf weeds with a minimum loss of mois ture. Save time, fuel, equipment costs, and valuable soil moisture with a single pass with PROWL CVAHJkMIO Agricultural Divlalon Ma ip NlO 4 1 190 S PROWLTOURBEST HERBODE VALUE Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 16,1985-123 individuals to reach the original goal and accomplish many of the plans. The Montgomery County 4-H has grown considerably since 1966 when the center in Lansdale opened its doors. Today over 100 county clubs have 4-H’ers from every age and background par ticipating. The Montgomery County 4-H Center is following in a proud tradition. plan to attend the Spring Rally at the Ramada Inn in Hagerstown, Md. in May. Berks Heim bingo will be held on April 11 at the Annex. T 7 E saves tillage passes h cost a loss ure equal to )f rainfall. Always md and foUow libel mrtnKtioru cvefuDy
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