814-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 6,1985 Pa. farms BY SALLY BAIR Staff Correspondent HARRISBURG - Since 1945, the number of farms in Pennsylvania has decreased from 171,000 to 55,535 and the amount of acreage has been reduced from 15 million acres to about 8.3 million acres. At that rate of decrease, by the year 2050 there could be little farmland left. These statistics were presented by William A. Adams, director of natural resources for the Penn sylvania Farmers Association, at the 17th annual Legislative Con ference sponsored by the Women’s Legislative Exchange last week in Harrisburg. Over 700 women from throughout the Commonwealth attended the workshops to study issues of concern. Adams pointed out that losing one acre of farmland to actual development, means losing three additional acres to post develop ment pressures. He noted that when the state builds one mile of new highway, it takes 60 acres of land. In addition to development pressure, erosion and economics play a large part in the disap pearance of farmland. Louise Midla, a farmer from Marianna in Washington County, called the disappearance of far mland a problem as important in its consequences as crime and alcohol abuse. On the national scene, the group was told that unless Florida takes strong action immediately, by the turn of the century all their winter fruits and vegetables will be gone. James Higgle, American Far mland Trust, gave this assessment as he talked about development pressures in states like Florida and California. Higgle said there is no question that there will be land on which to grow food in the 1990’5, but he questioned what kind of Elderly ere e valuable BY SALLY BAER Staff Correspondent HARRISBURG - “The elderly are considered a problem amj,,! think that is a mistake. I think they should be viewed as a valuable resource. We should create that mind set.” These are the words of State Representative Allen Kukovich, chairman of the youth and aging subcommittee of the Health and Welfare Committee. Speaking in Harrisburg at the annual legislative conference of the Pennsylvania Women’s Legislative Exhange, Kukovich said he wanted to be a member of that committee “because the seniors and aging need to have advocates.” He said their concerns need to be considered in every issue. He made it clear that the funds which are generated by the state lottery have done a great deal to help the elderly. “If we didn’t have the lottery, we would be in grave trouble.” The lottery, and its potential for helping senior citizens could be in trouble; however, as federal monies are cut in many areas. “Leaders are now looking to the lottery for other programs.’’ Kukovich said they must be ever vigilant about new or increased funding for programs through the lottery, to be sure the primary intent continues to be met. Kukovich said the big issues facing the elderly in Pennsylvania include property tax reform and utility reform. He noted that 23 percent of the residents are on fixed incomes, and the slogan “heat or eat” has become'an ac curate one for many elderly. Their income simply does not stretch. He said that telephones cannot be considered a luxury for the elderly; they are a “lifeline.” He* proposes that utilities have a base decreasing at alarming rate food, what quality of food and at what cost to the consumer. “Are we willing to pay for that quality?” he asked the group rhetorically. Higgle contended that a lot oi produce is already being imported, and the quality of much of the food produced in other countries is not the same as that produced under the strict federal inspection laws in this country. On a positive note, Higgle noted that the amount of land in crop production has increased by about 10 percent in the last five years, but said that prune farmland is down about 600,000 acres per year. He noted, “The target of non-farm develoment is prime farmland.” When prime farmland is lost, cost of production in other areas is very high because of the cost of using highly erodible, marginal soil. Erosion continues to be a serious problem in losing farmland. Although erosion was almost under control in the early 1960’5, Higgle said, “It is now on the increase.” Nutrients and pesticides are very complex problems, he asserted. Another positive note is that federal agencies have done an in depth review of effects of federal policy on farmland, and have changed their attitudes. Higgle said that federal agencies traditionally have taken prime farmland for highways, airports and sewage treatment plants. Now, under the federal farmland protection policy act, federal agencies are required to respect state and local farmland policies. He added, “This puts the burden on state and local governments to decide what they want their communities to look like in the future.” Higgle said that Pennsylvania is one of the top states in the nation in leading farmland preservation resource, not a problem lifeline rate in their structure so the elderly can afford phones. “There is a great deal of political clout and power among the aging in Pennsylvania,” Kukovich pointed out. Alma Jacobs, acting secretary of aging in Pennsylvania, said she will be traveling throughout the state talking with senior about the PACE program which offers pharmaceutical assistance to the elderly. This is funded through the lottery, and Jacobs said that prescription drug abuse is a big problem because of lack of un derstanding on proper use. Jacobs said her department is increasing its budget by 17 percent over last year to increase services. She cited m-home services for the elderly as a pressing need. Attendant care for the disabled which offers hands-on personal care is extremely important in keeping the elderly in their homes and not institutionalized. Jacobs said, “He must take care of the efforts. Wisconsin, Oregon, Maryland, Illinois and Michigan, are other states with good far mland policy legislation. Un fortunately, states that should be acting most vigorously are not, he said. PFA’s Adams said that there are many laws in effect in the Com monwealth which provide relief for farmers and give the groundwork for farmland preservation. The nght-to-farm law of 1982 prevents farmers from being harrassed with nusiance laws, and the 1976 clean and green law offers some tax breaks for land used for agricultural purposes. Adams estimated that currently there are about 136,000 acres in the state in designated agricultural areas under Act 43, the Ag Area Security Act. He pointed out that the one percent of the realty transfer tax which goes into the general fund will help make money available for purchasing development rights, and will spread the burden more evenly on the taxpayer's. He and Higgle agreed that the responsibility of preserving farmland lies not just with farmers, but with the entire population. Therefore the tax burden should be shared. Midla, decried what she called “buckshot urbanization,” when the gradual changes m the country side go unnoticed. She said a comprehensive land use plan is essential, and urged the audience to establish agricultural development councils which in clude all community groups to complete and update maps. She said this kind of effort can help avoid using prune farmland for public uses. Pointing out the value of agriculture, it was noted that agriculture adds more value than any of industry in Pennsylvania in terms of creating jobs and in fluencing the economy. caretakers by offering technical assistance through area offices of aging.” The department is committed to providing in-home services which will keep people in their homes in their own communities. She said, “It is the proper, and humane thing to do, and we save money because it is cheaper than in stitutionalizing the elderly.” It was pointed out that 89 percent of people over age 65 live in their home communities, with only seven percent confined to their home beds, and only four percent in institutions. Because many are able to live alone, a very real need is af fordable housing for the elderly. Kukovich pointed out, “An in justice done to anyone anywhere is an injustice done to all of us everywhere.” Jacobs made it clear that the Office of Aging is interested in hearing about instances of discrimination and abuses against the elderly. See your nearest HOLLAND Dealer for Dependable Equipment and Dependable Service: Alexandria, PA Clapper Farm Equipment Star Route 814-669-4465 Annville, PA BHM Farm Equipment. Inc RD.-l 717-867-2211 Beavertown, PA B4R Farm Equipment, Inc RD 1, 80x217A 717-658-7024' Belleville, Pa. IvanJ Zook Farm Equipment Belleville, Pa 717-935-2948 Carlisle, PA Paul Shovers, Inc 35 East Willow Street 717-243-2686 Chambersburg, PA Clugston Implement, Inc RD 1 717-263-4103 Davidsburg, PA George N Gross, Inc R D 2, Dover, PA 717-292-i673 Elizabethtown, PA Messick Farm Equipment, Inc Rt 283 - Rheem's Exit 717-367-1319 Everett, PA C Paul Ford & Son RD 1 814-652-2051 Gettysburg, PA Yingling Implements RD 9 717-359-4848 Greencastle, PA Meyers Implement’s Inc 400 N Antrim Way PO Box 97 717-597-2176 » Grove City, PA McDowell Farm Implement Co Rt 173 North 814-786-7955 Halifax, PA Sweigard Bros R D 3, Box 13 717-896-3414 Hamburg, PA Shartlesville Farm Service RD 1, Box 1392 215-488-1025 Honey Brook, PA Dependable Motor Co East Mam Street 215-273-3131 215-273-3737 Honey Grove, PA Norman D Clark & Son, Inc Honey Grove, PA 717-734-3682 Hughesville, PA Farnsworth Farm Supplies, Inc 103 Cemetery Street 717 584 2106 Lancaster, PA L H Brubaker, Inc 350 Strasburg Pike 717-397-5179 Lebanon, PA Keller Bros T ractor Co RD 7, Box 405 717-949-6501 Lititz. PA Roy A Brubaker 700 Woodcrest A v 717-626-7766 Loysville, PA Paul Shovers, Inc Loysville, PA 717-789-3117 Lynnport, PA Kermit K Kistler, Inc Lynnport, PA 215-298-2011 Martinsburg, PA Forshey's, Inc 110 Forshey St* 814-793-3791 Mill Hall. PA Paul A Dotterer RD 1 717-726-3471 New Holland, PA ABC Groff, Inc 110 South Railroad 717-354-4191 New Park. PA M&R Equipment Inc P O Box 16 717-993-2511 Oley, PA C J Wonsidler Bros RD 2. 215-987-6257 Pitman, PA Marlin W Schreffler Pitman, PA 717 648-1120 Quakertown, PA C J Wonsidler Bros RD 1 215 536-1935 Quarryville, PA CE Wiley & Son, tnc 101 South Lime Street 717-786-2895 Ringtown, PA Rmgtown Farm Equipment Ringtown, PA 717-889-3184 Silverdale, PA I G Sales Box 149 215-257-5135 Tamaqua, PA Charles S Snyder, Inc RD 3 717-3864945 Troy, PA Warner Tractor & Equipment Inc Troy PA 717 297 2141 West Chester, PA M S Yearsley & Son 114-116 East Market Street 215-696-2990 West Grove. PA S G Lewis & Son, Inc RD 2, Box 66 215-869-2214 Churchville, MD Walter G Coale, Inc 2849.53 Churchville Rd 301-734-7722 Rising Sun, MD Ag Ind Equipment Co, Inc 1207 Telegraph Rd 301 398-6132 301 658-5568 215 869 3542 Washington, NJ Frank RymonS Sons 201 689-1464 Woodstown, NJ Owen Supply Co Broad Street & East Avenue 609 769 0308
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers