Conservation school stresses respect for resources BY JACK HUBLE Y 1 J LANCASTER Any teacher can tell you that the best way to gain credibility in the teaching profession is to practice what you preach. Tim Breneisen, resource conservationist with the Lancaster County Conservation District is no exception Together with Warwick High School vo-ag instructor Sonia Shaner, Breneisen directs the Lancaster County Youth Con servation School, a week of con servation education conducted at the Northern Lancaster County Sportsmen’s Club. “We recycle all our glass and paper products, and we compost all our vegetable matter,” says Breneisen. Students lead a spartan existence while attending the school, living in large wall tents on Cornell prof honored ITHACA, NY. - A Cornell University agricultural engineer who has developed a light trap that blocks out light while allowing ventilation fans to operate ef ficiently in poultry houses - a factor critical for egg production, especially in the hot summer months - has been honored by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE). The device is used to control day length and light intensity which affect breeder egg production. Designed primarily for breeder egg production, the Cornell device has application in any animal environment system requiring light control. Michael B. Timmons, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering in the New York State Previously, Timmons won a College of Agriculture and Life similar award from ASAE. In Sciences at Cornell, received a 1985 addition, he won the “Engineering “ASAE Paper Award” for his Concept of the Year Award” in scientific paper explaining the 1984 from the North Carolina concept, the design, and the section of ASAE for his analysis of the system’s operation, engineering concept for the light The paper was one of nine selected trap. for awards from among 362 evaluated. The Cornell device, a majbr the M.S. (1972) from the University boost to the nation’s broiler in- of Hawaii, and the Ph.D. (1979) dustry, is saving an estimated $2l from Cornell. GRASS TRIMMER GT 1000 I99SS List 1X39*5 Mon., Thurs., Fri. till 9:30; Tues., Wed. till 6:30; Sat. till 5:00 BfiftlJliegers ELM. PA the club grounds. But if the accommodations are modest, the quality of instruction is first-rate, notes Breneisen, pointing out that the school’s 10 counselors provide a student teacher ratio of better than three to one. The counselors are picked from past conservation school graduates who have shown leadership abilities. “We’re for tunate that our senior counselors keep coming back year after year,” says Breneisen. “They’re really helping to make this program a success.” Sponsored by the Federated Sportsmen of Lancaster County and the County Conservation District, this year’s school at tracted 29 participants from throughout the county. About 80 million annually in improved egg production and feed efficiency through effective light control and efficient ventilation in poultry houses, according to Timmons. The annual U.S. broiler production exceeds 4 billion birds, requiring a steady supply of hatching eggs the year around. Published in the ASAE journal “Transactions” during 1984, Timmons’ winning paper-- “ Pressure Drop and Light Transmittance Characteristics of Ventilation Light Traps”-was written jointly with G.R. Baugh man, an agricultural engineer at North Carolina State University, where Timmons was an assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering before joining Cornell in 1983. Timmons received the B.S. (1971) from Ohio State University, 1^33258 ...the ONE that lasts! ‘ (717)665-2407 percent of the normal year’s enrollment are chosen by county sportsmen’s clubs, with the remaining 20 percent coming from organizations such as County Conservancy and the Lancaster Environmental Action Federation. This year two students were sponsored by the Ephrata Area Young Farmers chapter. The main purpose of the school is to instill an awareness of the need for resource conservation in its students, says Breneisen. Through contact with various conservation agencies throughout the week, students also learn- about career opportunities in the conservation field. Highlights of the week included a day of firearms instruction con ducted by the county’s three District Game Protectors, and field trips to the nearby Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and the Lancaster County Park. During their day at the county park, students gained hands-on experience by building a gabion water deflector in the park’s Mill Creek. The emphasis placed on soil conservation at the park is par ticularly timely in light of the sedimentation problems in local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, says Breneisen. Climaxing the week of in struction is the school’s Envir- Olympics. “Essentially It’s a test of what went on all week,” says Breneisen. Students are also required to keep a notebook on all activities. Notebooks are graded at the end of the week, and the student with the best notebook receives an award. “Hopefully these kids are going to go back home and make a positive impact on the en vironment,” concludes Breneisen. “And we also hope that their knowledge will be passed on to others.” To qualify for the school, students must be between the ages of 14 to 16. They must write a letter describing why they wish to at Beef Feeders Who Attend Our Free Seminar WiD Know More Than You There is an simple wav to get up-to-date information about running a fcedlol operation Attend our 1985 beef feeder meeting and we will teach you to increase your profits by lowering your financial risk The featured speaker is Dr Harold Harps ter. Associate Professor of Animal Science. Penn sylvania State University Our meeting is free, and so is the lunch, to feecllot operators, but space is limited Call our toll free number 1-800-323-1037 —to reserve vour place Whv Id the other fellow know more than \ou do? DATE; Thursday, August Ist, 1985 TIME; 10 am. (registration from 9 to 10) PLACE: LANCASTER FARM AND HOME CENTER 1383 Arcadia Rd. Lancaster, PA. Lunch will he provided. l-or reservations and information call toll free in Pennsylvania 1-800-323-1037 (^\young 9 s Livestock Nutritional Services 1985 Youngs tend, and must also secure one letter of reference from a teacher or other adult familiar with their capabilities. Those interested in inquiring I District Game Protector Ed Gosnell instructs a young shooter at Lancaster County’s Youth Conservation School. Ephrata Area Young Farmers president David Zimmerman examines Carl Mohler’s target. Looking on (with rifle) is Mike Peters. Both youths are from Ephratd. % about next year’s conservation school are encouraged to contact Tim Breneisen at the Lancaster County Conservation District office, phone: 299-5361. 4f
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