UNIVERSITY PARK - Governor Dick Thornburgh will electronically cut the ribbon on the Pennsylvania Extension Net work’s PENpages, a data base of current information, on the opening day of the 70th Farm Show. Thornburgh will be the first person to use PENpages, which gives Pennsylvanians a direct connection through their home computers to information from The Pennsylvania State Univer sity’s College of Agriculture and other state and federal agencies. For the past year and a half, faculty and staff in the College of Apiculture have been building the computer network, linking each Penn State campus and the offices of its Cooperative Extension Service. It increases the reach of Extension to any Pennsylvania resident having access to a microcomputer, modem (telephone hook-up) and ap propriate software. The system contains a variety of agricultural and extension in formation ranging from daily, weekly and monthly agricultural news and alerts to more per manent types of reference material. For example, home gardeners will be able to access information needed to identify and control many types of vegetable diseases —including up-to-minute details on the new diseases and the latest research. Homeowners will be able to access information on clothing, textiles and home interiors. Young people will find information on 4-H career and leadership op portunities. Farmers will find specific information on many production agriculture concerns. The Pennsylvania state legislature appropriated |1.9 million in 1984 to begin the Ex tension Computerization Project, and provides funds for its con- ‘PENpages’ computer net to debut at Farm Show tinuing operation. Extension computer specialists have trained more than 750 faculty and staff members, in addition to pur chasing equipment and developing PENpages. To date they have completed 41 computer programs including family dollar decisions, farm business analysis, stress management and machinery Seniors to receive new high-calcium milk at Show HARRISBURG Pennsylvania dairymen climbed on the calcium bandwagon in a big way last year, underwriting special research and putting hard-earned dollars into product development. Next Monday at the Penn sylvania Farm Show, senior citizens will have a chance to taste one that made it an easily digestible, high calcium milk from Lehigh Valley Farms. The new product is the first of its kind in the nation, according to William Fouse, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Foods and Chemistry. Called CalciMilk, it is aimed at YOU CAM AFFORD A smm analysis. How it all works is the focus of the College’s Farm Show exhibit. Extension computer support agents will be staffing the exhibition booth to explain the operation of the network and to answer any questions. A user guide will be available through county Cooperative Extension Service senior citizens and otner in dividuals who are potential victims of the bone depleting osteoporosis and cannot drink regular milk. Lactose in the “hi cal” milk is converted to simple, more digestible sugars. The producer-owned co-op will help observe Senior Citizens’ Day at the Farm Show Jan. 13 by servihg the free milk to senior visitors in the Farm Show’s Main Lobby. Is 65 too late to prevent osteoporosis? According to Lehigh Valley Farms, high calcium milk helps deter further bone deteriation. Recent research indicates milk and other h'®*’ COMPARE STEIGER FOR: • Weight Distribution • Driveline Efficiency • Short Turning • Fantastic Visability • Fuel Efficiency • Price TAKE A LOOK AT THE TAMA SHOW i^STE/GER. H mmm MP|M| All New & Used Products Backed ■ BH By hoober Parts & Service I Radio Controlled Trucks For ■ Better Service ■ h INTERCOURSE, PA (717)768-8231 \ C.B. HOOBER if SON INC. Bgente, offering a detailed outline “Experts predict that by 1990,40 of the PENpages data base, as well to 50 percent 0 f families in the as specifications on the necessary united States will be using com computer accessories. puters at home for information Additional home horticultural exchange,” says Graham Bell, information, poultry diagnostic lab Penn state Extension computer reports, national and local support coordinator. “The Penn agncultural market information S y| V ania Extension Network and farm management programs brings that future much closer for are but a few of the topics under the people of Pennsylvania.” development. more than build sound bones. They also reduce colon cancer and in fluence blood pressure, studies find. More good news for consumers and milk producers is expected later this year from a Penn State study funded by the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Board. Not all new milk products deal with calcium. Lehigh Valley also markets Lactaid, a regular milk with the lactose converted to simple sugars. A new milk product processed by Dairymen, Inc. at ultra high temperatures could unlock ven ding machines to the dairy in dustry. It is also sold in three • Operator Comfort & Safety • Simplicity • Reliability • Serviceability • Long Warranty flavors and can be stored for months without refrigeration. Also getting a hard look in dairymen-supported research are lactose-free yogurts and low fat cheeses. Dairymen pay an average of $2l per cow into national and local programs for milk promotion, research and product develop ment. In Pennsylvania that could add up to $l4 million this year, according to estimates by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Such big dollars, of course, could mean more new dairy products down the road. A boon to dairymen and consumers alike. Steiger eliability r Less Than ou Think! How Relioble Are Steiger Tractors? Ask The Farmer Who Owns One! 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