A46-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 22,1986 SPOKANE, WA Agricultural producers from across the nation have gathered here recently to confront the rural crisis facing America. Calling the 1985 Farm Bill inadequate and designed to reduce ' farm income, delegates to the 84th Annual National Farmers Union Convention met to write the Organization’s policy statement for the next year. David Stetler, President of Pennsylvania Farmers Union and leader of the Pennsylvania Delegation, said family farmers are facing some of the toughest farm policy legislation in recent history. PDPP allocates $35,000 HARRISBURG - Don’t cancel that late summer or fall dairy promotion for lack of money. Up to $35,000 in matching funds has been voted by the Penn sylvania Dairy Promotion Program, it is announced by Advisory Board Chairman Don Duncan. And most local organizations qualify. But hurry, he adds. Applications are due April 15. The board, comprised of 19 dairy Program also will fund capital farmers, oversees as 2 million milk investments for milk shake advertising and promotion machines and other dairy related program. It is supported by over equipment. PDPP will pay one 4,000 dairymen. fourth the cost, to a maximum of Only Pennsylvania committees $l,OOO. and organizations are eligible for Dairy princess pageants aren’t milk promotion dollars, the Berks * eligible. “We already support the County dairyman explains. And dairy princess program” Duncan the new funds must be used during explained, the July-December period. For applications and further The board already has allocated details write to Cindy Weimer, $34,254 to 41 groups for January- promotion coordinator, Penn- June promotions. All are eligible sylvania Dairy Promotion for the current round of funding. Program, 2301 North Cameron Previous allocations ranged Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408. from $3,107 for the Huntingdon The deadline is April 15. ‘Future’ session (Continued from Page A 34) handle manure,” said Wolff, pointing to the generation of electricity through manure in cineration as an exciting new possibility. Wolff pointed out that two major Pennsylvania poultry integrators are looking into the possibility of burning poultry manure. But much research is needed to determine how much energy can actually be generated, as well as what is contained in incineration’s two by products, smoke emissions and ash. Turning to a resource of quite a different nature, Penn State agricultural economist Jill Findeis said that a significant labor force exists among farmers seeking off farm employment. An eye-opening 70 percent of all farm income in the state is ac tually generated away from the farm, said Findeis. Although this figure includes income from dividends, interest and retirement programs, more than SO percent is earned through wages and salaries. What isn’t known, according to Findeis, is how many of those fanners employed away from the farm are actually phasing out of farming, or using their off-farm incomes as a temporary safety net or a long-term income supplement. While demand for off-farm employment continues to increase, rural employment opportunities have actually been decreasing within the past five years. “So we need to understand how our far mers are adapting to the changes taking place,” said Findeis. Compounding the problem is the fact that many older and less educated farmers are generally unwilling to work away from the farm, either by choice or because of-their inability to get a job. “What skills do they have to enter Stetler leads PFU group at national convention “Conditions confronting family farmers have steadily deteriorated,” said Stetler. “Farmers are having a tough time all over. I can tell you the prices Pennsylvania farmers are receiving are so low (30-50% lower than in 1981 in some cases) that many can’t survive their debt, much less service cost of production, management costs, and return on investment.” Farm unity has been evidenced as Farmers Union leaders span ning the country have been ad dressed-by an impressive list of policy leaders, international producer representatives and rural life experts during the four- County Dairy Promotion Program to $lOO for the Sullivan County Dairy Festival Committee. There are dollar limits, says Duncan. Radio advertising is limited to $6OO per station, with the local committee picking up 25 percent of the cost. Also only the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program’s professionally produced radio ads can be used. Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion an increasingly competitive job market?” said the economist. “I’m very concerned about that,” she noted, adding that training is needed for this segment of the agricultural community. Findeis also expressed concern for dairymen in need of sup plemental income. Due to the demands of dairying, these far mers are often unable to pursue outside employment, she said. On the plus side, Pennsylvania farmers are not only close to their markets, but close to rural jobs, as well. “That is a very special feature of Pennsylvania, but we need to leam to be able to capitalize on that,” said Findeis. According to Penn State Ex tension ag economist Ted Alter, local governments and the non farm sector can play an important role in maintaining the vitality of our rural communities by providing off-farm employment opportunities, as well as other essential services. By encouraging development in rural areas, local governments will be helping to provide facilities, services and off-farm employment for local farmers. Upgraded roads and bridges are good examples of how development can impact positively on the local agricultural community, said Alter. On the other hand, there is a down side to economic growth and development, the economist pointed out. Such development often leads to an increase in land values, property taxes and com plaints from the farmer’s new neighbors, all of which can be counterproductive to agriculture. The challenge for government, then, is to develop land «■ policies, tax systems and rM|| and bridges that strike an ceptable balance betWOTl agriculture and the nonfaiM sector, Alter concluded. day event. efforts to revitalize the economy,” return equity to rural America. Echoing the sentiments of AFL- stetler pledged the help of his “The responsibility rests with all CIO President, Lane Kirkland, Organization in a continued of us,” said Stetler. “We must set who said in his Convention address statewide effort with rural aside our differences and work on Monday that American laborers businesses, consumer groups, and collectively to see that our goals in and farmers have been “left out of members of organized labor to rural America are accomplished.” V f %: >C'< FLEX-AU Improvements Include new tubing with ultraviolet and wear inhibitors, plus new power-efficient direct drive motors that turn the auger. Get full facts now about Chore-Time’s FLEX-AUGER and line of feed bins. Chore-Time Has The Only Flex-Auger For High Moisture Corn Model 125 Model 90 Model HMC Model 75 Model 55 Cap. Lbs. Cap. Lbs. Cap. Lbs. Cap. Lbs. Cap. Lbs. 220/Min. 100/Min. 50/Min. 50/Min. 15/Min. • 5 systems to meet any need you have • 10-year warranty on coreless auger COMPLETE SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT, SALES, INSTALLATION, SERVICE FOR CATTLE, HOGS AND POULTRY. AGRI“ HOURS RD 4, East Farmersville Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522 Mon.-Fri. ?:3o to 4;3o ; (Lancaster County) 5at.7:30t011:30 (717) 354-6520 (PartsonlJ '’ H- the best wa Authorized Chore-Time Distributor EQUIPMENT, INC */■ -S
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers