A32-Lancast*r Farming, Saturday, March 29,1986
BY BARBARA MILLER
Staff Correspondent
WILLIAMSPORT - Two
resolutions concerning changes
needed in calculating land use
values for the Clean and Green
Program were passed recently at a
meeting of the Pennsylvania
Associatioh of Conservation
District Directors, Inc. at the
Genetti-Lycoming Hotel in
Williamsport.
Any chage in use-values could
have far reaching implications for
state landowners participating in
the Clean and Green Assessment
Program.
A resolution was approved that
PACDD would work with State
Department of Agriculture to
update the use - values of the Clean
and Green Program during the soil
resources committee meeting.
Next, the committee voted to
endorse a letter written by
Dauphin County Board of Direc
tors to Secretary Grubb on
February 27. The letter cited two
errors presently being made by
PDA in calculating use - values
which, combined, approximately
double the use - values distributed
statewide. Ways to remedy the
situation were suggested.
According to the letter, one error
lies in PDA’s current use of a 15
percent ratio (based on September
1976 data) to compare net farm
income to gross farm income.
Given current conditions, it is
estimated that this ratio should not
be higher than seven percent.
Additionally, the capitalization
rate used by PDA is 10 percent.
Given current conditions, it is
estimated that this figure should
be between 13 and 17 percent.
The letter suggested PDA re
evaluate and change the net to
gross farm income ratio and the
capitalization rate. It advised the
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Conservation directors urge ag assessment changes
necessary staffing adjustment be
made to enable the Bureau of
Agricultural Development to
properly administer the program
from a technical and ad
ministrative standpoint. Regular
updating of figures used by the
Clean and Green Program was
also suggested.
The meeting was chaired by
Russ Cassel of Dauphin County
Conservation District who recently
lost an appeal with the Dauphin
County Board of Assessment
concerning his 290-acre dairy farm
in South Hanover Township. He
challenged the county Board of
Assessment’s 1985 reassessment,
which, in effect, simply doubled
1973 assessment of all real estate in
the county. He plans to appeal the
decision in county court.
Cassel discussed a meeting on
February 14, in which he and Dave
Ball, District Manager of DCCD,
met with Fred Wertz, Bureau of
Agriculture Development and
Patricia Weiss, PACDD, and a
representative of Sen. Helfrick’s
office to discuss the methodology
that PDA uses in computing use
values of farmland. At the meeting
they were informed by Wertz that
a flaw had already been uncovered
in PDA’s method of computing use
values. It was discovered by Carol
Breon, a math teacher from
Clinton County.
Mrs. Breon, who was present at
the committee meeting, said she is
scheduled to reappear in court on
March 24 in a case similar to
Cassel’s pertaining to
reassessment and implementation
of the Clean and Green Program.
Ball explained how PDA com
putes the use-values of farmland
under the Clean and Green
Program. Essentially, he said, the
Clean and Green Program allows
less taxes paid to the county by
farmers. Counties may or may not
choose to use PDA use-values,
according to Ball. Some counties
use the use-values verbatim and
some use them as a guide, but
either way, he observed, “It is an
important piece of paper that PDA
sends out.”
After computing land use-values
based on current PDA Clean and
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Green figures and then computing
values based on more “realistic”
figures, Ball concluded, “PDA is
artificially doubling use-values
going out to the counties. “PDA
knows this but doesn’t want to do
anything about it.”
Cassel noted it was not in PDA’s
budget to refigure use-values until
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department will.
Ball predicts the Clean and
Green reassessment figures will
eventually be updated. “It’s the
only widely used agricultural
retention program in the state,” he
added, “That’s why it is so
significant.”
DAIRY PROBLEMS
SOIL PROBLEMS
HIGH SOMATIC CELL COUNT
BAD WATER
A special monitorillonite mineral is excellent for
livestock health and high somatic cell count. It
draws toxins and purifies the system. We have a
top line “Aquarius" water purification systems for
house or barn. We are underselling competition for
the barns. Water is getting worse fast and is one
cause of cow problems.
Go organic in the fields and help reduce the water
problem. It is an obligation to help the neigh
borhood water. We are beating the chemical fer
tilized crops anyway. There is no excuse. One in
Lebanon County had 250 bu. corn per acre and
29% protein hay. And our customer's crops have
more nutrition and more bug and disease
resistance.
Health Starts From The Soil
Another had 300 bu. corn per acre in 1982 and
one had more than twice the yield of soybeans in a
side by side test. There is much to be gained by
changing. It's ag progress, rightly so called. Man is
not as smart or wise as his creator, who knows
what is best in the long run. Nature gives multiple
advantages, not alone just the biggest plants.
We do soil testing for $lO, refundable with
fertilizer order. A $25 test gives over 2 doz.
readouts. Our NEMA program is really catching on
by the progressive farmers. We help them survive
with a better bottom line - the income minus the
expense.
Ask for literature. Be specific about your problem
and interest - whether animals, water or soil. We
have the answers.
ORGANIC CENTER
217 S. Railroad Ave.
New Holland, PA 17557
717-354-7064
Vt block east of New Holland Sales Stables.
the
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