BY ROBIN PHILLIPS
Staff Correspondent
GILBERTSVILLE - Over 100
fanners gathered at the Gilbert
sville Fire Company recently to
participate in the annual Agri-
Business Farmers Seminar
sponsored by the National Bank of
Boyertown. The 1986
addressed the issues of' diver
sification, stress management,
and farm real estate values.
Pennsylvania agricultural
leaders, National Bank of
Boyertown officials, and local
business associates were on hand
to provide information to farmers
as Charles Gehris, Vice President,
National Bank of Boyertown,
performed the introductions.
Hoping to provide current in
formation that would be beneficial
in today’s farming enterprise, the
program featured J. Luther
Snyder, Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture; Michelle Rodgers,
extension home economist;
Richard Brandt, realtor; and Jack
Moulton, director of operations,
Farm Management Services.
The Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture, Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture, J.
Luther Snyder, began the day-long
program with his presentation,
“Pennsylvania Agriculture Our
Number One Industry.”
“Farming is the third most
stressful occupation there is,”
stated Michelle Rodgers as she
continued the program. Rodgers
spoke on stress management.
More than just long hours and hard
work, she went on to say, farming
involves “critical timing, critical
problem solving, and large sums of
money.” According to Rodgers,
“managing ourselves” is most
important to farmers.
sponsors Agri-business meeting
Bank
“Stress is only negative when it
hinders our performance ... then
it harms our body,” Rodgers
stated. She listed symptoms of
stress including headaches, diz
ziness, a change in appetite, a
tightness in the neck and
shoulders, heartburn, and muscle
aches, and ways to recognize it in
yourself.
Rodgers cautioned, “worry is
really a waste of time.” She told
farmers that only about eight
percent of any worry could be
positive, the rest is wasted because
it is usually about a past event or
something that cannot be changed.
“Identify farm stress,” she
continued, “and learn to un
derstand and manage it.” She
promoted a change in lifestyle or
Patton named to marketing bureau
HARRISBURG - L. Jeffrey
Patton has assumed the position of
director of a newly created Bureau
of Marketing Development in the
Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture, according to
Secretary Richard E. Grubb.
Patton, 30, of Allentown, was
granted a leave of absence as
Agricultural Programs Consultant
with Pennsylvania Power & Light
Co. to play a leading role in a
reorganization the Department
has initiated.
“His significant experience with
agriculture, rural development
and marketing is a tremendous
asset as we set out to do even more
in the vital areas of marketing and
development,” Grubb said.
Patton has more than seven
years experience in agriculture,
the last four in a capacity which
involved him in working with the
agricultural industry to promote
lifestyle management to control
stress. She listed some “lifestyle
management” practices: talk it
out; get away, a five minute break,
vacation, etc.; take one step at a
time; work off anger exercise;
give in occasionally; go easy with
criticism; take it easy; do
something for someone else; laugh
a great medicine; and give
yourself a pat on the back when
you’ve done a good job.
Rodgers added that the main
things that cause stress for far
mers are uncontrollable. She
advised, “make a change in
lifestyles before you reach the
crucial point.”
Continuing the program was
Richard E. Brandt, realtor. He
spoke on farm values, appraisal
criteria, and sales of farm land.
economic development in Penn
sylvania.
“My career objectives mesh
nicely with the Department’s goal
and ongoing effort to promote the
growth of Pennsylvania
agriculture,” Patton said. “I’m
pleased with the opportunity to
share that commitment.” He
assumed the position today.
Under a planned reorganization,
Patton will oversee activities now
centered in the separate Bureaus
of Marketing and Agricultural
Development. The functions and
staff of those bureaus will be
placed in the Bureau of Marketing
Development.
“By consolidating two bureaus
that share similar goals of
stimulating our agricultural
economy and communities, we can
better coordinate an overall
strategy to achieve those ends,”
Richard Brandt
Stating that an appraisal is the
“actual value” of die land, Brandt
listed factors affecting a selling
price. Location, soils, productivity,
Grubb said.
One proposed change would
elevate commodities promotional
programs to division level status.
“This reflects the importance of
these programs and ad
ministratively will have a positive
impact on them,’ ’ Grubb said.
“The reorganization and Mr.
Patton’s employment will enhance
our abilities to expand already
successful marketing and
development efforts, and carry out
new export initiatives,” Grubb
said.
Gov. Thornburgh’s proposed
1986 budget includes a $300,000
appropriation to help companies
and individuals enter the export
market.
As an agricultural programs
consultant with PP&L, Patton has
designed and executed marketing
and economic development
programs for the state’s farm
interest rates, developmental
rights, legislation, and foreign
buyers, all have an effect on
current land values. He predicted
the dip in prices to be over but
added, “tomorrow could change
that very quickly.”
Jack Moulton, director of
operations, Farm Management
Services, concluded the program
with his topic, “Diversification, Is
this the answer to survival”. At the
conclusion of his presentation, he
listed several survival points for
farmers to strive for in their daily
operations. They are: keep good
records; use an analysis of
records; base management
decisions on facts; listen to advice;
watch excessive lenders of money;
and develop a plan to achieve
goals.
industry.
Before joining PP&L, Patton
was employed from 1979-82 as
Region 6 organization director for
the Pennsylvania Farmers
Association. He was responsible
for membership, public affairs and
information programs in an eight
county area.
He has a Bachelor of Science
Degree in general agriculture,
1977, from Pennsylvania State
University. He is a participant in
the Pennsylvania Rural Leader
ship Program, Penn State College
of Agriculture, and will remain so
through 1988.
He was secretary-treasurer to
the Pennsylvania Rural
Development Committee, 1984-85,
and serves on the Pennsylvania
Farm Electrification Council to
the Agricultural Advisory Council,
Penn State College of Agriculture.