DS-Uncaster Farming Saturday, August 2,1986
Lancaster Firm To Celebrate Half Century of Service
LANCASTER - This year,
Master Farmer Fertilizer Com
pany is celebrating two service
milestones in Lancaster County.
This is the company’s 50th year of
service to the county, as well as
being the 30th year of continuous
service by its owner, Bill
Brubaker. Both events will be
celebrated during a two-day open
house scheduled for Aug. 6 and 7
from 9:30 a.m. to3p.m.
The firm was incorporated as
Organic Plant Food Co. in 1936 by
Norman Brubaker, father of the
present owner. The company was
originally operated as a mixer and
dealer of organic supplements.
These products in the early years
were marketed to the organic
gardening trade.
The company gradually made
the shift into the general farming
trade early in it’s history. Farm
grade fertilizers such as 3-12-6, 5-
10-10 and 0-14-14 were blended by
hand in the early days. With
sewage sludge as the base or filler
for these early fertilizers, they
were made primarily from am
monium sulfate, 20 percent
granular superphosphate and
muriate of potash. They were
loaded by hand into wheelbarrows,
weighed on a small platform scale,
and dumped on a pile in front of a
bucket elevator until a one-ton
batch was complete. The pile was
then turned by hand and shoveled
into the elevator.
The “mixed fertilizer,” at this
point, would either be stored in a
bulk bin for the season or it would
be directed to a bagger or bulk load
out for shipment. The bagging was
done In used cane sugar bags, wire
Farm Credit Supports National 4-H Congress
The hot months of summer
would seem to be an unlikely time
to contemplate the cold December
weather, but to 44 happy 4-H’ers,
Chicago in December is the hottest
item in their thoughts.
All of these youths were chosen
from a group of over 700 4-H’ers to
attend the National 4-H Congress
held yearly in Chicago. For this
trip, the highlight of any 4-H
career, the youths submit
carefully compiled records of their
4-H projects that have been the
focus on their work for the past
year. These record books, along
with their already established 4-H
reputation, helped in their
selection to represent Penn
sylvania in Chicago.
Ranging in categories from
automotive to wood science, the
youths put many hours into their
documented work on the record
books. Chosen on a point system
for each section in the book, a
panel of 20 judges took two days to
examine and score the records.
The final selections for the Chicago
trip winners were made from the
interview scores.
Impressed by the encounter with
the 4-H’ers, one of the judges,
Laurie Thomas from the Butler
Association of the Pennsylvania
Farm Credit Service, praised all of
the applicants for their hard work
and time spent on their projects.
“It is very enlightening when
teens as young as 15 can come in
and tell you their life’s work and
his or her plans for the future,”
said Ms. Thomas, a former 4-H’er
herself. “All of the youngsters
were outstanding and they were all
top in their project areas. Even
though the judging process was a
lot of hard work, it was well worth
the time.”
With 42 categories, 44 youths
were chosen in all. The programs
consisted of 39 different areas plus
two winners each in achievement,
citizenship and leadership. The
category of fashion revue was the
only area this year without a
Master Farmer Fertilizer Will Hold Open House
tied and tagged by grade. The bulk
shipments were either in a
spreader truck or in 250 -pound
barrels.
The changes in the company
from this early beginning were
constantly taking place.
Agriculture went through a major
revolution in the 1950’s and 60’s,
and the fertilizer industry strained
to keep pace with the progress.
In 1956 Bill Brubaker joined the
company as a trained agronomist.
Soil testing was immediately
added as a service of the company,
and it’s customers were quick to
realize it’s value. The firm also
realized that this was the begin
ning of custom mixing and blen
ding of fertilizers. The first rotary
drum mixer was added along with
a weigh hopper in a new bulk
blending building at the old plant
location. This immediately
developed the need for faster and
more farmer oriented delivery and
bulk spreading capabilities. To fill
this need the company began
adding trailer spreaders to it’s
small fleet.
It was also in the mid 1960’s that
the company added anhydrous
ammonia to its line of products.
It was in 1968 that the company
learned that it was going to be
forced to move. A state highway
project was going to be coming
directly through the plant location.
The company bought a property in
East Lampeter Township and
building plans began. The
relocation was completed, and
spring of 1972 saw the company
operating out of a new and modern
bulk blending facility on Norman
Road.
winner.
The Pennsylvania Farm Credit
Service has financially contributed
to the success of the 4-H programs
with a yearly donation that is
matched by the Farm Credit
Banks of Baltimore. The
Baltimore Farm Credit District,
one of 12 districts in the Farm
Credit System, includes the state
of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the
Pennsylvania Farm Credit Service
provides financial support for
programs sponsored by the
Pennsylvania Friends of 4-H.
Carol Mercner from the West
Chester Office of Farm Credit, was
one of the judges last year who
helped select the Pennsylvania 4-H
representatives to attend the
National Congress in Chicago.
Commenting on her experiences as
a judge Ms. Mercner said, “I feel
that I benefited from being a part
of the selection process in two
ways; the personal experience was
extremely rewarding and I’m
convinced that it’s very important
for sponsoring organizations to
become better acquainted with and
involved in the programs that they
support.” This year, Ms. Mercner
encouraged Laurie Thomas to
become a judge. Ms. Mercner
continues to serve on the board of
directors of the Pennsylvania
Friends of 4-H.
The 4-H’ers named to attend the
1986 National 4-H Congress in
Chicago and their respective
categories are: Karl Tyson,
Adams County, Achievement;
Darlene Ogden, Tioga County,
Achievement; Greg Strieker,
Berks County, Agriculture; Mark
Gardner, Columbia County,
Automotive; John Kirschner,
Washington County, Beef; Kevin
Carson, Venango County, Bicycle;
Michele Mawhmney, Venango
County, Bread; Madonna Becerra,
Pike County, Citizenship; Amy
Rodgers, Adams County,
Citizenship; Karen Daum, Centre
County, Clothing; James Scott,
Indiana County, Commodity
It was in December, 1969, that
Bill’s dad died. He did not get to
see the new facility; however, the
road carries his name. “He was a
well liked and respected man in the
industry, and some of our long
time customers still remember
Dad,” notes Bill.
During the mid to late 70’s, the
growth and changes kept coming.
The smaller engine driven
spreaders were added to enable
the company to better serve their
new Amish neighbors. The new
plant now included two mixing
units, and a modern bulk loading
facility. The material storage
capacity is now over 2,000 tons of
dry fertilizer.
It was also at this point that the
company bought the custom
spraying business and equipment
that was operated by Harold Zook.
Zook was one of Lancaster
County’s major custom spray
operators. This immediately
placed the company deeply into the
custom spraying business. Along
with this purchase the firm began
the sale of liquid nitrogen, and
weed and feed programs for com.
The liquid nitrogen business has
increased to where the company
now has storage for 108,000 gallons
of the product.
The Master Farmer Fertilizer
Company, as it is now known, is
service oriented. As Bill explained,
“We all have the same products to
sell to Lancaster County farmers.
It is what we know and what we
can do that < makes us different
from our competitor and valuable
to our customer.”
The staff today consists of a
plant manager and Pioneer sales
representative, two full time sales
Marketing; and Ross Pifer, Jef
ferson County, Conservation.
Karen Mooneyham, Fulton
County, Consumer Education; Sue
Eisenhart, York County, Dairy;
Stephanie Meyers, Franklin
County, Dairy Foods; Patricia
Ogburn, Washington County, Dog;
David Priestner, Susquehanna
County, Electric; Karen Beaver,
Franklin County, Entomology;
Jamie Bennett, Centre County,
Food Conservation & Safety;
Susan Bell, Indiana County, Food
Preservation; Kristen Youngman,
Luzerne County, Food/Nutrition;
David Lentz, Forestry, York
County; Janet Ludwig, Adams
County, Gardening; Rebe
Weinstock, Chester County,
Health; and Christine Hoskin,
York County, Home Environment.
Linda Beatty, Indiana County,
Home Management; Tracy Miller,
York County, Horse; Tad Kuntz,
Adams County, Leadership;
Damian Shiner, Lebanon County,
Leadership; Matthew Will,
Somerset County, Petroleum
Power; Michael Countryman,
Somerset County, Photography;
Colin Ringer, Lehigh County, Plant
& Soil Science; Tammy Balthaser,
Berks County, Poultry; Kathy
Black, Tioga County, Public
Speaking; Jennifer Whitehill,
Centre County, Recreation; Fred
Hoch, Cumberland County, Safety;
Rick Dunn, Butler County, Sheep;
James Scott, Jr., Indiana County,
Swine; Lucinda Frey, Cumberland
County, Veterinary Science; Bruce
Ryburn, Washington County,
Wildlife & Fisheries; Connie
The Farm Credit System
people, two office people who phases of the custom application
operate the company’s computer, services offered by the firm,
and six people in the plant. The Although the company has come
plant operator, Bill Kendig, now a long way in the last 50 years, they
has 32 years of service with the will be the first to tell you that
company. Master Farmer is still a small
The other five people are all company. They know their
application specialists. Each of customers and their needs, and
these men specialize in one or two work hard to fill those needs.
BUSINESS NEWS...
New Compound Claimed
To Improve Livestock Health
LEWISBURG - Paul Martin of
Lewisburg markets a compound
called black cleaner, which is used
in all types of livestock raising as
preventive maintenance. Farmers
who use the compound can benefit
in several different aspects of their
operations.
“Black cleaner is an organic
matter which is electronically
charged to draw off the toxic
materials in our environment,”
explains Martin. There are no
drugs or chemicals of any sort in
the product. Veal growers and
dairy fanners have used the
compound in their feeding
programs. And Martin is able to
Mertz, Montour County, Wildlife &
Fisheries Leader; Sean Weaver,
Somerset County, Wood Science;
Juan Figueroa, Lancaster County,
Nutrition Development; Sharon
Smith, Carbon County, Personal
Development.
York Farm Credit Names Loan Officer
YORK - C. Daniel Brogdon has
been named to the position of loan
officer for the York Farm Credit
Service, according to John H.
Brumbaugh, branch manager,
Chambersburg.
Brogdon, a native of western
Pennsylvania was previously
employed by Farm Credit in New
Jersey. A graduate of the Penn
sylvania State University, he holds
a B.S. Degree in Agricultural
Mechanization.
Farm Credit is a nationwide
credit cooperative which lends
money to farmers, farm related
businesses, and rural home
owners. The York Farm Credit
Service is part of the Baltimore
District, one of 12 districts
throughout the United States and
Puerto Rico.
Automatic Farm Systems
Opens New Parts Depot
LEBANON - To provide im
proved parts service for customers
in the East Earl area, Automatic
Farm Systems of Lebanon an
nounced the opening of a new parts
Farm
Credit
News
provide testimonials from people
in various industries who are also
using the product.
One area in which the product is
extremely useful is‘the dairy in
dustry. “There the cell count
problems in milk can be cut in half.
We have found that by using the
powder farmers can increase
animal health, reduce threat of
milk fever, ease ring worm scares
and breeding problems,” Martin
said. The product will efficiently
utilize the food while decreasing
the consumption rate, thus in
creasing production and fat at a
saving. The same powder can work
in all types of animals including
beef, hogs and poultry.
Black cleaner is in use in several
farms in Delaware, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania. And the names
of satisfied customers are
available from Martin upon
request. Persons interested m
learning more about this product
may write to Paul Martin at the
Martin Co., Box 182-A, Lewisburg,
PA 17837.
C. Daniel Brogdon
depot at the farm of Ervm Zeiset.
The new location is just west of
East Earl on Route 322.
Automatic Farm Systems
carries a complete line of Patz
equipment and parts plus many
other lines of barn equipment. The
new location will also inventory the
complete line of parts presently
handled at the Lebanon location.
To contact the location, call 717-
354-0584 or write to R.D. #l, Box
271, East Earl, PA 17519.