AlO-LancMtcr Farming, Saturday, June 13,1987 OPINION This Should Be Said Because the number of fanners in relation to population totals is small, we need to find ways to bridge the gap between those who imow about us and those who do not. The Lancaster County Dairy Promotion Committee tried to do this in a humorous way last Sunday when they held a Farmer’s Day Marathon at Willow Valley in conjunction with the June Dairy Month promotion. Racing from sleepmg bags to cow milking, wheel barrow rides to human calf feeding and on to plowing with toy tractors, it was a lot of fun. And demonstrated what we’ve known all along. Whenever farmers themselves participate in promotional activities, a certm empathy is created that doesn’t happen in any other way. High priced stars and models with their accompanying $9O per hour ad vertising agencies just don’t have the same affect. Cows in a ball park, calves in a shopping mall, Dairy of Distinction signs along the roadway, teaching materials and farm animals in the classroom. For many children and adults alike, these exposures to the farm provide the first time in their lives .-—.—-I | . FARM FORUM our readers write j Editor: I love your paper! It is the best farm paper we can get. Now how can you improve your paper to make it a better farm paper? I can tell you how. By adding the commodity futures for the full 13 months they are traded. Lancaster Farming can’t carry every day of trading, but at least you could publish Wednesday or Thursday trades, listing the day’s open, high, low and close. Also listing the lifetime contract high and low for each month. We farmers don’t need coffee, Editor: I see in the newpaper the Judge has voted against Robert Frame and Vintage Sales. Robert Frame is not the only loser, every farmer dairy or beef-for the check-off or oppossed to the check-off, was a loser. We were denied the right to self determination by the use of a referendum. We point fingers at Marcose and say how he robbed the people of the Philippines of their democracy. Is this any dif ferent’ Where were our Farm Organizations and their lobbyist who are supposed to look out for the farmers they represent who are home busy at work? Why haven’t they called for an im mediate referendum’ Each organization has a policy in favor of Beef Promotion. How many would have a policy if the voting delegates thought a check-off 'lll i: jl! they have experienced anything related to production agriculture. Regardless if anyone else agrees, we still know that agriculture is the backbone of the nation. And the state. And the community. And these grassroots activities help bring information to the public about the importance of agriculture in today’s economy. In addition, these people who have been exposed to the farm activities feel more comfortable with the problems farmers face every day. Certainly to hold a farmer marathon didn’t cost a lot of money. But it did a good job of communicating farm experience to those who watched. Of course, it should be said that those young men who bolted out of their sleeping bags to race to the milking moved a lot faster than what we have observed in a real life 4 a.m. appointment with four teats on the bottom of an udder. In fact, we know of a few young men who have fallen asleep on the milk stool after a long Saturday night with you know who. Yes. Aha. If we want to be honest this should be said. suger, silver and gold futures, but a farm paper should at least carry a full listing of cattle and hogs. If someone wants a full listing now, we have to buy a Wall Street Journal, a New York Times or a Saturday copy of the Lancaster daily paper. See below this copy from the Wall Street Journal. Ned Huber Mt. Pleasant Mills Editor’s Note: We are in the process right now of deciding what additional commodity futures market information would be useful to our readers. Your suggestions are very welcome. would be put in place without the benefit of a referendum? Would they support the taking of $1 on every animal regardless of its value-$lO or $1000? Would they support the taking of $1 every tune an animal changes hands? Some calves and dairy cows will change hands five to six times before going to slaughter. Had they ever suspected the taking of $1 every time a dairy farmer sells a milk cow to another dairy farmer to go into his milking barn. Many far mers were shocked to leam they must send $1 to the Beef Promotion Board when they send an animal overseas. If there is to be a referendum within 22 months-let it be now. I don’t oppose the idea of ad vertising, but let’s collect the fee once; at the slaughter house. The amount should be based on a percentage of the value of each Ml? Me COY, TM HELPING THE DAIRY FOLKS WITH A Survey — 'how lono HAVE YOU BEEN A , DAIRY PRODUCER ? NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent To Keep Pesticide Records Today’s battle with insects, fungus, rodents and weeds requires the use of many different chemicals. It is important to keep an accurate record of any chemical used. This would include the date, name of material, ap plication rate, field number and even the direction the wind is blowing. This might save a lot of trouble and loss of income in case there is some question. Farm 2s§j r Calendar Saturday, June 13 39th Delmarva Chicken Festival, Milford Senior High School; New Enterprise. Lebanon County Dairy Princess Contest, Annville Elementary School, 7:30 p.m. Adams County Dairy Princess Pageant, Biglerville High School, 8 p.m. Franklin County Dairy Princess Pageant, Kauffman Com munity Center, Chambersburg. Bradford County 4-H County Council, Extension Office. Berwick Vegetable Growers Co-op Annual Meeting, Maria Assunta Society Hall, Berwick. Sunday, June 14 Pa. Food Merchants Association Annual Convention, Valley Forge Convention Center. Monday, June 15 Pa. Beef Cook-off, Holy Trinity High School, Shiremanstown. Tuesday, June 16 FFA Annual Convention, Penn State University; continues through June 18. Wednesday, June 17 Wayne County Wool Pool, Frank Machek Barn, junction of Routes 247 and 371 near Pleasant Mount. Penn State Southeastern Field Research Lab Tour, Lan disville, 1 to 4 p.m. (Turn to Page A3l) individual animal and the pur chaser should match the amount paid by the farmer. Unless we can have a reasonable assessment that is fair to everyone, let’s vote the check-off out. Albert Bartels, Jr. West Grove MECX.oriS. MUXIN6- C OVER FIFTY |fnr Many food items are being checked by Food and Drug representatives for pesticide residues. It is possible to find residues even where the producer followed regulations and every recommended practice. Your records would be very important in these cases. In any event, always follow label instructions. To Deal With Volunteer Corn I’ve had a number of inquiries concerning volunteer com growing in many fields. This is corn that has been left in the field smce last fall and is really a weed that will hurt our yields the same as any other weed. (The definition of a weed is a misplaced plant). The big problem is how to get rid of it. There is no herbicide that can be used without killing all the corn. On tilled or minimum tilled, the cultivator can be used to kill the plants between the rows. On no-till, there is no meawns of eradication except the hand hoe. The larger the corn becomes the less you'll want to cultivate because of root pruning. We are again back to using the hoe. All this volunteer corn growing is a reminder that part of our 1986 A BAD EXCHANGE June 14,1987 Background Scripture: Romans 1:1-17; 15:14 through Devotional Reading: Galatians 3:10-14, As I write this, the newspapers and television are full of reports and stones about several big-time TV evangelists and personalities. More than enough has already been written on the alleged details of their escapades an intrigues and I’ll not join the chorus of critics and debunkers. But an issue has been raised that, quite apart from the per sonalities involved, ought to be pursued. Some people are asking, “If we cannot trust people such as these, to whom do we turn for our religious and spiritual authority?” As one man was quoted in the newspaper, “I thought these men spoke for God!” So, who does speak for God’ The television evangelist? The pastor of my church? Certain “gifted” people who seem closer to the Lord than most of the rest of us? People who are properly certified by an ecclesiastical organization? Seminary theologians? The pope? Any person with a Bible in his hand? And what about those religious authorities with whom I don’t agree? THE TRUTH FOR A LIE The answer is that any or all of the above can speak for God, or to put it in words that are closer to mark; God can speak to us-and probably does-through any and all of these. But, by the same token, none of the above are infallible or perfect, either. The problem is that too often we turn to someone like WELLT-lEN TP WAVE lb SAV THAT YOU ARE DEFINITELY... '-!^S £ren^ \AcCoy’ crop was left in the field. We use a lot of gasoline and diesel fuels on our farms and when they are not handled properly, they can be a source of a serious fire. Gasoline should be stored in an underground tank. When it is necessary to store it above ground, then the tank should be located at least 40 feet away from any building. Small amounts can be stored in approved safety cans. Be sure to label all cans plainly so there is no danger of mix-up. Diesel fuel and gasoline must be kept away from flame of heat. Strictly enforce “No Smoking" rules. Always refuel outdoors where vapors can not accumulate. If you spill some fuel, wipe it up before starting an engine. Storing any fuels in glass jugs or bottles is inviting trouble. It is also dangerous to use them to start burning trash, leaves, barbecue pits or stoves. Gasoline should not be used as a cleaning or degreasing agent. Durmg this busy season, take time to be safe. 16:27. To Handle Gasoline and Diesel Fuel With Respect (Turn to Page All) one of these for spiritual truth and, because they are able to be of help to us, we make the assumption that just about everything they say and do comes from God. As an ordained clergyman for the past 32 years, I realize all too well the temptation of the preacher to get carried away with his own authority. I keep a file of all my sermons and occasionally I go back and read some of those I preached several decades ago. Often I’m taken aback at the smugness and even arrogance of some of the things I said. I’m more certain than ever of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but some of the details I thought I had nailed down could have been advanced with a lot more humility. Look at the humility with which Paul approaches the church at Rome. He sends them his letter, not as the “big shot” who’s going to straighten them out, but says: “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith...” (Romans 1:12). Paul has something to give them, but he also believes they have something to give him, too. CREATURE OR CREATOR Some people, says Paul, made a bad exchange: “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and ex changed the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or rep tiles” (1:22,23). This may sound like a stupid exchange, but it is a trap mto which people have been falling from the beginning ot inhabited tune. Catching a genuine glimpse of God, people assume that everything their minds per ceive is therefore the gospel truth. God-inspired revelation too quickly is transformed into man made theology. I’m afraid in my own personal experience, there were too many times when it was not God I glorified, but me. It was not the gospel alone that I brought on those Sunday mornings, but the gospel according to me. There’s nothing wrong with that-m fact, that’s how it has to be-so long as we acknowledge it and it makes us humble, not proud. Thus Paul says; “...they exchanged the truth about God for a he and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever!” (1:25). That’s always tne danger, isn’t it? That we will worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. That we will give to the preacher, the prophet, or the pope the veneration and authority that belongs to God * alone. That’s always a bad exchange. (Based on copvnphted Outlines produced by th< Committee on the Uniform Series and used hy permission Released by Community & Suburban Press )
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers