A26-Lmcaster Fanning, Saturday, February 13, 1988
Young
GINGER SECRIST MYERS
Adams Co. Correspondent
GETTYSBURG "The real
value of this program is that it pro
vides an opportunity for the Burn
ing community to reach its neigh
bors who may now be a generation
removed from the farm... It could
be used at the State Cornucopia
Dinner, Ag Progress Days, and so
many other media events that we
already have in place.” These are
Melinda Johnston’s thoughts as
she retires this week as Pennsylva
nia’s 1987 Young Farmer Spokes
person for Agriculture.
Johnston represented Pennsyl
vania in early December in the
national contest held this year in
Peoria, Illinois. The contest, in its
13 th year, is sponsored by Elanco
Products Company, and is held in
conjunction with the National
Young Farmer Educational
Institute.
A new representative from PA
will be named this week at the
State Convention of Young Far
mers and that person will compete
next December in Ohio.
Johnston recalls becoming
interested in the program when
another local winner encouraged
her to consider entering. The con
test requires a five-minute presen
tation on one of four topics. These
topics include: (1) Discuss how
farm exports benefit urban con
sumers; (2) the use of fertilizers,
chemicals, and feed additives as
important tools; (3) stewardship of
the land; or (4) How to get the most
from your food dollar.
Following the presentation, the
contestant is then given a 5 minute
question period on their chosen
topic, when competing on the state
level. In national competition, the
question period is ten minutes long
and the questions can pertain to
any aspect of agriculture.
Holding a degree in Home Eco
nomics and a minor in Communi-
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Farmer Spokesperson Tells Value Of Program
cations from James Madison Uni
versity in Virginia, Johnston was
readily attracted to the topic of
“How To Get The Most From
Your Food Dollar.” She explained,
“I had a strong background in
public and this topic
seemed tailored to my interest.
When I was in school there was a
real rise in consumer economics.
That interest is still very strong and
this was an area that drew on my
expertise.”
In addition to her education
background, Melinda drew on her
farming background to flavor her
presentation as well. Her family
operates Mason-Dixon Farms,
Gettysburg. The operation
includes a 1200 cow dairy herd, a
large cropping operation, and a
milk processing and distribution
plant.
Melinda’s husband Tom now
works in crop management and
production for the Mason-Dixon
operation. Prior to returning to the
home operation Melinda worked
for three years for the PSU Exten
sion Service and Tom was Execu
tive Director of the Lancaster
County Conservation District.
They have four children ages three
through nine.
Johnston also feels that their
work experience away from the
farm colored their perceptions of
farm management problems and
career choices. She states, “We’ve
had a chance to see of the advan
tages and disadvantages of farm
ing either big or small. We’ve also
had a chance to see how much peo
ple are losing touch'with agricul
ture. We’re involved in a lot of
activities where we might be the
only farm couple there. We’re the
only representative of what used to
be a majority occupation.”
She added, “At the national
level of competition, three winners
are chosen and they are taken on a
media blitz. They do radio and
poundsbon
Two Convenient Locations
T.V. shows, have a lot of press
coverage in national newspapers,
and make several public appear
ances. On the state level we need
more coordination to utilize our
spokesperson more effectively.”
She envisions a committee with
representation from the State
Young Farmers Association, the
spokesperson, and someone from
that person’s local chapter to work
together.
Addressing the concerns of agri
culture today and for tomorrow,
Johnston lists several areas that
farmers need to become involved
with in conjunction with their
urban neighbors and consumers.
She lists land conservation as a top
priority followed by the protection
of underground water purity as her
top concerns. She also stresses the
need for American agriculture to
remain American owned and
operated.
Johnston encourages more par
ticipation in the contest and utiliza
tion of the winners as a means
improved communications
between the agricultural and urban
communities. She states, “Pen
nsylvania should have more parti
cipation in this program. The state
winner gets their way paid to the
national convention and you get to
talk with other young farmers there
from all over the country. It’s a
very good program.”
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When Performance
Makes The Difference
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Melinda Johnston, Gettysburg, poses with the plaque
she received as the 1987 Young Farmers Spokesperson for
Agriculture. Her topic at the state and national level was,
“How to Get the Most From Food Dollar.” While Johnston
ends her tenure In this position this week, she stresses the
need for better utilization of an agricultural spokesperson
at state and local media events.
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