incaster OPINION Job Well Done Labor Day is a celebration of the value of work. Across the Com monwealth and our nation, we take a moment to reflect on the fruits of our collective work and our com mon well-being. Julius Uehlein, president, Pennsylvania AFL CIO, says for most people, work is the source of basic necessities - food, clothing and shelter. “Through the years, we have come to a common understanding that human work is more than bare sur vival, Uehlein said. “It provides a basis for human dignity and esta blishes in an important way the foundation for our common good. Work not only provides for family needs, but is one of the most funda mental expressions of the greater vision of humankind.” While persons on traditional 9 to 5 work schedules have looked to Farm Calendar Saturday, September 3 Maryland Holstein Futurity, Timonium, 8:00 a.m. Southwest District Dairy Show, Bedford Fairgrounds, 9:00 a.m. Northwest District Dairy Show, Crawford County Fairgrounds, 9:15 a.m. Mon Valley District Dairy Show, Fayette County Fairgrounds, 9:30 a.m. Juniata County Fairgrounds, Port Royal, through September 10. Sunday, September 4 Cambria County Fair, Ebensburg, through September 10. Spartansburg Community Fair, Spartansburg, through Septem ber 10. Monday, September 5 Maryland Fair Open Holstein Show, Timonium. Kutztown Fair, Kutztown, through September 10. Ox-Hill Community Fair, Home. Through September 10. Waterford Comm. Fair, Water ford, through September 10. Tuesday, September 6 LAND Meeting, Greystone Farm, Route 272, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7 National Pork Checkoff Referen dum, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; runs through September 8. Small Grains/Pesticide Training Meeting, Penn Slate Fruit Research Lab, Biglerville. Reading Fair Awards Banquet, Fleetwood Grange Hall. Call 215/987-6160. Luzerne County Fair, Dallas, through September 11. Thursday, September 8 Western Maryland Ag Field Day, Lancaster Fanning Established 1855 Published Every Saturday At Record-Express Office Building 22 E. Main Street- Lititz. PA 17543 by Lancaster Farming, Inc. A 9Mnimn Bntupriu Robert G. Campbell General Manager Everett R Newswanger Managing Editor Cspyrifhl IMi by LainSr Pinning tturday, September 3, 1988 Labor Day as a day of vacation, farmers often labor on Labor Day. Filling silo. Preparing fall seeding ground. Or harvesting tobacco. Yet the labor of farmers provides great economic and social value often overlooked by city counter parts. With an abundant, cheap food supply produced on our farms, the urban labor force can use almost 75 percent of their pay check for items other than food. In addition, since one out of five jobs in Pennsylvania relates dirccdy to agriculture, farmers have a direct impact on the total economy and employment figures. So, while this is the time to rec ognize the value of human work across America, we especially want to express appreciation for farmers who often work every day (including holidays) to feed us. They do a good job. Research and Education Cen ter, 8:30 a.m. Pork Referendum Voting, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Turn to Pago Al 9) I FARM FORUM our readers write J Editor; It’s About Time! I just opened our Lancaster Farmer; my first sec tion is always B 1 the ladies page. I was happy to find that Ag Progress Days is indeed progres sing. I have been hoping for years that crafts would soon be an added attraction. I always felt a little cheated coming home from Ag Progress Days. While visions of New Com bines - no till drills - com planters etc. left the guys with something to Editor: I hope that you will find a place in your paper for this letter which I hope all my fellow pork producers will take the time to read. It is very important that all eligible pork pro ducers get out and vote Wednes day or Thursday, September 7 or 8, in the pork referendum. All it will take is a few minutes at the County Extension Office to cast your vote “yes” or “no.” Naturally, I hope you will vote “yes” because it means a lot to the future of our industry. By voting in favor of the check off, we will be making a sound investment in the future of our industry. The pork checkoff makes :> * NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin 'Lancaster County Agriculture Agent To Control Johnsongrass This sorghum-like grass is a problem on many fields in this part of the state. There are cases where nothing is being done to control this weed; for those I would remind you that Johnsongrass is listed as a noxious weed in Pen nsylvania. In com there is little that can be done at this time of year except cut the seed-head off and bum them. It’ll require treatment at planting time. However, in other fields such as small grains, where the growth of Johnsongrass reaches 2'A to 3 feet...in the boot stage...the plants may be sprayed with Roundup. These plants are very heavy seed producers; a few plants allowed to go to seed this fall will mean hun dreds of plants next summer. John songrass is fast growing and will crowd out most farm crops. We urge landowners to make every effort to eliminate Johnsongrass from their farm. The 1987-88 Agronomy guide lists control information. “dream about” for days and days. I’ve always felt there could have been some food for my dreams too. A new wreath for my front door - some new craft to try this winter by the fireplace. The possibilities are endless - more horticulture - land scaping - crafts - crafts - crafts. Pass it on to the Ag Progress Committee keep it growing. I’ 11 be the first one in the car next year! possible many programs that help promote pork, therefore increasing demand and putting more money in our pockets. Some of these programs include the “pork-the other white meat” and “America’s cut” campaigns. National pork spokesperson Peggy Fleming, and vital research which helps us pro duce a better product, are also paid for with checkoff dollars. As pork producers, I hope you realize that programs like the ones mentioned are a must in order to keep creating long-term opportun ities in the pork industry. 1 hope you realize the importance of vot ing in favor of the pork checkoff on Each year we receive a lot of calls as to whether alfalfa should be cut the first part of September or not. According to crop authorities it is not Just a simple yes or no question. If you have left your cut ting go to full bloom, then you do not need to be concerned; howev er, if you have not, it would be best not to cut the first two weeks of September. The reason for this is, it’s the period when the plants are storing food in developing rhi zomes for next year’s growth. It is important this year that a period of 45 days be allowed between the 4th and Sth cutting. It is also important on stands that have been established this year, that 45 days be allowed between the 2nd and 3rd cuttings; this will add strength to the plant and will give better winter protection. We are entering one of the busiest and most hazardous times of the year ... silo filling and com picking time. Blend into that time wheat and barley planting and cut ting alfalfa. This means a lot of farm machinery will be on our highways during semi-dark or dark hours. Slow moving vehicles such as Backround Scripture: Job 1:1 through 2:10. Devotional Reading: 1 Corint hians 10:1-13. How often in my life someone has said to me; ‘‘l’ve tried to live a good life faithful in my church, tithed my income, given liberally to charities and helped people in need, tried to be a good husband and father, never broken the law and been a good citizen how, then, could God let something like this happen to me?” (The “this,” of course, was a devastating per sonal loss, a terrible illness or inca pacitating handicap.) It is certainly a reasonable ques tion, isn’t it? Who among us would not be likely to say pretty much the same thing? Actually, it is not so much a question as it is a com plaint. Few of us would be so bold as to protest that “God is not good! ”, but we might be moved to exclaim, in one way or another, “Life is not fair!” GOOD FOR NAUGHT? Linda Bush According to the Book of Job, even God regarded Job as the best of Men. When God encounters Satan, it seems that he brags a bit about Job: “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless To Mow or Not To Mow Alfalfa To Be Safe During This Busy Season IS LIFE FAIR? September 4,1988 farm equipment traveling on high ways presents a real traffic hazard. The motorist must recognize that a tractor traveling at 10 to 15 miles per hour is almost standing still compared to a 55 mph car. Most highway drivers have never driven a farm machine on the highway and simply do not realize how slow they do travel. Proper identification and warn ing is real important. Let’s keep alert this busy fall season both on the highway and in the fields. To Appreciate Lancaster County While attending the National County Agent’s meeting in Char lotte, North Carolina in mid- August, we had the opportunity to visit farms in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain area. Their main crops arc tobacco, com, soybeans, wood products, wheal and hay. North Carolina is the number one state in turkey production and one of the top in broiler production where Holly Farms largest broiler processing plant handles over 400,000 birds per day. The speakers were very infor mative and inspirational but the most important part for me is the exchange of ideas and concerns with agricultural agents from all states in the U.S. It makes you real ly appreciate the many good things that we have at home. and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8). It is Satan who raises that eternal question: ‘‘Does Job fear God for naught?” (1:9). Is Job ‘‘good” out of reverence and love for God, or is it because God has been so good to him? ‘‘Thou has blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land,” argues Satan (1:10). The writer of Job has also testified: ‘This man was the greatest of all the people of the east” (1:3). Then, Satan challenged God to a test: “But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face” (1:11). In other words, if you take away all your gifts to Job, he won’t remain faithful and good. But Satan lost the first test, for although Satan took away all Job’s flocks and killed his children, Job retained his faith; “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21). WHY BE GOOD? Undaunted, Satan suggested another test: take away Job’s health and then let’s see how “good” he remains. Once again, however, he loses, for when the sorrowing, ailing Job is chided by his wife to “Curse God and die,” Job responds: “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:9,10). In other words, our relationship with God is not dependent upon the cir cumstances of our lives. Our covenant with God does not prom ise freedom from sorrow, pain, loss or sickness. If we are to be “good,” it is out of faithfulness as God is faithful. Life is not fair, but God in his mercy and love is more than fair.
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