*4 - Through the Agricultural Entrepreneur Development Program, the Department of Agriculture distributed nearly $1 million in match ing grants to twenty-one small agribusinesses in nineteen counties. These giants helped construct or expand processing operations that add value to agricultural commodities produced in Pennsylvania. The program has created 276 new jobs. - The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reported record agricultural and food exports of $203 million. This was a 21 percent increase over the prior year. (NOTE: The reporting period in this case is a federal fiscal year and figures come from US DA. The reporting period discussed ended on Sept 30, 1987. Figures for the period ending Sept 30, 1988 will not be compiled by USDA until May.) - The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture helped vegetable growers establish the Pennsylvania Vegetable Marketing Program under Act 1 of 1987. This program is completely controlled by growers. - The Department of Agriculture approved $2.5 million for agri cultural research projects for fiscal year 1988-89. This is an increase of $1.5 million over the previous year. - In conjunction with Rotary International and the Brothers Brother Foundation, the Department of Agriculture helped distribute free seed com to farmers who suffered severe drought damage in the summer of 1987. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY: -- The Department of Agriculture developed a voluntary registry for citizens who have medical hypersensitivity to pesticides. Through this program, citizens receive advance notification of pesticide appli cations on lands adjacent to their homes. - The Department of Agriculture developed a voluntary program to prevent and control Salmonella enteritidis in chicken egg produc ing flocks. - When severe drought conditions led to the appearance of aflato xin in grains, the Department of Agriculture began testing samples in Pennsylvania. This testing determined com in Pennsylvania was not contaminated to the high levels detected in Midwestern states. - The Department of Agriculture implemented a new certification program to permit kennel owners to vaccinate their own animals against rabies. In the first year of this new program, 380 kennel own ers were certified. - The Department of Agriculture increased Quality Assurance Inspections on amusement rides. There were 40 times more inspec tions in 1988 than in the prior year. These increased inspections force ride owners to make safety improvements to machinery before amusement rides can be opened to the public. - After developing a new donated food distribution system through a pilot project, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture implemented the new system statewide in 1988. Through this new system, food is delivered to schools and other recipient agencies which had to arrange pickup from warehouses in the past This new system saves transportation costs and improves efficiency. It was • A multi-pest resistant variety. • Excellent tolerance to anthracnose, pea aphid bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot and Verticillium wilt. • Good winterhardiness, fast recovery and high yield potential. • Topped a 72 variety test, yielding 7.6% more than the test average in lowa State University 1896-87 trials. • In 1987 Penn State/USDA alfalfa trials at Rock Springs and Hershey, PA, Verta+ produced yields over the base average. "The Performance Name In Agriculture" PDA Lists 1988 Accomplishments MARKETING AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT; EFFICIENCY ACHIEVEMENTS: NC+ HYBRIDS District Sales Manager Barry L. Hoke 244 Moyer Ridge Dr. Manheim, PA 17545 Home Ph. (717)665*2009 Answering Service (717) 665-9347 developed by the Bureau of Government Donated Foods and it stands as a model for all other states. - The Department of Agriculture disbursed the dairy herd at the Danville State Farm and leased that farm to a private citizen. Opera tion of the Danville Farm had been subsidized by ten other state farms. Leasing the Danville Farm helps protect the future of the state farm program. State-owned farms in Pennsylvania produced-tecord revenues in 1988 after several years of operating at substantial losses. - Through the bureau of Weights and Measures the Department of Agriculture inspected retail sales of baler twine. This project exposed mislabelling and short lengths. In some cases, buyers were shorted as much as IS percent. Mislabelled twine was ordered out of stores as a result of this investigation. - Through an inspection of retail sales of polyethelene sheeting, the Bureau of Weights and Measures determined consumers were not getting what they paid for. This probe resulted in a multi-state recall of polyethelene sheeting by a chain of retail stores (Busy Beaver Stores). The Department of Agriculture is proposing new regulations to promote fairness in purchases of polyethelene sheeting. - The Department of Agriculture initiated a sampling project to inspect orange juice products. This inspection determined some pro ducers were diluting orange juice. Violators were warned for first offenses and prosecuted for further infractions. Resampling demons trates consumers have been protected by this project - ACT 63 provides reimbursement to farmers who have suffered livestock damage from coyotes. This act also permits small munici palities to qualify for grant monies by developing joint dog control programs. ~ ACT 86 amends the Crime Code and makes agricultural vandal ism, the intentional damaging of farm property, a criminal offense. ~ ACT 122 authorized the Department of Agriculture to license and regulate poultry dealers and transporters and establish cleanliness standards for poultry transportation. The law will help control the spread of poultry diseases. The law also provides for licensing and regulation of the production of ethyl-alcohol (ethanol) by the Depart ment of Agriculture. Ethanol was previously regulated by the Liquor Control Board. - ACT 141 will, after approval by voters, reform property taxes that are a burden to farmers who pay substantial amounts of property taxes because they own large parcels of land. This tax reform law will also abolish nuisance taxes. - ACT 148 creates an Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission to oversee animal health problems, direct research dollars, coordinate laboratories and advise on animal health policy. -- ACT 149 preserves farmland through a purchase of development rights program. Property easements will control development on farms for 25 years or for perpetuity. The act will protect the economy by saving vital farmland. In addition, it will preserve open space for wildlife, groundwater resupply, and for tourists. _ • Circulating Fan • Thermostatically Preset ■ • Removable Fuel Fank • Heats 700 sq. ft. ALADDIN CERAMIC HEATER 3gf Heats For An Hour • S VR. WARRANTY • NON-SHOCKINQ ELEMENT • QUIET POWERFUL FAN • COOLTO THE TOUCH • HEATS A LARGE ROOM • FITS IN PALM OF HAND SALE CONSUMER PROTECTION; LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR AGRICULTURE IN 1988 WWV ! WICKLESS HEATER With Coupon - Model HMFI3 Mfr. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers