Bank Offers Quality (Continued from Page A3O) predicts a cooling o£*h» economy in the east coast. This, he believes, will bring about drastic economic reform and a change in govern ment form. “Leadership,” he said, “comes out of both good and bad times.” How can agri-businesses sur vive during a down economy? Kohl stresses preparing now by building equity, not borrowing at variable rates, and being careful of speculation. “We’re moving into a service based economy,” Kohl said. Before we needed to manage land, labor, and capital. Now we must manage those three plus informa ion, the biggest component in the overall game plan.” People need to know how to process and apply information of other cultures and computers to expand their markets. •Domestic and international markets are being affected by the baby boomers who have changed many traditions such as 6ur way of eating. “Grazing, buffet lunches, is sweeping the land.” To meet this demand the poultry industry has numerous products to slip into microwaves: on the other hand, few beef products are available for microwave use. Kohl challenged the audience not to let their ideas die because others say it cannot be done. He illustrated this by relaying the story of a sheep farmer who mark ets sheep semen overseas. He now makes millions even though every one else told him it couldn’t be done. “To keep up with domestic and international markets, it’s neces sary to move fast, provide good quality and be innovative,” Kohl said. What works today, won’t work tomorrow. •Technology in physics, mechanical and chemical will give businesses that keep updated the competitive edge. •Food and enviromental issues will affect the farmer in new ways. Already in some parts of the coun try, farmers must notify their neighbors in writing when they will be spraying their crops. Ethics will be a big issue such as honesty in not selling cows before complet ing drug withdrawal. The Pacific rim (Japan and Chi na) countries and the baby boom ers will move the economy. “You should be more concerned with the Japanese Market Exchange fore telling world economy lhan-thc New York Slock Exchange.” The baby boomers will go through three major changes, he predicts. They ran up consumer debt by buying houses, appliances and pleasure. Now they will become very conservative, very health conscious, they’ll develop health problems and they will look for quality of life. Kohl predicts the Lancaster area will become and attractive escape for the boomers who arc disillu sioned with the low quality of life in cities like Los Angeles. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 25,1989-A3l •Shift from government prog rams to rural develop is expected. Already that is happening in FFA and 4-H programs that are looking at new ways to adapt consumer needs. •Labor and management shor tages for rural America is the num ber one challenge of the 90s, he staled. “We arc doing a poor job of retraining rural America to meet the changing demands. We need strategic planning. •Rural leadership problems arc increased by both the quantity and the quality of the ag college stu dents of which 80 percent have a ion farm background. •There will be changes in rural immunities. •Changes in support services ;uch as needing to drive one hour o find tractor parts. •Constant training focus to man ige people and information. In five o ten years the information we rave today will be obsolete. •High lech and high touch will ;o together. People doing their obs must be rewarded. Niche marketing will have shor er market cycles and advantages. ‘For every person who denotes iatisfaction about a product or ser vice, studies show 26 others are msatisfied.” Other speakers also challenged he seminar participants. H. Louis vloore, PSU professor of agricul ural economics, saidfarmers’ log c in response to drough economics how when com prices reach $3, hey hold even for $4 and sell four nonths later at $2.50. Charts show that even though onsumers spend less of their food lollars on beef, beef consumption s up. John Dalt, executive director of he American Farm Bureau Feder tion, told the audience where tational farm policy is headed in he 90s. He warned that environ mental issues will play a big part in farm policies with those receiving government payment needing to do conservation work and they will need to sign promising that fertiliz ers and ag chemicals will not contaminate the water or runoff. Other activities on the T enda included “An momic outlook” by ichard Lang, SVP and irector of economic search for the Federal serve Bank of Phi lelphia; comments by : officials and mbli lonal videos by Buck •dgers. Restaurant Owner Supports 4-H LOCKPORT, NY Donna Alexander, own er of the LaPorts’ Pine Restaurant for 40 years, has been supporting her local 4-H organization by buying steers. Alexander began helping 4-H’ers about three years ago when she purchased one steer. Two weeks later she was serving it to her cus tomers who enjoyed eat ing the high-quality meat. Business increased for Alexander. Since then she has returned every year to (he auctions for more beef. Last year she pur chased IS steers. “I don’t worry about mark et prices when I bid,” said Alexander. ‘T feel that I’m helping to encourage some fine 4-H’er, In talking to the kids, I’ve found That most of them use their money to buy livestock for future 4-H projects and older 4-H’ers use the money for college.” Alexander also sup- irts the 4-H’ers with market hog projects, and serves 4-H grown pork in her restaurant.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers