A2B-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 16,1989 Do You Have The Right (Contlnutd from Pag* A 1) launch their own public relations campaign. The public’s perception of farming and its perceived threat to the environment, although inac curate in many cases, if left unan swered by the fanning population, will only feed the fire ignited by the accusations of environmental ist groups. «i ‘You should not be afraid to go on TV and tell your side of the story and I urge you to do so,” said Myers. We need to change the public’s perception of fanning. We can do this by using accurate information based on good research. We must take this infor mation and transmit it through all forms of the media and through our extension people,” said Myers. Education of the non-farm population is the key tb unlocking the minds of those groups which have shut the doors to agricultural interests. In the immediate future it will be the non-farm interests groups molding the nation’s ag policy and it’s possible the reper cussions could put some farmers out of business. “Quite often, changes in policy, regulation, or legislation in these areas lead to increased costs of doing business without a commen surate increase in farmers’ income. Taken individually, any one of these changes may not pul farmers out of business, but taken in total, it becomes increasingly difficult for a farmer to sustain a profitable operation,” said Porterfield. Peppier told the audience how farmers can begin to make a differ ence and start the education and public relations process on their own farms. Peppier reminded the farmers that it’s much easier for consumers to make accusations when they don’t understand how a farm operares. “Invite your (non-farm) neigh bors over to see your farm. Invite a group of politicians to your house PAUL B. ———— ALSO AVAILABLE • Standard Free Stalls • Fencing • Gates (38” - 48" - 54” • Automatic Head Gates high) PAUL Call or Write For Additionajjnformation '•* - And Your Nearest Dealer for dinner and take them out to the fields and show them what you are doing to reduce your pesticide use. Tell them that you, too. arc very concerned about the environment, be very earnest, and show them that what you are doing is benefi cial to the public,” explained Peppier. With groups such as the NRDC amassing millions to launch cam paigns directed at farming, farmers cannot afford to sit back and wait for the next attack. Farmers need to take the offensive and the best way to do that is to arm themselves with accurate information. According to Peppier, the Alar scare could have and should have been avoid ed. But farmers can learn from the industry’s past mistakes. Peppier offers these guidelines: 1. Beat the press. Tell yourpoint of view before information becomes out-of-proportion as was the case with Alar. Make certain what you say or write is the most important point of the key issue. Make sure your information is correct. 2. Turn negative comments or situations around with positive answers. Explain to the press “I too am concerned about pesticides. That’s why I practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (if you do).” Ask the press if they know what IPM is. Thank the press for being concerned, too. 3. If you are asked a question that you don’tknow how to answer or don’t know the answer, say so - positively. Look concerned and innocent. Practice in front of the mirror if need be. Peppier emphasized the impor tance of answering negative publ icity within 18 hours. The earlier the better, says Peppier. “The longer it takes you to counter negative publicity, the more guilty you will appear to the public. Lynn D. Hoffman, manager of • Automatic Gate Latches B. ZIMMERMAN, THREE SIZES: SMALL ■ For Calves UpTolS Months Old ADJUSTABLE ■ For Heifers & Cows 8 Months And Older (Pictured) LARGE • For Cows 15 Months And Older INC. 295 Woodcorner Rd. LitiU, PA 17543 1 Mile West of Ephrata To Farm? Penn State University’s Rock Springs agronomy farm, moder ated a panel of discussion entitled, “Local Issues Affecting Your Farm.” He said what several of the panel members expressed, ‘The people who make things happen are the people who are organized and not always the majority.” Panel member Michael W. Bru baker, a township supervisor in Lancaster County and owner of an agronomic consulting service, confirmed Hoffman’s statement Of greatest concern to Brubaker as a member of the agricultural com munity is farmer apathy about loc al government. “As a supervisor, I am very impressed with the citizens’ ability to make changes in their local gov ernment. I urge you to get more involved. It does make a differ ence. When I walk into a township 100 COMPACT DIESB] NEW HOLLAND SKID LOADERS Ford New Holland Incentive Programs Extended Through 1989, Due To Great Response FINANCE W p= OP p A Y CASH 0% For 24 Mos.* CHARGES „ _ AND TAKE 'ill F» 24 m“: OR on some OR ADVANTAGE 8.9% For 36 Mos. MODELS * DTC 9.9% For 48 Mos. T „ , Dill 10.9% For 60 Mos. r«ACU PTrRATTTQ ♦•Compact Diesels Only JUNE % 1990 LAMI KhtfAlh!* meeting, where we usually have a few people in the audience, and suddenly 30 people are there, I am impressed by that. You do have power in local government and if you ignore that, I feel very sure we are going to see some very unrea listic rules and regulations coming from the government,” said Brubaker. Farm policy in the 90s will be molded by the public’s concerns over the quality of ground water and what effects the handling and application of pesticides and fertil izer have on the water supply, according to Myers. All speakers agreed that the day is long gone when anyone can threaten water quality and not be held liable for it. Myers warned that the violators will no longer get just a slap on the wrist. Stiffer penalties for violators is number one on the agenda of environmen talists. Myers added that with their success in getting some provisions they wanted in the previous farm TO LANCASTER FORD TRACTOR UNDER THE OF QUALITY SIGN Up To 20% Off All Toys In Stock IWN & GARDEN TRACTORS LANCASTER FORD TRACTOR, INC. The Counties Oldest & Largest Ford Tractor Dealer 1655 Rohrerstown Rd. Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 569-7063 bill, they feel another victory is at hand. These people are calling for fines. Myers warned farmers that if they have a conservation plan they should see that it is quickly imple mented. The U.S. Dept, of Agri culture is under tremendous pres sure to assure compliance. At this point, agents may not come onto the land without permission from the farm owner, however, that may be changed within the next few years. “It is inevitable. More and more the government is going to be tell ing you how to farm,” said Myers. TTie Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will have greater say in what pesticides fanners are permitted to use and how and where they will be used. Mandat ory well testing is a component of proposed legislation. This will mean that government agents will have access to your farm for water testing. in= : ill INDUSTRIAL TRACTORS FARM TRACTORS
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