A4O-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, April 21,1990 Farm Forum (Continued from Page AID) aroused by an activity sponsored by the FFA. For some this gave the incentive to complete high school, and for others it meant they enrolled in college. Are we ready to say that having one stu dent complete their high school career, or to pursue a college degree, is not worth $33,000? I would urge Governor Casey to restore this line item budget cut If he does not, then I would urge that the State Legislators restore the cut G. Lowell Morton, Advisor Annville-Cleona FFA Chapter Editor, I am extremely disappointed with Governor Casey’s decision to eliminate funding for the FFA in his 1990-1991 budget proposal. I feel that the Governor does not understand the importance of our state’s number one industry the industry of agriculture. Where would we be without agriculture today? In the days of George Washington, the father of American agriculture, everyone had to farm simply to survive. Today, due to the advanced tech nological advances, one farmer can feed over 142 people. Because of these developments, agriculture is no longer “just farming.” It is horticulture, communications, soil science, and over 200 other career opportunities. In-Vitro fertilizations agriculturists to create ii STRIKE IT RICH! SEU It WITH A LANCASTER FARMING CLASSIFIED breeds of animals, and hydropon ics allows the growing of plants without the use of soil. This is what makes agriculture Penn sylvania’s number one industry with over 26% of our state’s careers. Why should we deny Pennsylvania students the right to learn about this fascinating and diverse industry? High school agriculture classes are supplemented by membership in the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Far mers of America. The FFA teach es students to' apply what they have learned in agriculture class to real-life situations by having members compete in various con tests ranging from public speaking to agriculture mechanics and from wildlife identification to land and soil judging. Since 1928, the FFA, one of the nation’s largest youth organiza tions, has been providing students with the opportunity to win many different awards, chances for interstate and international travel, contests, a chance to meet their state legislative leaders, and so much more. The FFA combines what students learn in high school agriculture classes with award and leadership programs which give members self-confidence. It’s more than just a club, it’s an important part of every school day. I certainly hope that Governor Casey will reconsider his decision to eliminate funding for the FFA. After all, agriculture is the one allow better increase Mk Yields Stanchion WIS-IHIIH Barn ACR Westfalia's portable automatic cluster remover (ACR) features built-in pre-milking stimulation and adjustable pulsation for consistent milk let-down. Designed for faster, more efficient milking, this modern take-off unit can increase milk produc tion, better your herd's health and reduce your overall work load. ▲ Milk flow monitor to detect milk out and stripping action A End of milking/kick-off indicators to eliminate guesswork A Adjustable udder stimulation for individual cows A Convenient mounting between cows Ui r p t r g i if Contact your Il'ru'tf'M'/J local sales high-tech dairying center today! J industry that is essential to the sur vival of the human race. Without it, we would not exist. High school agriculture students can, in a sense, hold the future of the human race in their hands. Please don’t allow Governor Casey to eliminate this funding. Keep agriculture Pennsylvania’s number one industry. Our future depends on it Rebecca K. Stumpf 5-year FFA member Editor: We are writing concerning the recent cut-backs Governor Casey has suggested for this year’s budget. The money that Governor Casey is cutting had been ear marked for the regional FFA dairy shows (many of our students at Big Spring High School have par ticipated in the South Central FFA Dairy Show), paying for students who participate in the Eastern States Exposition (Mike Corn man, sophomore at Big Spring attended last year), partial support for the national judging contest teams, secretarial help for the FFA Executive Secretary and matching funds for the salary and travel for the FFA Foundation Executive Director. Recently, the South Central FFA Dairy Show committee met. Due to the budget cuts, we had to make adjustments in our budget so it would be balanced, we had to cut the premiums for the FFA members. The premiums helped the students recover the costs of entering as well as serve as a reward for their efforts in showing the animals. The budget cuts do have a major impact on the FFA members in the South Central Region and we have already seen the effect of the cuts. We urge the members of the tmethlng Iset 810-MILKER Specially designed to regulate your milking operation, this positive pulsed air bleed milker assures harmony between udder and cluster. Milks with lower vacuum levels even in stanchion barns with a high milk line. □ Reduced Cell Count □ Longer Productive Life Of The Cow □ Increased Profit ability In The Shed The Bio-Milker Multiplies Your Profits- IVs The Best Way To Better Milking! agricultural community in Pen nsylvania to take a stand and help the ” Pennsylvania Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation and the members of the Pennsyl vania FFA Association make everyone aware of the importance of agriculture in Pennsylvania. Editor: Governor Casey’s proposed budget cuts, eliminating the Pen nsylvania FFA Foundation fund ing of $33,000, will only hinder further efforts in agricultural education. Agricultural education not only affects students in high school, but has far reaching implications as their leadership skills developed in FFA participation extend into their adult years and they lead their communities. Many of today’s leaders both in and out of the agricultural sector received their start in an agricultural educa tion program and an active FFA chapter. As a former agriculture student and now an agricultural teacher, I have watched as our support sys tem (regional coordinators who were specialists in agriculture) have dwindled as people retire and their positions are not renewed. This trend continues even now at PDE as our program specialist’s position has dropped to half time agriculture education. The agricultural education program has suffered enough cut backs. It is time to say enough is enough and put our money into our future. Let’s not fall short on a □ Healthier Udders □ Reduced Milking Times □ Superior Milking Out □ High Milk Yield proven program that is working so well in the educational system. Editor, I am writing concerning the recent Casey cut-backs suggested for this year’s budget. As you know, he has cut the funding we get from the Department of Agri culture from $33,000 down to zero. Over the past thirty years, the Department of Education has also drastically cut funding for staff support. Thirty years ago the Depart ment of Education had thirty plus people dealing with agriculture education, including two full time positions coordinating both the agricultural education activities and the FFA activities throughout the state. Since then the Depart ment of Education has bit by bit diluted their support for agricul tural education. When Charles Lebo retired, they left the only position they maintained for agri cultural education open for two years without filling it They final ly filled his position and again “watered” it down. Larry Reading now has that job but he may only devote 50% of this time to agricul tural education and only 5% of that may be spent on FFA activities. Vicki Basehore Ag. Ed. Teacher Big Spring H.S. FFA Advisor With agricultural income gross ing over thirty five billion dollars for the state of Pennsylvania, with agriculture in Pennsylvania being the largest in the Northeast, with Pennsylvania’s agricultural food processing industry being first in the nation, with agriculture being the largest employer in the state of (Turn to Pago A 42) Westfalia Milking Equipment And Computer Sales Centers werntm mmmmm* **«t *, *m* oe.mw.vA - CHAMBERSBURG. PA WILLIAMSBURG. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers