AlO-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 6, 1991
OPINION
Farmers Provide
American Way Of Life
We were reminded again this week as we celebrated indepen
dence day that many people in the history of our country have
contributed to the blessings we enjoy. The most recent persons
who come to mind are those who gave of themselves in Desert
Storm. Thomas Jefferson said that freedom must be continually
earned. And our soldiers, sailors and airmen proved that again
during this conflict in the Middle East.
At this time of year we think of what the American system
really stands for: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
all men arc created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liber
ty and the pursuit of happiness.”
While we hear a lot about the new freedoms in the Soviet
Union, they still do not have enough to eat. If you have life and
happiness, you really need to have enough food. That’s where
the American farmer has done so well for us. And the agricultur
al enterprises are of such importance to the American way of life
that they also must be listed as important to our freedom.
Back in 1776, when our forefathers signed the Declaration of
Independence, nine out of every ten Pennsylvanians were far
mers, self-sufficient and proud. Today, thanks to technological
advancements—and the same strong work ethic in which those
first Pennsylvanians believed-one farmer, on average, provides
the food needs of 114 others.
There is no doubt to the power of the Pennsylvania agricul
ture and food industry. It’s our number one industry, bringing in
$3.3 billion of farm income and leading to more than $32 billion
in related business activity every year. Agriculture helps create
jobs for 1.2 million people—one out of every five
Pennsylvanians
The farmers who provide us with such an abundance of
harvest really form the base of the economy that we have come
to call the American way of life.
'i
Farm Calendar
Butler Co. Fair, Butler.
Keystone Stud and Ewe Show and
Sale, Ag Arena, Penn State,
thru July 7.
Forest Co. Fair, Wolfs Comers
Recreation Assn., Tionesta.
Keystone Ram and Ewe Show, Ag
Keystone Stud and Ewe Show and
Sale, Ag Arena, Penn Stale,
thru July 7.
Doyle Thomas Retirement Open
House, VFW Route 706, Mon
Ag Teachers Conference, Penn
State, thru July 10.
Western Junior School, Blair Co.
hosting, thru July 9.
Lancaster Co. 4-H Fashion Revue,
Farm and Home Center.
Young Cooperative Leaders Con
ference, Pa. Council of
Cooperatives, Days Inn, State
College, thru July 10.
Blair Co. Junior Dairy Judging
School, thru July 9.
Lancaster Farming
Established 1955
Published Every Saturday
Ephrata Review Building
1 E. Main St.
Ephrata, PA 17522
by
Lancaster Farming, Inc.
A Simnrmn Enktrprme
Robert G Campbell General Manager
Everett R Newswanger Managing Editor
Copyright liH by Lancaster Farming
Ag Teachers Conference, Penn
State, thru July 10.
Western Junior School, Blair Co.
hosting.
Young Cooperative Leaders Con
ference, Pa. Council of
Cooperatives, Days Inn, State
College, thru July 10.
Lancaster Co. 4-H Presentation
Day, Farm and Home Center, 9
a.m.
Dodge Co. Farm Progress Days,
Brownsville, Wisconsin, thru
Ag Teachers Conference, Penn
State.
Young Cooperative Leaders Con
ference, Pa. Council of
Cooperatives, Days Inn, State
College.
Dodge Co. Farm Progress Days,
' Brownsville, Wisconsin, thru
July 11.
Eastern Junior Judging School,
Susquehanna Co., thru July 11.
Grounds Managers Field Day,
Ursinus College, afternoon.
one. are: you ever
GONNA GET ARID OF
ALL THAT OLD SUNK?
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To Understand
Nutrient Management
The nutrient management bill is
making its way through the legisla
ture. The House of Representa
tives have approved the bill and the
Senate is now considering it.
This piece of legislation will
have an impact on many of our
state’s farms. The current bill will
require farmers to recognize the
plant nutritional value of animal
manures.
By developing nutrient manage
ment plans, farmers will be balanc
ing the crop nutrient requirements
with the fertilizer and manure he
applies. By developing this plan,
the farmer should be increasing his
income by eliminating the
unnecessary purchase of plant
nutrients while reducing the possi
bility of contaminating the ground
and surface water.
Animal agriculture is a very
important segment of the com
monwealths agriculture. To keep
animal agriculture growing in the
state will require all farmers work
ing together to utilize the valuable
manure produced by animals.
With a better understanding of
plant nutrition, how manure
improves soil structure, and the
amount of plant nutrients provided
by manure, farmers will use man
ure wisely in their cropping sys
tems. However, it will take cooper
ation among all farmers to make
nutrient management work.
To Be Alert
For Field Fires
The recent dry weather has
increased the chance for field fires.
Dust accumulation on gasoline
engines will cause engines to over
heat and catch on fire. Also, sparks
from engines, cigarettes, matches
and fires will set dry weeds, pas
tures, and small grain fields on fire.
To protect your valuable equip-
Pesticide Institute, Penn State, thru
July 11. _
Tri-County Pork Producers
Weigh-In and Live Evaluation,
Lebanon Fairgrounds.
Dodge Co. Farm Progress Days,
Brownsville, Wisconsin.
Eastern Junior Judging School,
Susquehanna Co.
Assessment and monitoring of soil
(Turn to Pag* A 27)
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OUST LETTING IT
'AGE'
ment (combines, tractors, hay bal
ers, etc.), you will need to clean the
dust off your engine several times
a day, make sure the air intakes for
the radiator are clean, maintain
proper water level in the radiator,
make sure the fan belt is tight and
not worn, and carry a fire
extinguisher.
While operating your equip
ment, keep an eye on your engine
to make sure it is not on fire. If you
smoke or do any burning, make
sure any stray sparks will not acci
dently start a fire.
To Review
Emergency Procedures
Last week I participated in
nuclear power plant emergency
drill. I have a concern most far
mers would not know what to do if
they would be ordered to evacuate
their farms.
In case of a nuclear power plant
problem, bring all animals inside
and make arrangements to provide
them with automatic waterers and
WHAT DOES
IT TAKE?
July 7, 1991
Background Scripture: Nehe
miah 1-2.
Devotional Reading: Psalms
122:1-19.
What does it take to get some
thing done in this world? Tonight
on television there were visual
reports of the millions who are
dying of starvation in Africa.
Equally disturbing were the re
ports of great multitudes of people
in Bengaladesh who are the vic
tims of a great typhoon.
The commentator said that so
far, the Western democracies had
not evidenced much interest in
helping them. It is ironic to recol
lect that just a few months ago we
spent millions of dollars to help
the relatively-well-fixed Kuwai
tis, but, as the commentator noted,
the people of Bengaladesh and
Sudan do not have any oil "to
protect."
Have you ever noticed how
easy it is to raise money to kill
people and how hard to find
money to keep people alive? Our
country united in its anger and
hostility toward one man, Saddam
Hussein. If only we could just as
surely unite in compassion for the
nameless people who have no
power.
MOBILIZING
TO HEAL
A whole nation was mobilized
to wage war with the most
advanced technology the world
has ever seen. So, how do we
mobilize our nation to use some of
that technology to wage peace?
Maybe we can't solve starvation,
disease, ignorance addiction, and
crime. But if we can send guided
missiles to kill so effectively, can't
self feeding. In the event of an eva
cuation, only one person will be
allowed to re-enter and only for a
brief period of time.
With two nuclear power plants
close to Lancaster County, every
fanner would be effected in the
event of a power plant problem.
Take time to read the material pro
vided to you by the power compa
nies and develop an emergency
plan for your farm.
Also, have posted next to your
phone the numbers for the fire
company, ambulance, poison con
trol center, doctor, and police.
With this list of phone numbers
should be written a set of detailed
directions to your farm.
In the event of an emergency,
time is a very important factor.
These phone numbers and direc
tions could save a lot of time and
even a life. Take time now and
instruct every member of your
family on what to do in case of an
emergency.
we at least make some dent in
these human miseries?
So, what does it take? It takes a
person like Nehemiah, someone
who, when confronted with a par
ticular failing of our society, can
respond with deep sense of sor
row. Through Hanani, one of his
brethren, he receives the devastat
ing news that Jerusalem was
desolate and defenseless: "When I
heard these words I sat down and
wept, and mourned for days..."
(1:4). If Nehemiah lived today, he
wouldn't switch channels just
because he wouldn't want to watch
something that is unsettling.
Nehemiah did more than weep
he prayed: "...and I continued
fasting and praying before the
God of heaven." This evening,
after the TV report was finished, it
occurred to me that problems like
mass starvation and others rarely
get into my prayers. I pray for my
family, my friends, and for those
who ask me. But how often do I
pray for the nameless starving,
homeless, sick, destitute, lonely,
and imprisoned. Not very often. Is
it just because it is more natural to
pray for those whom we know in
some way, or is it because we
know unconsciously that to pray
for these people might place upon
■ us the obligation to do something
about it?
Nehemiah realized that the sad
condition of Jerusalem was due to
the sins of his people: "I now pray
before thee day and night for the
people of IsraeL.confessing the
sins...which we have sinned
against thee" (1:6). Most of our
human tragedies are the result of
human sin and it takes repentance
if we are to do something about
them.
Nehemiah was an important
person who used his position to
get something done. Hanani was a
person of lesser stature who also
did what he could do: he told
Nehemiah. Without him, there
likely would have been no decree
from the King.
(Based on copyrighted Outlines produced by
the Committee on the Uniform Senes and used
by permission Released by Community & Sub
urban Press)