A2O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 27, 1993 Is Your Farm Worthy To Be Named Dairy Of Distinction? Apply Now For This 1993 Beautification Recognition Program. EVERETT NEWSWANGER Managing Editor COVINGTON (Tioga Coun ty)—The Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program, Inc., is again looking for applications from nice looking dairy farm to reward the efforts made in beautifi cation. Known as the Dairy of Dis tinction program, recognition is given to well-kept farmsteads to help with consumer acceptance of dairy products in the store. State President Dan BAker, a dairyman from Covington, Tioga County, said the program has been well received and program leaders look forward to an excellent prog ram in 1993. “There are plenty of good look ing dairy farms out there that have not been judged,” Baker said. “And even those who have entered the selection process in the past years, without success should enter again.” The program provides rewards of recognition to producers who maintain attractive production sites. This recognition benefits the entire dairy industry, as well as individual dairymen. Not only does the favorable publicity gener ated by the program in the general press help bring modem farm prac tices to the attention of urban peo ple, farmers use the distinction to promote their own operation or seek and hire farm labor. Paul Nichols, the secretary for the Pennsylvania program, said applications may be sent to him any time after January 1, 1993. Deadline for applications is April 15. Judging is completed in May and is based on the roadside appearance of buildings, grounds, and surroundings. The states are divided into districts and a local committee oversees the program in each district. A team of judges designated by the local committee visits each farm and uses a score sheet to rate each farm. In Pennsylvania, in addition to this team of judges, the sanitarian for the farm’s coopera tive or dealer-handler is asked to be part of the judging process. “One of the things I always tell Pennsylvania Districts Pennsylvania is divided into ten districts. Approximately 10 Dairy of Distinction awards will be made each year in each district. There is no cost to the applicant. Pennsylvania area chairpersons are; District 11, Leslie Firth; District 12, Wally Jackson; District 13, Susan DuJour, District 14, Janet and David Hileman; District 15, Norman Coons; District 16, Robert and Bernice Gable; District 17, Larue Thomas: District 18, Allen Roszel; District 19, Lisa Risscr; and District 20, Russell Rooks. As a winner, you will receive a certificate and a nice metal sign to install at the end of your farm lane. In addition, LAN CASTER FARMING will present a color farm portrait print to each of this year’s winners in Pennsylvania. If your farm is a winner, be sure you or your district committee takes a color photograph of your farm and sends the negative and proof to LANCASTER FARMING in time for the awards ceremony. people is that even though they may not now have the most fancy place, they can work toward the principles of the Dairy of Distinc tion program,” Nichols said. “By doing this, they work toward a goal that encourages consumers to use The North View Farm of the Calvin and Mary Will family in Somerset County is an example of the farms that were designated Dairy of Distinction last year. You are invited to use the application to have your farm named in 1993. more dairy products.” Winners receive a colorful, 18x24-inch Dairy of Distinction sign to be placed at the entrance to the farmstead. In addition, as in past years, an llxl4-inch color portrait of the farm will be given by Lancaster Farming to each win ning farm in the Pennsylvania program. “As a dairy farmer, you work hard all year long, taking care of your farm,” said Helen Fountain, program executive secretary. “In Dairy of m Distinction Pair* t-am Beautification» a ran addition to managing your herd, .. _ , r there are lawns to mow, flowers to rpr . ■ . arm plant, and overall maintenance to . . . ® 11 . or y° u £ i r u u- it- . hard work. The coveted Dairy of keep farm buddings looking gnat. Distinction award will You deserve to be recognized for . ... T } all dte hard work, dedication and * at ?!! add,t,on y° ur pride you put into your farmstead. aUracUve farm W,M enhance con - Application For Dairy Of Distinction "I Farm Beautification Recognition J Name: Mailing Address: Phon< Cooperative or Dealer-Handler Location (driving directions for judging team): County: I hereby apply to the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification committee to have my dairy scored in accordance with the rules of the program for (he purpose of obtaining a DAIRY OF DISTINCTION sign to be displayed on my premises. (No producer will be charged with scoring or sign expense). Return this cupon by April 15,1993, to: Northeast Dairy Farm Beautifica tion Program, do your area secretary. PENNSYLVANIA, Paul Nichols, ADADC, Tower Business Bldg., 239 Schuyler A ve., Kingston, PA 18704; NEW JERSEY, AugustKinispel, RDI, 80x325, Pittstown, NJ; NEW YORK, Evelyn Lightfoote, 3053 Depew Rd., Stanley, NY 1461. Officers of the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction program were reelected at the annual meeting in January. They are, left to right, Steve Spencer, advisor; Donna Gearhart, treasurer; Russ Rooks, vice president; Dan Baker, president; and Paul Nichols, secretary. Ji, f r t ' y/ ' < ' y''>a Signature of Owner or Operator sumer confidence in the whole someness of milk, thereby stimu lating milk sales and encourage public support for the dairy industry.” Active dairy farms in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania arc eligible to apply for the award. Criteria for Dairy of Distinction awards include: clean and attrac tively finished buildings; neat landscaping, ditches, roads and lands; and well-maintained fences. Cleanliness of animals, barnyard, feed areas, as well as manure man agement, are also taken into consideration. Applications are available from each state’s program secretary or local cooperative extension. In New York, contact Carol Weddle, New York Holstein Assn., 957 Mitchell St., Box 190, Ilhica, N.Y. 14851. In New Jersey, contact Angust Knispel, RD 1, Box 325, Pittstown, NJ 08867. In Pennsylvania, you may con tact Paul Nichols, American Dairy Association/Dairy Council, Tower Business Building, 239 Schuyler Ave., Kingston, PA 18704.