ITHACA, N.Y. Greenhouse machines and layouts for efficient Systems: Automation, Culture, t operation. The culture session will and Environment, a conference to discuss water and nutrient dcliv be held in New Brunswick, NJ. cry and other factors that affect on July 20-22,1994, will provide plant growth and response. The in-depth information on the engi- environment session will discuss neering principles of greenhouse systems used to control heat, light system design and management mg, and the gaseous environment Presentations focusing on current within the greenhouse. The last technology and case studies will session will focus on integrating relate the fundamentals to day-to- the systems discussed in the first day management decisions. three sessions to create an cffi- The conference consists of four cient and profitable greenhouse half-day sessions. The automation that minimizes environmental session will discuss sensors for impact. monitoring the greenhouse envi ronment, controllers and compu ters for decision making, and Disaster Payments Issued LEESPORT (Berks Co.) Federal crop disaster payments totaling $12,086 have been issued to several Berks County fanners so far this year whose crops were adversely affected by flooding and other severe weather conditions. Richard Troutman, an official of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), said the payments will help those producers who were prevented from planting or who LONG WHEELBASE BOBCAT SKID-STEER LOADER Farmers Have Higher Ex If your jobs require more out of a Skid-Steer loader than you're accustomed to, the 7753 Bobcat is the loader for you. This lift and carry machine has the reach and lift height to get your load up and over to where you want it, quickly. Features: * 7 mph travel speed • 46 hp liquid-cooled Kubota diesel engine • 1700 lbs. rated operating capacity • Quick loader cycle time • Transversely mounted engine • The BOSS” (Bobcat operation Sensing System) that alerts operator of malfunctions • Push button auxiliary hydraulic controls • Dual path cooling system. Chambanbum. PA Hanover. PA Nariman PA L»Wfl, PA Lebanon. PA CLUGSTON RNCH SERVICES CLUGSTON CLARKLIFT EVERGREEN AG & TURF, INC. 717-632-2345 FARM EQUIPMENT SERVICES TRACTOR CO. 717-263-4103 717-573-2250 215-670-2950 717-272-4641 Balhlaham. PA 1-800-441-4450 215-868-1481 Otar rw ilia. PA Towards. PA GRUMELLI’S S.P.E. INC. FARM SERV. 717-265-4440 717-786-7318 Mill HriL PA DUNKLE 6 GRIEB 717-726-3115 Greenhouse Each .evening will include opponunities for focused learning. On the first evening, workshops lost some or all of their crops because of damaging weather fac tors. He also mentioned Berks County farmers fortunate in hav ing more favorable growing con ditions as compared to others across the state. In additional to issuing crop payments, ASCS opened the 1993 tree assistance program (TAP) for commercial tree growers who experienced significant tree los: *1 LEASING, INC. 717-546-8422 800-321-2378 MilMwn. RA BS & 8 REPAIR 717-966-3756 Munor. PA BEST LINE Honasdile. PA CHARLES H. SIEPIELA, INC. 717-253-3334 Systems Conference Set- will be offered; topics will be cho sen based on input from confer ence registrants on their registra tion forms. During the second evening, teams of participants will each design a greenhouse system. The designs will be reviewed dur ing the last session on the follow ing day. The intended audience includes greenhouse production systems owners and their advisors and managers, equipment suppliers and manufacturers, cooperative extension educators, designers, writers and publishers within the industry, teachers, government policy makers, and regulators. The conference planning com mittee includes Gene Giacomelli, K. C. Ting, and William J. Roberts, professors of bioresoutce engineering at Rutgers University; Louis D. Albright, professor of agricultural and biological engi neering at Cornell University; John W. Bartok, Jr., extension professor of natural resources management and engineering at the University of Connecticut; and Marty Sailus, director of the Northeast Regional Agricultural ectations w^Jassss Honw Grow. PA * hrtfrWVf l NORMAN D. CLARK WVVWI & SON INC. 717-734-3682 Uncarttr FamUng, Saturday, Dtcwnber 2, 1993-C3 Engineering Service. The conference is being organ ized by the Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service (NRAES) and the Center for Con trolled Environment Agriculture at Rutgers University, in conjunc tion with the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. 2 Albany Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Room rates arc $65 for a single or double room, $9O for a triple room, and $1 IS for a naxjtos~~~ quadruple room if you mention “Greenhouse Systems Confer ence" when you call the hotel at (908) 873-1234. Rooms have been set aside until June 19, 1994. For a free brochure containing a complete conference agenda, a map to the conference, registra tion fee. and a registration form, wute to NR AES, Cooperative Extension, IS2 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-5701 or call (607) 255-7654. Brochures will be available in January 1994. FINDING A CONSULTING FORESTER Robert S. Hansen, Bradford County Forester Utilizing a professional consulting forester will be of great help to a landowner in the management of his or her forest land. A fores ter can be especially valuable when the land owner wants to sell some timber. A good fore ster can more than make up his or her fee through the increased profits from a forester assisted timber sale. How does one find a good, reliable fores ter? The first thing to remember is that in Pen nsylvania there is no registration law that pre vents an unqualified individual from present ing himself or herself as a forester. There are many individuals in Pennsylvania that cur rently call themselves -foresters that do not have the requisite training or experience to be professional foresters. A landowner needs to check the credentials of any individual who he or she might consider hiring as a consulting forester. A professional forester has a minimum of a four year degree in forestry from an accre dited university. Penn State University has the four-year forestry degree program in Pennsyl vania and there are others throughout the country as well. A forest technician has a two year degree in forestry from a recognized col lege or university, Penn State at Mount Alto and Pennsylvania College of Technology have two-year programs in Pennsylvania. A forest technician can offer similar help to a landowner, especially if the technician has had adequate field experience. The first step in finding a professional fore ster to help you is to contact your local Pen nsylvania Bureau of Forestry service or your county extension office. They can supply you with a list of professional foresters that work in your county. The list contains consulting foresters and industrial foresters. An indust rial forester is employed by a timber company or sawmill. A consulting forester is self employed and you hire the forester to work for you. You also pay the consultant for his time and expertise. The next step is deciding on two or three foresters on the list who you might want to have work with you. You should contact these foresters and discuss your needs with them. You should also check on their fee schedule. Of utmost importance is the checking of references of these foresters. Not all foresters, even though they have the same educational training, have the same abilities. Checking references cannot be overemphasized. After checking the foresters’ references and dis cussing your needs with them, you should then make your decision. Meet often with your forester during the life of the project Make sure that he or she understands your objectives and your con cerns. Remember it is your property and you ultimately have the responsibility for the deci sions being made. A forester steward will obtain the services of a qualified, professional forester and take an active role in the manage ment of his or her own property.