Farm Link, PASA Set Beginning Farmer Workshop UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) In an effort to promote and sustain family farming in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Farm Link program and the Penn sylvania Association for Sustain able Agriculture (PASA) are joint ly sponsoring a beginning farmer workshop here at the Nittany Lion Inn on Feb. 2. According to Farm Link Coor dinator Marion Bowlan, “The number of farms in Pennsylvania has declined by SS percent since 1960. Half of our farmers have to work off the farm to make ends meet and over 65 percent of our farms gross less than $40,000 annually.” Bowlan said these adverse eco nomic conditions have caused people to leave and also discour aged people from entering the farm sector. Bowlan said the future of Penn sylvania agriculture depends on young people being able to enter farming. Because it is a capital intensive business, many young people do not have the economic resources needed to start up a farm. At the same time, many older farmers are finding it diffi cult to phase out of farming and maintain adequate resources for retirement. Pennsylvania Farm Link brings together experienced farmers nearing retirement, or other inter ested landholders, with beginning farmers looking to operate their own farm. Farm Link is a compo nent of the Center for Rural Penn sylvania, a legislative agency of the Pennsylvania General Assem bly, that works to promote and sustain the vitality of Pennsylvani a’s rural qnd small copimunities through grants, research, policy development, and technical assis tance. According to PASA Executive Director Tim Bowser, beginning farmers need to find ways to lower V' r-.. 55- The “Modal 55” bale rack Is the foundation on which Steffen Systems Incorporated has built its reputation of quality This model Is available in many frame-size options, as well as with attach ments to fit bucket loaders, forklifts and skldsteer loaders, to accomodate nearly any bale size or mounting application H mi m/m&msm 950- The Bale “Accumulators" are designed to conveniently and aaslly arrange up to ten 2-tle or eight 3-tla bales into a uniform package The fully automatic electric over hydraulic controls operate the accumulator without the need of an operator With Its quick and smooth functions the bale accu mulator can accept up to five bales per minute ipn mHK upfli the high costs of entering farming. “New sustainable, less capital intensive methods such as rota tional grazing, reducing depen dence on purchased chemicals and fertilizers, and diversifying farm production offer hope to begin ning fanners who need to squeeze more out of tight profit margins,” he said. “At the same time, sus tainable farming practices are pro School For Ag Sciences UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) College graduates with expertise in agricultural sciences will enjoy a strong employment market through the 19905, accord ing to a recent USDA report. Posi tions in marketing, merchandising and technical areas will be diffi cult to fill, and scientists, engi neers and related specialists will be in great demand. “There are tremendous oppor tunities in the agricultural sciences for young people today,” said Dr. Marianne Houser, a Penn State assistant professor who directs the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences. This year the school is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Penn State is trying to catch the best and the brightest high school students in the state, to teach them about career opportunities in agri culture. This summer, from July 2 to August 5, the 64 high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Governor’s School will spend their vacations on Penn State’s University Park Campus studying agricultural economics and busi ness, plant and animal science, land use, remote sensing and com puters. Students from both urban and rural areas will be selected for their strong academic credentials and interest in science and tech-, nology. Each student will be 200- The "Model 200" self-propelled yard loader Is a unique machine Resigned to move many bale sizes and package configurations at high speed Its stacking height of 20 feet and short wheelbase allow the “Model 200“ to maneuver in and out of tight areas while making optimum use of the exist ing storage space Call For Field Demonstration! FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL OR WRITE: DAVID O. FINK 6958 Phillips Road Germansvllle, PA 18053 215-767-1408 Fax 215-767-1312 • Harvest Tech Equip. • Twine • Drying Agents ■ Plastic Bale Wrap • Preservatives "Cci Steffen Systems, Inc. 8045 State Slraat, Salam, OR 97301 (BOS) 399-9941 hi (803) 371-4779 tecting our resources now and for future generations.” A member-based organization working to develop, support, and promote food systems that are environmentally sound, economi cally viable, and community based, PASA offers ideas and techniques on how beginning farmers can decrease their off farm purchases and put mdfc awarded a full scholarship cover ing tuition, classroom materials, student activities and room and board in the university’s residence halls. “Governor’s School is a once in a lifetime experience,” said Houser. “Students are exposed to a wide variety of fields agricul tural economics and business, ani mal science, engineering systems, plant science, international agri culture, and managing natural resources and the environment. They learn about methods and techniques of agricultural research, leadership development and career planning.” , Participants also may choose to study entomology, agricultural engineering, food science, remgje sensing, and geographic informa tion systems. They will work indi N.Y. Farm CALLICOON, N.Y. —John Lincoln, an Ontario County dairy farmer, was elected president of the 25,000-member New York Farm Bureau, at the organization’s state convention at the Villa Roma Resort Hotel. Lincoln is the first Western New York farmer to head the state’s leading farm and rural advocacy group in over a quarter of a century. Lincoln succeeds the PI I ■ « I . 65- The “Model tS" bate rack is specifically de signed to match the needs of New Holland bale wagon users, such as models 1003,1037 & 1069 With six hook bars this unit easily handles any three-bale-wide package This model is also avail able with several frame-size options and mounts to suit your special needs 51-32- The "Model SI-32" bale rack is a perfect match lor moat compressed bale loading or un- loading operations With a frame size of 86' x 86' • and powered vertical tilt The unit adapts nicely to 6000 to 7000 lb lift trucks Comes standard with 32 teeth, 2 hook cylinders The 'Model 51 -32’ Is excel lent for hall cut bales liim mu Lancasfcr Farming, Saturday, Dacambar 31,1994423 money in their pockets. The workshop will address farm transfer issues, estate plan ning, business planning, farm loan resources, alternative enterprises, buying equipment, grazing strate gies, marketing ideas, startup strategies, and goal setting. Partic ipating agencies and individuals include Pennsylvania Farm Link, PASA, Penn State Cooperative Celebrates Anniversary vidually with faculty members on independent study projects. Penn State’s extensive teaching and research facilities provide the students with access to class rooms, computers, libraries, and laboratories. Governor’s School assistants supervise the students and take part in classes, special events, and field trips. Governor’s School scholars also have the opportunity to meet and interview professionals about career opportunities in industries such as food processing and agri cultural communications. Field trips and activities are planned, including visits to Long wood Botanical Gardens, Hershey Foods, the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the Atlantic Breeders Cooperative Bureau Elects President retiring Charles Wille, an Orange County dairy farmer who was first elected state president in Decem ber 1985. Lincoln has been vice president of the New York Farm Bureau since December 1986. Prior to being elected vice president, he served for six years on the New York Farm Bureau board of direc tors. On his 350-acre farm in Hol comb, he milks 100 cows. A grad- Extension, York Farm Credit, Centre County Rural Economic Community Development (for merly Farmers Home Administra tion), and a panel of farmers. There is a fee to cover lunch, breaks, and administrative costs. Please contact the PASA office at (814) 349-9856 or Pennsylvania Farm Link at (800) 9PA-FARM to obtain registration information. and Shaver’s Creek Environmen tal Center. The Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the state’s interme diate units, and Penn State’s Col lege of Agricultural Sciences. Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Schools also are offered in the arts, sci ences, education, health care, and international studies. Applications are available in high school guidance centers. Those who are interested in apply ing should act now. Deadlines for application are in early February. Questions about the Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sci ences can be directed to Marianne Houser or Nancy Walker at (814) 865-7521. uate of Cornell University, Lin coln represents New York Farm Bureau on the Council of Agricul tural Organizations, the Farm Family Insurance Companies board of directors, and the Depart ment of Environmental Conserva tion’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. He has also served as chairman of New York Farm Bureau’s Safety Group #486, the State Resolutions Committee, and the Audit Committee. HEALTH INSURANCE* For The Self-Employed At Affordable Rates! Call Sam Dodson (717) 569-8054 Underwritten by PFL Itfe Insurance Co. V.iN : I-J.LE Dopt’iul.Jt'ility Ihfouqfi Quality 19 rs h'
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