Vanishing Acres: Pressured By Development, Farmers Become Neighbor Relations Experts (Continued from Pag* A 24) the new houses going in.” Fritz said that communicating the difficulties fanners face with They were making fun of the simpler, slower life of the Pennsylvania Dutch . She told them, *lf you don*t like it here, move away . We didn*t ask you to come here,* the general public takes up a great and how quickly it is incorporated. dealofhistimeasanagentHesaid In several.states, specific times that he speaks to the news media dictate when tractors can operate quite often and that communica- and when certain farm chores can don is essential. be done. According to Valkovec, a Anita Valkovec, who farms “normal farming practice” can with husband John in Lehigh differ from farmer to farmer. 7 liked it here before all this development started the traffic and all It was much nicer before * County, once spoke to some neigh- “We have some people that tors who moved into the area fiom wanted to be alerted when you New Jersey and New York. She spray, and so forth,” said Anita said they were making fun of the Valkovec. simpler, slower life of the Pennsyl- For “entertainment farmer" vania Dutch. She told them, “If Fred Seipt, of Freddy-Hill Farms you don’t like it here, move away, in Landsdale, providing a service We didn’t ask you to come here. I is the key to maintaining good said, I liked it here before all this community relations, development started the traffic For many days of the year, the 7 try to get the disagreeing parties together , because a lot of times the com plainer has never even talked to the farmer.* and all. It was much nicer before.’ ’ For Leon Ressler, Lancaster County ag environment agent who deals with farm/urban interface issues, it’s essential to keep the lines of communication open. “What I try to do is give them the options they can use and encourage them to talk to the far mer,” he said. “I try to get the dis agreeing parties together, because a lot of times the complainer has never even talked to the farmer.” Increasingly, according to Ressler, the people surrounding the farmer will dictate exactly what is done of the farm when In all areas of the township, John Valkovec, who milks 50 cows and farms a total of 500 acres, said similar problems confront those who farm. This Is not only true of towns in Pennsylvania, but In other parts Of the country. On the tractor Is John Val kovec, Jr. the farmer will expand, what kind of livestock will be cared for. when the fields will be worked, and when the manure will be spread farm is host to farm tours for child ren in many schools in the greater Philadelphia area. "We give them a lot of hands-on attention, and I think, as a result, we get a lot of repeat business.” It’s an "educational thing, not just an entertainment thing,” he said. Neighbors who live next to the Jacob Stahl Farm in Lititz often comment on the cattle Joe raises. “Children enjoy watching the cattle in pasture,” said Jacob. In the meantime, farmers are often called on to educate the publ ic about what they can and cannot For “entertainment farmer” Fred Selpt, of Freddy-Hill Farms In Landsdale, provid ing a service Is the key to maintaining good community relations. But development pressure still has him worried. Here, he looks over an area he used to farm, now u nder construction. do near a farm, such as dump yard waste, which includes plants high ly toxic to animals, in the fields. Joe Stahl said that the chance to meet many more urban neighbors allows him to talk to many diffe rent and interesting people. And building those relation ships may be the key to survival for many farmers. “If you’re a genuinly nice guy, the likelihood that the neighbors’ ability to put up with some incon venience will probably be greater than if they dislike you and think you’re mean,’’ said Leon Ressler, State Crop Report Indicates More Oats, Barley, HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) —Based on July 1, 1995, forecast for yield and production, the Keystone state's farmers expect to produce more barley, wheat and oats than in 1994. Pennsylvania’s 1995 planted potato acreage is estimated at 18,000 acres, down 5 percent from last year. Harvested potato acreage is estimated at 17,000 acres, down 6 percent from last year. Lancaatar Fanning, Saturday, July 29, S99frA2S Lancaster County ag environment vience coming from your place agent “Their tolerance for in con- will be less.” ‘lf you’re a genuinly nice guy, the likeli hood that the neighbors’ ability to put up with some inconvenience will probably be greater than if they dislike you and think - you’re mean ,’ said Leon Ressler, Lancas ter County ag environment agent ‘Their tolerance for inconvience coming from your place will he less.’ Oats acreage for harvest at 16,000 is the s,ame as last year. The July 1, 1995, oats yield fore cast is set at 60 bushels per acre, up 7 bushels from 1994. The resulting oats production of 9.6 million bushels will be 13 percent mote than last year. Winter wheat acres to be harvested will total 185,000, 12 percent more than last year. The July 1, 1995, winter wheat yield forecast is set at 51 bushels per acre, up 3 bushels from 1994. The resulting winter wheat production of 9.44 million bushels will be up 19 percent from the previous year. Barley acreage for harvest at 75,000 is the same as 1994. Bdrley yield is expected to be 69 bushels per acre this year for an expected production of 5.18 million bushels, which is 6 percent above last year’s production. Based on July 1 conditions, the state’s peach production is fore cast as 90 million pounds. Peach production in 1994 was insignific ant due to freeze damage. At the United States'* level, oats production is expected to be 181.5 million bushels, down 21 percent Monfort Packing Joins Angus Beef Program WOOSTER, Ohio The na- July, tion’s third largest beef packer, “We are excited to have Mon- Con Agra DBA Monfort, Inc., has fort as a licensed Program partici joined the Certified Angus Beef pant,” Colvin said. The tremend (CAß) Program as the newest li- ous growth of the CAB Program censed packer/fabricator. has made it a challenge to fill Cer- Monfort will process and mar- tified Angus Beef product de ket Certified Angus Beef™ pro- mand. Monfort will provide an op duct at its Des Moines, lowa, fa- portunity to increase the avail cility, reports Louis “Mick” Col- ability of Certified Angus Beef vin, CAB program executive product and boost its market director. Production began in mid- share.” Wheat from last year. If realized, this would be the lowest oat produc tion since records were first kept in 1866. The expected yield per acre for oats is forecast at SS.9 bushels, compared with last sea son’s average of 57.2 bushels. Oats harvested acres is estimated at 3.2 S million acres, 19 percent less than last year. Winter wheat production at 1.53 billion bushels is down 8 per cent from a year ago. Harvested winter wheat acreage is estimated at 41.3 million acres with a yield of 37 bushels per acre. Barley harvested acres is estimated at 6.42 million, down 4 percent from 1994. Barley yield increased from 56.2 last year to 59 this year, and production is expected to go up 1 percent to 378.7 million bushels. For the United States, fall pota toes are planted on 1.22 million acres this year, down 1 percent from last year. Harvest is expected from 1.2 million acres, 2 percent above 1994. Peach production is estimated at 2.49 billion pounds, down 1 percent from last year.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers