panier Highlight Luncheon
—. Pennsylvania Ag Secretary, left, shares
an idea with Gov. Tom Ridge.
ses have been doing it, and institu
tions of higher learning, both publ
ic and private, will need to set
priorities too. But we have a good
working relationship, and we will
continue to work with Penn State
over the next several years.”
Gov. Ridge concluded his lunc
heon speach by reading a state pro
clamation honoring Dean Lamar
tine Hood for his leadership in the
development of Ag Progress Days.
Also sharing the spotlight at the
noon event was the new president
of Penn State University. Graham
Spanier. Spanier said his goal is to
make Penn State the best of the
land grant universities by balanc
ing our mission to achieve excel
lence in all disciplines
Vegetable Growers Hand
‘Strawberry Surprise’
To Ag Progress Visitors
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Fanning Staff
ROCKSPRING (Centre Co.) —
What a combo!
What do you get when you mix
frozen strawberries, ice, honey,
lemon juice, sugar, and volunteers
from the slate vegetable growers
association?
You get volunteers serving
"strawberry surprise" drinks to
some summer heat-sweltered yet
satisfied customers this week at Ag
Progress Days.
It was a great combination, as
visitors to this year’s Ag Progress
ventured, for the first time, to the
corner of Main Street and East
First to sample fruit and vegetable
treats from the Pennsylvania Veg
etable Growers Association.
This was the first time the veget
able growers organization pro
vided food at the three-day Ag
Progress Days activities.
The fruit provided fresh contrast
to the countless fast food stands
scattered throughout the exhibi
tion areas.
People who found the growers
assocation stand, said Rudy Grab,
a director of the organization,
“say, ‘Oh, we’re so glad to get
this.’” On opening day of Ag
Progress, according to Grab, about
400 of the strawberry surprise
drinks were sold.
Grab said that it didn’t take long
for word to spread from the main
exhibit areas toward the entrance
simultaneously.
“I am not a believer in choosing
sides between these many visions
Penn State has,” Spanier said. “We
have them all; we have always had
them, and we lead the nation in the
ability to integrate all these visions.
That's what we will try to continue
to accomplish.”
Spanier referred to the dissatis
faction with the state funding of
research and extension. “The Uni
versity's capacity to support the ag
community has been constrained
in recent years by the fact that state
funding for ag research and exten
sion has not been increased since
1990,” Spanier said. “We really
must have a dialogue about what
for more to come visit the stand.
Grab said, as director of the
Farm Show stand each year in Har
risburg, similar treats are sold,
including soups and salads. Last
(Turn to Pago A 22)
Legislative luncheon speakers, Gi im Spanier, Penn State University’s new pres
ident, left, and Gov. Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania.
we want to see happen in agricul- and local public officials. Among
ture in this state. We need to find a the special guests were Kalarzyna
solution for our situation for flat Duczkowska-Malyzs, vice minis
budgets for the cooperative exten- ter. Ministry of Agriculture and
sion and ag research programs.” Food Economy, Poland, and Euge-
Hood served as master of cere- niusz Chylek, national director of
monies and introduced many state science extension and education.
Officials from the Polish government visited Ag Progress Days and were greeted by
Gov. Tom Ridge and representatives from Penn State and the local business com
munity at the legislative luncheon on Wednesday. From left, Edward J. Piszek, Polish/
American private foundations; Samuel Hayes, Jr., working with Polish parliment to
develop a market oriented economy; Eugeniusz Chylek, national director of science
extension and education, Poland; Katarzyna Duczkowska-Malyzs, vice minister, Mini
stry of Agricultural and Food Economy, Poland; Gov. Tom Ridge; Nancy and William
Campbell, private funding, Polish/Penn State 4-H development program; and Don
Evans, Penn State extension ag education and coordinator of the Penn State/Polish
program.
Lancaster Farming, Saturday. August 19,19Q5-A2l
Poland. Penn State has a working
relationship with the Polish gov
ernment to help develop a market
economy and provide extensive
input into (he development of a
research and extension program
fashioned after our own system.