(Continued from Pago A 1) industry.” He said that the Grange also is appreciated for its “contribution to the economic success of rural Pennsylvania.” Biosius said one goal in the attempt to broaden agricultural markets is to increase exports and offer opportunities to Pennsylva nia farmers to enter the interna tional market by expanding mark ets for value-added products. To meet that goal, Brosius for mally announced the creation of an “International Day” to be part of the state Farm Show (Jan. 6-11). According to the secretary, fore ign ambassadors and trade rep resentatives are being invited to the Farm Show to get a feel for the best that Pennsylvania agriculture has to offer. “We will woik hard to match tions for agriculture, buyers with sellers, to show the Cosumptive use is that use variety of products available from ’ which causes inordinate and eva the Keystone slate, and to set the potation and loss of water from stage for future business. basin. The SRBC charges a fee or “And if we sustain the piofita- requires those consuming water to bility of agriculture increase create water storage so that the marketing opportunities for our flows of the river are not overly farmers then rural communi- taxed during periods of low flow, ties around the state will ultimately of which the state experienced benefit” many during the past decade. Brosius said that agriculture is the state’s num ber one industry employing one in five resi dents and contributing 16 percent, or $4O billion, of the gross state annual product “The sale of farm commodities fuels the eco nomic engine of rural Pennsylvania, and the eco nomic success of rural Pennsylvania fuels the economic success of the entire commonwealth. “Despite our importance to the state, you know dun we in agriculture and rural Pennsylva nia have many challenges facing us.” As far as policies adopted, Brenda Sham baugh, legislative director for the State Grange, said. As a grass-roots organization, the policies determined here will influence our legislative efforts on Capitol Hill as we work on legislation that will affect agriculture and rural Pennsylvania. “These issues are of greatest concern to our membership and the Pennsylvania State Grange will see that these policies are addressed at the state and federal level.” Some of the key policies adopted involve the controversial 1995 Farm Bill, the state’s prog ram that creates Agricultural Security Areas, the U.S. Delaney Clause which affects testing of residue on foods products (zero tolerance), building code regulations, and water use regulations. According to Shambaugh, the main objective of the Grange, with respect to the Farm Bill, is to make agriculture more profitable and help keep families on their farms. “Farmers are unduly taxed and we want a Farm Bill that allows farmers to receive an adequate price for their products, and one that allows farmers to stay in business and provide food and fiber for our nation and the world.” The policy passed at the convention was aimed primarily at dairy provisions. The key provisions were that the Farm Bill: • repeal the dairy assessment (part of the budget reconciliation) farmers pay on every hundred pounds (cwt) of milk they sell; • remove butter and milk powder from the sup port price; • support full funding for exports to the limits allowed under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; • establish an export agency: • expand or modify federal milk marketing orders through a hearing process with the provi sion that failed amendments do not cause the fai lure of the order; • continue Class II prices based on Class 111 price and 30 cents per cwt; • use multiple component pricing; • create a national security fund to protect against processor bankruptcy as long as stronger state programs are not pre-empted; • be crealsd so as to defeat possible legislated for mation of a single federal order and pooling of Class I differentials. Pa. State Grange Holds Annual Convention As far as water use regulations, for several years the Susquehanna River Basin Commission a federal-stale compact with author ity over the entire flows of the Sus- quehanna Basin has been try ing to decide how to set water consumption regulations and establish a system to avoid severe water shortages and overuse by any one entity. Earlier this year, the SRBC had redesigned and condensed most of its regulations into a comprehen sive, rational package, except for the issue of consumptive use and a fee structure. That work is ongoing. The Grange would like to see a policy that calls for the creation of a government-funded reservoir storage of make-up water to satisfy the SRBC consumptive use regula- “The Grange is working with other agricultural groups and the SRBC for regulations that satisfy all parties,” Shambaugh said, “and the Grange delegate body believes a reservoir is a viable solution that would be equitable for everyone.” Among those presented with awards during the convention was Betty Master, of the Scrubgrass Grange N 0.1705, in Venango County. Master was honored at the -1995-96 Granger of the Year. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon a member for their service to the Grange and other organizations. In addition to serving as treasur er of the Venango County Pomona Grange, lecturer of her local Grange, and a past member of the state Grange Lecturer Department from 1986-94, she has held the office of Flora and served on the county sth Degree team. She is also involved in her church, the Scrubgrass Homemak ers, serves as director of the Ven ango County Fair Board, is a mem ber of the Bair/Simcox Women’s Association, the Demeter Club, the Ciintonville Firemen’s Women’s Auxiliary, and has been a 4-H leader for 20 yean. Sometimes You Need A Spreader Built like A T^nk When spreading stockpiled lime, for example. The Stoltzfus Wet Lime Spreader is likely the most powerful spreader of its kind on the market today. You see, we’ve been building them since 1945, and farmers are still using Stoltzfus Wet Lime Spreaders they’ve had for 20, even 30 years. Our special drag chain is 4 times stronger than stainless steel, and handles frozen and heavy stockpiled lime with ease. Plus, for spread ing compost, composted sludge, poultry litter • Two-ton, five-ton, eight-ton models • PTO, 540 rpm or 1,000 rpm • Two-speed conveyor chain • Leaf spring suspension • Dual 24" spinners • Spreads 40'effectively • One-sided spreading capability • Truck-mounted models available “Betty artfully coordinates honored as Subordinate Youth many of the community activities Chairpersons of the Year, making to include several organizations it the second year in a row that the working for one common goal. It’s subordinate award was won by not uncommon to find her volun- someone from Pioneer Grange, leering seven days a week. She is Deb Campbell, director of the truly the backbone of our Grange,” junior programs for the State said Glenn Gross, president of die Grange recognized members for Scrubgrass Grange. outstanding service. Master is also known for her Among them were four Super work with a local Applefest, for Junior Grange winners. Jcsica which 300 apple pies and 200 Blair, of Perry Valley Junior apple cakes are made from scratch Grange N 0.507; Adam Britcher, of in her urnhwi. Community Junior Grange “It’s really not work,” Master said abou the effort which she has been doing for eight years. “It has become a community event that people look forward to every year.” Others honored during the con vention include Amy Noble, of Mercer County Pomona Grange N 0.25, who was selected Pomona Youth Chairperson of the Year. Annette Kramer and Cindy Liebenspetger, of Pioneer Grange N 0.1777, in Berks County, were 1 800 843 8731 STOLTZFUS Morgan Way, P.O. Box 527, Morgantown, PA 19543 ADSI g. PAY OFF! k and certain fertilizers, the WLS is without equal for sheer volume spreading. We call that performance. You’ll call it terrific. We hope you compare a Stoltzfus WLS with other spreaders. It makes us look even better. Price? Sure we may be a little more. But when you end up replacing cheaper units in a few short years, what have you saved? Stoltzfus quality always pays foritself many times over. Just how tough is a Stoltzfus WLS? Plenty tough. Call today. We'll tell you where to find the dealer nearest you, and send you free literature to inspect. » • r-w i—r N 0.479; Denise Zug, of Walker Junior Grange N 0.416; and Ron Strong, of Plum Creek Valley Junior Grange N 0.541. In other business, Carol Jami son, of Jefferson Grange N 0.1373, in Butler County, won the annual talent contest, being named best of show from a field performing in front of 600 Grangers. Jamison sand “In Heaven’s Eyes” to win the contest and is to compete in the national talent con test this weekend in Harrisburg.
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