JOYCE BUPP York Co. Correspondent YORK (York Co.) Annual dues were one dollar, and 23 members joined that first year. The year was 1946. World War II had passed into a sad chapter of history, tractors were becoming more commonplace on farms, and artificial insemination of cattle was still the stuff of science fiction and university researchers. But the breeding of purebred Holstein cattle was alive and well, even thriving, in York County. So, in order to better educate them selves and promote their black and-white cow£ a handful of forward-looking agriculture lead ers met on November 26.1946. at the York Post Office building, and organized the York County Hol stein Breeders Association. A salute to its first SO years was part of the recent 1996 annual York Holstein Association’s annual meeting, January 18. Speakers included national Hol stein president John Cope, Gran tham, and Pennsylvania Holstein Association executive secretary Bill Nichol, who shared some of their memories of past years of involvement with the black and white cow. Jonas Graver was elected the first president of the club, serving in that capacity fra several conse cutive years. Vice-president was Herman Stebbins and William Raab was named the secretary treasurer. Other directors included John Murphy, Newton Bair. Michael Whitcford and William Brown, the state director. Com mittees appointed were fra mem bership, show and sale, and junior project According to the minutes of that formation meeting. Norman Rishel turned over a small treas- JOYCE BUPP York Co. Correspondent YORK (York Co.)—“I learned to spell ‘no’ in about second grade. But I never learned to say it,” Bill Buser says. Buser, his wife, Pat, and their children have been selected the 1996 Farm Family of the Year by the York Chamber of Commerce. The recognition was presented as Ken Potter, left, Martin Potato Chips, Inc., Is the York Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness winner for 1996. Pre senting his award Is Chamber executive director Tom Donley. York Holstein Club Celebrates Half-Century Mark ury balance from the “old associa tion.” No records have been found detailing what organization may have been the forerunner to the present York County club. Income during the first year included a $6O. third-place prize won by the York County herd at the Pennsyl vania Farm Show, while total expense for the year was a $6.95 charge for membership cards. Club size grew rapidly, with an additional nine members joining during 1947. The first club calf was awarded in 1948, to David Miller, Jr., after he was named the 4-H Club Winner. A field-day held in 1948 included the still popular cattle judging contest, including a division for the ladies. A 1950 banquet meeting offered a bit of deja vu to many of today’s dairy meetings. Featured speaker Joe Taylor discussed a “trend toward commercialization on dairy farms,” as well as offered tips on operating more efficiently. Later that year, the Holstein club sponsored a float in a local agri culture parade. Minutes of a directors meeting in 1952 report a “lively discussion on the much debated question of color restrictions.” Plans were also underway for a Holstein tour, to be held the following summer. And, in 1953, another meeting discussion centered on the appointment of a committee to act on a project of getting grade cattle owners to change to purebreds. More than a quarter-century later, in 1979, the York County Holstein Association held its first Calfarama Sale. The 49 head in the sale averaged $1009.49. High average for the several years of calf sales came in 1982, when 41 head averaged $1082.19. A York County Holstein Hall of Fame was initiated in 1982. hon- York Chamber Names Ag Winners a highlight of the Chamber’s annual agriculture recognition banquet, held January 23 at Wisehaven Hall. Bill Buser suspects his inability to say “no” to agriculture and community involvement played a large role in the family’s selection for the honor. The York farmer has served as president of the county’s Farm Bureau organiza Revtowlng 50 year* of growth and making plans for the next one are York County Holstein leaders, from left, seated, Brldgette Bonner, secretary-treasurer, Tom Tay- Ap i l LS?? per ' V, c®-Presldent; second row, directors Darla Doll. Norma Lucabaugh and Phil Laughman; third row, state director Frank Feeser, direc tors Leroy Walker and Ed Calhoun. oring two of the pioneering women from the early years of the club, Mabel Rishel and Margie Graver. Subsequent inductees into the county’s Hall of Fame include Herman Stebbins, 1983; David Miller. 1986; John T. Smith. 1988; Paul King, 1991; E. Wayne Beshore, 1992; and Ira L. Boyer. 1993. Many of the projects and pro grams started in those early years of Holstein Association work con tinue today in York County. At its recent reorganization meeting, the board of directors elected Tom Taylor, Delta, as president April Honored as the York Chamber of Commerce’s Farm Family of the year Is the Bill Buser family. Surrounding Bill and Pat Buser, seated, are from left, Michele and Rich Buser, Rick and Deb Lelphart, and Bob and Diane Buser. lion for several years, hosted and 1971, they purchased and returned helped organize the Chamber’s to the Buser home farm, adding a 1995 farm tour in November and new 80-cow dairy stall bam. frequently hosts school groups to After Bill suffered a serious the family farm to teach them injury in a tree accident in 1981, about growing food. He serves on the dairy herd was sold to concen the agriculture advisory commit- trate instead on crops and live tee at Eastern High School as well. stock. Son Rich now runs the The Buser family crops 1,000 3,300 head hog herd, while son acres to wheat, soybeans, com and Bob is a partner on the crops farm, hay, and raises beef and hogs. Bill Pat works along with her husband and Pat began farming in 1957 at and sons on the crops operation his parents’ farm, then later and is a skilled operator of all the moved to a rented dairy farm at Held equipment. Zion’s View for six years. In Sharing the Chamber award Cooper, Delta, is vice-president and Bridgette Bortncr, Seven Val leys, was elected secretary treasurer. Slate director is Frank Feeser, Hanover. Committee chairs are Frank Feeser, tour, Le roy Walker, bam meeting; Tom Taylor, county show; Bridgette Bonner, banquet; and Darla Doll, picnic. Other directors include Norma Lucabaugh, Phil Laugh man and Ed Calhoun. A two-day tour to Holstein herds in northern Pennsylvania is tentatively scheduled for March 27-28. Cost of the overnight tour is $BO per person or $ 115 per two, and includes bus and lodging. No meals are included in the cost Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis and are open to members from Yotk and other counties. For additional informa tion or reservations, contact tour chairman Frank Feeser, phone 717-637-7458. The York County Holstein Show is scheduled for Wednes day, July 31, at the York Fair grounds. Other events planned by die county dub, but not yet sche duled, include a bam meeting, picnic and annual banquet. spotlight as Agribusiness of the Year was Ken Potter, owner of Martin’s Potato Chips, Inc. Potter stepped into the snack food busi ness in 1971, when he purchased a single delivery truck. The firm now processes a half-million pounds of potatoes per week. Now, Martin’s Chips keeps a fleet of more than 75 trucks on the road hauling chips and related snack foods to five states. Ulti mately, Potter hopes to serve snack lovers up and down the (Turn to I Pag* A 37)
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