Vol. 42 No. 11 EVERETT NEWSWANGER Managing Editor HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Pen nsylvania’s Governor Tom Ridge figured prominently in three major events that Supreme champion of the meat breeds is the fall ram lamb shown by Lee and Louise Wagner, Easton, in Northampton County. In the photo, from left, Andrea Musser, Lamb and Wool Queen; Bud Martin, Judge; Walt Peechatka, executive deputy secretary: Lee Wagner, owner; and Craig Flack, at the lead. See story and results on page DB. FFA Keystone Winners, Star Farmers Share Honors ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The number of members on the show floor could be a reflection 205. In all, the more than 3,000 FFA members and family in atten dance Monday night in the Farm Paul Naar holds tha haltar of tha suprama champion dairy cow of tha 1997 Farm Show, Walnut Hills Logic Cathy, an EX9s*point Holstain, while atata Dairy Princess Angela Warlay and Secretary of Agriculture Charles Brosius present tha banner. Sea story on Page Al 9. Four Stdiom Gov. Tom Ridge Makes Prominent Appearances At Opening Of Pennsylvania Farm Show Show Large Arena proved, indeed, that FFA is the largest student organization in the state and perhaps the world. Monday night was a major high light in the lives of 20S Keystone Award recipients who awaited anxiously to receive the state’s Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 18; 1807 opened the Pennsylvania Farm Show last Friday and Saturday: the combined Farm Show and International Day dinner held Friday night at the Hershey Convention Cento-, a farm press conference held Saturday morning just off from the press office, and the grand tour of the show and official opening in the large arena Saturday around noon. “I would say to all Pennsylvanians, ‘You have no idea when you go to buy that box of cereal or loaf of bread or bottle of milk how little of the price you pay ends up to go to the farm families who produce it, Ridge said. “‘You should all know out there that our farmers are the most efficient producers of food and fiber in the world. Dispel yourself of the notion that when you pay the price that it’s going to the farmer. You might want to see how much they are paying the superstar for the endorsement. I’m just telling everybody, we have a lot to understand in what our agriculture and farm community do for Pennsylvania and appreciate the contribution they make to the quality of life in this country.’ ‘This week we honor Pennsylvania’s creators and their creations. We celebrate our land and the families who work it. We pay homage to our rich agriculture heritage and tradition.” A major feature of the opening dinner was the inclusion of 125 international guests from 33 countries who were invited to come to Pennsylvania to see what our producers and agribusinesses have to offer the world for export While specific agree ments have occurred from the first attempt at an International Day last year. Farm Show officials are banking on the notion that if we “break bread together,” the friendly atmosphere will encourage export trade through Philadelphia’s seaport and highest honor at the 68th Mid- Winter FFA Convention. At the convention, Pennsylvani a Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok told FFA members and family that FFA is the “largest stu dent organization that exists.” State membership stands at 6,400. He also told them how important FFA members were to the “future of communities and agriculture as an industry.” Hickok told members to leant to apply their talents and energy to the fijture and to “stand up for the values you are concerned with." U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, also speaking at the convention, spoke about his own family growing up working for a “company store in a company town,” as coal miners. "We were poor but we didn’t know we were poor,” Santorum said. He said they grew up in an environ ment where there was a “family who loved them, neighbors who looked after them, a community that cared, and faith in a God they trusted.” Santorum challenged the. stu dents to keep America good, keep it great with the work they do and will continue in their chosen careers. Pennsylvania Secretary of Agri culture Charles Brosius welcomed the FFA members and family to the 81st annual Farm Show. He reminded them that, with FFA, there is no other organization that “prepates you to take your place in society.” • FFA supporters were recog nized at the ceremony. The H.O. Sargent Award went to Dr. Ferman Moody, state director of vocation $27.50 Per Year the major airports from Pittsburgh, Harris burg, and Philadelphia that have daily flights connecting to all major potential exporting partners. “That’s why we have opened our Farm Show to the world,” Ridge said. “Fanners in Pennsylvania are making their mark in international markets, markets in which two-way trade can benefit all participatents. ‘To every country, Pennsylvania will proudly show you quality products, equip ment, and opportunities to purchase. But we understand a global market that is criti cally important to all of us depends on the development of bilateral relationships. Pennsylvania is not interested in paving a one way street. We are interested in short and long term relationships that insure that trade goes in two directions.” (Turn to Page DIO) The Winner 15 ... The record crowds at the 1997 Pen nsylvlnia Farm Show matched the many visitors who registered at Lan easttr f arming's booth for tut original oio rSmbned White Mountain Ice Cream Freezer. We are pleased to announce that the winner of the thaw ing is DELBERT E. SWARTZ, Thotnpsontown, Juniata County, Pen nsylvania. Congratulations to the win ner and thanks to everyone w*o stopped and entered die drawing. Our staff enjoyed meeting cvetyone of you. al education, for his lifetime achievement more than SO years of service to the formerly (Turn to Pag« All) Bud Dean, Strasburg In Lancaster County, racalvad the J. Ira Coble Award at the Farm Show for hie nearly 30 years of service as a 4-H lead er. See story page A 24. 60* Per Copy