Penn State Researches UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) How do young people learn about agriculture, and where do they get the information? Is it based on science? Or is it from self-serving organizations? To find the answers, Penn State researchers are studying public perceptions of farm animal pro duction methods. “The information children receive will influence their opin ions for the rest of their lives,” says Dr. Lowell L. Wilson, profes sor of animal science. ‘To make sure children have a balanced view of the use of animals, we need to determine what they know and how they get their information.” Students and their teachers are being surveyed about animal agri culture, animal. agriculture by products, food safety, animal well-being, how animal agricul tural affects the environment, and what farmers do to protect the environment for future generations. Students in grades 6-8 are asked questions such as “Do you know which farm animals these pro ducts come from?” and “How did you leant about farm animals?” They also are asked to rank the importance of topics such as safe ty of the food supply, disposal of animal wastes, use of chemicals on food, how farm animals are treated, and how animals are treated in research. Students in grades 11-12 are asked similar but more detailed questions about top ics such as pesticide residues, water contamination, growth hor mones and antibiotic residues in food. Preliminary results indicate teachers are students’ primary source of information about agri culture. “This emphasizes the need to determine what teachers know about animal agriculture and where they obtain their infor mation,” Wilson notes. “Most If this is all your farmowners policy replaces, replace it We invite you to compare your current farmowners policy against coverage from Agway Insurance You’ll find we can protect you and your farm &gamst much more than just the basics INSURANCE AGENCY SOS WcstMarket Street Pottiville, PA 17901 (AOWAY] Phone; (717) 622-1350 V Fax: (717)622-6660 LINDA M. LORAH, Account Executive 01991 Agway Insurance Company teachers do not have direct experi ence with agriculture. They rely on information provided to them, which may come from activist organizations. Teachers need access to factual, science-based information to give their students a balanced view.” The primary concern of stu dents and teachers in all grade levels surveyed was the safety of the food supply. “This may reflect recent publicity about contami nated unpasteurized apple juice and undercooked hamburger caus ing illness and death,” Wilson notes. “These incidents reveal the power of public perception. Public education has been shown to be the best tool against unfounded negative public perceptions.” All groups also were concerned about animal well-being. “Farm animals are treated differently than companion animals, such as cats or dogs,” Wilson says. “With out sufficient understanding of the reasons for farm animal proce dures, the general public may view some practices as cruel and unnecessary.” As part of this project, Penn State researchers developed a best management practices manual, which explains practices such as tail docking, beak clipping, enclosed housing, individual stalls and antibiotic use. Other mater ials, which address issues such as food safety, animal welfare, and farm safety, were developed by members of the Penn State student club Students for the Responsible Use of Animals and are made available at events such as Ag Progress Days and the Pennsylva nia Farm Show. These materials also are distributed to Penn State Cooperative Extension county offices and other educational groups. Farmers in Lancaster County also are being surveyed to deter mine how they think they are per ceived by the public and to give CPAFr-BIIJ CONSTRUCTION, INC. (717) 653-4023 Post Frame Buildings !"■. Storage Pre-Engineered Commerical Buildings * EASTBROOK SEED COMPANY Better Forages For Better Profits Genetically Modern Forages From Holland • Barcel • Fuego • Dovcy BRASSICAS • Barkant Forage Turnip • Barabas Forage Turnip • Kapeti Kale • Rape • Forage Feast Chicory • Matua • Stockmaster • Pizza Orchard Grass • Annual Ryegrasses Call For Free Catalogue 1-800-680-3167 - 412/654*4319 11 VISA/Mastercard accepted JCJ Ptß UPS deliveries available [p-J Perceptions Of Animal Agriculture them an opportunity to assess their industry and its methods. “We chose Lancaster County because it has a growing urban population in a traditionally rural fanning area,” explains Patricia A. Nordstrom, project assistant “We asked fanners if they had received any complaints about their opera tion and the nature of the com plaints. They also were asked to rank the concern level of how they believe the public feels about issues such as agricultural chemi cals, food cost disposal of animal waste and farm animal welfare.” The researchers also surveyed 1,500 non-farm residents of Lan caster County. “We also wanted to identify concerns of these resi HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) On behalf of Gov. Tom Ridge, Agriculture Secretary Charles C. Brosius announced the appoint ment of Keith Eckel to die Pen nsylvania Agricultural Land Pre servation Board at its regular meeting. “Mr. Eckel’s leadership in the agricultural community, familiari ty with state government and his commitment to the preservation of our valuable farmland certainly make him a welcome asset to the board,” said Brosius, who chairs die board. Eckel is a full-time fanner in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau from 1981 until April 19%. On April 4,19% he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Nation wide Insurance Enterprise. In partnership with his brother, Doug, the Eckel farming opera tion consists of more than 1,400 acres of field crops and a success fid green wrap tomato production and marketing operation. and New Zealand • BG-3-Tetra-Plus • BG-14 • Alice • Barabian • Pitau • Southern Cross • Huia dents about area farms,” Nords trom says. “Farmers who are aware of how they are perceived by the general public will be better equipped to address the public’s concerns.” Producers, students, teachers and members of the general public are encouraged to participate in this project by contacting Wilson at (814) 863-3659 or Patricia Nordstrom at (814) 863-6059. Producers are also being asked to participate in a separate Penn State project about animal hand ling and transportation. “Money, time and effort can be lost if ani mals are improperly handled or transported, resulting in losses due Eckel Appointed To State Farmland Protection Board In 1982, Eckle, his Cither and brother were awarded the coveted Pennsylvania Master Farmer award by Pennsylvania Farmer Magazine and die Pennsylvania Slate University. Created in 1989, the Pennsylva nia Agricultural Land Preserva tion Board is responsible for the oversight of the state Farmland Program. The program allows the state and counties to purchase development rights, referred to as easements, to guarantee that farms will remain as agricultural land. The board approved today ease ment purchases of 12 farmers encompassing 1987 acres of prime farmland. Following is a list of the 12 properties, including owner, township, acreage and purchase cost •Adams Edward and Susan Sanders, Mt. Joy Township, 99 acres, $103,874. •Berks Eugene L. and Dar lene R. Moser, Oley Township, 63 acres. $126,920. •Chester Omar and Ruth Beam, West Nantmeal Township, 203 acres. $617,130. •Chester—Kimberton Waldorf School, East Vincent Township, 165 acres, $686,932. to stress, bruises, hide damage or injuries,” Wilson says. “We’re surveying producers about the industry’s handling and transport ing practices. Producers are asked to identify improvements they have made and where further improvements can be made.” These projects are supported by research funds administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State appro priations. Other researchers parti cipating in the project include Dr. Timothy W. Kelsey, assistant pro fessor of agricultural economics; Dr. Audrey N. Maretzki, professor of food science: and Dr. Charles W. Pitts, professor of entomology. •Lehigh—Mildred E. DeLong, Weisenberg Township, 133 acres, $304,811. •Lehigh Marion P. Houck, Joan L. Drey, Diane F. Wilson and Carol A. Reimert, Weisenberg Township, 84 acres, $184,710. •Lehigh Pauline Seidel, Lower and Upper Macungie town ships, 98 acres, $244,466. •Perry Roy C. Byers, Tus carora Township, 369 acres, $233,354. •Wayne—Jack D. and Kathryn Downton, Starrucca Borough, 217 acres, $151,900. •Westmoreland Richard O. and Sharon Love, East Hungtin don Township, 97 acres, $174,221. •York Melvin M. and Helen E. Glatfelter, Lower Chanceford Township, 99 acres, $131,580. •York Joseph and Ada May Koepper and J&J Associates, Inc., Lower Chanceford Township, 360 acres, $445,500. Including these easements, 728 farms in 37 counties will have joined the program or had ease ments approved, protecting 91,593 acres.