056034 o-» A ~. WWSION W 209 F'AT rc Wj VERS TTY UNrv W^E p L I BRARV I7Y VoL 42 No. 36 Tax Break Incentive Proposed For Farms In Preservation Programs EVERETT NEWSWANGER Managing Editor NINE POINTS (Lancaster Co.) Congressmen who want to put farm economics into farmland pre servation met at a Lancaster Coun ty dairy farm Monday morning to unveil a federal legislative effort called the Farmland Preservation Act Meeting at the family farm of Ed and Arlene Hamish, located just south of Nine Points, Congressman Joe Pitts (R-16), introduced the act he is sponsoring to eliminate estate taxes and capital gains taxes on a farm when die owner has entered into a covenant to preserve the land as farmland. Pitts was joined by former Congressman Bob Walker and other state legislators. U.S. Congressman Bob Walker, left, and Joseph Pitts, center, made farmland pre servation incentive proposals at the home of farm family Ed, Jill, Brian, and Arlene Hamlsh. Extension Agent Appointed Ag Deputy Secretary LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) —Countians are still reeling from the dews that Dr. Zoann Parker has been appointed deputy secretary for administration for the Pennsyl vania Department of Agriculture. “Sure, she is well qualified and can do a great job, but what are we going to do without her?” woe sentiments expressed again and again by those who work with Parker. She has led Lancaster 4-H Extension for more than a decade. Under her tutelage, an embryol ogy science program was deve loped that is now taught in all the county’s school districts. About 5,000 youths participate in the county’s 160 4-H clubs. Parker is Flv# Sections “For too long, farmers, both here and across the country, have been burdened with the fear that the farm on which many of them have grown up and worked their entire lives would not remain in their family after they are gone,” Pitts said. “This fear stems from one of the most overburdening taxes laid upon hard working families and farmers and business owners. It is not right for the federal govern ment to grow fat on taxes while family farms are sold to cover the estate tax.” Congressman Robert Walker, who retired last year after serving 20 years from the district now served by Pitts, had introduced similar legislation for the last six (Turn to Page A 35) the motivational force behind the more than 500 volunteers who assist in the clubs. In recent years, she has become known as the “ratite specialist,” and has lectured extensively in North America, and coordinated marketing programs on an international level. In addi tion, she has wotked as a resource person for the live market poultry industry in a three-state region— recently with haulers and produc ers during the avian influenza out break that is nettling county poul try producers. Parker looks more like a fresh faced youth comfortable in jeans and sneakers than a power-suited professional with degrees in api culture education, economics, training and development, and a Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 12, 1997 doctorate in vocational industrial education. But that youthful appearance doesn’t fool those who know her well. She shoulders responsibility well. Energy, enthu siasm, and innovative ideas burst from Parker. “Whatever job you give her, she goes in at 140 percent,” said her boss, Dr. John Schwartz, county extension director. While many countians were sur prised by the appointment, none were more shocked than Parker, who said that she became aware that she was being considered for the post only four days before the announcement to the media. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this,” Parker said. “I’m not politically active. I’m “Foraging Around" SectiotTfft*This Issue Arden and Caroline Landis, dairy farmers from Kirkwood In Lancaster County, depend heavily on grassland to feed their 60 milk cows. Along with grazing the herd, Arden Is on a program to make his farm organic-based. The Landis fam ily’s experiences are part of the special Pennsylvania For age and Grassland Council’s “Foraging Around” section in this issue. Also In this grassland section, find research Information for growing hay, Information about the state hay show to be held at Ag Progress Days, Association news, a calendar of grassland events, and messages from our advertisers. In addition, PFGC sponsors several awards to acknow ledge outstanding performances by forage producers. You will want to check for Information on how to reach Marvin Hall for details on these awards. Delegates Vote To Change National Holstein Herdbook BRATTLEBORO, \L Dele gates to the 112th National Hol stein Convention voted to change the Association’s herdbook struc ture during the convention, held in Grand Rapids, Mich., June 25-28. people and program oriented.” According to Parker, Agricul ture Secretary Samuel E. Hayes Jr. wants PDA to move forward with problematic-oriented objectives and not a political agenda. Hayes said, “Parker will bring eneigy, inventive thinking, organi zational skills, and leadership talent to the position of deputy sec retary. She has the academic pre paration and real-world experience to help me establish 21st century programs for both the department and the agricultural community of Pennsylvania.” It is the first time that a woman will fill the ag deputy secretary post Parker is accustomed to being (Turn to Page A2B) $21.50 Par Year The new herdbook structure will contain the following four categories of Registered Holstein Ancestry (RHA), with each per centage rounded down to the near est whole number. 100% RHA-NA The “NA” stands for North American. These are animals whose entire ancestry can be traced to the origin of the U.S. or Canadian herdbook. 100% RHA-I The “I” stands for International. These are ani mals whose entire ancestry can be traced to the origin of an ap proved foreign herdbook, or whose ancestry contains a combination of North Ameri can and such foreign lineage. 0-99% RHA-NA Animals of entirely North American line age whose artcestry cannot be traced to the origin of the U.S. or Canadian herdbook. 0-99% RHA—-I Animals of entirely or partly foreign line age whose ancestry cannot be traced to the origin of the respective herdbook(s). (Turn to Pag* A 22) 60* Par Copy
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