Blf-tMtutefifiwndngi »Woay»*nrtry.*i»lMl ‘People You Meet Are The Good Part Of Showing’ CAROLYN N. MOYER Bradford Co. Correspondent WINDHAM CENTER (Brad ford Co.) Neither sleet nor snow nor falling rain can keep the Pow ell family from the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Traveling to Harrisburg for the week, which is often marked by fierce Northeast winter storms, is a family tradition that started in the 19305. “Last year they let us out early because they were calling for a huge storm,” remarked Doris Pow ell, of Powell Rambouillels. “We got to within an hour of home and die roads turned to a sheet of ice. We were stuck there for over an hour.” Doris is carrying on a legacy that was begun by her father, Ken neth Moore, of Twin Pine Farm. “I showed there about 50 years,” said Moore about the Pennsylvania Farm Show. “The first show I showed at was in 1936." And in his many years of show ing and in the years since, he has seen numerous changes. The big gest, perhaps is the ease with which the trip is made. “We had no heater in the truck. I’d wrap my legs in blankets. You could only go about 35 miles per hour with the truck,” Moore recalled. “It would take us about a half a day to get there. At the show we’d sleep in the bam.” Today with improvements in roadways and transportation in general, the family, who lives only one mile from the New York bor der, can zip to Harrisburg in only three and a half hours. But they also make it a point to 70 Years Of Farm Shows (Continued from Pago BIT) within one building, the atmosphere was not always the most friendly among competitive salesmen. Today most major manufacturers take their equipment to Ag Progress Days and other events where they can actually demonstrate equipment instead of simply talking about it. While Brubaker misses seeing all the farm equipment representatives, he recognizes that some things need to change. ‘Today the Farm Show is geared more as a place to show consumers the variety and qual ity of Pennsylvania farm products instead of a place mostly for farmers. “I guess that’s good,” said Brubaker. “They need to know that it is possible for about three percent of the work force to produce more than enough food for our expanding popula tion. Agriculture is still the most important industry in the state.” The Brubakers have attended all but one or two of the shows held during the last 70 years. During the war years, the Farm Show building was not available to hold the event “First I went with my parents, then as part of my employment and later we took our children and grandchildren,” he said. Although the incentive to attend changed, Brubaker can’t stay away. He said, “I’ll prob ably be there to check out new technologies along with tens of thousands of other consum ers, and enjoy the fresh, nutritious, delicious produce in the food court” After all these years, Brubaker probably knows his way around the complex better than most however, he said. “Like the other 50 years. I’ll take the map along from Lancas ter Farming to find my way around.” travel to other shows as well. This year they took in the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, the Troy Fair, the Harford Fair, Keystone International Livestock Exposi tion, Eastern States Exposition, North American International Livestock Exposition, and the Midwest Stud Ram Sale. At the peak of his showmanship, Moore traveled to as many as 16 fairs each year exhibiting SO to 60 head in four breeds. In 1991 he had the National Champion Shropshire ewe. “It’s been a way of life around here as long as I can remember,” said Doris. Moore passed his love of she pherding on to each of his three children. Kenneth Jr. has his own flock about two miles from the home farm. Sister Kathy helps with the flock whenever she’s needed. Sister Doris manages Powell Rambouillets with the help of Greg Strausbaugh and sons Rich and Geoff. Even though Moore no longer shows his sheep, he still keeps a flock of his own. Powell Ram bouillets are also housed on his farm. Currently the Powell flock num bers about 100 including about SO brood ewes. Not too long ago, their flock numbered more than 250 head, including three breeds. “We had Shropshires and Dorsets and Rambouillets,” said Doris. “Last year we sold the Dorsets and the Shropshires. When I was a 4-H member, I showed Shropshires because my mother and father had Shropshires and Hampshires and Rambouil- The Key To Effective Middle Management. Ml Great Ideas. Good Business On Rte. 553 Penn Run, Pa. 15765 412-254-4753 HERNLEY’S FARM EQUIP., INC. Elizabethtown, Pa. 717-367-8867 This spring ewe lamb and fall ram lamb are both destined to be shown at the 1998 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Here, Doris and Geoff Powell stand by as Rich Powell holds the ewe and Greg Strausbaugh holds Powell 9660. lets. I got elected to have Shropshircs." The decision to focus on only one breed came mainly because of rime limits. Greg works full time as a grain buyer for Cooperative Feed Dealers in Binghamton, N. Y. and both Rich and Geoff, both out of 4-H, have full time jobs. That left Doris to care for the entire flock mostly by herself, so the numbers were cut back. Flexibility is the key to staying productive. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with the AGCO® Allis 5650 utility tractor. In feet, this mid-range tractor has a 45 PTO hp engine that offers you the ultimate in maneuverability. Its low height and low center of gravity make this the ideal tractor for working inside buildings and other confined work areas. And because the platform is low to the ground, it’s easy to get on and off the tractor. • The synchromesh transmission has 12 forward and 12 reverse speed choices, with synchronized shifting in four gears and a synchronized forward/reverse shuttle. • These directional changes help to reduce loader and rear bladi cycle times. • The AWD models feature a true centerline drive shaft for more efficient power transfer and less maintenance. • As always, behind every AGCO Allis tractor lies a 4-year/ 4,000-hour warranty that’s backed by your dealer. To get a closer look at the 5650, stop by and see us. We’ll be happy to show you the way to higher productivity. AGCO ALLIS MANOR MOTORS SEE YOUR DEALER TODAY! SANDY LAKE IMPLEMENT Sandy Lake, Pa. 412-376-2489 NICHOLS FARM EQUIP. Bloomsburg, Pa. 717-784-7731 B. EQUIP., INC. Waynesboro, Pa. 717-762-3193 Rambouillets became the breed of choice. Much of the flock stems from Cunningham bloodlines. “We found this group of Ram bouillct ewes up country. When we went to look at the ewes, we weren’t going to buy any sheep. We had the Dorsetts and a few Rambouillets and the Shropshircs at the time and we didn’t need any mote sheep around here. We went B.H.M. FARM EQUIP. INC. Annville, Pa. 717-867-2211 GRUMELLI FARM SERVICE Quarryville, Pa. 717-786-7318 to look at the sheep and about 10 minutes later, we decided to bring them home,” said Greg with a laugh. “He looked at me and I looked at him and we said, we’ll take them,” said Doris. “They were that good" This group came to Pennsylva nia in the spring of 1994. “The Cunningham sheep them selves arc from Oregon. They’re (Turn to Pag# B 19) AGCO Allis 5650 HOLTRY’S EQUIPMENT Roxbury, Pa. 717-532-7261 C.J. WONSIDLER BROS. Quakertown, Pa. 215-536-7523 New Tripoli, Pa. 215-767-7611 Oley, Pa. 215-987-6257
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers