A24-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 22, 1998
EVERETT NEWSWANGER
Managing Editor
ROCKSPRING (Centre Co.)
“Nothing speaks to our heritage in
the Commonwealth and the coun
try more than the agriculural com
munity in terms of personal values
and community values,” said Pen
nsylvania's Governor Tom Ridge.
Speaking at the government day
luncheon at Ag Progress Days
Wednesday, Gov. Ridge said the
importance of agriculture makes it
our number one industry now and
for a long time to come.
In his introduction Pennsylvani
a’s Ag Secretary Samuel Hayes,
Jr., called Gov. Ridge a leader who
knows what it means to represent
the men, women, and children of
Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania and the nation
need leadership," Hayes said. “The
wholesome character of Pennsyl
vania needs a leader that under
stands the magnitude of that office.
And speaking of agriculture, we
need a leader who understands the
importance of this great industry of
Pennsylvania. We have at the pre-
Dr. Darwin Braund, left, will become the new curator of
the Pasto Agricultureal Museum at the end of the year when
the founder of the museum, Dr. Jerome Pasto retires.
sent time such a leader. Agriculture
in Pennsylvania has a friend in
Gov. Tom Ridge.
“We are proud to be the bread
basket of the nation,” Ridge said.
“That is why Ag Progress Days arc
so important. We recognize the
past, but we also recognize the
prosperity of the future.
“Evety family farm is a busi
ness. We need predictable environ
mental policy. We need predict
able tax policy. We need to make
fanning profitable, and Penn State
and the Pennsylvania Department
of Agriculture has helped to reach
these goals.
“Sec. Hayes and I both feel
strongly about the need to open
international markets. We think the
best opportinty of agriculture’s
growth is in exports. We have
reached a six-year high of $1 bil
lion. Obviously, agriculture is
responsible for much of the eco
nomic activity throughout the
Commonwealth. It is imperative
Gov. Ridge Visits Ag Progress Days
Unveils New PDA Export Logo
A view of Ag Progress Days exhibit field.
that we develop this business of
exports,” Ridge said.
To substantiate this belief. Gov.
Ridge and Sec. Hayes unveiled a
new Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture logo that shows the
world focused on Pennsylvania
and reads, “Pennsylvania Agricul
ture, Products for the Planet" The
department now has 18 foreign
export offices opened for Pennsyl
vanians to do business with pro
ducts and services.
Gov. Ridge toured the Penn
State research displays and posed
for photographs in the Pennsylva
nia Department of Agriculture’s
tent.
Penn State University’s Presi
dent Grahm Spanicr Ag Progress
Days was a favorite event, not only
because of all that is here to see and
do, but also because of the tradi
tions of Penn State.
“I always look forward to Ag
Progress Days," Spanier said. “We
are proud of the university’s toll in
Penn State Animal Sciences Facility created a lot of Interest with this display that
included a cow and a calf.
Don Evans, left, played host to international visitors at Ag Progress Days. At center*
right is Gov. Tom Ridge, and Ag Sec. Samuel Hayes Jr.
the development of Pennsylvania’s
agriculture and related industry.
We celebrate a special partnership
in this event
“Penn State’s roll in promoting
the competitiveness of Pennylva
nia's agriculture is our contribu
tion to its economic development
We depend on a close relationship
with industries in the Common
wealth. Agriculture remains at the
top of this list Our continuing
committment to production agri
culture is culminated in the
increased efforts on outreach at
Penn State. The rcoreganization of
cooperative extension makes it
possible to deploy more quickly
and effectively the knowledge
resources of the College of Agri
cultural Sciences and other Col
leges at the University. This
addresses the challenges that fami
lies face.
“The College of Agricultural
Sciences and the Penn State
cooperative extension have a
wealth of experience in working
with Pennsylvania’s young people
and their families.”
Sam Minor, a 'Washington
fTurn to Pag* A 29)
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