PLA Youth Awards The Pennsylvania Livestock Association (PLA) has recognized outstanding 4-H and FFA Youth for the past 22 years. The winners arc selected from a field of candi dates submitted by county exten sion personnel and vocational agriculture teachers throughout the commonwealth. The male FFA Youth Award recipient this year is Travis G. Moyer, son of Gregoty & Aletha Moyer of RR 3, Box 438, Middle burg, PA At eight years of age, he joined 4-H and received his first animal, which was a dairy calf to show at county fairs. After his parents sold the dairy herd, Tavis continued to raise and sell dairy heifers, plus added swine and sheep and presently raises and shows all three species. Travis learned to weld in his high school freshman year and has since constructed a beef grooming shule, two sheep blocking stands and a livestock trailer. He plans to further his education and become a certified welder. Heather Bankert is the female recipient of the FFA Award. Heather is the daughter of Wayne & Sue Bankert, 5282 Rippling Run Road, Red Lion, PA 17356. Her grandfather gave her her first Southdown when she was nine years old. Since then, she has pur chased ewes and rams to begin her own breeding program. She has transferred her increasing flock from a 4-H to an FFA project and strives for top quality sheep. Along with her plans to attend col lege, majoring in elementary edu cation, she will continue to raise sheep The male 4-H winner is Paul Kitzmiller, son of Thelma Kitz miller, 8250 Harmony Grove Road, Wellsville, PA 17365. Paul purchased his first seven crossbred sheep in 1987 and has increased his flock in size as high as 55 head in 1996. Due to his entrance into Delaware Valley College this fall, he has cut back his flock to 30 sheep. She also has experience with raising and sell ing market hogs and beef steers and is currently working on a hog operation with Kent Strock. He has won many awards and Jim Watkins (Continued from Page A3B) teams because of his hard work and ability to teach the art to team members. During the years with the University, he worked veiy closely with the PA Meat Packers and judged numerous livestock and carcass shows. He partici pated in meat cutting demos, talks to consumers and retail demon strations on live TV. He served as Executive Secretary of the PA Meat Packers. Very active in community and statewide organizations, Jim set up and participated in numerous fund raising Bar-B-Que’s includ ing building and remodeling of the PA Livestock Associadon Food Booth for Farm Show and work ing each year at the Keystone Nadonal Rib Cookoff and Music Fest. He has been a PLA member for 25 years and a director for nearly as many years. He has been aedve in participat ing with short courses for summer Vo-Ag teachers. Peace Crops stu dents, PA Meat Inspectors, PA Bureau of Correcdons, County 4-H leaders, FFA students and teachers and Meat Technology short courses. In 1978, Jim received the “Hon orary Keystone Degree” from the ribbons for breeding sheep, mark et lambs, beef, steers and market hogs. He also won the Outstand ing Senior Boy and the 4-H York Fair Award. He has served in many positions in various clubs. Paul has been employed by the Carlisle Large Animal Veterinary Clinic, Tractor Supply Company and currently by Strock’s Farm Fresh Meats. He plans to graduate from Delaware Valley College with a BS Degree in Large Animal Science and attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary School and eventually open his own Large Animal Veterinary Clinic. Heidi Svonavec, from Somerset County, is the female 4-H winner. She is the daughter of David and Betty Lou Svonavec of 887 West ■Mudpikc Road, Rockwood, Pn 15557. Ten years ago, Heidi pur chased her first 4-H market lamb. A few years later, she purchased a ewe to raise as a breeding stock project. Since then, her project has grown into a flock of 40 brood ewes that she breeds and lamb out for 4-Her’s who started out much like herself. This year, at her annu al sale, lambs were purchased in PA, OH, MD and KY. She was the 1998 State Lamb & Wool Queen and attended the Governor’s ball and presented Gov. Tom Ridge with a promo tional basket of sheep by products. She currently promotes the sheep and wool industry with Secretary of Agriculture, Sam Hayes and writes a column for the Pennsylvania Sheep Producers magazine. She also attends Ag Progress Days, K.1.L.E., State Farm Show and numerous county fairs promoting the industry. Heidi is enrolled at PSU, Altoo na, in the dairy animal science program and plans to pursue a career in the field of veterinary medicine. These very deserving young people will be recognized at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition opening ceremony in the Small Arena of the Farm Show Complex on Thursday, October Ist at 4:00. They will receive a plaque and a monetary award. Hall of Fame Pennsyvlania FFA and 1987, he received the “Degree of Honorary Keystone Farmer.” Active in the Penn State Stock men’s Club, he has served as Secretary/Treasurer and Presi dent He also was a director for many years. He received the club’s “Booster Award" in 1977 and 1989. In 1976, the student Block and Bridle Club dedicated the Little I Livestock show to him. He is a member of the “Ameri can Meat Science Assoc.” and served on the Youth Committee, also a member of “Gamma Signa Delta Honor Society”, honorary member of “Delta Theta Sigma”, “Bedford Masonic Lodge”, “Har risburg Consistory”, “Altoona Jaf fa” and past member and president of his local Lion’s Club. Since his retirement, he has worked with the family business near State College and on the fam ily farm in Bedford County. In October 1956, he married Faye L. Diehl and they have a daughter Pamela, son Randy and grand daughter, Kristyn. KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION Heather Bankert Saturday is Kid’s Day The Keystone International Livestock Exposition has chosen Saturday, October 3, 1998 as a special day for children. Daily attractions continue throughout Kid’s Day including the unique Sadie Green Sales Jug Band and “Huggles” the clown with his magic show. Both acts will be strolling the Farm Show facility Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Kessler’s “Barnyard” is open all week long providing a unique experience for the children to actually touch farm animals such as a calves, sheep, and pigs. A farmer will be there to answer any questions young sters may have. Lebanon Valley Farmers/Ful ton Bank is sponsoring the “Agri-Kid Olympics” at 12:00 noon. The Olympics is a fun time for kids as they compete is such farm-related events as Sack Races, Wheel Barrow Races, Laughing Contest, Horse Shoe Pitch and Hog-Calling Contest. The Kiddie Pedal Power Trac tor Pull, sponsored by Evergreen Tractor Sales at Myerstown, is a special event very similar to the big tractor pulls seen at many county fairs. Children must pre register at 1:30 for the event which will be held at 3:00 p.m. The event is limited to 80 partic ipants. So be sure to sign up early. So, why not plan to bring your children to the 1998 Key stone International Livestock Exposition at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Paul Kitzmiller * Agri-King, Inc, Fulton, IL * Altmeyer Custom Fab Trailers, Kittanning, PA * American Indian Gift Gallery, Freedom, PA * The Broome Closet Ceramic Closet, Columbia, PA * Frey Bros Inc , Quarryville, PA Frey's Show Supply, Quarryville, PA * Furst-McNess, Freeport, IL * Gaines Jewelry Studio, Hanover, PA * Genex Cooperative, Ithaca, NY ' Hardy Monogrammmg, Tampa, FL * Health Craft Cooking Show, Tampa, FL * Kencove Farm Fence, Inc , Blairsville, PA Kiwi Fence Systems, Inc , Waynesburg, PA ” The Leather Box, Kissimmee, FL * Littler Palace, Sicklerville, NJ R-Place Originals, Phoemxville, PA R S Trailer Sales, Spring Creek, PA Scottdale Supply, Scottdale, PA Stitchm’ Stampede, Sheridan IN The Way West Coshocton OH University of PA, School of Veterinarian Medicine Kennett Square, PA Shepherd’s Lead Line Who looks better, the Sheep or the Shepherd? Judges will tell at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition Shepherd’s Lead Line Competition to be held on Saturday, October 3, 1998 precisely at NOON at the Farm Show Complex The objectives of this class are to present a class of yearling ewes m a most attractive man ner and give spectators an opportunity to see the best of the sheep industry. The norman procedure at a Livestock Show is for the animal to be all primped and lovely, but in our Lead Line Competition the Leadsman is also in the limelight. Both are to be dressed fashionably in their best wool outfit. (At least 8091 wool) Not just another pretty face can steal our show Our Heidi Svonavec KILE TRADE SHOW PARTICIPANTS herdsperson must not only look terrific, but our sheep must also show their modeling talents The contestants and the sheep must be able to work together in the ring Spokespersons point out the virtues of wool at ringside It is a product that has been around forever and in recent years is making a well deserved come back The Keystone International Livestock Exposition is spon sored by the Pennsylvania Live stock Association in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Farm Products Show Commission Why not plan to enjoy your self at the 1999 Keystone Inter national Livestock Exposition.
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