812-Un<antef Farming, Saturday, April 10, 1999 Delaware Farming NEWARK, Del. On a wint er’s day the skies are overcast, but the mood of Sylvia and Bill Wal ther is anything but gray. They stand {holily beside the sign that proclaims their 109-acre farm a Century Farm a distinction be stowed by the state to honor Dela ware families that have farmed their land continuously for more than 100 years. The sister and brother farming team makes up the third genera tion of Walthers to live and work the Bear, Del., farm since their grandfather height the place in 1876. They raise beef cattle and a variety of fresh vegetables (“you name them, we grow them," says Sylvia) to sell at their summertime roadside stand. They also grow com, barley and hay to feed the cattle. Until 1990, the Walthers had a dairy operation, but that ended with the increasing traffic on Walther Road, which divides their acreage. “Because we pastured the herd across the road from the bam, we had to stop traffic twice a day to lead the cows over,” relates Syl via. “It didn’t take long, but peo ple in cars just got too impatient they had no time to stop for such things." Farming is how Sylvia and Bill Walther have made their living for more than half a century, and 4-H is one way they have given back to their community. Sylvia is the leader of the oldest 4-H club in New Castle Coiujty. Founded in 1929, the Bear 4-H club was the one Sylvia and Bill belonged to as children growing up. Their mother, Dora, was lead er. Sylvia, 71, took over club lead ership when she was 20. In the time since, she has seen more than 1,200 youngsters grow under her guidance to become productive, skilled adults through 4-H. As a young 4-H’er Sylvia says she “stuck with” the farm-related projects like raising broilets and vegetables. “I wasn’t into the sewing and cooking stuff, even then,” says Sylvia, with a wink at her brother. Bill nods in amused agreement For his projects, Bill raised swine and field crops, things he was al ready doing on the farm helping his folks. “4-H has changed over the last 50 years,” notes Bill. “Growing up, we had mostly farm and home making activities. Now they also have things like dog training and computers." The Walthere don’t seem fazed by the continuous residential and commercial buildup surrounding their farm, which is just off Route 40. Instead, through 4-H, they have invited suburban youngsters to learn first-hand what it’s like to be on a farm and take care of live stock. For children who are three and four generations away from any kind of farm, what the Walthers offer them is an eye-opening, heart-expanding experience. Of the current 26 Bear 4-H Club members, seven ate raising feeder pigs and steers, which are housed on the Walther farm. Each 4-H’cr takes one day a week to take care of everyone clse’s pigs, a strategy that also teaches teamwork and cooperation. “You should see them the first time they set eyes on a pig that close up,“ Sylvia says. She laughs at the recollection. “They back Family Offers Exp erience To Kids ■-» . ?*%. Sister and brother farming team Sylvia and Bill Walther share their century farm with the non-farming community. off, a little afraid, but soon they jump right in there, taking care of the pigs and loving it” In addition to caring for the ani mals from day one, the 4-H’ers learn about showmanship in the ring an important skill in ex hibiting livestock. The Walters’ nephew, Wally Gott of Glasgow, is their 4-H livestock project lead er. Bear Club 4-H’ers show their animals at the Cecil County, Md., Breeders Fair as well as at the Delaware State Fair. “The Walthers exemplify what 4-H is all about” says Mark Man no, Cooperative Extension 4-H and youth educator at the Univer sity of Delaware. “Their more than 50 years of leadership and commitment to 4-H offers the kids Mutual Funds Basics HONESDALE (Wayne Co.) A mutual fund is a company that collects money from many people and invests it in a variety of se curities. Mutual funds are a good way to invest in stocks, bonds and other securities for three reasons. One, the securities are managed by professional managers. Two, because you have a collection of different stocks and bonds, your risk is spread out or diversified. And three, because the fund buys in large quantities, its costs are lower than what you would pay on your own. There are thousands of different mutual funds. Deciding where to put your money in these mutual funds can boggle the mind. An educational program on “Mutual Funds: The Basic and Beyond” will be held on consecutive Tues day evenings, April 13 and April of today a real stability and con tinuity. Sylvia and Bill generously share their farm and expertise, giving city and suburban kids a glimpse into a kind of life and an experience they would never get otherwise.” Sylvia shrugs off such praise. Recently, when she and her bro ther were named 1998 4-H Adult Volunteer Award winners for the Delaware, she wondered what all the fuss was about. For her, it’s not that complicated; she con tinues to volunteer for 4-H be cause she cares about children, and it’s the right thing to do. “4-H keeps the kids off the street and gives them purpose,” says Sylvia. “And it keeps me young!” 20 from 7 - 9 p.m. m the Wayne County Cooperative Extension Meeting room, Courthouse, Honesdale. The workshops will describe some of the information you need to examine when select ing mutual funds. It will describe the different types of funds, fac tors to consider in selecting, where to focus your reading of the pros pectus, types of fees charged, how you can make money in mutual funds, and records you need to keep. . There is ass charge for the pro gram and registration is requested. To register, call Wayne County Cooperative Extension a (570) 253-5970 X 239. The session will be held at the Wayne County Cooperative Ex tension Office which is located in the Wayne County Courthouse Basement, Honesdale. .1 i SEE YOUR NEAREST & AEWHOLLAI\D DEALER FOR DEPENDABLE EQUIPMENT & SERVICE PENNSYLVANIA Abj PA >ttstowi Messick Equipment RD 1, Box 255 A 717-259-6617 Am BHM Farm Equipment, Inc. RD 1, Rte. 934 717-867-2211 lisle. PA R&W Equipment Co. 35 East Willow Street 717-243-2686 >wn. P Messick Farm Equipment, Inc Rt. 283 - Rheem’s Exit 717-367-1319 Greencastle. PA Meyers Implements, Inc 400 North Antrim Way 717-597-2176 Halifax. 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