A3B-L«ncaster Farming, Saturday, June S, 1999 Pa. Holstein STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) The Pennsylvania Hols tein Association has announced its schedule of events for the remain der of 1999. For questions about events in the schedule, or other information, contact the PHA at Pennsylvania Holstein Association, 839 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801; or call (814) 234-0364. The fax num ber is (814) 234-1698. JUNE June 19-22, National Holstein Chester County Holstein Field Day Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 15, 1999 for the annual Chester County Holstein Club Field Day - a great day to take your dairy family to a pic nic. The hosts will be Sam and Marian Stoltzfus on Business Route 30, just east of Route 10. This year the focus will be on consumer products and dairy promotion. As in years past, the club will be giving away a Registered Holstein calf bom in June to a youth in attendance between the ages of 6 and 16. Also, there will be the usual three judging classes with numerous prizes for the best judges in the men, women and youth categories. And of course, there will be great food at the bargain prices. Don’t miss a day to compare notes and socialize with your fellow dairy farmers. Watch for more information. Spend Time to Educate Your Suburban Neighbors Recently, I had the opportuni ty to take a couple of days off from my extension job to help plant soybeans on my family’s dairy farm. As I made my way around the field, I noticed 4- wheeler tracks in an adjacent hay field. Upon closer inspection, I observed that the tracks came out of the hay field and cut straight through the strip I was planting. This particular area is susceptible to soil erosion, and the tract imprints made a perfect place for a gully to start. At first, I was very upset with these individuals. What right did they have driving through our fields? Didn’t they realize how difficult it is for farmers to pro duce crops without having to deal with vandalism? As I made a few more rounds, I began to realize theat these people simply may not have known any better. To many peo ple who move from the city to the country, grass hay fields may appear to be “natural wild mead ows” where deer and other Association Plans Full Year Of Events Convention in Boise, Idaho. June 26,7 p.m., Dauphin Coun ty twilight meeting at the Crissin ger dairy farm in Gratz. June 28-29, Pa. Junior Holstein Judging School-Eastern, Adams County. June 30-July 1, Junior Holstein Judging School-Western, West moreland County. JULY July 13,10 a.m., Franklin Coun ty field day at tire Marcus and Chester Martin dairy farm in Mcrcetsburg. wildlife graze freely. Farms are often figured to be un-monitored public parks with free access to anyone in the community. As Southeastern Pennsylvania becomes more suburbanized, these problems and more will increase. Unfortunately, the only way these individuals are going to understand the consequences of their actions is if we spend some time to explain our views and practices to them. The fol lowing are some tips from fellow agricultural producers on how to establish good relations with your neighbors. ...Go directly to your neighbors if there’s a problem, not through third parties. ...Approach your neighbors in a friendly, positive way - don’t be accusing. ...Help neighbors realize that I’m not here to anger you, I’m here to make a living.” ...Let people know what you’re doing on the farm. Invite them into the farm. ...Explain the need for some agri cultural practices. Help them understand that some noises and smells that are not to their liking are necessary. ...Be reasonable with your neigh bors. Be as diplomatic as possi ble. These are just a few ideas from farmers across Pennsylvania on how to commu nicate and establish a relation ship with your neighbors. For more tips like these, contact your local Extension office and ask for Good Neighbor Relations - Advice and Tips from Farmers. Also available is a publication entitled Understanding Your Community’s Agriculture. This is an excellent booklet which can be given to suburban neighbors explaining normal agricultural practices. These tips may not work for every situation. However, once communication lines are estab lished and suburban neighbors are educated on common agricul tural practices, they may be more likely to work with you to achieve a common goal. July 14, 7 p.m., Butler County twilight meeting at the George and Stephen Hartzcll farm in Slippery Rock. July 14,7 p.m., Somerset Coun ty Holstein show, at the Mcycrs dale Fairgrounds in Meyetsdale. July 15,10a.m.,ChesterCounty field day at the Sam S. Stoltzfus farm in Parksburg. July 16, 7 p.m., Berks County Holstein picnic at the James Younker farm in Fleetwood. July 21,9 ajn., Jefferson Coun ty Holstein show at the Jefferson County fairgrounds in Brookvillc. July 21, 10 ajn., Lycoming Coujnty Holstein show at the Lycoming County fairgrounds in Hughcsvillc. July 21, 10 a.m., York County Holstein show, at the York Fair grounds in York. July 22, 10 ajn., Lancaster County Holstein show, at the Sol anco Fairgrounds in Quarryville. July 23, 9:30 a.m.. Northwest Championship Show, at the fair grounds in Franklin. Agriculture Department Presents $50,000 Matching Grant To PennAg Industries HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has awarded a $50,000 grant to PennAg Industries, Ephrata, to support educational efforts under the Pennsylvania Agri cultural Product Promotion Matching Grant Program. “The Department of Agricul ture’s matching grant program was created to generate greater awareness of Pennsylvania’s diverse agricultural commodi ties,” said Agriculture Secretary Samuel E. Hayes, Jr. “Through this grant, PennAg Industries has demonstrated its commit ment to promote Pennsylvania’s egg and poultry industries.” The Poultry Council of PennAg Industries used the grant to match producer and pri vate industry funding for a tele vision advertising campaign to promote the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP), a voluntary industry program that assures the com mitment of producers to provide consumers with the highest quality eggs. “Together, under PEQAP, the Pennsylvania State Grange Praises Dairy Farmers HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The Pennsylvania State Grange is proud to recognize the accomplishments of dairy farm ers as the organization contin ues to work to increase producer profitability. “With June being recognized as national and state dairy month, the Pennsylvania Grange congratulates dairy farmers and their families for providing nutritious foods while pumping over $1.5 billion into the state’s economy,” William Steel, Pennsylvania State Grange President, said. “The Pennsylvania State Grange reaffirms its commitment to be a voice for the dairy industry m legislative affairs.” As an advocate for rural Pennsylvania, the Grange is a leading force in agricultural and rural issues. The Grange, with over 30,000 members in 66 coun ties, is a rural, agricultural and community service organization dedicated to improving the lives July 31, 9:30 ajn.. Southwest Championship Show, at the fair grounds in Uniontown. AUGUST August 4, York County summer picnic at the Glenn and Dawn Anderson farm in York. August 5,10 a.m.. Northern Tier Championship show at the fair grounds in Meshoppen. August 5, 9 a.m., Morrison Cove dairy show at the Memorial Park in Martinsburg. August 9, Kustztown Holstein show at the Kutztown Fairgrounds in Kutztown. August 12, noon, Butler County “ Holstein show at tie Butler Farm Show grounds in Butler. August 13, 10 a.m., Wayne County Holstein show at the Way ne County fairgrounds in Honesdale. August 14, 9:30 a.m., South central Championship Show, at the fairgrounds in Shippensburg. August 14,9 a Jn., Tioga County Holstein show at the Whitneyville fairgrounds in Wellsboro. Agriculture Secretary Samuel Hayes, right, presents matching grant check to Jim Adams, chairman of the PennAg Poultry Committee. Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania’s egg and poultry industry have worked to make Pennsylvania the first state in the nation to institute manage ment practices that minimize Salmonella enteritidis (SE) con tamination of chicken (shell) of Pennsylvanians through leg islative action, offering member services and participating in community affairs. At the state level, the Grange actively works to ensure that dairy farmers receive the best price for their product. Over the past several years, the Grange testified at numer ous hearings to successfully con vince the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board to set the over order premium at a price that will make dairy operations across the state more profitable. “Dairy farming is an occupa tion that is vital to the structure and very survival of the family farm,” Steel said. “Working to preserve it is a paramount issue for a family-based organization like the Grange.” The Grange has actively par ticipated in raising the price paid to dairy farmers during a recent financial crisis during two recent droughts. In September 1996 the Grange suc- -• rv August 20, 11 a.m., Bucks County Holstein show at the Bucks County fairgrounds in Wrightstown. August 21, noon, Warren Coun ty Holstein Sale, at the fairgrounds in Pittsfield. August 21, 6 p.m., Central Championship Show at the fair grounds in Huntingdon. August 25, 7 p.m., Southeast Championship Show at the fair grounds in Kutztown. SEPTEMBER Sept 4, 10 a.m., Northeast Championship Show, at the fair grounds in Whitncyville. Sept 21, 9 a.m., Pennsylvania Holstein Fall Championship Show, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Compext in Harrisburg. Sept 22,7 p.m.. Eastern Nation al Holstein Sale, at the Farm Show complex in Harrisburg. eggs,” said Hayes, The Pennsylvania Agricul tural Product Promotion Matching Grant Program is administered by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Market Development. cessfully helped raise the over order premium from 50 to 80 cents, and in September 1997 worked to raise it from 80 cents to $1.20. The additional 40-cent increase, which expired April 30, 1998, was granted temporarily after an emergency hearing held at the request of the Grange due to the Drought of 1997. “Dairy farmers face numer ous uncertainties and that pre mium at least adds some finan cial stability to a very volatile industry,” Steel said. “Let’s face it, a profitable farm is a key to the economic well being of rural America. We will work to ensure that we maintain the financial health of our rural areas.” The Pennsylvania State Grange urges all citizens to help farmers celebrate dairy month by enjoying their favorite dairy product! s) - whether it be a refreshing, tall glass of milk, cheese on a sandwich or a deli cious bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers