BlfrUncMter Farming, Saturday, Jarnwry IS, 2000
Farm Women Maintain Purpose In New Millennium
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Fanning Staff
CAMP HILL (Dauphin Co.)
The 81st annual convention of the
Society of Farm Women of Pen
nsylvania marked a new century
and a new format, but many things
remained the same for the organi
zation, founded in 1914.
Its 2,459 members continue to
give time and money to help the
unfortunate, to live by the their
motto “For Happiness,” and to
believe that by “brightening the
comers where they are" enriches
their own lives.
This was the first convention in
which members departed from
holding morning and afternoon
sessions at die State Forum fol
lowed by an evening banquet in a
hotel. On Monday, the business
After nine years in state leadership, Lois Hughes, left,
pins the president’s pin on Catherine Schott.
Alter addressing the Farm Women Convention, Secret- «bout the outreach of Leba
aryofAgricultureSamuelHayesJr.receivesaPennsylvani- ' unty Chr ,t * n
a commodity basket from Becky Swallow, vice president. Ministries.
Heading the state Farm Women Society, from left, are Catherine Schott, president;
Becky Swallow, first vice president; Mary Fizz, second vice president; Carolyn Neal,
treasurer; and Sharon Engle, secretary.
session, banquet, and entertain
ment were conducted at the Radis
son Penn Harris, Camp Hill, to bet
ter accommodate members. The
banquet was served at the noon
meal instead of a separate evening
event
The organization was founded
in 1914 by Mrs. Frank Black of
Somerset County to encourage
farm women to preserve the spirit
of patriotism and sacrifice, to fos
ter love for farm and rural life, and
to uphold the dignity of farming.
Members continue to uphold the
same principles as evidenced fay
opening each session with scrip
tures, prayer, and salute to the flag.
They meet monthly in one of the
individual societies scattered
throughout the commonwealth.
This year alone, the state organi-
Conducting a memorial service for the 64 members who passed away in 1999, from
left, are Pat Diechart, Lorraine RHtenhouse, Edith Lehman, Karen Sellers, and Cather
ine Schott.
zation awarded scholarships total
ing $9,000 to college students pur
suing agriculture and home
economics-related degrees. They
donated $4,000 to Habitat for
Humanity. On the county level,
thousands of mote dollars woe
contributed to meet community
needs.
These figures ate commendable
for any organization, but what
makes it even more impressive is
that most of the membership is
retirement age. In fact, many of the
members are in their eighties and
nineties and live in retirement
homes. Members who ate able help
with fundraising efforts by operat
ing food booth sales at fairs, auc
tions, and other events, through
cookbook sales, and a variety of
novel ways.
Carole Hostettler talks
At the convention attended fay
244, new officers were Installed.
After nine years in leadership, Lois
Hughes hiuided over leadership
responsibility to her successor,
Catherine Schott.
According to the by-laws, the
president fills a three-year term
after serving three-year terms as
second vice president, and first
vice-president before being
installed as president
The newly-installed president is
from Lebanon County, and has
been active in the organization for
43 years. Catherine has saved in
all county offices in the county
except secretary. On die state level,
Catherine has served terms as
director and as the first and the sec
ond vice president
The peppy member of Lebanon
State directors, from left, are Fay Stare, Florence Diehl,
Emma Spencer, and Joanne Zanc.
County’s Society 16 promises to
solve complaints voiced about the
convention.
Moving up from second vice
president to Gist vice president is
Becky Swallow from Somerset
County.
Installed as second vice presi
dent was Mary Fizz of Berks Coun
ty; Carolyn Neal of York County,
treasurer, and Sharon Engle of
Franklin County, secretary.
New directors installed included
Fay Stare, Cumberland County;
Florence Diehl, Adams County;
Emma Spencer, Huntingdon
County, and Joanne Zane, Cambria
County.
Naomi Bupp presented an
$B,OOO check accumulated from
(Turn to Pago BIT)