Berks County Dairymen
Are Optimistic
Clyde Myers
Berks Co. Extension Agent
Today’s dairy farm families
have optimism for their fu
tures. This optimism is
grounded in the knowledge
that change is part of the farm
ing business. This change is
based on the reality that to
raise a family, operations must
get bigger, lower their input
costs, and/or secure income
from other than dairying.
A “traditional” dairy no
longer exists. Each operation is
and must be unique as dairy
producers find their niche of
profitability. This has led to
the existence of large, grazing,
organic, replacement, non
crop, off-farm income, etc.,
dairy farms. The existence of
non-traditional dairy farms is
and will be the norm, not the
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exception.
In the last few years, this
change has been rapid and re
freshing. Though the number
of dairy farmers is decreasing,
those left have a new spirit. We
are seeing a change of the own
ership and management to a
younger generation of dairy
producers who realize that
managing an operation is more
important than working longer
hours.
In addition to making
changes in their farms, dairy
producers are joining with
others in the agriculture indus
try to secure its future. Agri
culture is a land-based
industry. If there is not enough
land, farmers, and raw goods,
processing and distribution
firms will not be able to exist in
a geographic area.
White Oak Mills’
Pinola Open House
DATE TWsd
TIME
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PLACE Wkite Oak Mills' Pinola Feed Store
(3'te of s new hag warehouse)
1588 Pi no\a Rd., Ippenshurg, PA (Pranljln Co.)
(8O0) 468-5574 or (717) 537-7845 R Pridaij. . June Q
RSVP
st onJ ice cream w
TOi
vent /\ctivities N^/ 11l Include:
Cummer heat stress discussions throughout the daq.
Cow station featuring hodij condition scoring demonstrations
* TMR particle size display and testing
Cilage Inoculant applicator demonstrations
PQA certification (l:00 PM)
oag feed specials. Industry representatives
Poor prizes, Rellowship, and Mo^e.
This land preservation effort
is essential for dairy farmers
and the agriculture industry in
each county, especially in the
southeastern part of our state.
The agriculture industry needs
to determine how many acres
of farmland are needed to keep
an agribusiness system in a
county, region, and in Pennsyl
vania.
An initial study, funded by
the Center for Rural Pennsyl
vania and led by Dr. Tim
Kelsey, Professor of Agricul
tural Economics and Rural So
ciology at Penn State
University, will attempt to
answer that question in south
east Pennsylvania.
Two programs are critical in
land preservation. First, if pro
duction is to continue in each
township, the municipality
must develop effective agricul
ture preservation zoning.
Zoning limits the amount of
non-agriculture activities, such
is housing developments, in its
agriculture areas. It also allows
farm-related businesses to en
hance the agricultural econ
omy.
Lancaster County has led
the way in this area. Berks
County is now developing this
type of zoning in our agricul
ture townships. In the past five
years, six townships totalling
almost 30,000 acres have been
. 15. 2000
RSVP TODAY!
placed into effective agricul
ture zoned areas. Berks
County has over 80,000 acres
in this type of zoning. In addi
tion, five more townships are
in various stages of developing
their own effective agriculture
preservation zoning.
Parallel with effective agri
culture preservation zoning,
purchasing agriculture conser
vation easements is essential.
Zoning can be changed, but
the purchase of easements has
(at least in Berks County) been
in perpetuity.
Berks County and Pennsyl
vania have made huge strides
in this area, but additional
LANCASTER - The
Fellowship of Christian Farmers
will hold their seventh annual
conference on August 4 to 6,
2000, at the Comfort Inn,
Sherwood Knoll, Lancaster This
annual conference has been
moved to the east as part of the
FCFI Board's effort to serve all
parts of the U S Extensive and
early planning have gone into the
conference to ' help insure its
success
The theme of the conference is
"Let the peace of Christ rule in
your heart" Col. 3:15-17
Worship and singing are part of
the planned activities In addition
inspiring messages and small
interaction groups to help get
(rain or shine)
>e served call cP
A Wr>
jot*
(800) 468 5574
Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, June 3, 2000-A37
Christian Farmers Set
Annual Conference
In Lancaster
*^june^
r NEW/USED/RENTAL "
LIQUID MANURE EQUIPMENT
THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL
Houle 3600 Gal Spreader w/Disc
Incorporators, 23.1x26,1999 Rental - $12,800
Spreaders
Houle 6300 Gal. Spreader w/Steenng &
Brakes, 28Lx26 Tires, 2000 RENTAL
Houle 4800 Gal. Spreader 28Lx26,
Brakes, Lights, RENTAL
Houle 4300 Gal. Spreader, 28Lx26 Tires,
Brakes, Lights, 2000 RENTAL $15,400
Calumet 3750 Gal. Vacuum Tank w/lnjectors,
23.1x26 Tires, RENTAL $17,900
Calumet 2250 Gal. Vacuum Tank 50x20x20
Tires,
Good Condition, Used
Calumet 1500 Gal. Vacuum Tank,
14.Lx 16.1 Tires, NEW
Pumps
Houle 32 ft. Lagoon Pump, Heavy Duty
Drive Line, 2000 RENTAL $7,700
Houle 42 ft. Lagoon Pump, Heavy Duty
Drive Line, 2000 RENTAL $8,275
Husky 8 ft. Vertical Shaft Pump $2,200
LiiiiiUri lawaa
"We're Here To Serve You"
SNOOK’S EQUIPMENT
RD 3, Box 130, Mifflinburg, PA 17844
570-966-2736
Ask For Ernest or Dean A
effort must be made. Since the
program started, Berks
County has saved over 126
farms and 15,325 acres in 18
different townships. The best
news is that the Berks County
Commissioners have secured a
bond for over $3O million for
the purchase of agricultural
easements program. Com
bined with state monies, over
25,000 acres will be preserved
in this program the next five
years.
Berks County has set a goal
of preserving 200,000 acres of
farmland to keep the agricul
ture industry thriving in our
county.
acquainted are planned
The full conference cost is
$170.00 per adult, double
occupancy Lodging is free for
children under 18, with meal cost
per child of $65 00 Part time
attendance may also be purchased
as follow: Friday and/or Saturday
evening only with dinner—s2s 00,
without dinner, free Saturday full
day with dinner—sso 00, without
dinner-$20.00.
Reservation forms and
conference fees may be forwarded
to the FCFI office. Box 15.
Lexington, IL 61753
Reservations must be received in
the FCFI office on or before June
30, 2000
SPREADER TANKS & PUMPS
AVAILABLE FOR RENT
Call
Call
$5,600
$9,050