USD A Announces New Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) USDA officials are adding another dimension to helping farmers improve water quality and provide wildlife hab itat in 20 counties in southeast and central Pennsylvania through the new Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), expected to begin sign ups in June. USDA has set a goal to pro vide conservation benefits on 100,000 acres in Adams, Ches ter, Dauphin, Juniata, Montour, Schuylkill, Union, Bedford, Co lumbia, Franklin, Lancaster, Northumberland, Snyder, Berks, Cumberland, Fulton, Lebanon, Perry, Somerset, and York counties, with 25,000 of those acres established in buff ers. The Farm Service Agency will provide cost-share for installing conservation practices as well as land rental payments in return for not cropping the land. Cost share is set at 50 percent with state efforts under way to in crease that figure to 100 percent. The Natural Resources Con servation Service (NRCS) will provide planning, design, and installation assistance to farm ers for practices such as estab lishing permanent grass cover, tree plantings, grass waterways, forest riparian buffers, and wet land restoration. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has provided fund ing to NRCS for nine wildlife ChrllSlty ‘ ✓ - •alls and R Loop Tie Stall Tie Stalls (all kinds) Free Stalls (all kinds) Lever Rows Gates (custom made) Paneling and Pens Gutter Grates Clamps - Many Styles & Sizes Anything custom made to fit your barn habitat specialists which will be positioned throughout the eligi ble counties. “This is an excellent example of a federal and state partner ship working for the health of the land and the future of a healthy ecosystem,” said Janet Oertly, NRCS state conserva tionist. “Our employees have a history of working one-on-one with landowners to plan options which cover all the aspects of the environment-soil, water, ani COLUMBUS, Ohio The butcher, the baker and the candy maker are all using dairy products in new ways, thanks to the dairy farmer-funded re search. “Research leads to more mar kets for dairy farmers’ milk,” said Jenny Wilson, director of communication for the Ameri can Dairy Association & Dairy Council Mid East. “Whether it’s dry milk and whey ingredients used in meat and baking prod ucts or whey protein-based edible film in the confectionery industry, advances in dairy tech nology are creating new uses and improved functionality for dairy products throughout food manufacturing. That results in new ways to grow dairy sales Eauii Farmer Funded Product Technologies Aim To Create New Uses For Dairy Products “After investing a lot of time in comparing different stall and barn equipment manu facturers and designs, we selected the Show-Ease loop tie stall, water bowls and trough tile for the renovation of our 82 tie stalls In considering the price, the quality and durability of materials used, the proc ess and workmanship in construction, and the knowledge and helpfulness of the staff at Show-Ease, we truly believe we selected the best product with the potential for the longest hie for our investment Thank you, Show-Ease." Dave and Phoebe Bitler Vista Grande Farm, Fleetwood, PA r - For 1500 to 5200 Gal. Liquid Manure Spreaders & Vacuum Tanks 352 Bushel Manure Spreader Pit Pumps 6’, B’, 10’, 12’ Lagoon Pump Forage Wagons Forage Blowers Feeders and Conveyors Barn Cleaners Silo Unloaders - All 3 Brands Other Equipment Lancaster Level-Flo Distributor and Pipe Ear Corn Mill w/Blower Weaverlme Feed Cart Energy-Free and Electric Drinkers Water Bowls Mighty Lite Dairy Mat Mats for Cows and Horses EZ Calf Hutches and Mini Barns Bedding & Paper Chopper Tile High Pressure Washer, 3,000 PSI Post Hole Digger & Driver Trailers nt mals, plants, air and humans. CREP provides another tool to use in that planning process.’ Considerations will be given to landowner and renter rela tionships in these 10-to 15-year contracts which will reduce ero sion, improve water quality, and provide food, water and shelter, as well as travel corridors for wildlife. USDA is partnering with the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Environmental Protec tion. Pennsylvania Game and build more demand for dairy ingredients.” Here are just a few examples of how new dairy farmer-funded research helps to increase dairy demand: • Adding carbon dioxide to the product during packaging extends shelf life up to 75 days for cottage cheese, 35 days for fluid milk and 35 days for ice cream mix, all without the use of artificial preservatives. • Edible films made from whey protein isolates may soon replace gloss-producing shellac on chocolate candy. Whey pro tein isolates applied to fruits, nuts and other foods replace synthetic materials currently used to provide oxygen, aroma and oil barriers, thereby extend- ie or 0. %■ ■f -*♦- ■