Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, October 14, 2000, Image 1
H MM i-— V 01.45 No. 50 New Ag Science Construction Complete In Area Schools MICHELLE RANCK Lancaster Farming Staff ROBESONIA (Berks Co.) and ELVERSON (Chester Co.) Ag students in two area schools have reason to rejoice. New course opportunities and brand new facilities provide good news for Conrad Weiser, Robesonia, and Twin Valley High School, Elverson. At Conrad Weiser, for the 200-2001 school year, 144 stu dents signed up for agriculture science classes (an increase from 107 the year before), according to Steve Miller, chair of the ag sciences department. The new facilities at Conrad Weiser High School, located next to the old school, include a new greenhouse, small animal Meiser Family Has Learned How To Take Timber To The Bank MICHELLE RANCK Lancaster Farming Stqff MCALISTERVILLE (Juni ata Co.) Producers are realiz ing that their old woodlot may be not only a simple forested corner of the farm but an addi tional source of income. The Meiser family of McAllis terville, with their combination of experience in the timber in dustry and new ideas, have taken on the challenge of con necting producers and lumber companies. The business began in No vember 1999 with an offhand Robert More, Montgomery, placed first in the five-acre corn contest in Pennsylvania. This year’s corn crop is also entered in the contest. Read more about his winning strat egies in the section, Corn Talk, in this issue of Lancaster Farming. Photo by Carolyn N. Moyer, Tioga Co. correspondent *"■ 1 '>■ * *M * H-M H DIG IT 16002 I ' HI **# 13a 093000 P L I KJDii AL DIVISION 048 W“o‘> PAITE LIBRARY RLNN DfrtlE UNIVERSITY UNIV PARI PA 16802 Five Sections facilities, and new laboratories and work areas. The renovations were completed in early 2000. Included is a 40- by 60-foot greenhouse (twice the size of the old one); a library (measuring 20 by 30 feet with full Internet access); lab areas, including sci ence, veterinary, microbiology, and a filtered plant growth room; soil preparation room; and an animal laboratory. The animal lab will be espe cially emphasized, noted Miller. “We want to ensure our stu dents are not divorced from the reality of turning animals into food,” he said. The Conrad Weiser FFA boasts 115 members, said Miller. The members are screened care fully. Miller emphasizes corn- conversation. Nathan, a market ing major at Penn State, had stayed after class to talk with a suggested he ,jump 0)0 the Internet ' bandwagon. “I didn’t think I had the tech nical skills,” said Nathan, but the idea took root. Nathan even tually worked out a way to uti lize the Internet by connecting buyers and sellers of timber. He pitched the idea in his father to see if Terry thought the business would work. (Turn to Png* A 37) Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 14, 2000 munications and public speaking for the club, which may account for the organiza tion’s history of success at the Envirothon. In addition, Conrad Weiser In the “hotbox” ... teaching laboratory assistants are in charge of specified areas of Conrad Weiser’s new agriculture sciences wing. Back row, from left, Jessica Eshbach, senior; Gretchen Miller, senior; Elliot Heffner, junior; Andrew Hoffmaster, senior; Matt Snook, senior, and teacher and chair of the ag sciences department, Steve Miller. Front row, from left: Amy Moyer, senior; Lauren Troutman, senior, Elizabeth Detwiler, senior; David Roth, junior; and Evan Sola, senior. Photo by Michelle Ranch Kickin ’ Up Some Sawdust At KILE More than 2,000 Harrisburg-area elementary students learned about agriculture at the recent Farm City Day celebrations at the Farm Show Complex during the Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE). The event featured tours through the barns and hands-on participation with 50 interactive displays sponsored by agriculture organ izations. Here students hone their tractor-driving skills. Read more about how hundreds of students kicked up the dust at the celebrations on page A3O. Extensive coverage of KILE is included this issue. Photo by Michelle Ranch $32.00 Per Year has a new teaching laboratory assistant (TLA) position avail able for seniors who work at the university level, Miller noted. “The whole idea is to mimic college programs with graduate 600 Per Copy assistants,” said Miller. “They apply for the positions and are screened by experienced stu dents. I can’t believe how well (Turn to Pag* A 32)