Farm Bureau
(Continued from Pago A 1)
ganization. Pennsylvania is the
46th state to join the Farm
Bureau Federation.
A former president of the
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and
current state senator, Noah H.
Wenger received the Distin
guished Service to Agriculture
Award. “I’ve seen a lot of
changes in agriculture,” said
Wenger, who served as presi
dent 35 years ago. “You’ve built
on and strengthened the indus
try. That goes to show what can
happen when a group of farmers
pull together.”
Wenger recognized the chal
lenges to the agriculture indus
try today in the environmental
concerns, legal issues, and
animal rights obstacles to farm
ing which were not present years
ago. In view of these obstacles,
he said, “Pennsylvania agricul
ture needs a voice in legislature.
I believe you are up to the chal
lenge to providing that voice,”
said Wenger.
The all-star award went to a
county that excels in 18 categor
ies. Susquehanna County took
home the 2000 all-star designa
tion.
Many government officials recognized
the farm bureau’s anniversary. Rep. John
Barley, Lancaster County, chair of the ap
propriations committee, read an official ci
tation from the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives to recognize the Farm Bu
reau’s 50th anniversary.
In addition Secretary of Agriculture
Samuel E. Hayes read a message from
Tom Ridge to commemorate the occasion.
Hayes called Sen. Robert Jubelirer of
Holidaysburg, Blair County, the Senate
President Pro Tempore, to the podium for
remarks.
“It’s good to see the support you offer to
a great industry to honor Noah Wenger,
who sets, th£ standard all of us try to (
achieve. His is a voice of'agriculturt in the*
general assembly. He’s well-respected and
someone everyone listens to,” said Jubi
laire.
Sen. Jubelirer also recognized the efforts
of the members and government represent
atives in the audience. “There are many,
many others here tonight who also work
very hard for Pennsylvania agriculture,”
he said.
Hayes thanked members of the general
assembly, pointing out that Pennsylvania
government and legislators provided the
number one drought assistance package in
the nation for producers. Hayes also cited
Plum Pox help, farm show renovations,
larmland preservation, and Pennsylvania
Animal Diagnostic Laboratory as exam
ples of Pennsylvania government’s com
mitment to agriculture
Hayes also recognized the hard work of
the Pennsylvania producers. “You provide
food, fiber, and shelter for all of us, and in
this Thanksgiving season, I’m thankful for
all you do,” said Hayes.
Besides a commemorative pin, banquet
attendees received a book highlighting the
people, places, and issues pertaining to the
history of the Farm Bureau.
Four outgoing board members, Clarence
Berger, Kintersville, Bucks County; Donn
Fetterolf, Aaronsburg, Centre County;
Wayne Freeman, Elliotsburg, Perry
County; and Jerome Carl, Dysart, Cam
bria County, were recognized for their ser
vice to Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
Other conference events included a
Young Farmers and Ranchers discussion
meet. The four finalists displayed their
communication skills and grasp of agricul
ture by analyzed and presented their ideas
on a solution to an agricultural problem.
Andrea Semmel, Schnecksville, Lehigh
County, won the competition. The three
other finalists included Paul Hartman,
Berks County; Michael Braucher, Berks
County; and Marie Sipler, Lancaster
County.
The Young Farm and Rancher Achieve
ment Award was also announced. Oscar
and Marie Sipler, Lancaster County, won
the award. The Siplers recently expanded
their dairy herd and moved to the Lititz
area. They milk 100 head and have 112
heifers.
*-« i A * A * fc
Celebrates 50th
Other finalists in the achieve
ment award include Joshua
Grim, Lehigh County and Alan
and Denise Taylor, York
County.
Winners of the discussion
meet and the achievement
award received $5OO from
Dodge truck plus a trip to Or
lando, Fla. to compete in na
tional competition.
The conference wrapped up
with an election of leaders to
serve on the board of directors
replacing those directors who
met tenure this year. Represent
ing District 2, Lehigh County,
will be Arland Schantz, Zions
ville; District 6, Centre County,
Marlene Reese, Port Matilda;
District 10, Perry County, Jay
Witmer, Liverpool; and District
12, Clearfield County, Leon
Kriner, Du Bois.
Delegates deliberated and
made decisions on the organiza
tion’s policies on farm issues
such as environmental issues,
dairy and other farm commod
ity concerns, taxes, the vehicle TM
r^“ dfu,u,e,, “ ds |y||i|{. IT DOES A BODY GOOD*
All this adds up t 0...
Regional Pest Management Center
UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre walls,” said Van Kirk. “We hope
Co.) Penn State’s College of to involve many kinds of people
Agricultural Sciences, in collabo- from farmers, government reg
ration with Cornell University, ulators, and homemakers to en
will administer the Northeastern vironmental advocates.” Van-
Pest Management Center, an ini- Kirk envisions the center
tiative by the USDA to bring to- contributing to pest management
gether specialists from 12 states on farms as well as in
and the District of Columbia to community settings, such as
develop and deliver alternative schools and parks,
and safer pest management _ The Northeast region includes
strategies Connecticut, Delaware, Mary
“ Each center will act as a con- nd ’ Massachusetts Maine, New
nection between agricultural pro- £*’
ducers, university researchers, ? sland , W «t Virginia,’
extension specialists and other and the District of Columbia
agricultural professionals,’ said Each center will deve lop coop-
John Ayers Penn State professor erative partnerships among col
of plant pathology and center di- leges, universities, and crop pro
rector. duction experts from states
Jim' Van Kirk, facilitator for within each region. Three other
IPM activities, Cornell Universi- pest management centers are lo
ty, is center coordinator. cated in other regions of the U.S.
“This is a center without They are north central, coordi-
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nated by Michigan State Univer
sity and the University of Illinois;
western, coordinated by the Uni
versity of California at Davis;
and southern, coordinated by the
University of Florida.
“Each center will establish a
pool of shared expertise, reduc
ing the duplication of effort that
is commonly seen in pest man
agement projects or problems
that cross state boundaries,”
Ayers said.
“By creating a regional model
that coordinates expert informa
tion, technology and education,
we can better serve farmers,
other agricultural producers, fed
eral and state agencies, and agri
businesses.”
Ayers said some of the issues
to be addressed by the regional
centers will include regulatory
restrictions, pesticide resistance,
and invasive species.
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