Somerset County Salutes Cooperative Extension
GAY BROWNLEE
Somerset Co. Correspondent
SOMERSET (Somerset Co.) Cooper
ative extension continues to change,
according to Dorothy Bromley, director of
the Somerset County Cooperative Exten
sion. In remarks at the annual dinner
meeting held at the Somerset Masonic
Temple, she described the continual chal
lenges of dealing with updated informa
tion with approximately 135 persons.
“It is increasingly difficult to be up to
date,” she said, “but the idea is to share
expertise across county lines.”
Adaptability, however, means progress
as greater numbers of farmers are turning
to cyber space in their operations and
finding the computer an indispensable
tool. In the farm office they are finding
the computer will bring greater efficiency
to every aspect of the business.
This is why cooperative extension
workshops are so helpful. They facilitate
and ease change for the farmer who takes
the plunge and updates his system of op
erating.
“The trend more and more is farmers
are incorporating computers into their
The STREAM MAP OF PENN
SYLVANIA was completed in 1965
after a thirty-year effort by Howard
Higbee, a former Penn State
Professor.
The map is also known as the
LOST STREAM MAP to some
anglers.
Professor Higbee succeeded in
creating a map of the highest
detail possible...a map that shows
every stream and lake. He
painstakingly plotted by hand, the
location of 45,000 miles of
streams onto a 3 x 5 foot map.
The map sold extremely well -
until it was lost several years later.
Incredibly, the printer entrusted
with the original drawing and
printing plates declared bank
ruptcy, then carelessly hauled
Higbee's 30 years of work to a
landfill.
The few remaining dog-eared
copies became a prized fisher
man's possession. Professor
Higbee was offered $4OO (or one
of his last maps. And state
agencies were forced to keep their
copies under lock and key.
Experts told Professor Higbee
that reprints were impossible,
because the maps were printed in
non-photographic blue.
Then, in 1991, at the age of 91,
Howard Higbee's dream came
true. Computers made it possible
to reprint the map. Holding an
updated map, Howard said, “I
never thought I'd live to see this
day."
business,” reported Mike Harteis about a
labor management workshop he con
ducted. Harteis is a multi-county exten
sion agent who covers farm management
issues in Cambria, Blair, Bedford and
Somerset Counties. In January a work
shop will be held for farmers with little or
no experience, he said.
Melanie Barkley, another multi-county
extension agent focusing on livestock,
gave a report on two workshops she con
ducted. About 44 participants attended
the one on horse pasture was held in Som
erset. A meat goat home study first-time
course had 115 participants, she said.
The New Farm Income Opportunities
Tour and workshop in southern Somerset
County drew such a great response that a
repeat performance is planned.
Addressing farm safety will always be a
priority issue for the cooperative exten
sion. Those who registered for the 2000
Farm Safety Day were educated about the
correct response to tractor overturns, PTO
and machinery entanglements, silo and
manure accidents, chemical and electrical
emergencies and how to report accidents.
it 10% of all the fishermen euteh 00% of (he fish,
ip you fall into... (here's a sun* way to up your odds...
simply try new fishing waters. Fish where few fishermen ever fish.
Professor lligitec's Stream Maps arc (hr firs(
ami only highly detailed maps of (heir kind
showing virtually all of the streams, rivers
and lakes in each shite.
RAVE
REVIEWS
"It is amazingly detailed and
names some creeks in the
Mohawk Valley that can't ever
be found on topographic
maps"
John Pitarres
OBSERVER-DISPATCH-Utica
“If you're looking lor the most
definitive maps ever created
depicting every single creek,
river, stream, pond and lake
then "Professor Higbee's
Stream Maps" are without
question the finest
Howard Brant
THE NEWARK STAR-LEDGER
"It is in showing where to find
out-of-the-way trout streams
that makes the map such a
treasure to the fisherman
Joe Gorden
TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT-
Johnstown
“The map is the most
comprehensive charting of
waterways we've ever run
across "
Dave Henderson
THE ITHACA JOURNAL
Stem Haps
NtwM.NewJeisey
Mai^and/Delawaie
ry fisherman needs these maps
A guidebook is included FREE with each state map.
It will pinpoint the "select waters " for specific species
of fish in each state. Locate STREAMS and LAKES
both alphabetically and geographically.
\ ORDER YOUR COLOR STREAM MAPS■
I Available rolled or folded ALSO AVAILABLE in heavy gauge LIFE
TIME GUARANTEED, glass-like clear-lammation, write-on wipe-ofl 1
1 surface, with brass eyelettes for easy hanging 1
PA-3 FT by 5 FT ROLLED map(s) poslage paid al $23 75 ea 1
PA- 3 FT by 5 FT FOLDED map(s) poslage paid al $23 75 ea I
PA 3FTby 5 FT LAMINATED map(s) postage paid at $43 75 ea '
NY 3 5 FT by 4 5 FT ROLLED map(s) postage paid at $23 76 ea
NY 3 5 FT by 4 5 FT FOLDED map(s) postage paid at $23 75 ea
NY- 3 5 FT by 4 5 FT LAMINATED map(s) postage paid at $43 75 ea
NJ-2 5FTby 3 FT ROLLED map(s) postage paid at $lB 75 ea
NJ -2 5 FT by 3 FT FOLDED map(s) postage paid at $lB 75 ea
NJ 25FT by 3 FT LAMINATED map(s) postage paid at $33 75 ea
. MD/DE 25FTby 3 5 FT ROLLED map(s) postage paid at $l6 75 ea
I MD/DE 25FTby 3 5 FT FOLDED map(s) postage paid at $lB 75 ea
! MD/DE-2 53 FT by 3 5 FT LAMINATED map(s) postage paid at $33 75
I Check of money order enclosed $ SHIPPED PRIORITY MAIL
. IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS '
ROLLED AND LAMINATED MAPS SHIP IN A STURDY STORAGE TUBE
. Name
. Address
City _
Stale Zip
LANCASTER FARMING
Dept. Map
1 East Main St., P.0.80x 609, Ephrata, PA 17522 I
I Payable n Check Enclosed D Visa □ Mastercard 1 Discover i
Card#
The children learned how to escape from
a smoke-filled house and how to handle
animals safely.
In the area of horticulture and natural
resources the issues were pesticide train
ing, weed control in pastures. West Nile
Virus, and stewardship of forests.
Family Living programs during the
year provided a springboard of sorts for
change and personal accountability. Par
ticipants became aware that food han
dling goes hand in hand with health and
nutrition. Child care, overcoming grief,
managing stress on the farm and setting
goals to save money and reduce debt were
dominant issues.
It was reported the youth programs in
Somerset County are strong. Participation
among youths coupled with consistent
support from adults makes public speak
ing and demonstration contests, shooting
sports, the exchange trip, camp, foods,
fashion, square dancing and county coun
cil rank with the best in the state.
Dr. Vincent Svonavec, joined those who
touted the merits of 4-H membership from
a personal perspective. A veterinarian and
youngest of eight brothers, Svonavec said
he followed them into 4-H.
Great Gift!
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 2, 2000-815
Svonavec described “Fred” a white cha
rolais steer that in 1978 was his first 4-H
project. Despite his certainty the animal
would win, it placed last. To his mother
Svonavec declared he was going to pur
chase a steer from the same producer and
name it “Derf,” which is “Fred” spelled
backwards and the next time it would
win. He was right. It did win.
Deidra Smith shared how 4-H has
helped her to gain self-confidencd after
starting out an extremely shy youngster
when first joining the program. She is the
Lamb and Wool Queen of Somerset Coun
ty-
“Four-H gives everyone a chance for
leadership training,” according to Natha
niel Barbera, a youth who has competed
in every public speaking contest since he
was old enough to begin.
In her presentation, Cassie Hays’ per
sonal translation of the four “Hs” were
Heritage, Hard Work, Helpfulness and
Happiness.
“It is impossible to not leam when a
leader is hanging over your shoulder, said
Cassie.
South-Central regional director Harold
Ott, a native countian, said he has visited
seven countries to help set up cooperative
extension.
“The system of cooperative extension is
the envy of the world. It is valuable re
source, and you need to protect it” he
said.
After votes were tallied in the election
of board members the following were ap
pointed: Michael Carr, Sipesville, and Gay
Brownlee, Salisbury, werereelected to sec
ond terms. Steven Hoffman, Rockwood,
and John Kreger, Jr., Upper Turkeyfoot
Township, were elected to first terms.
In May 2001, the Somerset County Co
operative Extension office and other farm
agencies will be settled in all new offices at
1590 N. Center Avenue, Somerset.
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