BLR lai tl RECORI’C. UL'O9 HATTE I.IBRARV . I UNI PARK PA ate h-M V 01.46 No. 36 New Ag Institute To Educate, Promote Public Understanding Museum Base For Ongoing Ag Ed DAVELEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff LANDIS VALLEY (Lancas ter Co.) Pennsylvania Agri culture Secretary Sam Hayes and other state agriculture lead ers were on hand here Monday to help launch a new educa tional project called the Ad vanced Agriculture Institute. Draft horses and a shiny new combine stood near the podium on the grounds of the Landis Valley Museum, symbols of Pennsylvania’s agricultural her itage and the changes it has un dergone during the past century. The new institute will use the museum as a base for ongoing agricultural education and re search to facilitate a better un derstanding of Pennsylvania agriculture as it continues to adapt to a changing world. A 1 Wenger, co-chair of the Summer Institute Provides Cooperative Experience To FFA MICHELLE RANCK Lancaster Farming Staff SHIPPENSBURG (Cumber land County) Sixty FFA scholars recently participated in an institute designed to teach the intricacies of the cooperative system of business. Conducted at Shippensburg University campus from Sunday until Wednesday, the event, with the theme “Taking You Higher,” offered students the opportunity to form, manage, and dissolve their own mini co operatives. They were also able to learn from the expertise of approxt- Sweet Com Before July 4 EPHRATA (Lancaster Co.) Tuesday this week was the first day of sweet corn season at Indian Run Farm, oper ated by the Clark Stauffer family. Stauffer, back, began picking 100-125 dozen of plastic mulch-grown sweet corn with a farm stand goal of July 4. This bin contains Sweet Satin and Silver King. Stauffer grows 20-25 acres of sweet corn with help from Eric Martin and Ryan Martin. Hot weather speeded up the 76-day corn maturing process, bringing these varieties in about 5-7 days earlier than last year. Photo by Andy Andrews, editor www.lancasterfarming.com Agricultural Coalition and com missioner of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commis sion (PHMC) said that “a dra matically increasing majority of Pennsylvanians lack involve ment in agriculture and more and more children believe their food products are created in the supermarket storeroom.” “Offering educational oppor tunities about the past, present, and future is more important than ever,” he said. Hayes took the opportunity to applaud leaders of farmland preservation in the state, point ing out that Pennsylvania leads the nation in that effort. To maintain the strength of the country “agriculture is as important as armaments,” he said. “We cannot defend America /Turn fn Pano A oo\ mately 30 adult staff and re source leaders who came from various business and agriculture backgrounds to help with the in stitute’s seminars and activities. According to institute director Jeff Stoltzfus, when the students arrive on campus on Sunday they are split into four groups plus a federal cooperative made up of second-year scholars. The “MINICOs,” or miniature coop eratives, go through a bidding process by submitting their money-making ideas to the fed eral cooperative. T-shirt sales, serving pizzas, (Turn to Page A 23) Four Sections Produce and family flourish at the Weaver farm along Route 501 north of Lititz, where Sheba the dog offers customers a friendly welcoming wag. Mervin and Shirley Weaver with daughters Sherri, 8; Anne, 12; and Gwen, 14; grow about 20 acreas of produce to sell at their roadside stand. Son Chris, 22. is employed off the farm. Thanks to the growing benefits of plastic cover, sweet corn arrived in time for July the Fourth celebrations. Turn to page B 2 to read more about the Weaver family and their numerous ag-related interests. Photo by Lou Ann Good Chester County Angus Operation Hosts Pasture Walk MICHELLE RANCK Lancaster Farming Staff GLENMOORE (Chester Co.) Recently the Southeast Re gional Cattlemen’s Association conducted several events to allow area producers the oppor tunity to both network and share ideas. Following a pasture walk and tour at Jay and Pat Heim’s Glen Oak Farm on Thursday, produc ers went to New Jersey to tour Grant Harris’ Cow Town Ranch, a packing house, and conclude the day with a visit to Cow Town Rodeo. Good Cow Country The Jay Heim family began farming 12 years ago with 19 acres that included a house, Pork Organizations Separate WASHINGTON, D.C. and DES MOINES, lowa The separation of the National Pork Producers Council from the checkoff-funded activities of the National Pork Board went into effect Sunday, according to Website information. In February the USDA an nounced a settlement with the National Pork Producers Coun cil (NPPC) and the Michigan Pork Producer Association that would continue the Pork Checkoff Program with certain (Turn to Page A 24) Saturday, July?,2ool barn and Helds. At the time they also owned two pairs of Angus cows and calves. In the ensuing years, along with acquiring land and animals the Heims have improved the pasture and begun a rotational grazing system. “This is good cow country,” said Heim, pointing out the spr ings, shade, and rocky hills of the area. Hay and alfalfa thrive in the area, according to Heim, who also grows corn and beans. Heim is joined by wife Patty, daughter Kelly, and son Steve. Also a general contractor, Heim owns a construction com pany and actually does not come from a farming background or family. However the call of the land won him from suburbia, as The Heim family began farming 12 years ago with two pairs of Angus cows and calves. From left is Steve, Kelly, Patty, and Jay Heim. Photo by Michelle Ranch s3' .00 I er Year “I always wanted to farm,” said Heim. With little agricultural train ing, Heim took on his own edu cation. “I gobbled up everything extension did. I also learned from trial and error and from fellow farmers who acted as mentor cattlemen,” he said. These “mentor farmers” in troduced him to the Angus breed, which has proven to per form well on the grass operation. They are also an easy-calving breed, important because the an imals are spread over a large area. Additionally, Heim’s off farm job keeps him from con stantly monitoring the animals. He spends approximately two days each week in the office and (TurntoPaeeAll) 75a Per C opy
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