AlO-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 16,2002 —QK —— * -’■> OPINION Living To Serve Many of our readers are aware that next week is National FFA Week. More than a decade ago, the organization decided to change its offi cial name from the Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization. As far as most were aware, the term “FFA” was not an acronym and was striving to “rename” itself. My suggestion at the time was “Farm Futures Associates,” which takes in many agri-indus tries and related enterprise, not just “cows and plows.” We are impressed with the level of involvement in the community in which this organization is based. Every year we read, in our FFA Keystone Degree autobiographies, of the many ways in which the can didates support the community. We were even impressed with the involvement of FFA during Farm Show Week this past January in Harrisburg. There, several FFA chapters from around the state served as “tour guides” to visitors in specting the large equipment in the center of the main exhibit floor. The Pennsylvania FFA’s mission is to make “a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success” through agricultural education. Not only does FFA develop agricultural leadership, but also it promotes agricultural careers, develops teamwork, builds char acter, and promotes healthy lifestyles. The heart of the organization is at the local level. The supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs are a primary “learning by doing" tool in agricultural education, according to National FFA. A creed written by E.M. Tiffany, adopted at the third national con vention and revised at subsequent conventions, still holds true. That creed points to the “joys and discomforts of agricultural life” yet speaks about holding an “inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.” In that creed, Tiffany notes, “I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.” Look for upcoming national and statewide events with the FFA, particularly ACES and SLLC, in our farm calendar of events. In the meantime, read this favorite quote held dear by the Pennsylvania FFA; “Live life to the fullest. Get the most from each hour, each day of your life. Then you can look forward with confidence, and back with out regrets. ” Anonymous In their words, the FFA motto: “Learning To Do, Doing To Learn, Earning To Life, Living To Serve.” Go, FFA! OhioXhristmas Tree School, East District Office of Ohio State University Extension, (740)732-2381. Beginning Beekeeping Seminar, Penn State Cooperative Ex tension, Beaver, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 2nd seminar, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Leslie Firth Learning Center, Mercer, (724) 774-3003. New Castle County 4-H Winter Workshop Lamb Watch, 9 a.m.-noon. Pa. Farm Link, Ways to Get into Farming, Holiday Inn, Grant ville, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., (717) 664- 7077 Food and Farming Program, Lebanon Countv Agricultural Center, Cornwall Road, 8 a.m.-Noon, (717) 270-4391. ACES lor Pa. FFA, also Feb. 17, Marriott Harrisburg, (717) 705-9551. Keystone Coldwater Confer ence, Penn State Conference Center Hotel, State College, (814)768-9584. Chestci Count) Fl>ing Hooves 4-H t lub, clinic tor Western and 1 nglish riders and Tack Consignment Sale, Penn State Ag Arena, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. OmoC ""dWine Sho>-' jrape ani * Farm Calendar * Course, Wyndam Dublin Hotel, Dublin, Ohio, thru Feb. 19,(440) 466-4417. AdamsCountyTruit Growers All-Day Educational meeting, Biglerville High School, (717) 334-6271. Beef Quality Assurance Pro gram, Lancaster County Farm and Home Center, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., (717) 394-6851. Forage and Grain Processing Workshop Feb. 19.20, and 21, Penn State Cooperative Ex tension and local agribu sinesses. Feb. 19 Indiana and Westmoreland Counties, Feb. 20 Butler and Lawrence Counties. Feb. 21 Fayette and Washington Counties. ' Ai’ V ebanon county Auction vege table meeting, Schaefferstown Fire Hall, (717) 240-4391. Regional Nutrient Management Conference, Rustic Lodge. In diana. Also Feb. 21, Radisson Inn, Williamsport; March 12, Holiday Inn, Harrisburg, West Mechanicsburg; and March 14, Berks County Ag Center, Leesport. Farm Computerized Accounting and Pa. Dairy Farm Business Summary, Cumberland County Extension Office, (Turn to Page A 35) i Now Is The Time By Leon Ressler Lancaster County Extension Director To Learn About Custom Cattle Feeding Results of a 2001 Penn State Co operative Extension survey of south east Pennsylvania cattle feeders indi cated a strong interest in custom feeding cattle, according to Chester Hughes, Lancaster County extension livestock agent. As more cow/calf producers seek to retain ownership of calves and reap the benefits of carcass informa tion supplied by packers, the oppor tunities for cattle feeders to remove some of the risk in cattle ownership are more prevalent. The abundance of genetic informa tion available to cow/calf producers has stimulated their interest in car cass data that can aid in the selection of herd bulls and A 1 sires leading to higher levels of quality and consis tency of fed cattle. Custom feeding provides an additional opportunity for feeders to be competitive in pro tein-producing agriculture. The custom feeder utilizes his fa cilities, labor, management skills, and available feedstuffs to provide a service, while reducing the risks of cattle ownership. Along with man agement expertise, the custom feeder will need a system to weigh cattle and feed, ideally a TMR, equipment for cattle handling and processing, record keeping experience, and mar ket access. If yoli have an interest in learning HIDE AND SEEK Background Scripture: Jonah 1 through 2; Nahum 3. Devotional Reading: Psalms 40:1-8. I trust that none of you have ever been swallowed by a “great fish” nor even a whale. Therefore, you probably think that Jonah has noth ing to do with you. But it does! Notice, 1 said it was “the story of Jonah,” not “Jonah and the whale.” The “great fish” is really a minor walk-on character: ironic because the “whale” seems to get all the atten tion. For many the acid test is wheth er or not you believe Jonah was actu ally swallowed by a “a great fish.” (The writer says nothing about a ‘whale'). It is not essential to the point of the story, for this is about a man whom God called for a task, but who did his best to run away from both the task and God.. So, this is where I and maybe you come in. Like Jonah, there have been times when God has placed on my heart the need to do something specific for him and I have tried to run away. He has shown me a need and 1 have pre tended he was showing me what someone else was supposed to do. Why do we try to run away from God? For some it is fear of what it H^nlall 0 ? 1 C V Stom feeding beef cat hnrlc °. at,en d a series of work shops conducted as part of the u . S"k o° r Success ” program. Hosted by Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Pennsylvania Beef Council, the workshops will be held on three consecutive Wednesdays at the Acorn Farms Conference Center in Mount Joy, Lancaster County. Workshop I on February 20 in cludes topics related to contracts, fa cilities, and selecting a feedlot. On February 27, workshop II will address ration formulation, market ing cattle, and making the transition to custom feeding. The final workshop on March 6 pertains to animal health, liability is sues. and marketing your custom feedlot. All sessions begin at 10:00 am, include roundtable discussions and lunch and end at 3:00 pm. For information and to register, contact Chet Hughes at 717-394-6851 by February 18. To Participate In A Risk Management Survey The USDA would like to learn more about the risk management needs of specialty crop producers. For this study specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, horticultural crops, maple syrup, Christmas trees, turf, aquaculture, honey, mushrooms and others. A survey was mailed to about 7,500 growers across Pennsylvania in January. There will be follow-up mailings and phone calls in February through April. A good response to the mailing will reduce the need for calls. Dr. Jayson Harper of the De partment of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology will evaluate and summarize the information pro vided by growers after the names have been removed from the surveys. He will produce a report for the USDA Risk Management Agency. This evaluation attempts to assess the growers need for risk manage ment tools such as crop insurance. A good level of participation is needed to get an accurate picture of growers needs. A similar survey will be con ducted in New York, Florida, and California. To Care For Your Amaryllis After Flowering Many people receive an amaryllis bulb during the winter season be cause of the spectacular flowers it will produce. However, once the flowers fade, what do you do with the bulb? Can it be brought into flow er again? Dr. Tim Elkner, Horticul will cost us. That might have been some of Jonah’s motivation as it has been mine from time to time. But I believe that Jonah’s tried to run away from God because, knowing God as he did, he realized that he would want repentance from the peo ple of Nineveh, so that he could for give them. Instead of a great con demnation, God would probably pull off another great salvation. What Jonah wanted was condemnation. What Jonah Wanted Jonah is a most interesting man. He believes in God—no doubt about that. He even understands God’s for giving nature. Later, when he is on the ship and it is in peril of sinking, Jonah is very honest in confessing: “Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the ship will quiet down for you” (1:12). All things considered, Jonah is an upstanding man,, but, al though he believes in God and un derstands his nature, he simply doesn’t like God’s plan. Seeing Nine veh forgiven is not what he wants. We, too, may believe in God, un derstand his call pretty well, but not approve of what he wants us to do or be. Like Jonah, we want condemna tion for others, not forgiveness. What’s the point of being “a good guy” if everyone one else can become good guys, too? We very well know God’s stand on the poor and power less, but think our own views are more realistic. We know how he han dles adulterers and other blatant sin ners, but these are not our ways. We know Jesus said “1 was in prison and you did not visit me,” but we don’t think those people have any claim on us. The only thing that has really changed since Jonah’s day is that we believe we can hide in plain sight. We don’t have to run off to sea. We can hide right here in the midst of everyday life. That’s what it is for some of us, a daily ritual of hiding ture Extension Agent in Lancaster County tells us the good news is that with a little care, your amaryllis bulb can be enjoyed for several years to come t u . . Elkner suggests you should start bv removing the flower stalk after the flowers fade. Make the cut one to two inches above the bulb but be careful not to damage any leaves that have started to grow. In order for the bulb to bloom again next season, the plant must replenish its depleted food reserves. The strap-like leaves manufacture food, which is stored in the bulb. Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil sur face is nearly dry. Fertilize every two tofour weeks with a houseplant fertil izer. According to Elkner your amaryl lis can be moved outdoors in late May or early June. Acclimate the plant to the outdoors by placing it in a shady, protected area for two to three days then gradually expose it to a few hours of direct sun. After about two weeks of acclimation your plant is ready for a summer outdoors in a partially shaded or sunny flower bed. Continue to water the plant through out the summer. Also, continue to fertilize the ama ryllis once or twice a month through July. Bring the plant indoors in mid- September. Plants left indoors should be kept in a sunny window. Amaryllis bulbs need to go dor mant or rest for two to three months before blooming. To induce dorman cy, place the amaryllis in a cool, semi-dark location in late September and withhold water. Cut off the foli age when the leaves dry and turn brown. Then place the pot in a cool, dry location for a two to thre month rest period. After several weeks of rest, periodically check the bulb for signs of new growth. When a bud or foli age begins to emerge, place the ama ryllis in a warm, bright location and water to start the growth cycle again. If repotting is necessary, do so before watering. Large, healthy bulbs will produce one or two flower stalks. Small, weak bulbs produce only foliage and if your bulb does not flower the first year, don’t be discouraged. After an other season of ‘recovery’ the bulb should flower regularly every winter thereafter. Quote Of The Week: “One man practicing sportsman ship is far better than a hundred leaching it. ” Knule Rockne from God and his commands. So, don’t spend too much time agonizing over the “great fish”; rather think about the ways in which you contin ue to try to hide from God and what he wants of you. Where Are You Hiding? Jonah learned the hard way that we cannot hide from God. He went as far as he could, but God followed him wherever he went. He saw through each of Jonah’s evasions just as he sees through ours. The point here is not what God wanted of Jonah, but of what he wants from you. and me. So Jonah believed in God, under stood his nature and said all the right things, but what he lacked was mon umental he didn’t like God’s plan. He didn’t want to forgive sinners or save cities. He wanted punishment and destruction for the heathen. Jonah 3 opens with these words: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh...’” (3:1,2). Very often I find that the “second word of the Lord” to me is virtually the same as the first, that what he wants of me is. not something brand new, but that to which he has been calling me in the past. He still waits for me to stop playing ‘hide-and seek.’ Lancaster Farming Established 1955 Published Every Saturday Ephrata Review Building 1 E. Main St. Ephrata, PA 17522 —by— Lancaster Farming, Inc. A Stemman Enterprise William J Burgess General Manager Andy Andrews, Editor Copyright 2002 by Lancaster Farming
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers