Gov. Schweiker Proclaims June Dairy Month HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) In celebration of National Dairy Month, Gov. Mark Schweiker has proclaimed June as Dairy Month in Pennsylvania to recognize the significant eco nomic benefits that our dairy farm families and the many agri businesses make to the state. “Pennsylvania is proud of its dairy industry and very apprecia tive of the many benefits to our rural communities throughout the commonwealth,” said Schweiker. Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is the state’s leading agricultural segment, contributing nearly 40 percent of all agricultural income and generating more than $1.52 billion in revenues. More than 17,000 people are employed on Pennsylvania dairy farms and another 12,000 in dairy process ing. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture supports the Penn sylvania Dairy Stakeholders and Agriculture Secretary Encourages Farmers To Participate In Surveys HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Agriculture Secretary Sam Hayes encouraged all farm ers to participate in both the 2002 Farm Identification Survey and the June Agricultural Survey. The purpose of these two sur veys is to improve the farm count in the 2002 Census of Agricul ture, to begin in December. “As the lifeblood of Pennsylva nia’s Number 1 industry, every farmer should and must' be counted in the 2002 Census of Agriculture,” Hayes said. “These preliminary surveys help ensure that and greatly help the state Department of Agriculture, which depends on timely and ac curate statistics to develop appro priate programs that assist and serve our farmers.” In mid-April, the USDA’s Na tional Agriculture Statistics Serv ice sent out more than 11,000 copies of the 2002 Farm Identifi cation Survey across Pennsylva nia. The intent of the survey is to identify potential farms prior to the start of the 2002 Census of Agriculture. The Farm Identification Sur vey is a seven-question form to see if any previously unknown operations meet the USDA farm definition, defined as “any place from which $l,OOO or more of ag ricultural products were pro duced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.” The simple “yes” or “no” questions ask about growing crops or raising livestock in any quantity. This short survey should take less than five min utes to complete. Hayes noted that the Census of Agriculture includes more than just traditional agricultural crops the Business Plan Development Program. This effort is assisting dairy farm families develop busi ness plans that will help their farms continue their leading eco nomic role. The Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program has devel oped an advertising and promo tion strategy for their dairy prod ucts and the “got milk?” slogan. Through their efforts and the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Pro gram, Pennsylvania dairy prod ucts are well recognized for quali ty in Pennsylvania and around the world. And Pennsylvania is known for its excellent dairy ge netics. “We salute the strength and commitment of Pennsylvania’s 9,600 dairy farm families to pro ducing delicious and nutritious dairy products and keeping Pennsylvania agriculture the leading economic enterprise in the commonwealth,” said Agri culture Secretary Sam Hayes. such as Held crops, livestock, dairy, and poultry. It also in cludes Christmas trees, mush rooms, nursery and greenhouse products, honey, aquaculture, rabbits, exotic livestock, and more. Hayes added that while the USDA will be mailing a second survey to anyone that did not re spond in April, the department will not be contacting farmers who participated in the 1997 Ag riculture Census. As part of the Ag Census Pro gram, the USDA also does an es timate for farmers who are not on the mailing list through the June Agricultural Survey, which is used to measure agricultural production and grower demo graphics. During May and June, field in terviewers will be visiting about 200 one-square mile land seg ments across Pennsylvania. With the assistance of aerial photogra phy, they will check for agricul ture on every acre within each segment of land. Information from these 200 segments, and 100 more in the fall, will allow the Ag Statistics Service to estimate the number of farms not on the mail ing list for the 2002 Ag Census. As with all surveys from Ag Statistics, the responses to these surveys are confidential and will not be provided to any individual person or organization. The farm mailing list is also confidential to the Ag Statistics Service. Upon completion of the sur veys, Agriculture Census forms will be sent out in December to 2.75 million potential farms and ranches nationwide. In Pennsyl vania, these efforts are coordinat ed by the Pennsylvania Agricul- In dairy production, Pennsyl vania ranks fourth with more than 617,000 cows producing an estimated 11.16 billion pounds of milk. Pennsylvania’s dairy manufac turers also continue to be among the nation’s leaders in the pro duction of butter, ice cream, and cheese. Named the state’s official bev erage on April 29, 1992, milk is often referred to as “nature’s most perfect product” for its great nutritional values and the wide variety of dairy products available to meet every person’s taste. Milk is also noted as an ex cellent source of calcium, protein, vitamin D, and riboflavin. Hayes said, “Every month is ‘Got Milk’ time in Pennsylva nia.” To learn more about Pennsyl vania’s dairy industry, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at (717) 787-4737 or the local dairy promotion organi zation. tural Statistics Service, which is both a USDA field office as well as the statistical bureau within the state Department of Agricul ture. For information on the Farm Identification Survey, 2002 Ag Census, or to request a survey form, contact the National Agri cultural Statistic Services at (888) 4AG-STAT or (888) 424-7828. Questions concerning the June Agricultural Survey should be di rected to the Pennsylvania Agri cultural Statistics Service at (800) 498-1518. All-American Dairy Show Continues To Grow HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The 2002 All-American Dairy Show will take place Sep tember 22-26 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Harris burg. Entering its 39th year, the All- American Dairy Show continues to exhibit high quality dairy ge netics from Pennsylvania and other states. Many dairy animals entered in the competition have achieved national recognition for their pedigree, milk production, and type quality. Expositions like the All-American Dairy Show provide an opportunity for dairy breeders and other persons asso ciated with the dairy industry to exchange ideas and seek informa tion to help advance America’s great dairy team. “The All-American Dairy Show is one of the great agricul tural expositions in the nation and a spectacular showcase for the dairy industry,” said Pennsyl- Organic Agriculture Farm, Pasture Walk June 18 LEESPORT (Berks Co.) Or ganic agriculture in Southeast Pennsylvania will be showcased June 18, at 7 p.m., at Green Haven Farm, 99 Noll Lane, Fleet wood. Hosts Brian and Holley Moyer farm 27 acres, raising poultry, sheep, and dairy goats. The prod ucts are marketed through two CSAs, restaurants, two farmers’ markets, a food co-op, and on the-farm sales. They market their products as grass fed. Footbaths will be used when you arrive, so please wear appro priate footwear (rubber boots). If you have traveled outside this country in the past two weeks, please stay home. Thank you! Directions: June Is Dairy Month Celebration June 5 HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) June is Dairy Month cele bration is scheduled June 5 at noon here on the state capitol steps. Sponsors include the Promo tion Program/ADADC Mid East and the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Asso ciation. The program includes budding a giant ice cream sun dae, a proclamation for June Dairy Month from Gov. Schweik er, statements from dairy indus try leaders, and a celebrity mdk mustache contest. For more information, Tom Smith, industry relations manag er, Pennsylvania Dairy Promo tion Program/American Dairy Association and Dairy Council Mid East, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, (717) 787-6903, fax (614) 890-1636, or e-mail: tsmith@drink-milk.com. vania Agriculture Secretary Sam Hayes. “Expositions, like the All- American, bring the very best of our dairy industry together. The Pennsylvania Department of Ag riculture is pleased to have the All-American at our Farm Show Complex; and, we are pleased to provide financial resources for the exposition.” The All-American Dairy Show was started in 1963 to recognize the importance of genetic quality and excellent dairy cattle. At this time in its history, the All-Ameri can Dairy Show takes pride in setting an exemplary standard of excellence on the national show circuit. The Pennsylvania-based dairy show was recognized at the 2001 International Association of Fairs and Expositions (lAFE) 111th annual convention in Las Vegas, Nev. as the Best Non-Fair Agricultural Event. Over the span of five days, eight states, regional, and nation al dairy shows will be conducted. The All-American will culminate on Sept. 26 with the Parade of Breed Champions in the large arena and the selection of the su preme champion. To better serve agricultural ex positions such as the All-Ameri can, the PA Department of Agri culture has initiated a landmark construction project at its Farm Show Complex. The historic $76 million investment in Pennsylva nia agriculture will provide a world-class facility for many of the nation’s world-class exposi tions. Over $160,000 will be offered From the turnpike: exit at Morgantown and take Rt. 176 north. Follow Rt. 176 to the end and take Rt 422 West. The exit for this is on the left. Take 422 West to the exit for Rt. 12 Price town. Follow Rt. 12 for about seven miles to the traffic light at Rt. 73. Cross Rt. 73 and go half a mile to Walnuttown Road. Turn left onto Walnuttown Road and go one mile to Noll Lane on your left. Turn left onto Noll Lane and go to the very end of the lane. The lane dead-ends at the farm. From the north: take Rt. 222 south to Rt. 662. Turn left onto Rt. 662 and follow it up to Main Street in Fleetwood. Turn right at the light onto Main Street, then turn left at the next light (this is Rt. 662 again). Follow Rt. 662 for about 2 or 3 miles to the traffic light at Rt. 12 (Pricetown Road). Turn right onto Rt. 12 and go about a mile to Walnuttown Road. Turn right onto Walnut town Road and go one mile to Noll Lane on your left. Turn left onto Noll Lane and go to the very end of the lane. The lane dead ends at the farm. From Boyertown: Take Rt. 73 West toward Oley. Go through Oley to the traffic light at Rt. 12 (Pricetown Road). Turn right onto Rt. 12 and go about a half mile to Walnuttown Road. Turn left onto Walnuttown Road and go one mile to Noll Lane on your left. Turn left onto Noll Lane and go to the very end of the lane. The lane dead-ends at the farm. Mne is in premiums at the 2002 All- American. Each entry at the All- American will receive a cash award. For the first time at the All- American Dairy Show, a su preme champion will be selected from the Youth Show. The win ning youth will receive a cash premium of $2,000. To help youth exhibitors invest in their future, each youth breed grand champion will also receive a $l,OOO savings bond for their achievement. “The future of America’s dairy industry rests in the hands of to day’s young men and women. The All-American Dairy Show strives to recognize their impor tance,” Hayes said. “Everyday, talented young people work with their dairy herds, gaining hands on experience in dairy genetics, striving to breed high quality show cattle, learned responsibil ity, and demonstrating good showmanship.” Over $8,400 in premiums will be offered to recognize the high quality of dairy animals taking center stage during the youth shows in the large arena of the Farm Show Complex. This is the first year that premiums will be offered in all six youth breed shows. Total youth premiums offered at the 2002 All-American reflect a 137 percent increase from 2001. For more information on the 2002 All-American Dairy Show, contact the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Agriculture at (717) 787-2905. 1
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