A26-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 24, 2002 Pride, Hope Central To Outgoing, Potential Incoming Pa. Governors (Continued from Page A 1) In a way, Schweiker spoke about accomplishments, hope, and of course, gave a going-away speech that left many standing and clapping. When the water crashed into the Somerset County mine in July, Schweiker saw hope in the “might of those miners,” he said. “The hardy, determined people that they are, just like you. And those nine people never gave up. “It’s that grit and that determi nation and that never-say-die atti tude, whether you’re 240 feet below the earth’s surface or mak ing your living in the soil of God’s green earth in Pennsylvania at the top. It’s a blessing. They were blessed by the good Lord and the hard work of 200 people that made up that rescue team. And 1 realized then, and it’s worth men tioning now ... as they brought hose nine people up, we are a suc cessful people, too. “You know, there are countries and societies that would die for that ethic, die to be raised that way, they would fight for the op portunity to enjoy that atmos phere, that running room of be having that way, being entrepreneurial, that we’ve got in the U.S.A.” Schweiker commented on the work he’s done in the eight years in office. “I wouldn’t be doing friends, if I didn’t look you in the eye in light of this tremendous eight-year experience, and watching those nine men come up, to know that Pennsylva nia has a built-in ad vantage, the way we were raised, a system nurtured in our chil dren. It’s a privilege. I’ve always felt it, but never so strongly than in my eight years as lieutenant governor and governor.” Schweiker noted the importance his admin istration has put on looking out for “num ber one” the state’s agriculture industry. “Yours is our pre dominant industry,” he said. “In 2002, we will take the impressive step of preserving the two-thousand-and-sec ond farm in counties with ag preservation. And your Pennsylva nia remains the num ber one preserved state in the Union. “That’s an accom plishment and that’s to your credit.” Schweiker has visit ed Poland, Australia, and Japan, he said, and relayed the impor tance of the adminis tration’s agricultural directive, “Products For the Planet.” For the first time in 2001, the state reached more than $1 billion in ag exports, he noted. Schweiker also spoke glowingly about the $9O million spent on new Farm Show Complex construction. Visitors to the 2003 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg “will see one of the fin est, most attractive fa cilities that any state can offer to its farming and horse-loving com munity,” said Schweik er. He also noted the stress caused by the drought. “I must acknowl edge the concern that I feel for this drought, ravishing as it has been and can be,” he said. Even in the northwest- ern part of the state, grape grow ers have been devastated. Com crops in the midstate are bleak. “We’re losing a good deal,” he said. He has asked for federal dis aster money, and waits for an an swer. “We hope it’s a positive an swer, we hope it’s a supportive answer. Because we’ve got to get some financial help to avert the financial impact of those losses to farmers.” The state, the governor noted, is looking at a potential 50 per cent crop loss, and it could be a lot higher. “I’m sure you can’t walk too far here at Ag Progress Days to hear about that concern.” About $2 million remains in the budget for crop insurance assist ance, he noted. Taking care of the state’s num ber one industry remains key. “It’s our job. It’s my job,” he said. “This will be the last time I stand here as your governor for these wonderful ag days.” For all the work, “I’m proud of that,” he said. At the luncheon, candidates for governor shared the podium. The text of their comments was in cluded in the following informa tion from press releases. Rendell Reviews Agenda For Rural Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial nom inee Ed Rendell reviewed the “Rendell Plan for Pennsylvania’s Rural Communities” during a my job, Agricultural Generators Detroit Deisel Spectrum M MM******' Automatic PTO Generators L R Gas, Diesel 25 to 135 KW Units Natural Gas Generators In Stock! 5 to 2,000 KW Service - Rental - New & Used Units In Stock! 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The “Rendell Plan for Pennsyl vania’s Rural Communities” rec ognizes that while many of the concerns of families in our rural and agricultural communities are the same as the families in our biggest cities steady, high wage jobs, good schools, safe streets and access to affordable, quality health-care ensuring their abili ty to survive and thrive will take more than recognizing their unique attributes. “The Rendell Plan for Pennsyl vania’s Rural Communities” builds upon and expands the poli cies Rendell announced during the primary to revitalize mid sized and smaller communities, reform our education system and increase access to and affordabili ty of health care. Among other things, the plan also: • Supports the agricultural in dustry: Agriculture remains Penn sylvania’s single largest industry and as Governor, Ed Rendell will support this important sector by protecting valuable farmland, promoting profitability for all farms, expand domestic and inter national markets for Pennsylvania agricultural products, emphasize animal health care services, and train the next generation of Penn sylvania farmers. • Encourages development of Keys 9 Beil RTE 322, Marion PA 814-226-4444 the heritage and “eco-tourism” in dustries. As he did as Philadel phia’s mayor, Ed Rendell will support the continued growth and health of Pennsylvania’s tourism industry. Rendell’s Proposals As Governor, Ed Rendell noted he plans to: • Protect valuable farmland. Ed Rendell will work to bring more dedicated funding for the purchase of conservation ease ments. He will pursue more flexi ble funding mechanisms for ease ment purchases, such as a plan to pay farmers by installments over 30 years rather than a lump sum. He will work with the federal gov ernment to promote and expand the Conservation Reserve En hancement Program, allowing farmers to preserve their land for farming and for , the enhancement of the commonwealth’s environ ment. As Governor, Rendell will di rect commonwealth agencies to adhere to Executive Order 1997-6, regarding agricultural land pres ervation policy. In 1999, the Penn sylvania Department of Transpor tation (PennDOT) had to be sued to prevent the agency from build ing a highway interchange with out a hearing before the Agricul tural Lands Condemnation Approval Board. That will not happen with Ed Rendell as gover nor. • Promote profitability for all unu Mnchinc Duos It All! A Processes A Whole Hay Bale In Any Form. NO MORE TUB GRINDING! 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Mushroom farms of Kennett Square, grape growers in Erie County, green wrap tomatoes in Lackawanna County, tobacco in Lancaster County, poultry and hogs in the southeast, and dairy farms every where. The commonwealth ranks among the top five in the nation in the production of mushrooms, Christmas trees, milk and apples, which in recent years has led to exports of more than $1 billion of agriculture products worldwide. As Governor, Ed Rendell will open important economic devel opment tools to production agri culture, allowing access to special funds like the Small Business First Fund. Today, Pennsylvania spends some $5OO million on eco nomic development programs, yet most of those dollars are closed to the largest industry in this state: agriculture. Ed Rendell will invest economic development dollars in agriculture. Modem farming is dependent on expensive equipment. This is true of dairy farming, the state’s principal agriculture enterprise. A dairy farm must have a herd of at least 200 to 300 cows to be viable with an investment of thousands of dollars per stall for efficient production with robotic milkers, automatic washers and so forth. Yet, the Commonwealth’s Ma- ¥ * (Turn to Page A 27) r i’ A
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