Gov, Candidates Tackle Ag Issues (Continued from Page A 37) it more profitable for farmers to sell out to developers rather than contin ue farming. A land preservation pro gram over the last couple of decades has sought to reverse this trend by of fering to buy development rights from farmers in exchange for pre serving their farmland at lower as sessed values. Currently, 53 counties are participating in these programs, having preserved 1,600 farms cover ing more than 197,000 acres. We have become a model for the nation, with the most farms and farmland preserved. But funds for the pur chase of agriculture conservation easements have been cut, leaving more than 1,000 farmers on the wait ing list to preserve their farms. The American Farmland Trust has desig nated Pennsylvania as home to some of the most endangered farmland in the world. Therefore, I will work to bring more dedicated funding for the pur chase of conservation easements. I ENCOURAGES YOU T 0 7V///l/£ BIG SEE YOUR NEAREST DEALER FOR DETAILS M.M. WEAVER & SON N. Groff dale Rd. Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656*2321 MEYERS IMPLEMENTS, INC. 400 North Antrim Way Greencastle, PA 17225 (717) 597-2176 MANOR MOTORS 3655 Rt. 553 Penn Run, PA (724) 254-4753 PEOPLE’S SALES SERVICE Oakland Mills, PA 17076 (717) 463-2735 LEBANON VALLEY llim M impi cmpmt nn IMPLEMENT STORE '“S-fSE 0 ' Eighty Four. RA t 5330 Richland, PA 17087 (724) 222-1154 (717) 866-7518 will pursue more flexible funding mechanisms for easement purchases, such as a plan to pay farmers by in stallments over 30 years rather than in a lump sum. I will work to take advantage of the new federal funds that will be made available for farm land preservation in the new Farm Bill. Beyond the funding issue, we also need to do everything we can to ensure that there are few, if any, ad ministrative holdups at the county or state level. The decision to sell agri cultural conservation easements is not made lightly by a farm family. It concerns me that they arrive at such an important decision and then are forced to wait and wait. As Governor, I will direct Com monwealth agencies to adhere to Ex ecutive Order 1997-6, regarding agri cultural land preservation policy. In 1999, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) had to be sued to prevent the agency from building a highway interchange with out a hearing before the Agricultural Lands Condemnation Approval Sure, your farm's not a big one But that doesn't mean you don't have big jobs to do So, you need a compact tractor that's not afraid to think big - like a Massey Ferguson 1400 Series tractor Available in sizes from 17-55 hp, MF 1400 Series diesel tractors boast big-tractor performance, with features like Power Shuttle transmission, independent PTO, hydrostatic steering and a full-size operator's platform. Stop in today for a test drive - you'll get the big idea. LONGENECKERS INC. Rt 866 South Williamsburg, PA (814) 793-3731 MILLER EQUIPMENT CO. Stauffer Road Bechtelsville, PA 19505 (610) 845-2911 NORTHEAST DIST.& EQUIP. Rt. 106 West Clifford, PA 18413 (570) 222-9090 (570) 222-9020 TAYLOR EQUIPMENT, INC. 1300 Washington Rd. Westminster. MD 21157 (410) 848-4474 4000 Brown Rd Taneytown, MD 21787 (410) 741-1500 ECKROTH BROS. FARM EQUIPMENT RD #2, Box 24A New Ringgold, PA 17960 (570) 943-2131 4910 Kernsvllle Rd. Orefield, PA 18069 (610) 366-2095 FIELDS WHAT TO V&P&) l/PON . MASSEY FERGUSON Board. That will not happen during my administration. The second questions, how would you balance the need for growth and the protection of health and safety through the condemnation of farm land by public entities (schools, high ways, projects, etc.) with the public investment made in these farmland resources? In my administration, farmers will not have to fear their government. Under the current administration, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau was forced to go to court to protect a farmer and his land because the De partment of Transportation tried to condemn it without a hearing of the Agricultural Lands Condemnation Approval Board. For many years, ALCAB has protected farmers from condemnation from one end of this state to the other. PennDOT tried to destroy it, in violation of state law. I will never let that happen. I will reaffirm the executive order that calls on state agencies to consid- is Tractors C.J.WONSIDLER 1975 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 536-1935 LAWN CARE EQUIPMENT CENTER Martmdale, PA (717) 445-4541 MANCHESTER HARDWARE & AUTO 4335 N. George St Manchester, PA 17345 (717) 266-3664 er farmland preservation when de veloping policy proposals or institut ing state actions, and I will enforce it. Finally, I couldn’t help but notice the construction of the new Meat An imal Evaluation Center when I visit ed Ag Progress Days last month. It looks like it will be a great facility and no doubt it is sorely needed. But one has to wonder, why it is being moved from the current location to be built on some of the best farmland in Happy Valley? Question 6: Any people in the food industry are concerned about the level of knowledge and insight the nonfarm public has about food ori gin, quality, and appropriate industry controls that exist to support food demand. While you support state funding for 4-H, FFA, and Ag in the Classroom, what ideas do you have to address the broader knowledge gap between agriculture and the public? It is correct that I support contin ued and expanded funding for the 4-H, FFA, and Ag in the Classroom efforts. I also have committed to pre serving and expanding the Rural Leadership Training program at Penn State University and the Ag STEEL BALE BOXES Experience the Difference with Husqvarnall (fijHusqvarna SAYINGS!! 2258 Blower 322 L Trimmer • E-tech™ engine • 1.4 cu. in -22 cc •1.5 cu. in. - 25 cc • 8.8 lbs. • Air velocity 128 mph \ • Lifetime shaft • Lifetime ignition \ warranty alfequipment V- i.j ■■ ■ ■ ■ Starting At Also Available Back Pacl^^E^ Blower OOCCt 175 MPH 136 Chain Saw ■ 1 k. • 3.6 cu in -2.2 hp • Inertia chain brake • Lifetime ignition warranty New Chains For $15.00 Premium Sar & Chain Oil $4.15 Holtwood Supply 1010 Susquehannock Dr., Holtwood, PA 17532, 2-1/2 Miles West of The Buck, Just ofFRt. 372 (717) 284-0883 'liancastfei' FafiTnhlg, Saturday; October' 5,'2002-A39 Dave’s Lawn & Garden 158 Doe Run Rd. Manheim, PA 17545 (717) 665-5501 Mascot Sharpening 434 Newport Rd., Ronks, PA 17572 2-1/2 Miles Below Rt. 23 on Rt. 772 (717) 656-6486 Loan Forgiveness program at PHEAA. I was proud to call for the restora tion of the Ag and Rural Youth or ganization grants and very pleased to learn that the Department of Agri culture will follow through on Rep. Jeff Coy’s request to fund the pro gram with existing promotion and education funds. It was a very short sighted decision by the current ad ministration to eliminate that pro gram in the first place. Saul High School in the city of Philadelphia has the largest FFA chapter in the state. These are city kids, but chances are they know more about modern agriculture than most residents of our state. That has to change. We do a good job of promoting ag ricultural products, but we would be well advised to start promoting agri culture itself. I will commit to doing just that. The Department of Agri culture maintains funds totaling more than $2 million for promotion and education. My administration will take a very hard look at using (Turn to Page A4O) Zook Engines 4309 Reservoir Rd., Honeybrook, PA 19344 Off of Rt 322 (610) 273-3028
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers