Pennsylvania (Continued from Page A3B) ment of Environmental Protec tion proposed water resource leg islation to inventory and protect Pennsylvania’s water resources. Much debate and many hearings have been held, but the main in tents of the bills are still in place: The state needs a new Water Plan, and it should be controlled as much as possible from the re gional level. Critical water areas need to be defined areas of short supply determined. A for mal program to promote water conservation needs to be devel oped, and standards need to be developed for well siting, con struction, alteration, and aban donment. * “Much of our time was spent combating false information being spread about the intent of water legislation. The Internet is a wonderful thing when used for good, but it can be a real problem for those who are trying to stop false information from being cir culated. We appreciate the ef forts of many Grangers who have notified us of the incorrect mater ials, and have helped to correct the understanding of the intent of the legislation.” Steel spoke of another bill that has received much attention in the recent months SB 1413, intro duced by Sen. Roger A. Madigan (R-23). Its purpose is to limit the rights of municipalities, especial ly townships enacting illegal ordi nances that are beyond the scope of state laws dealing with envi ronmental controls. Aqgtlier win for the Pennsyl vania State Grange is the estab lishment of the “Do Not Call” list. Passed as a Grange resolu tion and later enacted through •MM- H vy Finished with a zinc rich under coat & polyester top coat. With Kverneland Forged Steel Spears • Electrically Heat Treated These spears are stronger & allow easier bale penetration ination Bale Mov COM 253-338 3 PT 2501 Single Spear SSL 251-148 \ Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc. 295 Woodcorner Road • Lititz, PA 17543 717/738-7365 1 mile west of Ephrata Call or write for additional information Hours: and the name of your nearest dealer. . ,Mpd Grange News the Attorney General’s office, Pennsylvanian citizens can now add their name to a list that will prevent solicitation from telemar keters. “Animal sanitation became a big issue this year after a young girl became ill from e-coli after visiting a farm on a school tour,” Steel said. “There was much leg islative wrangling, but we pre vailed. The legislation, which passed the Senate and is being considered in the House, is a common-sense approach to per sonal hygiene when handling ani mals or being around them in ex hibits, fairs, and petting zoos.” The Grange also supported legislation allowing farmers to participate in the Small Business Administration loan program. Currently, agriculture is prohib ited from applying for such loans even, though farms are, in fact, small businesses. The administra tion is supporting the change, which will allow for small busi ness loans to farmers who wish to expand or improve their opera tion. “Our ongoing project dealing with stray voltage continues to be funded by the Pennsylvania De partment of Agriculture. We ex pect a report to be released soon on the results of the two-year study and recommended actions for the elimination of the prob lem.” Fisher, Knoll Address Rural Pa. Pennsylvania Attorney Gener al and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Fisher addressed a delegation of Grangers at the 130th State Session of the Penn sylvania State Grange. Fisher addressed the Grangers on the opening day of the four day convention. , with either quick attach make or model) or 3PT ider boom mounting • Easily change spear configi • Designed to move either round or 3 PT Hitch Bale Movers • Easily change spear configuratioi Bucket Mounts For Front End Loaders • 2500 lb. capacity • 1500 lb. capacity Fisher told the group, “Pros perity was grown in Pennsylva nia, and it continues to be culti vated one farm at a time. “Farmers settled our state, founded many of our commu nities, started schools to teach their children, and began busi nesses to market their products and supply their needs,” he said. Fisher told the Grangers repre senting rural Pennsylvania that Pennsylvania needs to ensure farmers a continuation of their profession and also the ability to explore new ideas, new crops and new technology. “Jane Earll and I want to clear away the barriers for farm growth in Pennsylvania.” Fisher not only reassured farmers of his commitment, but he reminded rural communities that he believes no town should be left behind. “Pennsylvania’s farm produc tion continues to go up, but the number of farm families in Penn sylvania continues to go down,” the Republican candidate said. “Fewer of you are doing more and more, but that is not a trend we want to continue.” To combat the declining num ber of farmers, Fisher said that more must be done to encourage the next generation to farm. “We need to stress education and training,” he said, “to ensure our next generations have the skills to be successful farmers.” If elected, Fisher told the Grangers he would like to see a boost in agricultural education via 4-H, FFA and expanded agri cultural classes at our state col leges and universities. Another existing program he would like to see further developed is Agricul ture in the Classroom. “We must protect the Right to Farm. Without sound and rea sonable regulations and environ mental programs, we all lose.” Front End Loader Forks PLF 2500 compact tractors) Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 2, 2002-A39 He discussed the property tax crises, and the need to strengthen rural communities through roads, water, sewer, high-speed Internet and other infrastructure that would attract jobs and grow busi nesses. In conclusion, Fisher told the group of approximately 400 Grangers that as Attorney Gener al, he worked to make a differ ence for Pennsylvania. “As your governor, I can do even more,” he said. Two days later, the Grange delegation welcomed Catherine Baker-Knoll, Democratic candi date for lieutenant governor. Baker-Knoll told 300-plus Grangers that together she and Ed Rendell recognize agriculture, the largest single industry in Pennsylvania, must be a full part ner in the state’s economic fu ture. “Preserving agriculture’s place as the leading industry in Penn sylvania is crucial to maintaining a healthy and diverse economy.” According to Knoll, the protec tion and promotion of Pennsylva nia agriculture will be a top pri AAA Announces Pa. Breeders Who Registered Most Angus ST. JOSEPH, Mo. The 10 producers who registered the most Angus beef cattle in the state of Pennsylvania recorded a total of 990 Angus with the American Angus Association during fiscal year 2002, which ended Sept. 30, according to John Crouch, executive vice pres ident of the American Angus As sociation. The 10 top recorders in Penn sylvania are: Sinclair Cattle Company, Warfordsburg, 304-head; Sidney Riggs, Frie dens, 135; South Branch Farms, Seven Valleys, 130; McKean Brothers, Mercer, 106; Samuel Wylie 111, Breezewood, 57-head; Frey Family Angus, Quarryville, 57; Oak Hill Angus Farm, Avella, 52; Corle Land and Cattle, Imler, 51; Work Land and Cattle Com pany, Uniontown, 49-head; Penn sylvania State University, Uni ority for the Rendell-Knoll administration. “We must not forget the place agriculture holds in our past, our present, and our future. We will respect the right to farm, fight hard to protect and preserve farmland, and promote profitable market opportunities. We will encourage agricultural education and improve food safety and ani mal health,” she said. Knoll touched upon property taxes and her party’s plan to lower them. “We must change the way we fund education, not only to lower property taxes, but also to ensure that every child has a quality ed ucation.” Other key issues she addressed included revitalization of com munities, creating jobs, and air quality and water. “We can have a brighter future with more jobs, better schools for our children, lower property taxes, and affordable health care,” she said in her conclusion. More information about the Grange meeting is scheduled for upcoming issues of Lancaster Farming. versity Park, 49. Angus breeders across the na tion in 2002 registered 281,965 head of Angus cattle compared to 271,206 in fiscal 2001. “Registra tions have increased nearly four percent from last year,” Crouch said. “The year-end statistics in dicate a constant demand for Angus genetics in commercial herds as producers continue to focus on end product quality and its effect on their bottom line.”
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers