Congressional Farmer
Cooperative Caucus Created
WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Council of Fanner Cooper
atives (NCFC) has applauded the creation of a new, bipartisan and bi
cameral Congressional Farmer Cooperative Caucus.
The caucus will provide a forum for Members of Congress interest
ed in working together in support of public policy and programs to
protect and enhance the ability of farmers to join together in coopera
tive self-help efforts to improve their economic well being.
The co-chairs of the caucus are Representative Sam Graves (R-Mo)
and Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) in the House and Senator
Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Senator Larry Craig (R-
Idaho) in the Senate.
“I commend the co-chairs for their leadership in establishing a
forum to promote a greater awareness and
understanding of the vital role that farmer
cooperative businesses play in American ag
riculture and the need for public policy to be
supportive,” said John E. Gherty, chairman
of NCFC and president and CEO of Land
O’Lakes, Inc., a national food and agricul
tural cooperative based in Arden Hills,
Minn.
X isi
“The caucus co-chairs represent states
and congressional districts with diverse agri
cultural interests, yet each is closely ac
quainted with the benefits of farmer cooper
atives to fanners,” continued David Graves,
president and CEO of NCFA (no relation to
Congressman Graves). “Helping farmers to
help themselves is crucial to any long-term
solution to the challenges lacing American
agriculture.”
There me more than 3,000 farmer cooper
atives across the United States whose farm
er members represent a majority of our na
tion’s nearly two million individual farmers.
Across the country, they provide over
300,000 full- and part-time jobs in rural
communities with a payroll in excess of $8
billion.
Call toll-free 1-800-FED-INFO to
find out about government pro
grams, benefits, and services.
ITeaver’s Store, Inc.
Route 897, Fivepointvllle
101 l Dry Tavern Rd., Denver, PA 17817
(717) 448-6791 • 1-800-886-4031
During the convention of the Society of the Lancaster County Farm Women, the offi
cers Join motivational speaker Stan Deen, center, who challenged members to live life
to its fullest. With him, from left, are Gladys Espendshade, president; Phylis Newcomb
er, vice president; Mabel Hershey, secretary, and Eileen Burkhart, treasurer.
Farm Society Perseveres ‘For Happiness *
LOU ANN GOOD
Food And Family
Features Editor
LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.)
Members of the Lancaster
County of Farm Women gath
ered Nov. 2 for their annual con
vention at the Farm and Home
Center, Lancaster.
This past year, the county’s 26
individual societies with 495
members gave more than $11,730
to charities. At the convention
they presented more than $2,000
to Safe Kids.
Not all the societies monthly
meetings focused on raising
lipping Add $7.50/Pair, 2 Pairs $10.50
money for charities. They also
had sessions on flower arranging,
candy making, how to eat crabs,
how to hook rugs, and many spe
cial speakers. Members also en
tertained guests at retirement vil
lages, helped in many community
events, and also took car and bus
trips to local historical places and
other points of interest.
Of members nu
merous activities,
the secretary said,
“Mostly we are
perpetuating our
motto ‘For Happi-
ness” and rein-
HOURS:
Mon.-Tues.
Thurs.-Fri.
8:00 AM-9;00 PM:
Wed.-Sat.
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 9, 2002-811
Gladys Espenshade hands a check to
a representative for Safe Kids. The Socie
ty raised more than $2,000 to promote
farm safety programs.
Avanti Garelh X-treme Li’l Critter
DM Bike
forcing our purpose.”
The state Farm Women Socie
ty was founded in 1914 for the
purpose of contributing to the
power and influence of the farm
home, to the community activity
of farm women, and to develop
leadership and promote better
living and working conditions in
farm homes.
4
Wheeler