A22-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 28, 2002 Agriculture Moves Ahead In 2002 (Continued from Page A 1) ville, Augusta County, drew enough at tendance on the first day to exceed that of both days at its previous venue. More than 120 exhibitors were at the show. A harbinger of things to come, DEP sec retary David Hess signed a drought emer gency proclamation for 24 counties. The Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA) program, designed specifically for hog transporters, was formally put into action as officials announced April as the begin ning of certification classes. March Sam Hayes, agriculture secretary, an nounced that Pennsylvania and its coun ties will invest $64 million in 2002 to pre serve farmland. The annual Pennsylvania Draft Horse Sale featured sale averages that were up in almost every category. Buyers came from 19 different states to purchase Belgian, Percheron and Haflinger horses. According to a feasibility study, south central Pennsylvania ethanol project had the “qualifications to move forward,” said the study, which assessed nine possible sites. At the end of February, the 90-day de parture from average precipitation in three of Pennsylvania's 67 counties was greater than 45 percent below average and, in 22 counties, fell between 35 and 45 percent below average. Record low flows at streamflow stations and water levels at observation wells occurred in February. Although drought threatened, flowers still came to tell of us spring. This shot was taken at Hershey Gardens, Hershey. Photo by Michelle Kunjappu April New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, dedicated the new Fairchild Aquaculture Laboratory. Pennsylvania’s three largest agriculture organizations the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, PennAg Industries Association, and the Pennsylvania State Grange gathered for a rally at the capitol to call attention to several agriculture issues. The Conococheague FFA, James Bu chanan High School, won the Hoard's Dairyman Cow Judging Contest, topping 412 FFA chapters from across the U.S. One hundred people were inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame during the National 4-H Conference. The hall of fame, existing only on the internet, was created as part of the 4-H Centennial cele bration. May After nearly two months of negotiations, U.S. House and Senate conferees agreed on a national Farm Bill. Shortly thereafter. President Bush signed the Farm Bill into law. The bill included increased farmland preservation funds and boosted conserva tion and price support measures, among other changes. Also in May, Gov. Mark Schweiker ex tended the drought emergencies in 20 Pennsylvania counties. avian influenza (A. 1.) and disposing of the flocks. June A groundbreak ing team gathered at Rockspring, Centre County, to begin construction of the Pennsylvania Department of Ag riculture's new Livestock Evalua tion Center. In honor of June Dairy Month, a 90-gallon ice cream sundae, created by Pennsylvania dairy princesses, drew a crowd to the capitol building steps. Penn State an nounced an eco nomic impact study of the Pennsylvania equine industry be ginning fall 2002. Ag Secretary Sam Hayes introduced the Great Lakes Forum on Agriculture, a three-day event. Julie Sollenberger, Spring City, Chester County, became National Guernsey Queen. U.S. Ag Secretary Ann Veneman an- i n One of 2002’s top stories was the widespread drought. This picture was taken bia County. Photo by Dave Lefever w? - a -rr* nounces the authorization to hire an addi tional 1,000 employees to expedite imple menting the Farm Bill. Atlantic City, New Jersey, was the site of the 2002 National Holstein Convention. Officials expected 3,00 attendees for the fe; ; (St' r t i< j - *#s I 1 *■ * v ‘ . ’Ssl I? I .5$ ;&» ."Ji v m AW ~ BjiAWtr ni ■■KOVi. ' < national sale, youth convention, and tours. The sale averaged $8,207. Holstein Associ ation delegates also took action on several bylaw amendments. (Turn to Page A 23) in Colum- g/V HSKsF. ffe^s
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