Brent Landis Agriculture Services Coordinator H Lancaster Gminimr lnciu\tr\ Phone (717)397-3531 ext 62 E-mail blandis@lcci com THE CHAMBER’S 2003 GOALS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY The Lancaster Chamber is committed to meeting the needs and providing services for the di verse business community in Lancaster County. But as the business climate, legislation, workforce, and many other busi ness issues change, so must the Chamber stay on top of these evolving influences while provid ing current effective programs and services to support the busi ness community. The Chamber’s board of directors looked at the key business issues in Lancaster County and determined the focus for The Chamber in 2003. I recently had the opportunity to ask the Chamber’s 2003 Board Chairman Philip Wenger, presi dent of Isaac’s Deli, Inc., about his vision as it relates to the Chamber’s goals and the agricul tural industry. “The Chamber’s priorities in 2003 call for a clear focus on better planning for a bright economic future and more intermuni cipal and regional thinking to break down the barriers to growth,” Wenger com mented. “These priori ties fit well with the agriculture industry, because the unfair rules and regulations imposed on our farm ers and ag-businesses get in the way of suc cessful business growth. The Lancaster Chamber is a place where ag businesses can combine their voices with manufac turers and retail to be certain that our local, state and federal gov ernment does a better job of supporting the engine which not only employs many people, but feeds them as well. The Chamber recog nizes the importance of the ag industry and wants to partner with their voices to be cer tain our 2003 priorities around economic de velopment and more inter-municipal and regional thinking are focused on issues im portant to farmers and farm businesses.” When asked how the agriculture com munity can become more involved with the Chamber, Wenger suggested, “We are asking all farms and ag businesses, both large and small, to join the Chamber in speak ing out when our com munity fails to recog nize the importance of creating a climate where agribusiness can grow and thrive. The agriculture commu nity needs to maintain a grass-roots commu nication network and help the Chamber speak out about issues The Lancaster Chamber’s Ag riculture Committee provides the leadership to the Chamber’s Ag ricultural Services Program. Chairperson for this year is Sonia Wasco, president of Grant Heil man Photography. When asked about the Agricul ture Committee’s strengths and direction for 2003, Wasco com mented, “The Agriculture Com mittee has members from all seg ments of the agriculture community in Lancaster County. This is our greatest strength as the committee bridges the gap be tween the agriculture community and the Chamber. We consistent ly take proactive steps to address the concerns of our members by hosting events that address the issues that impact the economic future of the agriculture commu nity and by bringing together municipal and regional represen tatives with agriculture industry representatives for open discus sions on critical issues impacting our future growth. There is no Lancaster Poured [ Walls • Agriculture • Commercial •Residential i I J Call for Prices On: • NRCS approved Manure Storage Pits • Concrete • Basements • Retaining Walls Pumping • Footers • Foundation Walls Customer Satisfaction Is Our Goal Lancaster Poured Walls, Inc. 2542 Horseshoe Rd.» Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 656-7370 » Fax (717) 656-7350 better forum for the business of agriculture to come together and be heard than through the Cham ber.” To ensure a viable business community and vibrant overall community, the Chamber recog nizes the role it must play in sup porting all sectors of industry, in cluding agriculture. To meet these diverse needs, the Chamber concentrates its efforts in three areas - member services, advoca cy, and community leadership. From within these goals there are three priority areas - economic development, downtown revitali zation, and building cooperation with local governments and re gional efforts. Next month’s Agriculture In sights column will focus on the Agriculture Committee’s goals and programs and how they coin cide with The Chamber’s 2003 program of action. The Chamber is offering an ex cellent upcoming educational program for farmers and agribu sinesses. The Farm Business Symposium will be on Feb. 11 at Willow Valley Resort from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and Resource Guide, which highlights all the programs covered during the day. Cost for the Farm Busi ness Symposium is $75 for Chamber members and $lOO for nonmembers. Contact Brent Landis for additional information at (717) 397-3531 x 134 or blan- dis@lcci.com. Temple Grandin To Speak At Pork Expo (Continued from Page A 1) will be a panel discussion from industry and University of Penn sylvania. representatives. Tom Moyer from Hatfield Quality Meats will outline the financial impact of improper swine han dling. Penn State ag economics pro fessor Lou Moore will deliver his highly popular market outlook. This year’s program will include President Bush Creates Faith-Based And Community Initiatives Center WASHINGTON, D.C. Pres ident Bush signed an Executive Order Dec. 12 creating a Faith- Based and Community Initiative Center within USDA. The USDA works in many ca pacities to provide programs, grants, and other services that help build stronger communities through rural economic develop ment and investment, food and nutrition programs, as well as food aid. This decision will pro vide USDA the opportunity to better coordinate delivery mecha nisms and work more closely installing the boiler" Don P - CT Lawn Care of PA 311 Willow St.,Terre Hill, PA 17581 rWr/mT) (71 7) 445-8431 MUSSER & ASSOCIATES, INC. Pole Buili Garaa 800-331-1875 717-354-7561 Cell # 570-452-6329 Fax 717-355-9181 seminars for producers. The expo will once again sponsor a “Pork Bowl” for competing FFA and 4-H members. The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 5 p.m. Space for the conference is limited. To register, please con tact Amy Bradford of Penn Ag Industries at abradford+Apen nag.com. with faith-based community or ganizations. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, who traveled with the President to Philadelphia for the announcement applauded the decision saying, “Our objective is to provide these types of pro grams to help families and chil dren, improve our neighbor hoods, and build stronger communities. Through the Presi dent’s leadership, we will work with renewed commitment and vigor to achieve results.” SALES Specialists” |fabral| Mam about 20 exhibits and educational Dual Fuel Option and atainleas steel modela available! lomim Reuben Esh 245 Fetterville Rd. East Earl. PA 1751 wilabh Barm
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