Outstanding Growers Marketers Take Banquet Center Stage (Continued from Page A 22) said, especially since the state pays the catastrophic coverage. Hayes also assisted in times of trouble, especially regarding plum pox virus, the droughts, biosecurity issues. Farm Show renovation, and the building of the brand-new Livestock Evalua tion Center near Rockspring. Pennsylvania produce is “sim ply delicious,” Hayes told the growers. “They’re that way in large measure because you are simply wonderful.” Mason also recognized Warren Mathius, Hayes’ executive assist ant. At the banquet, John Lott, president of the National Peach Council (NPC), recognized Roger Wood, Atwater, Calif., with the National Peach Council Achievement Award. Wood was recognized for his “vision” toward promoting peaches and peach issues to legis lators in Washington, D.C. Workshop To Provide Farm Start-Up Strategies MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.)— With less than 2 percent of Americans calling themselves farmers and many of those earn ing more than half of their in come off the farm, beginners ask, “ How can I get into farming, in the current farm economy? What does it take?” Pennsylvania Farm Link’s Be ginning Farmer workshop— March 1, will emphasize that a successful farm start-up is not dependent on age, size, type of farm operation, or previous ca reer selection. Instead, success relies more on negotiating a good fit between your personal and financial re sources, your farm and family goals, and the way you decide to enter farming. Keynote speaker, Dan Looker, Business Editor of Successful Farming magazine, will explore how be ginners from all over the country got started in farming. Iks book, Farmers for the Fu ture. breaks through the myth that you have to inherit a farm to get started in agri culture. At the same time, he understands why getting started is so difficult and en courages young people and older farmers to ask hard questions be fore entering into em ployment or partner ship agreements. Looker will provide in sight for new farmers on what other begin ning farmers used to be successful The workshop em braces real-world dis cussion with Pennsyl vania’s innovative beginning farmers from a variety of back grounds and enter prises. Hear from YODER’S _ Windmill ON Service Specializing in new & used windmill sales & service CALL FOR PRICING 717/532-4591 Send written inquiries ter 2006 Bedford Road Shippensburg, PA 17257 According to Lott, Wood “be lieves that every peach that is marketed is a good thing it doesn’t matter where it’s from.” Wood, director of government affairs with NPC, helps manage the JR Wood Co. family farm, which includes 1,700 acres of peaches, 200 acres of seedless grapes, 100 acres of apricots, and 2,000 head of feeder cattle. They freeze 150 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables every year. Billy Brent, Brent’s Orchard, Fairfield, was honored by SHAP with the state Farm Show Best Bushel of Apples and Farm Mar ket Award. The 2003 Farm Show Best Roadside Market Award was presented to the Mickey family of Shatzer Fruit Market. They in cluded Wilma, Dwight, and Jack Mickey. More convention coverage is scheduled in Lancaster Farm ing’s. Grower & Marketer sec tion March 8. those taking the reins from other family members, taking over a non-family operation, part-time farming, or starting on their own from scratch. Types of farmers represented are: dairy, hog, poul try, livestock, fruit and vege tables, specialty enterprises, co operative members, direct marketers, and wholesalers. Though young, many of these farmers are recognized as indus try leaders. Ranging in diversity from aquaculture to vegetables, what is common to the group is The 2003 Farm Show Best Roadside Market Award was presented to the Mickey fam ily of Shatzer Fruit Market. Presenting the award was Glenn Shaw, Shaw Orchards, president of SNAP, left, with Wilma, Dwight, and Jack Mickey. their commitment and enthusi asm for farming. They employ a diversity of marketing strategies including direct, wholesale, road side marketing, and value-added options. Going beyond start-up strategies, these beginners will tell you how they are juggling farm and family pressures, ways to measure success, and how ap prentice programs are helping them gain a foothold in the __ industry. Beyond inspiration, par- I ticipants will receive practical knowledge and advice on how to select an enterprise that’s right for you, how to convince your banker you have what it takes, and how to scout out the market and developing a business plan. The workshop will be con ducted Saturday, March 1 at the Holiday Inn in Grantville, PA from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Mahoning Outdoor Furnaces Cut Heating Cost With An Outdoor Furnace n JyDtHtlfiH to jr-lmting y\t.tA&! Standard Models Burn Wood, Coal Multi-Fuel Models Burn Wood, Coal, Oil, Propane, Gas or Waste Oil “Adapts To All Existing Systems” www.mahonlngoutdoorfurnace.com ~ZU yi/Unr/if VT?/ty ~£e }JtAt! CQ4 Deelenhlp « Available In Some Ante. Custom Fabricators of Galvanized Barn Equipment cost of the workshop is $35 for an individual, $55 for a couple and $25 for a student. Early Bird reg istrations received by 2/19/03 may deduct $5 per category. Reg istrations are required by Febru ary 26, 2003 and include lunch. Contact Pennsylvania Farm Link at 717-664-7077 or email us at pafarmlink@redrose.net for more information and a brochure.
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