Council Of Farm Organizations Hosts Meeting, Discussion, Reception
(Continued from Page A 1)
over six years, was elected presi
dent.
“As the number one industry
in Pennsylvania, agriculture
plays an integral role in Pennsyl
vania’s economy. SCOFO repre
sents over 60 agricultural organi
zations that contribute to the
success and prominence of this
organization.
“I look forward to working
with representatives from these
organizations to continue to
promote agriculture in Pennsyl
vania,” said Fox.
Other officers elected include
Jeff Fry, Pennsylvania Turfgrass
Council, vice president, and Den
nis Schad, Land O’Lakes, Inc.,
secretary/treasurer.
The officers may serve up to
two years in these leadership po
sitions.
The day also included an eve
ning reception for members of
the General Assembly, hosted by
the state council. The event fea
tured food produced in the com
monwealth and provided an op
portunity for both legislators and
council members to discuss agri
cultural issues.
During the luncheon Rep. Ray
Bunt (R-147), chairman of the
House Agriculture and Rural Af-
Board Announces
February Class I Price
HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The Milk
Marketing Board (MMB) announced the prices to
be paid to Pennsylvania dairy farmers for February
class I milk (beverage) as an average of $14.03 in
the western areas of the commonwealth, and an av
erage of $14.52 in the central and eastern areas of
the commonwealth.
These prices include the over-order premium of
$1.40 per one hundred pounds of milk.
Farmers whose milk production is pooled under
a federal order will receive a marketwide blend
price based upon the value of all classes of milk.
However, the blend price received will vary as the
component composition of a farmer’s milk differs
from the established benchmarks of 3.5 percent
butterfat, 2.99 percent protein, and 5.69 percent
other solids.
Since 1988, the MMB has mandated over-order
premiums on Class 1 milk because of adverse con
ditions affecting the Pennsylvania dairy farmer.
Chairwoman Beverly R. Minor noted that since the
inception of the MMB’s over-order premium,
Pennsylvania dairy farmers have received more
than $286 million in additional income.
1 A I
i i
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*; 821 State Rd. 511 N., RFD 3,
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Outgoing president of
the Pennsylvania State
Council of Farm Organiza
tions, Curtis Kratz, right,
accepts a commendation
from PDA presented by
Dennis Wolff, agriculture
secretary designee.
fairs Committee, awarded out
going council president Curtis
Kratz a citation from the Penn
sylvania House of Representa
tives.
Sen. Mike Waugh (R-28),
chairman of the Senate Agricul
ture and Rural Affairs Commit
tee, also gave Kratz a citation
from the Pennsylvania Senate.
Besides serving as president,
Kratz is active in numerous other
agricultural organizations and is
a township supervisor.
Kratz, a self-described family
and spiritual man, said that “1
want to do what I can to help
support agriculture so that we
can have food for our children
and grandchildren,” he said,
urging council members to “talk
together, work together, and
build relationships.”
Bunt gave an update on the
House ag committee, which is
working on legislation that per
tains to farmland preservation
funding and strengthening the
link between retiring farmers and
those interested in beginning
farming. The committee also
takes an interest in inheritance
taxes, Clean and Green, and
right-to-farm laws.
Waugh briefly discussed Wolf
fs imminent confirmation hear
ing, the Pennsylvania Milk Mar
keting Board’s pooling
regulations, and the importance
of agriculture education. “We
have a big role to play in getting
the message out and helping peo
ple understand” the changing
face of agriculture, he said.
Agriculture Secretary Designee
Dennis Wolff described an agen-
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 8, 2003-A2l
da which included economic de
velopment, such as the small
business first program, the ma
chinery and equipment loan pro
gram, the next generation farmer
program, crop insurance pro
gram, and farmland preservation
program.
“We intend to continue to use
these programs in the next four
years and look forward to work-
Dennis Wolff, agriculture secretary designee, stands
with incoming council president Susan Fox, executive di
rector of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation
Districts, Inc.
ing with you,” said Wolff.
Every year, council members
select a legislative agenda to pur
sue. During the meetings mem
bers may vote on resolutions per
taining to agricultural issues.
During the roundtable discus
sion following the meeting, Dr.
Helen Aceto, Ph.D., VMD, Uni-
er urn to Page A 22)