Pa. Farm Bureau Young Farmer/Rancher Picnic Held
CHARLENE M. SHUPP
Special Correspondent
GRATZ (Dauphin Co.) On Sunday, July
20, about 80 people gathered at the farm of
Andy and Jessica Smeltz for an afternoon of
fim, food, and fellowship for the Pennsylvania
Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer/ Rancher annual
picnic.
This year’s host farm is a contract poultry op
eration located in Gratz, Dauphin County.
Established in 1995 as a partnership between
Andy and his two brothers, Dale and Larry,
their operation includes three chicken houses.
When filled to capacity, the Smeltz’s can house
an estimated 36,000 broiler chickens.
State Young Farmer/Rancher chairperson
Shawn Miller of Indiana County recognized
Andy, Jessica, and their family for their hard
work and planning of the picnic, presenting
them with a thank you basket.
Several state FFA officers also joined in the
day’s festivities. On behalf of the state officer
team, 2003-04 Pennsylvania State FFA Presi
dent, Eric Rubenstein, “thanked the Farm Bu
reau for inviting them” and for the opportunity
to learn more about the Young Farmer/Rancher
Program. Joining Eric at the event was State
Chaplain Jason Klouser, Western Region State
Vice President Becky Hedges, and State Report
er Bernadette Nace.
PDMP Membership
Meeting Set At
Mercer- Vu
MERCERSBURG (Franklin Co.) Aug. 7
marks the date for the next membership meeting
of the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsyl
vania, at the newly expanded Mercer Vu Farms,
Inc. in Mercersburg, Franklin County. Ron and
Judy Hissong and sons Rick and Rod invite you
to visit their dairy for “Neighbors, Regulations,
and Political Awareness” a joint effort of
PDMP’s Education and Legislative Alliances
Committees.
Join PDMP members as well as state and
Community leaders as the Hissongs tell their suc
cessful expansion story, provide an opportunity
for you to see their new facilities and nutrient
management system, plus share recommenda
tions for working with the community and offer
tips on complying With regulations. You may
want to visit their webpage for a virtual tour and
photographs of the building process at http:/
www.mercervufarms.com.
Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey from Penn Ag In
dustries will speak on “Political Process: Access
to Power” as well as conducting a workshop sta
tion for learning how to answer questions about
dairying practices to the non-ag sector. Pat
Wood from Green & Associates will conduct
media training “Creating Positive Ag Media”
sponsored by the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakehold
ers.
PDMP is able to offer this Membership Meet
ing thanks to sponsorship from AgChoice Farm
Credit. The cost to attend is $lO for PDMP
members, $5O for non-members. The program
runs from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and lunch is in
cluded. Contact PDMP or AgChoice Farm
Credit for a one-time special rate for producers
that are interested in joining the organization.
Reservations are required. Please send your
payment and RSVP by July 30 to: PDMP, 324
Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802.
You may also register by calling toll free at (888)
373-7232, faxing at (814) 865-4686 or e-mailing
mcml4@psu.edu and bringing your payment to
registration.
Northampton Beef Grazing
Field Day Is Aug, 16
NAZARETH (Northampton Co.) Having
cattle graze on pasture is the natural food sys
tem for this livestock species and several farmers
in Northampton County are opting to feed their
cattle this way. Historically, this was a common
practice among farmers.
To update farmers on information about beef
grazing, a Beef Grazing Workshop and Field
Day has been scheduled for August 16 from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sunny Hillside Farm, Stone
Church in Northampton County.
Guest speakers will address nutrient manage
ment and pasture run-off issues, grass and leg
ume pasture management, and cattle health, size
and type.
Cost for the Field Day is $5. Lunch will be
provided. For more information, directions and
a registration form, call the cooperative exten
sion office at (610) 746-1970.
More than 80 people gathered at the farm of Andy and Jessica Smeltz for the Pennsylvania Farm Bu
reau’s Young Farmer/Rancher picnic. The Smeltz’s operate a contract poultry operation in Grata, Dauphin
County.
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