Vol. 49 No. 8 CHARLENE M. SHUPP ESPENSHADE iMncasler Farming Staff FUNKHANNOCK (Wyoming Co.) Nestled in the foothills of the Endless Mountains along the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Alternate Emily Grove, left, and her sister Laura, state FFA sentinel, crisscross the state fulfilling official requirements while continuing to help on the family’s Shippensburg farm. Turn to page B 6 to read more about the sisters and their family, where laughter, cooperation, and responsibility are a way of life. Photo by Lou Ann Good, food and family features editor Scholarship Committee Ready For Farm Show ANDY ANDREWS Editor HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Count ’em: three weeks, three days. That’s the number of days until the 2004 Farm Show Junior Livestock Sale of Champions. www.lancasterfarming.com banks of the Susquehanna River, Bennie’s Nurseries, owned by the Bar/.iloski family, believes in sell ing the Christmas experience on their Wyoming County Christ mas tree farm. It’s also the same date, Jan. 13, when the Farm Show youth scholarship winners are an nounced. For 2004, each student who applies could get a $2,000 check or more. (Turn to Page A3l) Four Sections From families heading into the fields to select their “perfect” Christmas tree or wedding pro- (Turn to Page A 24) Lawmakers Reverse Decision On Farmland Bill CHARLENE M. SHUPP ESPENSHADE Lancaster Farming Staff HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) In a dramatic turn of events, the House of Representa tives reversed their position on House Bill 66 (HB 66) in a 106-89 vote Tuesday after critics claim legislators received pressure from House leadership and the gover nor’s office. The Senate cleared the bill out of its State Government Commit tee Wenesday night. At presstime, the bill is on track for a full Senate vote. This vote marks a reversal of a From The Staff At Lancaster Farming Saturday, December 20, 2003 $37.00 Per Year Above, Veto Barziloski, center, and his sons Michael, left, and Adam work year-round to prepare for the Christ mas tree harvest. At left, a view of the 75 acres of Christ mas trees the Barziloskis manage near Tunkhan nock. Photos by Charlene Shupp Espenshade House vote taken three weeks ago, defeating this bill that has potential to set precedent, essen tially disregarding farmland pres ervation on state-owned farm land. This bill introduced by State Rep. Jim Lynch (R-Warren County) is set to remove the agri culture use restriction on 22.7 acres of land outside of North Warren, clearing the way for the commercial development of the land. The projected plan for the farmland is for the construction of a Wal-Mart. Agriculture organizations who $l.OO Per Copy have lobbied hard to defeat the bill are disappointed with the change in decision. “One hundred fifty-two House Representatives voted against the same legislation only 21 days (Turn to Page A 29) Inside The Farmer ✓ Farm Shelf page A2B. ✓ LanChester Pork Producers page A3B. ✓ Poultry Health Seminar page A 34. ✓ Maryland Dairy page A 26. ✓ DHIA Reports page D 2. office will reopen Friday, Jan. 2. ' * • For the Jan. 3 issue, there are - ' ’ some early deadline changes- - ■ Public Sale and Mailbox ads, < ' • ' 5 p.m„ Friday, Dec 26 - ■ Classified, Section D display , • I , ads - 5 p.m„ Monday, Dec 29 s- j _ . Classified, Section C, Farm , .• Equipment ads, 5 p m„ Monday, g .' Dec. 29 ,'_i Sect. A ads, 5 p.m Monday, 1 Dec. 29. 1 *, All classified liners Tuesday, IL, ' Dec 30, 9 a.m 7 1 1 • General news - noon, ‘ • IWednesday, Dec 31. V a *1