Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, December 27, 2003, Image 27
Positive Thinking (Continued from Page A 22) and it seems no matter who 3 011 talk to, all of our problems are the same. The one-on-one con tacts we have made with Farm Bureau and the people we’ve met — that’s been one of the big gest advantages for us.” He also believes good business planning includes meetings such as Farm Bureau. While he notes that it is challenging for young farmers to get off of the farm, he encourages them to take time to do so. “A lot of people don’t want to spend the time going to meetings, like being involved in Farm Bu reau, but it’s part of doing busi ness. It’s doesn’t matter if you J-CTAD m vIMIm We’ve also ROLLED BACK the prices of these products: •Feed Conveyors •Barn Cleaners •Manure Pumps •Cable Scraper Systems • CABLE ALLEY • WASTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT • FEED HANDLERS SCRAPER DUMPS - TANKS - TILLAGE APPLICATOR BELTS ■ FEEDERS - CONVEYORS See These Dealers For Details Now... FRANKLINS FARM SERVICE Laceyville PA 717-869-2407 AGRI EQUIPMENT Myerstown PA 17067 717-866-0200 HOOVER EQUIPMENT Tyrone PA 16686 814-684-1777 are a doctor and are part of a medical group or a contractor and are part of a home builders association, its part of doing busi- ness.” The past five years have been successful overall for the Balliets, but one thing is clear no matter how successful the year may be, they keep looking to expand and for new ideas to increase their profitability. The Balliets are constantly looking for opportunities to ex pand their land holdings. In the outskirts of Hazleton, that can be challenging, because of the devel opment pressure they constantly feel. “We’ve expanded from 185 acres tillable, and this last year LAPP’S BARN EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICE Gap PA 17527 717-442-8134 HISTAND’S FARM & HOME SERVICE Rome PA 570-744-2371 we just farmed more than 500 acres. And I have almost 200 ad ditional acres under contract for next year,” said Matt. The Balliets strive to increase their tillable acres to offset the farm’s equipment expense. “We want to keep expanding the grain operation. But, we have also branched out into two other areas. We have a small herd of beef steers that we have custom butchered,” said Matt. “I defi nitely want to expand on that— I have more customers than ani mals right now.” Balliet said, “Last year, after the drought we installed two cen ter pivots. We now have about 70 acres of the home farm under ir rigation. WeTe looking at some vegetable contacts and things like that. Things (contracts) that are a little bit more profitable to put under the pivots.” VAN PALE® ROVENDALE AG & BARN EQUIPMENT Watsontown PA 17777 570-538-9564 OR 570-742-4226 SOLLENBERGER SILOS CORP. Chambersburg PA 17201 1-800-909-6909 ALMOST 20 YEAR JAMES L. HOSTETTER McVeylown PA 17051 717-899-6386 SOMERSET BARN EQUIPMENT Somerset PA 15501 814-445-5555 301-663-6060 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Decernloer 27\ '2003-<A27 In addition to finding new marketing ideas, the Balliets in vest into stewardship of the land. To date, they are in the process of installing or rebuilding five miles of terraces and diversion ditches through an USDA-EQIP con tract. Balliet has also made use of his engineering skills to convert his com planter to no-till. “I’m glad we did it (switched to no-till). We are 100 percent no-till with all of the grains,” said Matt. “I don’t think without no tilling we would have ever gotten done this spring.” The Pennsylvania Game Com mission is working with the Bal liets to install deer fencing on the farm’s state gameland border, hoping to alleviate some of the deer damage. While the Balliets are a unique farm operation, starting from } STAR SILOS Chambersburg PA 17201 1-800-909-6909 MARYLAND GLADHILL TRACTOR MART Frederick MD 21701 nothing and building the business on their own, they see that they are in a larger minority of agri- culture as young farmers. The face of agriculture is changing, as Matt points out. As he looks about, he sees farmers getting older. He noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Ag- riculture and other organizations need to look at ways to make ag- riculture more profitable to at- tract a younger generation, “You are not going to attract people that have the ability to farm into businesses that are not able to be profitable, no matter how hard they work,” said Matt, Lehigh County Conservation District Presents Awards FOGELSVILLE (Lehigh Co.) The Lehigh County Conservation District presented its An nual “Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the Year” and “Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year” awards for 2003 on Dec. 12. The Conservation District chose the Lynnacres Farm, New Tripoli, operated by the widow and children of the late Russell Dietrich, as its 2003 Conservation Farmer of the Year. Mr. Brian Campbell of the Kids Peace Wash ington School, has been chosen as the 2003 Con servation Educator of the Year. Lynnacres Farm is a dairy and cash grain op eration. Lynnacres first became a district cooper ator back in 1964 when the late Russell Dietrich signed the first conservation agreement. Today, the family, including Elaine and their three chil dren, William. Brian, and Robin Rassler, operate 1,074 owned and rented acres and care for 400 head of cattle. They participate in various con servation cost-share programs, such as the Envi ronmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Ducks Unlimited, and Growing Greener Pro gram. In 2002, they completed a project which included 4800 feet of streambank fencing, one stabilized cattle crossing and two watering troughs, all to protect the headwaters of the Kistler Creek. In 2003, they completed a 1997 EQIP contract. They currently have 127.4 acres under a perpetual conservation easement. Campbell has displayed a sincere, focused, and dedicated interest to educate our youth about the importance of our natural resources. With Campbell’s guidance, the students are focusing on improving the local soil and water resources in numerous ways. The students have learned how to handle stream restorations and regularly monitor those streams to determine stream health. With their newly acquired knowl edge of wetlands, the students will soon design and undertake a major wetlands restoration proj ect at the Orchard Hills Campus. 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