Pennsylvania Young Farmers Attend Summer Meeting
Thirty-five Pennsylvania Young Farmer (PYFA) members attended their annual summer conference in Huntingdon last week, held in coordination with the summer meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE).
In addition to conducting a business meeting, the group visited the Visitor´s Center at Raystown Lake, Clover Creek Cheese Cellar and Friends Farm, both in Williamsburg.
Ben Shughart, 2010-2011 FFA state Chaplain, attended the meeting as the newest FFA representative to the PYFA board, joining Caleb Wright, Alexandria, who is serving the second year of his term.
At Clover Creek Cheese Cellar, David Rice described their family´s raw milk and cheese operation with pasture-fed cows. They use a New Zealand-style swing parlor for milking and move the cows among 14 pastures. In business for 20 years, Rice said, "We are quite proud of our raw milk." Their daughter, Yolanda, Blair County Dairy Princess, served the visitors samples of their cheeses.
At Friends Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) operation with 40 families as subscribers, John and Chris Wise talked about the sustainable methods they use to grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, eggs and meats. They also offer artisan breads and biscotti for sale. In addition to their CSA, they hold a farm market on Saturdays. Chris said, "We take pride in growing high quality produce."
The Young Farmers joined the Ag Educators for a BBQ dinner at Huntingdon County Fairgrounds where they were welcomed by former Pa Secretary of Agriculture Sam Hayes and visited the Farm Museum. The groups held a join picnic on Tuesday evening in Huntingdon.
The Pennsylvania Young Farmers who attended the PYFA summer meeting held in Huntingdon in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators´ meeting included, front row, from left: Keith Leydig, Robert Corman, Linda Krall, Deb Kammerer, Denise Sanner, Faye Herr, Kendall Wilkinson, Sally Bair and Donna Paul. Back, from left: Dan Wilkinson, Edith Rhoads, Tim Rhoads, Sam Glick, Anna Mary Glick, Jim Berry, A.Dale Herr, Pam Berry, Denise Leydig, Ken Sanner, Laurie Wilkinson, Doris Wilkinson, Ed Zug, Irwin Reynolds, Janet Reynolds, Glenn Krall, Debbie Zug, Robert Pardoe, Larry Wilkinson, Chris Weller and Doyle Paul.
Benjamin Shughart, 2010-2011 Pennsylvania FFA Chaplain, will serve a two year term as FFA’s representative to the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association Executive Board. A 2010 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, Shughart was selected as FFA Chaplain in June. He is a state proficiency award winner in sheep production, and has earned the Greenhand, Chapter and Keystone degrees.
The son of Robert and Deborah Shughart, Shughart is a member of Cumberland Valley FFA and has been chapter reporter, chapter vice president and area secretary. He showed the Grand Champion Junior Shropshire Ewe at the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show, and also raises Hog Island sheep, a rare breed. He is a member of the Condoguinet 4-H Sheep Club where he has held several offices and presents workshops and other presentations. He is currently president of the Cumberland County 4-H Council.
PYFA President Denise Sanner said, "We look forward to having Ben serve on our board, and provide input into our discussions. PYFA is committed to working more closely with the next generation of agricultural leaders, and forging a closer tie with FFA is an important goal."
Shughart joins Caleb Wright, Alexandria, who is in the second year of his two-year term.
Although he did not grow up on a farm, Shughart hopes to be a farmer, raising beef and sheep, and will attend Ohio State ATI in Livestock Science.
PYFA Offers Stipend to FFA Members
To Pay Expenses to Attend National Young Farmer Educational InstituteThe Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association (PYFA) is offering a stipend for qualified FFA students to attend the National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA) Institute to be held in Monterey, CA from December 9-11, 2010.
PYFA will pay expenses for up to three FFA members to attend and participate in the National Institute which has a strong young adult educational component. To be eligible, FFA members must be involved in their chapter and must turn 18 before December 1, 2010 or have a parent who is a PYFA member who will accompany them to the Institute.
PYFA President Denise Sanner said, "Pennsylvania´s Young Farmer members are eager to support and encourage the next generation of farmers. By offering this travel stipend, we hope to help FFA members gain a broader perspective of the opportunities for careers in agriculture and agri–business. When they participate in the Young Ag Leaders Event at the National Institute they will enhance their leadership skills while interacting with young agriculturists from around the country."
Applications have been distributed to FFA advisors and agriculture teachers throughout the state, and are available by clicking here. Selection will be based on completion of the application, answers to essay questions character, activities, and interest in pursing an ag–related career. Personal interviews may be conducted.
Applications may be mailed to Sally B. Bair, 4000 Marietta Avenue, Columbia, PA 17512 by September 15, 2010.
The NYFEA is committed to educating agricultural leaders through leadership training, agricultural education and community service. The Institute offers educational tours of agriculture along with the Young Ag Leaders program, with strong emphasis on encouraging the next generation of farmers. Last year three Pennsylvania FFA members joined their peers from around the country at the NYFEA winter meeting in Mobile, AL.
Since taking office in February I have traveled over 1,000 miles visiting with many of the members of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers. During these hard economic times I feel now, more than ever, an organization such as ours if very important in helping our members survive during these times.
In my home chapter, the Kutztown Young Farmers, we meet every Monday evening during the months of January, February, and March. Our advisor brings in speakers to cover topics that are timely and of extreme importance to the decision making of our farmers. All for the low cost of $15.00 a year. That alone would be a little over $1.00 a "class"…without considering all of the other programs we are offered throughout the rest of the year. We are extremely fortunate to be sponsored and supported by the PA Dept of Education. Without the support of them, we would not be able to be associated with our local school districts. Through our continued education we are able to become successful businessmen and women; we can provide our family with an excellent way of life; produce the food and fiber needed for all of us to survive; and, in turn, we can pass benefits back to our school districts and our communities.
We are also greatly supported by Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. It is very reassuring to me, as President of our organization, that we have a Secretary of Agriculture who truly understands the value of agriculture education and the important role it plays in the success of our enterprises.
We also appreciate the support of Penn State´s College of Agriculture, and our continuing and growing relationship with the Pennsylvania Associate of Agricultural Educators.
We have a wonderful opportunity within our communities to receive quality programming at a very low cost. However, more importantly, is the question "are we doing everything we can to encourage the new and beginning farmers…or the real "young" farmers to get involved in our organization?" One of my main focuses this year is learning how we can attract that next generation of ag leaders to ensure that "our organization" is still in existence 50 years from now.
Last month I spent three days with the Pennsylvania FFA at their Legislative Leadership Conference. I was able to participate…side by side…with these fine young leaders and listen to what their needs are. It was also a great opportunity for me to connect with their advisors (some of which are also YF advisors) and find out the issues that they are faced with as well. These students, who are wearing the blue and gold corduroy jackets, are our future. Be sure to spend time with them, ask them about their goals, be a mentor to them.
So…I ask again…"Are we, as members of Young Farmers, doing everything possible to spread the word about our organization and the benefits it has provided to us over the years?" Hopefully the answer is yes. If not, think about the reason you joined, and the value of that experience. Share our organization with everyone you can. I´m not asking you to do this for the "numbers" or the dues it will bring into the state treasury. I´m not concerned about numbers. What I am concerned about is that we continue to encourage young people to realize the benefits of our organization so they too will have the opportunity to attend a local chapter meeting & learn vitals lessons to help them be successful in their endeavors.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our summer conference in Huntington County at Raystown Lake. Details regarding the conference will be available shortly.
Be safe during the spring planting season,
Denise
Welcome to the PYFA web page. We hope you´ll find it useful.
Pennsylvania Young Farmers are committed to education and the promotion of environmentally appropriate production, marketing, and processing of food, feed and fiber. As an adult education program, we are associated with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and, in most cases, are affiliated with local school districts.
The nearly 1,000 Pennsylvania Young Farmer members meet regularly in their local chapters and gather several times a year for statewide educational meetings. We are also part of the National Young Farmer Educational Association, and all members are encouraged to attend the national meetings held twice annually.
To recognize the achievements of our members, we have an awards program at the local and state level. Applications for these awards are made through local chapters, and forms are available on this site.
With agriculture Pennsylvania´s number one industry, we know the importance of supporting and encouraging the next generation of agricultural leaders, and we work to have a close relationship with FFA.
I invite you to browse through the site to learn more about PYFA. If you´d like information on becoming a member, contact one of the state officers or your local chapter adviser. We welcome anyone who is willing to learn!
PYFA is also on Facebook! Join us there!
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PA Young Farmers Award Scholarship
Destinee Horning, Manheim Central High School, is recipientThe Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association has awarded their annual educational scholarship to
Destinee Y. Horning, 849 Temperance Hill Road, Lititz. A senior at Manheim Central High School, Destinee will attend Delaware Valley College majoring in Pre-veterinarian and Dairy Science.
The daughter of Nevin and Denise Horning, Destinee has been a member of her FFA chapter for four years, participating in chapter meetings, CDE days, county volleyball tournaments, chapter tomato sales and other activities. A member of the National Honor Society, she also teaches Sunday School and is president of her youth group.
As an FFA member she has received the Greenhand, Chapter, Red Rose and Keystone degrees as well as receiving the Star Chapter Ag Placement Award and proficiency Award in Veterinary Medicine. She has received awards for placing second in the Dairy Judging CDE at the county level for two years, and has also received pins for scholarship and leadership awards each of her four years as a member.
Destinee attended the MAAC summer conference and was selected to attend the National Institute on Cooperative Education (NICE) in Tennessee. Denise Sanner, PYFA President, said, “We are very proud to offer this scholarship annually to support the next generation of agriculture leaders. We understand the importance of education to a successful career. I offer sincere congratulations to Destinee and wish her well in her desire to become a veterinarian.”
Her father is a long time member of the Manheim Young Farmers Chapter and the Horning family was named their Outstanding Farmer over 30 in 2009. Previously he had been a member of the Ephrata Chapter, where he served as president, vice president and treasurer. He was also a regional vice president of the PYFA.
The Hornings managed one of the top producing dairy herds in Pennsylvania, with a 31,000 lb. average, giving special attention to integrating proper genetics, feeding and quality care. They recently sold the 90 cows and replacement heifers as Horning takes over increasing responsibilities in his church.
Having grown up on the farm, Destinee helped regularly with milking the cows, feeding calves and helping with field work. Her SAEs were all in the area of dairy production.
She developed her interest in the health and wellness of animals through her work on the family dairy farm, and also rode with a large animal veterinarian experiencing the career firsthand. She chose to attend Delaware Valley because of their “Three-Plus-One” program, which will enable her to move into graduate school after three years.
The PYFA Scholarship, valued at $425, is offered through the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation Financial Office.
First priority is given to applicants whose parents or grandparents are PYFA members then to applicants who are PA FFA members, or a PA 4-H member.
Applicants may also be a PYFA member seeking to further his/her education in agriculture. The post-secondary course does not necessarily have to lead to a degree.
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2009 Young Farmers Fall Newsletter
The PYFA Board held its October meeting in the officers of Land O´Lakes, and Dennis Schad, Director of Marketing and Regulatory Affairs gave a brief background on ther facilities and products. John Frey, Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence, spoke about the goals of the Center which include providing educational support and working with dairy producers to keep their enterprises profitable and successful.
It was announced that Samantha Borneman, Kutztown FFA member, received the FFA scholarship which she will use in her studies at Delaware Valley College.
Four youth will be attending the National Young Farmer Educational Association Institute in Mobile, Alabama in December: Caleb Wright and Britney Marsh, both FFA representatives to the PYFA Board, and Casey Trexler and Jordan Rice, both members of the Kutztown FFA chapter. They will all participate in the Young Ag Leaders Event at the Institute.
The Board voted to support the sponsorship of jackets to four FFA freshmen.
Dennis Schad introduced the board to the processes and products of Land O'Lakes
when they met at Land O'Lakes headquarters in October.
John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence, gave an
overview of the work of the Center and its support of Pennsylvania's Dairy Industry.Those who stayed late at the board meeting were treated to this sight:
2009 Summer Conference: Offers Education and Interaction
Eighteen Young Farmer members and advisors participated in the PAAE summer conference at Conneaut Lake in July. The meeting was an outstanding opportunity for PYFA members to interact with ag teachers as they held their annual get-together, "Escape to the Lake."
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Members arrived at the historic Hotel Conneauton Monday evening and enjoyed dinner and relaxation. On Tuesday, it was down to business, with a board meeting, followed by a day of interesting tours of agriculture in western Pennsylvania. The day concluded with a picnic at beautiful Presque Isle State Park and then a visit to Pymatuning Lake, where members had the unique experience of feeding the carp and seeing the sunset.
The tours included visits to industry, horticulture and production agriculture, and PYFA members were divided among the three buses to get different experiences. One bus went to Dad´s Dog Food, Channelock Tools and Grimm Plastic Injections. A second went to Sperry´s Chicken Farm, Waddell Dairy Farm and Mason Farm, while a third went to Ernst Conservation Feed Company, Walker Hydroponics near Edinboro and Asbury Woods, an environmental Center in Mill Creek Township.
Leisurely discussions among ag teachers, young farmers and the state FFA leadership team created new opportunities for collaboration. New PAAE President-elect John Wardle expressed his support for working together more closely, encouraging PYFA members to use their experience and enthusiasm to support ag teachers. Further discussions will follow, but all members are encouraged to support the ag program and the FFA chapters in their areas. Nearly 120 ag educators attended the conference. Wardle extended an invitation for PYFA members to participate in the 2010 conference that will be at Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County.
Caleb Wright, the new FFA representative to the PYFA board, attended the board meeting, bringing best wishes from the leadership team and their desire to work closely with the young farmers. Wright is South Central Region VP and is a member of the Blue Juniata FFA Chapter. His home is in Alexandria.
PYFA members at Conneaut Lake (Summer 2009)
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Western Pennsylvania agriculture
and other local places of interest
2009 Winter Conference Highlights
Recognizing Young Farmer Achievements |
Enjoying fellowship and the business of PYFA... |
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Following the March 2009 meeting, PYFA Executive Board members toured the Rockland Manufacturing Co. in nearby Bedford, getting a close-up view of this unique equipment manufacturer |
