PYFA Current Events

Welcome to the PYFA web page, recently re-designed to make it easier to navigate with more relevant information.

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!

Keith Leydig,
PYFA State President

(top of page)

©photo by www.heilmanphoto.com
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Summer Conference President's Comments	Current Events
	2010 Winter Meeting Information The 2010 Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association will hold its winter meeting at the Holiday Inn, Grantville, from February 2-4. An outstanding program has been prepared by the Cedar Crest Young Farmers. Click here for the program schedule and registration form. Please register by January 15 for the early bird price; make room reservations directly with the Holiday Inn. Applications for awards are also due January 1: Outstanding Young Farmer Over and Under 30, Community Service Award, Outstanding Chapter, and Outstanding Advisor. Applications for Spokesperson Award are due January 22.
	Summer Conference Offers Education and Interaction (Check out the Photo Memories) 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." 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. (top of page)
	President's Comments Welcome to the PYFA web page, recently re-designed to make it easier to navigate with more relevant information. 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! Keith Leydig, PYFA State President (top of page)