Berlin Brothersvalley Young Famers --

BBYFA Mission Statement: To educate and promote environmentally appropriate production, marketing and processing of food, feed and fiber. 2010 Dates: January 7 − Farm Show Demonstrations (3) − Berlin Brothersvalley FFA − Berlin Ag Room − Family Night (Diesel Power, Saddle Up, First Aid/Bleeding) January 14 − Clapper´s Industries Tour − Meyersdale − Family Night January 21 − Passing on the Family Farm − County Meeting − REC Building January 28 − Agricultural Legislation Update − Berlin Ag Room February 2, 3, 4 − PYFA Winter Conference − Grantville Holiday Inn February 11 − Snow Tubing (Family Night) 6-8 p.m. − Hidden Valley February 18 − Farm Machinery Highway Regulations − County Meeting − REC Building February 25 − PA Game Laws and Issues − Berlin Ag Room March 4 − Integrated Pesticide Management − Private Applicator´s Credits − 2 core and 2 category − Berlin Elementary School March 11 − Farm Safety − Family Night − Berlin Firemen´s Meeting Room March 18 − Conservation/Environmental Issues − Chesapeake Bay − County Meeting − REC Building March 25 − International Conservation Center Update − Power Point Presentation − Berlin Ag Room May 1 − Somerset County Farm Safety Field Day − Berlin Community Grove − 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 3 − Berlin & County Young Farmer Picnic − Berlin Community Grove − 7 p.m. August 20 − Set−up County Fair Educational Display Booth August 21-28 − Somerset County Fair September 12, 15-18 − Berlin Brothersvalley Community Fair November 17 − 2011 Young Farmer Planning Meeting Classes and Activities 2010 Officers: Immediate Past President − Craig Leydig President − Scott Clites Vice President − Duane Stoltzfus Secretary/Treasurer − Tim Bruck Public Relations Director − Jason Ickes "A Young Adult Farmer is Any Farmer Willing to Learn"

Cear Crest Young Farmers --

Many thanks to the Cedar Crest Young Farmer members who worked so hard to ensure a smooth-running state convention at Grantville. More than 40 members and spouses attended all or a portion of the convention. We offer special congratulations to Shirley Herr who placed first in the PYFA Spokesperson for Agriculture contest, and to Jeff and Karen Zuck who placed first in the PYFA Outstanding Young Farmer Couple over 30 contest. And also a special thank you to Glen and Linda Krall who served as overall chair of the convention. With more than 130 attending, it was a warm gathering filled with lots of educational opportunities. Thank you!!!

Advisor Dick Moore presents Superintendent Dr. Joseph Kristobak, Jr., with an honorary young farmer membership	Artist Elva Hurst presented a "chalk talk," mesmerizing the audience with her love of her Amish upbringing and her faith
Award winners include, from left: Jason Krall, Tom Krall, Karen and Jeff Zuck and Shirley and Tom Herr

Our March meeting was well-attended, and we had reports on the convention, as well as updates on the PA Farm Vehicle Regulations which are now in place and a discussion on milk pricing issues led by Dan Brandt, vice president of the Dairy Policy Action Coalition. We also announced the results of the forage contest.

At our banquet, crop and dairy awards were given to: Tom Herr, alfalfa haylage quality; Glen Krall, ryelage and H.M. shelled corn; Tom Krall, grass hay. Jeff and Karen Zuck were recognized for first place in the low somatic cell count with 104,000 with Tom and Shirley Herr taking second with 112,000. Kevin and Allison Sellers were recognized with the largest herd milk increase at 2683 lbs.; Bruce and Laura Heilinger were second with 2557 pounds.

In January we had a program on using ultrasound exams to improve dairy reproductive efficiency, led by Peter Harris, D.V.M., Agr. Vet. Associates. Joel Krall, Ken Reist and Dave Bomberger related their experiences in using the technology.

Ephrata Young Farmers ´´

Denise Sanner bringing greetings from the State YF

 

2010 officers being installed by State YF President; Left to Right: Earl G. Martin, Pres.; Harold Martin − Treasurer; Dan Fox − Vice Pres.; Leon Eby − Secretary	State President shaking hands of newly installed 2010 officers.

Senator Mike Brubaker making remarks

 

VP Dan Fox presenting a donation check to Agri-Service Moldova. The Chapter has helped Agri-Service Moldova send a no-till corn planter to Moldova this past Fall. L to R: Marvin Sauder, Dr. Walter Trumbauer and Dan Fox	Feature Presentation − Friendship Community Worship Team (The Chapter donates money every year to Friendship Community from profits made from the food tent at the Ephrata Fair.)

Group picture after the banquet − Past president Luke Ray Zimmerman is holding the Outstanding State Chapter Award received at the Winter YF Conference.

Ephrata July Newsletter

Gettysburg July Newsletter

Lewisburg Young Farmers --

The Lewisburg Young Farmers´ February meeting featured NRCS Agronomist, Ray Archuleta from North Carolina. The soil quality expert used demonstrations and a power point presentation to relay his passion for no-til farming. In early March, Tim Sutherland of Ag Choice Farm Credit, explained the world financial meltdown and how we can live through it.

Manheim Young Famers --

PYFA President Denise Sanner brings greetings to Young Farmers at their 2010 spring banquet.

President Doreen Shearer presides at the banquet.

 

Members of Manheim´s Young Farmer Hall of Fame were recognized: From left are:
Wilmer Esbenshade, Ike Geib, Clarence Geib, Paul Kline, Jay Nissley, Forney Longenecker,
Jim Kettering (2010 inductee) and Earl Landis.

Dan Gard, Monsanto, leads one of the pesticide certification meetings held during the winter.

Mifflinburg Young Farmers -

Meeting Schedule:

• April 8 − Farm Safety
• April 23 − Basket Bingo
• May − Scholarship Committee Meets
• June 10 − Dairy Meeting
• July 10 − Pork BBQ
• Aug.12 − Sweet Corn Roast
• Sep. 9 − Storm Water Management
• Oct.14 − Legislative Topic
• Nov. 11 − Program of Work and Nominations
• Dec. 13 − Venison Supper and Election of Officers
• Jan. 20, 2011 − Corn Meeting

Selingsgrove Young Farmers --

The Selinsgrove Chapter recently held their annual Corn Club banquet and election of officers. Mike Kuhns of Chemgro spoke on corn and production management. He mentioned the top yield in the state was 340 bu. and was no-till. The corn trend is towards Roundup ready and then triple stack for the short and long season corn. Kuhns spoke of fixed ear type but the disadvantage is more seed must be planted which in the long run would be more costly. President-elect Annette Gray presented the corn contest plaques to Greg Moyer for the highest yield in the short season class of 170 bu./A and to Kyle Fry the highest yield in the long season and in the open class with a yield of 257 bu./A and 246 bu./A respectively.

Greg Moyer, Kyle Fry

Solanco Young Farmers -- February 2010 newsletter

Summer Conference

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).

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.

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.

 

State News: Cedar Crest Hosts 2010 Winter Meeting

More than 130 Pennsylvania Young Farmers attended the 50th annual winter conference held at the Holiday Inn, Grantville, in February, hosted by Cedar Crest Young Farmers Chapter. With educational seminars, tours of outstanding local operations, special women´s tours and exceptional fellowship opportunities, the conference was a great success. Though there was snow during the conference, it was nothing compared to the snowstorms that followed, so attendees and hosts alike were glad for safe and dry roads to travel at conference end.

Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz brought greetings as did Joseph Kristabak, Jr., superintendent of the Cornwall-Lebanon School District. A citation was presented by RoseMarie Swanger, 102nd legislative district, and Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding brought a proclamation from the Governor´s office. Redding expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of support by Young Farmers during his nomination process, saying he was "humbled." He also described his meetings with Senators, saying, "Each senator has a different understanding of agriculture." He stressed the importance of building relationships as an industry with leaders, neighbors and society in general.

Seminar presenters and their topics for the educational seminars included: Rob Goodling, Lebanon/Berks Extension Educator, dairy specialist, dairy reproduction efficiency; Greg Roth, Penn State Professor of Agronomy, PDMP silage and alternative energy; Del Voight, Lebanon Extension Educator, corn and soybean contests; John Rowehl, Penn State Regional Agronomist, cover crops; John Berry, Lehigh County Extension Educator/Ag Marketing; Ross Pifer, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Amy Bradford, Penn Ag Industries, Ag Law updates. Sessions were well attended, with good discussion.

Educational tours (photos) included visits to Wen-Crest Farms, LLC, Steve and Bonnie Wenger; Wengers of Myerstown; Brian and Amy Boyd Farm; and, the Jeff and Karen Zuck Dairy Farm.

Special activities for women included flower arranging with Amanda Furmanski and a trip to the Annville Antique Station, as well as visits to Tulpehocken Manor, Myerstown; Patches Family Creamery, including their 1850´s home; and Hershey, with the choice of visiting Chocolate World, The Hershey Story and Hershey Outlets.

Attendees were fascinated by a tour of the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Site and the PA National Guard Military Museum and found the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority, recognized for its environmental stewardship twice in 2009, interesting.

Young Farmers Celebrate Achievements;
Recognize Supporters

Pennsylvania Young Farmers celebrated the achievements and leadership of their members while recognizing supporters who encourage and promote the efforts of both PYFA and individual chapters. The awards highlight accomplishments of individuals, but also demonstrate their commitment to agriculture and to their communities. Those recognized included:

Outstanding Young Farmer, Over 30 − Jeff and Karen Zuck, Cedar Crest Young Farmers.

PYFA members got to see the Zuck operation first hand when they opened their farm for conference tours. They currently have 117 cows and 111 replacements, with a rolling herd average of 25,897 pounds on 2x milking, with a somatic cell count of 110,000. They farm a total of 160 acres, and features of their operation include concrete manure storage, tunnel ventilation and sand bedding. They open their farms for students from New York City as well as Farm City tours, and help Cedar Crest FFA with learning stations on their farm for fourth and fifth grade students. They are also active in the Lebanon Fair, the Midway Church of the Brethren and the New Covenant Christian School. Their four children are closely involved on the farm.

Outstanding Young Farmer Over 30,
Jeff and Karen Zuck with Keith Leydig

 

Outstanding Young Farmer, Under 30 award went to Eric and Laura Eberly, Manheim YoungFarmers. Eric Eberly purchased his first load of dairy cattle at a farm sale in 2006, and since then he and Laura have rented a farm in Mastersonville, now milking 65 cows and farming 90 acres. Both share the milking responsibilities, and Laura takes care of the young stock, managing the farm records and finances. Eric does the feeding and field work, hiring custom operators as needed. He also does the repair work in the barn and on the farm machinery. Eric manages the herd by conducting monthly herd checks with the veterinarian and consulting a nutritionist about the herd´s dietary needs. Both attend Young Farmer meetings to gain knowledge and interact with other farmers.

Outstanding Young Farmer Under 30,
Eric and Laura Eberly with Tim Rhoads

 

Outstanding Community Service Award − Randy and Rhonda Fox, Manheim Young Farmers. A milk sanitarian for Cloverland Farms Dairy in Baltimore, Randy is an eight-year member of the South East Approved Inspectors and has served as president and vice-president. He is a liaison for the Pennsylvania Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitarians. A bus driver for nearly 10 years, Rhonda is also a hostess at Country Table Restaurant in Mount Joy. Leaders of the Post-High Young Adults at Manheim Brethren in Christ Church, both Randy and Rhonda served as chaperones and bus drivers for retreats. Daughters Loni, 18, and Liz, 16, share their passion for community service, and the entire family has volunteered at the Roxbury Holiness Camp. Both Randy and Rhonda have received the Honorary Chapter FFA degrees, and serve as judges for local, regional and state contests. They have chaperoned FFA conventions and are FFA alumni members. Members of the Manheim Central School District Agriculture Advisory Board, they are active in the Manheim Community Farm Show, with Rhonda serving on the Board of Directors and Randy serving as Beef Committee co-chair.

Community Service Award, Randy and Rhonda Fox with Bill VanArsdale

 

2010 Richard Hoppes Memorial Award − Richard and Rita Moore, Cedar Crest Young Farmers. Presented in memory of Richard Hoppes, who dedicated his life to young farmers, this award recognizes someone who exemplifies this dedication. Dick has been advisor to the Cedar Crest Young Farmer Chapter since he began as a vocational agricultural teacher at Cedar Crest High School in 1972. He organizes their educational meetings throughout the year and encourages the Young Farmer members to get involved. PYFA has benefited from his support by having four members serve as Eastern Regional vice presidents as well as presidents, and by having one member be public relations director. He and Rita both worked diligently to ensure the success of this year´s winter conference. Dick helps out in a variety of other activities including ringing a bell for Salvation Army at Christmas and helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity. A true partner, Rita is also a strong advocate for agriculture, including promoting it at her daycare. They will celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary in 2010!

Richard Hoppes Memorial Award, Dick and Rita Moore with Keith Leydig and Grace Hoppes

 

Outstanding Young Farmer Adviser − Robert Pardoe, Jr., Lewisburg Young Farmers. Bob has been coordinator for the Lewisburg Young Farmer Chapter since 1982, organizing nine business meetings annually, with at least one farm meeting, and is a strong supporter of young farmers at the local, regional, state and national levels. He is also a member of the subordinate and county Pomona #31, currently serving as Master. He has been involved with the Northumberland Conservation District for more than 20 years, and is now treasurer. He is active in the Pottsgrove Lutheran Church and has served on the SUN area Dairy princess committee for more than 20 years. He crop farms on Pardoe Farms. Lewisburg Chapter was recognized as having the highest percentage of members in attendance. The Chapter has co-hosted a winter conference and has hosted two north-central regional meetings.

Outstanding Advisor Award,
Robert Pardoe, Jr. with Carol Corman

Outstanding Chapter − Ephrata Young Farmer Chapter − Ernest Orr, advisor. Serving the community is an integral part of Ephrata Young Farmers, with their strong monetary support of local organizations, such as the Friendship Community, the Therapeautic Riding Program, Ephrata Social Services, Cloiser FFA, Agri-Service Moldova, Lincoln Fire Company, Ephrata Recreation Center, Ephrata Fire Company, Ephrata Library and the Ephrata Ambulance Squad. In addition, they fund four Young Farmer scholarships for FFA students continuing their education. To raise funds they work together in a food tent at the Ephrata Fair. Education is also important to members − they benefited from 13 educational meetings last year in addition to organizing a five-day bus trip to West Virginia. Meeting topics ranged from geothermal energy to beekeeping to economics. And, they enjoy socializing, and held an ice-cream social and a family Christmas program.

Outstanding Chapter Award with Luke Ray Brubaker, Ernest Orr and Keith Leydig

 

Host Chapter Award − Cedar Crest Young Farmers. With more than 40 members attending the conference, and countless others committed to carrying out the program and doing background work to make it a success, Cedar Crest Young Farmers earned the host chapter award. It was a team effort, led by Chairs Glen and Linda Krall, and attendees benefited from their organization, their good cheer and their boundless hospitality, evidenced in a hospitality room that never seemed to deplete its abundant, delicious goodies! Thanks, Cedar Crest, for a great conference!

Host Chapter Award with Keith Leydig
presenting to Glen and Linda Krall

 

Honorary Young Farmer − Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Well known for its advocacy for educational programs, Pioneer was recognized for its continuing strong support of Pennsylvania Young Farmers. Committed to the communities in which they live, Pioneer focuses on developing leadership in the next generation of farmers. Their support for local chapters as well as the state association is deeply appreciated.

 

Honorary Young Farmer Award,
Pioneer HyBred International,
Joe Hess and Keith Leydig

The Pennsylvania Young Farmers "Speak Up"
about Agriculture

Shirley Fay Herr, Cedar Crest Young Farmer Chapter member, won the 2010 Spokesperson for Agriculture contest held during the winter conference in Grantville. Herr, the wife of Tom, will represent PYFA at the National Young Farmers Educational Association (NYFEA) Institute in December in Monterey, CA.

(First Place Spokesperson winner Shirley Herr will receive an
all-expense paid trip to the National Young Farmer Education
Association´sWinter Conference in Monterey, CA in 2010.)

Five contestants competed in this year´s event which included a visit to Weis Markets to talk with consumers about the agricultural industry and the opportunity to give a five minute speech on a topic they chose from one of three subjects: alternative energy, national animal ID system and California´s Proposition 2. They also responded to five minutes´ worth of questioning from the judges before the final decision was made

.
From left, Britney Marsh (Judge), Hannah Wentworth (Contestant),
Caleb Wright (Contestant), Heather Miller (Contestant), Darren Grumbine (Judge),
Casey Trexler (Contestant), JoAnn Williams (Judge), Jack Harvey (Store Manager),
Shirley Herr (Contestant) and Tami Gett, whose groceries were paid for by PYFA.

In addition to Herr, other contestants were: Casey Trexler, who represented PYFA at the NYFEA Institute in Alabama; Caleb Wright, FFA representative to the PYFA Board; Heather Miller, PA FFA state treasurer; and Hannah Wentworth, Penn State student in Animal Sciences and PA FFA Eastern Region Vice President last year.

Judges at the store were Darren Grumbine, Cornwall Lebanon School District, NYFEA President JoAnn Williams and Britney Marsh, FFA representative to the PYFA Board. Grumbine, Williams, Rachel Cloninger, Pa Farm Bureau Committee Chair, and Scott Owens, Ag Choice Farm Credit, judged the speech contest based on stage presence, content, delivery, professional appeal, time limits and response to judges´ questions. Thanks for their thoughtful consideration of the contestants!

Heather Miller placed second; Hannah Wentworth, third. They received a monetary award and had their conference registration paid.

One lucky shopper at Weis Markets was selected to have their food purchases paid for by PYFA. This year it was Tami Gett, who received $271 worth of free groceries courtesy of PFYA.

PYFA thanks all of the participants for their enthusiastically representing agriculture, and a special thank you to Weis Market for participating in the media blitz.

TOURS

Meeting Business

New President Denise Sanner accepts the gavel from outgoing president Keith Leydig	Representative RoseMarie Swanger, 102nd District, presents a citation from the House of Representatives to president Keith Leydig
	Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding presents a citation from the Governor´s office to president Keith Leydig

Banquet Activities

• National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA) Institute