Lancaster Farming: Ephrata, PA
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/31/2009 - 12:22pm.
 Students Learn About World Hunger Laurie Savage
Maryland Correspondent SHARPSBURG, Md. — “I’m starving!” is a phrase many people have probably heard children proclaim, or perhaps thought themselves, when hungry.
Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center in Sharpsburg, Md. is working to spread awareness of what it is to truly be starving, through a new Heifer Global Village, said Annette Lenker, director. According to its Web site, “The experience-based Heifer Global Village programs explore the issues of global poverty and hunger while challenging people to examine their own habits, consumption patterns and beliefs to become more responsible global citizens.” Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center is a retreat center and summer camp owned and operated by the Mid-Atlantic District Church of the Brethren.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/31/2009 - 12:19pm.
 Fred Hendricks
SunShower Acres WEST BRANCH, Iowa — Precision or high-detail farm toys are replicas of original equipment. Doug Hastings’ scratch-built farm toys are so detailed they are considered clones in small-scale form. Doug achieves personal satisfaction by creating detail to the nth degree.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:44pm.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor
As 2009 closes, it will go down in the history books as one of challenges. Dairy prices, animal welfare and the environment were topics of discussions that went from the farm community into mainstream America. Dairy prices began a slide at the end of 2008 and continued through most of the year.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:43pm.
Maegan Crandall
Central N.Y. CorrespondentITHACA, N.Y. — Delinquencies and foreclosures. Record low milk prices. Unemployment topping 10 percent. More bank failures ... 2009 year hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. Will 2010 look any better? “I am not yet breaking out the champagne,” said Dr.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:40pm.
Steve Taylor
New England CorrespondentMINOT, Maine — “It’s gonna help. Maybe pay for a load of grain,” said Noella Hemond when asked about the USDA Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program announced last week. A 90-year-old widow, Hemond presides over a high-producing 250-cow operation in western Maine that has been experiencing the same dire financial stress the rest of the 2,000-odd dairy farmers in New England have been facing over the past year. There’s nearly unanimous feeling in the region that the DELAP payments due to be issued shortly will bring a little relief, but that the structural problems of the milk marketing system are still in place to cloud the long-term future for dairy producers. Dave Keith, operator of a 200-cow farm in North Haverhill, N.H., sums up the feeling of many: “A few thousand dollars now won’t take care of the $250,000 we’ve lost over the past year, but I will accept it.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:38pm.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections EditorEAST EARL, Pa. — Agriculture needs to become proactive and share how it does business. As the animal welfare debate continues, the best defense could be a strong offense. That was the take-home message Hinda Mitchell gave members of PennAg Industries at their annual Meat and Egg Meeting last week here at Shady Maple. Mitchell and her employer, the Cochran Group, were instrumental in helping Ohio establish an animal welfare board by voter referendum in November.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:37pm.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections EditorLANCASTER, Pa. — Caged or free-range? Higher or lower density? What strain (or crossbred hen) is best? What is the best option for egg production? Ken Anderson, a North Carolina State University poultry extension specialist, shared findings from his poultry housing research at the Poultry Health Seminar last week at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center. Anderson oversees the North Carolina Layer Performance and Management test.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:35pm.
Chris Torres
Staff WriterPutting up a couple of manure storage pits and cleaning up the barnyard was something York County dairyman Leroy Walker has wanted to do ever since he thought about expanding his 190-cow dairy for his children to take over in the future. The tough economy and, in particular, the low dairy prices seemed to put a wrench in his plans. But recently he’s been dealt a lucky hand, thanks to the federal stimulus package.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:34pm.
Bruce McPheron
Penn State Dean of AgriculturePennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell on Dec. 17 signed non-preferred appropriation bills that fund the four state-related universities — including Penn State — as well as museums, art associations, hospitals and other state-related entities.
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:32pm.
Dick Wanner
Lancaster Farming StaffNEWBURG, Pa. — Justin Severino’s big ambition is to be a small butcher. The Pittsburgh chef would like nothing better than to open a shop to make and sell fresh and cured meats to a core group of dedicated customers who appreciate not just the taste of his offerings, but also the work and the history behind them.
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