Sheila Miller's blog

Just One More Round.

Sheila Miller — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:44:06 -0400

One of the chores I enjoy the best on our farms is clipping pastures. It doesn’t take a lot of concentration or skill to clip weeds and grass that the cows have left standing. There is a pleasant satisfaction when I hear the chopper grinding into oblivion the arrogant thistles and multiflora rose bushes that seem to flaunt their ability to withstand the heat, drought, and any of nature’s challenges.

With every round, I watch the underlying grass appear. It seems to thank me for helping it overcome the tough competition that has overshadowed it for too long. Our cattle watch with anticipation of greener pastures from inside the barnyard fence. They seem to realize that they won’t have the eye-offending brittle stalks of grass and weeds to contend with as they forage for young clover and new grass once the gate is opened and they are released into the freshly mown section.

Clipping pastures does not have the stress level that I associate with mowing grass down for hay. Generally, there are fewer ground hog holes to watch out for since the cows are very efficient at closing these farm-equipment offenders that play havoc on the tractor drivers, too. Rubbing their faces in the fresh dirt around the burrow entrance is a favorite pastime for our Herefords. Within a few days, any pasture-squatting ground hog will have his excavated entrance hole politely but permanently closed. That’s a relief for people as well as cattle since all of us won’t be at risk for breaking something as we travel across the field.

We try to clip pastures when the weather forecast is too risky for curing hay. Storm clouds on the horizon generally bring cooler breezes and some refreshing showers to cool off the chore of clipping. Raindrops on the tractor muffler burst into puffs of steam as the clouds pass overhead. The dry ground soaks in the welcome moisture as the pastures seem to sigh with relief when much-needed water finds its way to thirsty roots. As long as the clouds hold back down pours, I generally continue to wage my war on weeds and old grass.

Last week, as I was clipping pastures at my parents’ farm, I watched dark clouds gathering far to the west. I prayed that these clouds would bring rain to the farm’s fields since several weeks had passed with no precipitation. Each round I made with the tractor and mower was one pass closer to finishing the job. I wanted to get finished with this chore so that our time could be spent on hay-making efforts. Finding those windows in the weather to mow hay and let it dry, rake it and bale it without getting rained on is always a gamble when forecasts change without warning. Since last weekend had one of those “chance of rain” predictions by professional meteorologists, pasture clipping became the top priority.

I kept the tractor rolling and the PTO revved up to clear another pass through the pasture. I was almost able to see my progress from across the knob of the hill. While I prayed for rain, I had conflicting hopes of finishing the job, parking the tractor, and enjoying the rain fall from inside my parents’ farmhouse. As the staccato of the raindrops increased on the tractor’s hood, I knew the clouds were beating me to the goal line. I saw my husband, Mike, walking toward the pasture and waving me to stop. I figured he wanted to pull the tractor and mower through the pasture gate and into the shed. But, instead, he said he would take over and finish the mowing. He had just finished the fence-line trimming task he was working on. Even though I questioned his judgment, I hopped off the tractor and headed for the house.

The sound of the tractor was drowned out by the rain hitting the metal roof of my parents’ porch within a few minutes. I dashed back to the metal shed and found Mike, tractor and mower thoroughly soaked. Now equally drenched, I hauled on the sliding doors to close them and keep the blowing rain outside. The percussion of the rain made the inside of the metal shed reverberate like a drum. There was no point in talking since we could barely hear ourselves think with all the noise.

Inside my head, the “I told you so” thought kept bouncing around as I saw the water pooling on the floor around us. Trying to get one more round before the rain had left both of us soaking wet, but glad for the shower. We waited for the storm to subside before walking back to the house for a welcomed break and a home-cooked meal of chicken pot pie, prepared by my mom and daughter Emilie. We enjoyed the family fellowship for the next hour, and finished the pasture clipping after the sun returned later in the afternoon.

Sometimes it seems God is telling us to take a break and enjoy what truly matters in life. And even though I enjoy driving tractors,clipping pastures, and getting jobs done, these rain-interupted interludes remind me that spending time with my family is what is truly important in life.

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Spite Fences.

Sheila Miller — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:16:14 -0400

When I was young, I would hear my parents commenting about a property we would pass on the way to my elementary school where someone built a giant fence between his yard and his neighbor’s yard. My Mom would remark that it was a “spite fence.” As a child, I had a hard time understanding what its purpose was, and how the name applied to the situation. Now as an adult, the purpose and meaning have become crystal clear.

Back in the 1960s, the spite fence that caused such a stir was made of unsightly leftover materials and junk. It was truly an eyesore. The spiteful neighbor meant to block his neighbor’s view into his own backyard. He used whatever materials he could find to trash the property line and annoy his neat and tidy neighbor. What argument precipitated this deliberate feud fortification, we never knew. But, the spite fence was certainly the talk of the township.

This small scale Hatfield and McCoy confrontation spurred the local officials to enact an ordinance to not allow this sort of timber tactic for getting even with neighbors. Unfortunately, the spite fence remained in place since it was built prior to this new policy’s enactment. It remained intact for years. Eventually, once the property was sold, the nasty neighbor’s negative fence was dismantled by new owners much to the relief of the township and its rural residents.

Being a good neighbor was easier back then, it seemed to me. Our non-farm neighbors were our friends. They would bring drinks to my Dad as he worked in the fields, giving him a refreshing break and letting him catch up on their lives for a few minutes. He never turned down a kind neighbor’s offer, even if he had just had a similar field break the round before. Our neighbors understood farming and the hard work that went into it. They respected my parents’ land and appreciated living next door.

Things certainly have changed over the past four decades. Today, we see high fences dividing neighbors’ properties on a routine basis. People hide behind these barriers to avoid knowing or working with their neighbors. Sometimes they are designed to confine pets to their own yard which may be a good thing. But does it truly take a six-foot high fence to contain a Chihuahua?

Today’s spite fences are certainly more attractive than the one I recall from my childhood, but they accomplish the same purpose. They place a physical and psychological barrier between neighbors. They are too high to see over or converse through. They are not conducive to “over the fence” communication opportunities. Wood or weather-proof plastic fencing blocks the way of getting to know the person next door.

In the farm community, maintaining good neighbor relations is a constant challenge. The Commonwealth’s antique fencing law was enacted to ensure the cost of boundary line fences would be shared by both farmers since they would both benefit. In that case, the adage “good fences make good neighbors” did apply since the constructed fence made sure livestock was contained on their home farms. Unfortunately, the fences I see springing up today in rural Pennsylvania have nothing to do with keeping livestock under control. Instead, they are an attempt to stake out the private territory of quarter-acre lot owners. The “Keep Out” message comes through loud and clear from these new folks who want to keep to themselves even when they are living in a development where houses are packed in like sardines in a can.

When new folks move next to a farm, they quickly learn their fancy fences can’t keep out the noise, smells, insects, dust, and all the other factors that come with country living. While they love the bucolic setting surrounding their newly-built home, they don’t appreciate anything that gets in their way of enjoying their fenced in back yard.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, farmers get more complaints served to them than refreshing drinks on a hot summer day. While we can never go back, I much prefer reflecting on the time of my childhood when one spite fence was the talk of the entire township rather than the constant struggles we seem to have today with far too many non-farm neighbors. Tearing down the fences of misunderstanding is just one more job to add to a farmer’s full schedule, but it is essential for our future.

Lancaster Farming’s guidelines for posting comments on the website ask that you follow the Golden Rule, respecting other opinions and being truthful and civil. Do not post any statements that are illegal, defamatory, obscene, threatening, or plagiarized.

Don’t count the chickens

Sheila Miller — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:05:51 -0400

This week, our local paper ran an article talking about the great profits in store for farmers thanks to the high price of grain and the Midwest’s disastrous weather. My thoughts immediately went out to the farmers who are watching helplessly as their crop fields are flooded and their hard work washed away. I have a hard time being elated about their misfortune. Mother Nature’s fickle partnership has dealt many blows to the agricultural community this year, already. My reaction to the naïve reporter’s story can be summed up with the old saying: “Don’t count your chickens before they're hatched.” A lot can happen between the first day of summer and harvest time.

Personally, we are facing the fact that the cold May rains wiped out a fair share of our no-till corn planting. I had been hoping to concentrate our efforts this month on harvesting hay rather than replanting our corn crop. Unfortunately, we have to squeeze both into our busy schedules. Like everyone else in the farm community, we listen to weather forecasts to try to optimize the quality of our hay, and gamble on their predictions. To mow or not to mow --- that is always the question!

While I tend to want to risk a bit of rain on the windrows, Mike is more conservative. He contends our beef cows will eat older hay more readily than rained-on hay. He is generally right when he tells me that our haybine needs to stay parked because of a threatening shower forecast on the Weather Channel. And, because we are extremely dry and need the rain, I am happy when his caution is right on target. Unfortunately, our recent rains have been barely enough to dampen the ground. We are seeing our grass fields rapidly turning from green to brown. I begin to worry about another drought year.

Since we intensively graze our pastures, we have been able to stretch the grass and keep the cows content so far this year. Feeding hay in the summer is not something I want to do. That has been the case on our farms for the past two years, and I was hoping that we wouldn’t repeat that routine in 2008. But, we can’t control the weather and will work with whatever comes our way.

One tool we have added to our farm is crop insurance. It has proven its value in 2007 and 2008. I appreciate the continued support the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Department of Agriculture have given to this program. Farming without it could be disastrous with the high input costs we are facing. Protecting these investments should be a part of every farm’s business plan.

What will the remainder of the 2008 growing season hold in store for Pennsylvania farmers? Only time will tell. It is far too early to be celebrating bumper crops and high grain prices. Besides, our Commonwealth’s farms are predominantly livestock and poultry operations rather than cash crop farms. That means we feed our high-priced grain to cattle, swine and poultry. We are a net importing state for corn, soybeans and other feed grains. Unlike our Midwestern brothers, the climbing commodity prices aren’t numbers to cheer about until we have a surplus crop to sell.

With the challenging weather we’ve witnessed already in 2008, I am nervously watching our nest eggs and hoping we won’t have to brood about the failed hatch when the crops are harvested. In the meantime, I thank God for the fact that our plight is pale when contrasted with the devastation being witnessed by victims of floods and tornados in other parts of our country. Our prayers are lifted up for these unfortunate farmers and their non-farm neighbors.

Historic Barn Conference

Sheila Miller — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:49:11 -0400

The Pennsylvania Historic Barn Conference is now history. I am overwhelmed with relief. At the same time, I am thrilled at the amazingly successful results our small band of barn enthusiasts had in putting this conference together. Countless hours were devoted to organizing and executing this event during the past eight months. Everything and everyone came together from June 5-7, 2008 at Kutztown University to celebrate our special barns and the agricultural heritage most of us take for granted.

Conferees came from eight states plus the District of Columbia. One person travelled from Iowa, several from Michigan, and our neighboring states were represented with strong numbers. This conference was the first major event for the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania, a fledgling group dedicated to recording, documenting, and preserving historic barns. Started in March 2007 when barn author Robert Ensminger and I met for the first time at a restaurant in Hamburg, PA, our organization was officially launched last September. From that very first encounter, our numbers have been growing. Joining Bob and me at that inaugural meeting of the minds were Greg Huber and Jeffrey Marshall, both well-known experts on historic structures and preservation.

Last weekend, more than one hundred people came to Berks County to learn more about the old barns. Gathering at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center on Thursday evening, the early arrivals had the opportunity to network with one another. I was especially pleased that Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff took time out of his busy schedule to stop in to say “hello.”

Friday morning found us filling up the auditorium in Kutztown University’s student union building. A packed agenda kept us moving through a long list of speakers who were willing to share their expertise about historic barns. Restoring, reusing, retrofitting, and recycling old barns were topics of interest, along with barn art and hex signs. Preservationists and politicians were on hand to share the latest information with those in attendance. I was thrilled to have the president bring greetings to the group. President of Kutztown University, Javier Cevalles, shared his university’s support for teaching about and supporting programs for historic barns and our agrarian heritage. I certainly appreciate the help HBFF of PA has received from KU professor Dr. Robert Reynolds, the director of the PA German Cultural Heritage Center and HBFF board member, and his staff in putting this conference together.

Representative Mark Keller, Perry County, provided an update on legislation he has introduced to assist historic barn owners through a tax incentive and grant program. Unfortunately, the bill has not been reported from the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee yet. Keller assured the crowd that he will continue to advocate for its passage, even if it means reintroducing it in the new session that starts in January. Since he is the candidate on both Republican and Democratic tickets, Keller is safe in making that promise to the people.

A tribute dinner to three very special people was held Friday evening. John Heyl, Joseph Glass, and Robert Ensminger were honored for their combined decades of work in researching and documenting Pennsylvania’s historic barns. The evening was highlighted by their reminiscing about their work and their philosophies about people and life, in general. Centenarian John Heyl received a standing ovation from the crowd at the conclusion of his remarks as he challenged all of us to be “observant” as we live our lives, taking notice to all that surrounds us. His remarks hit home for many folks who gathered in that banquet hall, barely slowing down enough to enjoy the delicious meal.

Culminating the conference was Saturday’s bus tour in the Oley Valley. Honoree Bob Ensminger is quick to point out that no where in the United States can you find as many historic barns of various architectural styles and ages than in that historic district of Berks County. He should know since he has travelled across the country and to other continents studying old barns. Despite the scorching temperatures, the bus tour participants explored eight barns and met with their hospitable owners. The hardest part of the day was rounding up everyone and herding them back to the buses in order to stay on schedule. Thanks to Bob Ensminger, Greg Huber, Phil Pendleton and Jim Lewars for putting together a memorable day.

At lunch time, Representative Dave Kessler joined the crowd at a local church and spoke to them about Pennsylvania’s efforts to preserve farmland and local efforts which have designated the Oley Township as an historic district, the first of its kind anywhere in the nation. It was great to have the local state representative welcome the tour participants to his legislative district and spend some time listening to commentary from visitors and constituents, alike.

As the conferees departed for home, many asked me what we were planning next. I assured them that we would stay in touch and let them know when another tour or conference was in the making. Even though the conference had come to an end, the HBFF of PA Board still has much to do to complete the circle --- getting bills paid, thank you notes sent to sponsors, and much more than I wanted to think about at the end of a long day. National Barn Alliance President Charles Leik congratulated us on a well-organized event, and complimented Pennsylvania on a successful conference. We were happy to partner with NBA in accomplishing this goal and appreciate the enthusiasm of all who attended and supported this three-day event.

In the weeks ahead, the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania will be posting pictures and conference topics on its website. Keep checking www.pahistoricbarns.org. Please join us for more good news as we work to keep Pennsylvania historic barns on the horizon.

Snap

Sheila Miller — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:32:08 -0400

I rounded the familiar curve in the road on my way to the historic barn conference and was startled to find a large “rock” directly in front of my right tire. Fortunately, there was no vehicle coming the opposite direction as I swerved out to miss hitting this dark mass. As I swung out into the turn, the “rock” took on a new appearance. Now I saw clearly a prehistoric-looking head peering cautiously at the wide expanse of macadam road that lay before it. Four legs were carrying the “rock” slowly toward the center line. The rough surface I was trying to avoid with my front tire was the hard shell of a giant snapping turtle.

As I pulled my car through the centrifugal force of the curve, I glanced in my rear view mirror to make sure Snap was still crawling. I was hoping the traffic following me could avoid a collision with this reptile, too. I knew it would be a miracle on this busy road for the turtle to achieve its goal of crossing the highway from farm field to swampy meadowland. But it was on a mission. The turtle was completing nature’s life cycle. Our cars and highways weren’t going to get in her way of laying eggs for the next generation of snappers to get started.

The undisturbed life span of a snapping turtle can be nearly a century long. These formidable creatures have an armored shell that is hard to crush. They are not a companion turtle like their gentle brother the painted box turtle. The snapper lets you know it means business when it clamps down on anything foolish enough to get between its powerful jaws.

I met my first snapping turtle during a warm summer when I was in my early teen years. As part of a band of youngsters on horses and ponies, we explored the bottom pasture land along the Swatara Creek. Old canal beds made ideal swimming holes for both kids and equines after spring floods subsided. Riding bareback, our horses would carry us from one end of the pooled water to the other as the cool water slipped over our bodies. With manes and tails flowing, our horses paddled with pleasure while we held onto their slippery hides, making sure we had good grips once our horses’ hooves struck land again. With a lurch, our mounts would leap out of the water as we raced to the next swimming hole to repeat the summer fun.

On one of these days, the group of us spied a brown “rock” moving through the grass. We slid to the ground and picked up the unusual turtle, putting it in a long-discarded metal bucket. We carried our discovery several miles to the home of our junior high school biology teacher. He took one look in the pail and started to laugh. “Haven’t you kids every seen a snapper before?” All of us went pale, thinking that our fingers had been just one bite away from being lunch for this notoriously nasty member of the turtle family. We left the bucket and its cargo with our teacher and headed for the hills.

My encounters with snappers were few and far between since then. We have them on our farms, and occasionally see the females on their journey to higher ground where they will lay their eggs. This year we have a bold snapper who crosses our pasture from a higher pond to the lower pond, risking encounters with our beef cattle as it pulls itself toward the safety of the water. The cows have no tolerance for the unusual "rock" that moves in front of their noses. With threatening bawls, they sometimes flip the turtle over and over. Once the cows lose interest in the intruder, the turtle comes out of its shell and continues its trek toward the pond.

I’ve talked to some folks who enjoy making soup from these tough reptiles. I’m not sure how they find a pot big enough to cook the ones I’ve seen. If the population of snappers keeps growing in our ponds, I may have to get the recipe. Until then, I will just keep avoiding these snappers, whether on the road or on my farm.

Lancaster Farming's guidelines for posting comments on the website ask that you follow the Golden Rule, respecting other opinions and being truthful and civil. Do not post any statements that are illegal, defamatory, obscene, threatening, or plagiarized.

Wondering about Teff, the "Wonder" Grass.

Sheila Miller — Fri, 30 May 2008 07:32:13 -0400

“It wonders me” is a phrase I have heard since childhood, growing up in “Pennsylvania Dutch” country. So, when I heard about a new forage phenomenon named teff, I have to admit this “wonder” grass wondered me.

I was introduced to this high -tonnage, low fertility, drought-resistant and water-tolerant hay and pasture alternative at our spring Crops Conference put on by Penn State Extension and our various agribusinesses. I left that educational event wondering if teff would be the answer to our beef cattle’s voracious appetites and our constant struggle to fill the barns with adequate winter feed when Mother Nature turns off the rain on our hay fields as she’s done for the past few summers.

While teff is a new word for most farmers around our neighborhood, this is actually an old grass that is native to Ethiopia. It is a warm-season grass that is a summer annual, so you have to reseed it every year. And, you have to wait until the soil temperatures warm up and there is no risk of frost to plant it. The cold wet May we had this year has given us more time to get ready to seed this new crop and tap the minds of farmers who tried it and loved it last year.

Another name for teff is love grass. Everyone we have talked to that has tried it loves it, so its name is a fitting one. It can be used for grazing, hay, or chopped into silage. Our farm friends rave about how fast teff germinates. Three days and it is up and growing. A challenge is not planting it too deep. Recommended seeding depth is no more than ¼ inch at a rate of 4 to 5 pounds. But, we have heard that a farmer planted it two inches deep by mistake, and it still yielded a great hay crop.

Teff is one tough plant, but in a good way. As hay, animals love it --- even finicky equines. When planted and harvested right, its crude protein is generally between 15 and 16%. We figure our Hereford cattle will have no problems digging into bales of teff when our pastures quit growing. We might even try no-tilling it into some of our older pastures where the bluegrass has burned out the past two years. Teff is an aggressive competitor, according to Extension, so it should be able to fill in where our cool-season grasses fall short during the hot weather.

While it tolerates dry conditions as a warm season grass, it also tolerates waterlogged soils. Not many plants are adaptable to both ends of the moisture pendulum. Since we have fields that are shallow and dry, with wet spots and springs presenting drainage issues for plants, teff seems to be the answer to our cropland challenges. It appreciates nitrogen to get jump started. But, in comparison to other forages, teff is relatively low maintenance. As we watch the bottom line on this year’s feed costs, the idea of maximizing stored hay with fewer input costs is most welcome considering the escalating prices of fertilizer.

Since teff freezes out in the fall after a killing frost, I am less nervous about this “wonder grass” becoming a weed pest in the future. We have all heard the tales of new crops becoming new problems when they didn’t prove to be economically or environmentally beneficial. This grass will give us a reasonable alternative on rented ground when we want to give it a rest from no-till corn yet justify the lease payments on that acreage. This new idea has lots of promise for its conservation benefits, along with yields and nutrient value.

While not much has been studied on no-tilling teff, we will be drilling it that way rather than preparing a conventional seed bed. The firmer ground should help us keep from getting the seed too deep, and the trash on top will help build organic matter and protect the land from erosion. Since we farm some hills, no-till farming helps us do our part for conserving soil. Saving fuel with fewer trips is another benefit, especially as we see the price per gallon soaring every week.

I’ve read that teff can be planted throughout the months of June and July and still have terrific yields. It can follow winter grain harvest in rotations. First harvest can be expected in 50 to 55 days, and then every 40 to 45 days after that until frost. Trials have yielded 2 tons of forage dry matter per acre with neutral detergent fiber figures of 60.7% from 128 tested samples. If it isn’t fed, teff can be plowed down as a green manure.

I’m excited about teff and its possibilities for Pennsylvania farmers. I’ll know in a few months if this wonder grass fulfills all the expectations I have been wondering about since our March crops meeting. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, I welcome readers to share their comments on teff. Just log on and post your thoughts to this blog.

Women Farmers.

Sheila Miller — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:13:32 -0400

Do women farmers need mentors? Should women farmers be mentors? These were questions I asked myself as I prepared to participate in a one-day session organized by the Women’s Agricultural Network, a group organized and initiated by Penn State a few years ago. The location of this educational session was the Rodale Institute, a site where innovative ideas involving agriculture have been contemplated for decades.

As I drove up to the Rodale experiment farm with its renovated barn whose second-floor was converted into a classroom setting, I was pleasantly surprised to see a barn full of interested women, and a few men. Several agriculturally-related organizations were on hand to support this learning session which included a tour of the Rodale experiment plots and gardens.

I was enjoying the day, asking questions, and dialoguing with other participants. I was intrigued by the hairy vetch cover crop that is incorporated into Rodale’s crop management techniques. I was curious about the spring wheat strips that were greening up nicely, despite the cooler, wetter weather we’ve been experiencing in Berks County. It surprised me to find this crop growing in Pennsylvania soils since I had been taught that this was a Midwestern hard red wheat crop during my college years. Spring oats and winter rye, wheat and barley are the norm in this part of the United States. It will be exciting to watch the results of this agronomic experiment and its application for Pennsylvania farmers.

I absorbed new information about composting, and tried to memorize what the speaker was sharing as the recipe for success for recycling ingredients to make this soil amendment. Greens and browns, water, and even layers --- I was glad there was a handout so I didn’t have to commit all of this information to memory. I was learning new things, and if felt good. I knew I would be able to share this with others in the future. Stretching the mind is good exercise, no matter how long you’ve been farming, no matter what your gender. As an agricultural coordinator, sharing information is all part of my job.

What does it mean to be a mentor? One definition for mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. Another is an influential senior sponsor or supporter. Through the Women’s Agricultural Network, women of all levels of experience can learn from one another. This organization helps to bring women of diverse expertise together in order to farm more successfully. Some are women farmers whose husbands have died; others are single women who are jumping into the field of agriculture with enthusiasm and energy. Traditional agriculturalists, organic farmers, and those who combine both viewpoints on their farms, come together to network and exchange news and information.

My comments to the group reflected my personal experience growing up in a farm family with two daughters and no sons. I explained that my parents never discriminated when it came to the hard work of farming. Greasy and calloused hands were not gender specific or linked to the Y chromosome in our family. As far as my Dad was concerned, my sister and I were just one of the boys! We were asked to do jobs as farm kids, with no excuses accepted just because we were girls. It was an enlightened attitude for the 1960s, and one that needs to continue in the 21st century.

As I pointed out in my remarks to the group, women need to talk with one another and not assume that everyone knows everything about farming. Just as I had learned new concepts earlier in the day, other women might benefit from the knowledge I could share. We talked about the need to ensure young people, both male and female, have the opportunity to study agriculture in their secondary educations. This will provide the basis they need for future careers in the industry. I applauded one of the conference participants for bringing her two young daughters to the event. While they might have only understood it as a fun day to ride on wagons and romp around a garden path or roll down the sloping bank barn hill, it was a great start to their potential future in the food industry. Young minds absorb more than we realize.

My role in agriculture has taken many turns over its course. As the first woman hired by the USDA’s Soil Conservation Service back in the 1970s, to my job as Lancaster Farming’s editor, to my quarter century in the state capitol, I hope that I have helped other women aspire to careers in agriculture or to take on the challenge of farming. I have had many mentors in my life, whether family, teachers or friends, who have given me the courage to farm. Giving some of that confidence back to others is a small gift for everything I have received from my role models throughout life.

To all women in agriculture, remember that, no matter what path you are following toward a dream or goal, always stay the course even if it feels like you are getting no where. Hard work, common sense, involvement and commitment to agriculture --- our number one industry --- whether at the farm gate, farm house, or in House of Representatives, are assets women bring to the job of feeding the world.

Sage Advice!

Sheila Miller — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:53:54 -0400

Follow your dreams. Work hard and reach for the stars. These are words of encouragement that we routinely extend to students during the month of May. As I prepare to speak to an FFA chapter at the close of this school year’s chapter, I feel the responsibility of delivering this message in a meaningful way. How can I relate to these young, energetic, enthusiastic youth who look forward to everything life has to offer? Their world is waiting.

I remember those mixed feelings of exuberance and fear that swept into my mind when I realized my comfortable, sheltered life as a teenager would dramatically change as I stepped away from my family’s farm as I grasped my high school diploma and the congratulating hands of many well wishers. I tried not to let the nervous thoughts cloud the day, but their shadows nagged in the background of my mind. What would my life hold in store? Would I succeed in reaching my goals? What were my goals, really?

My life’s journey, since graduating from high school, has taken many unexpected turns. When speaking to young people, I always encourage them to keep an open mind and remain flexible to opportunities you never expected. Being willing to change directions if the right thing comes along is a good thing.

Many times I think about our third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, who was changed the direction of his life many times. He was a lawyer, statesman, inventor, farmer, naturalist, architect, writer and philanthropist who never stopped striving to make a difference. He served his country for five decades and still found time to learn new things each and every day. He.had his own list of ten simple rules for living and wrote these words in 1825, just sixteen months before his death in his 83rd year of life. His rules for living are still applicable, 183 years later:

1. “never put off till tomorrow what you can do today;
2. never trouble another for what you can do yourself;
3. never spend your money before you have it;
4. never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you;
5. pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold;
6. we never repent of having eaten too little;
7. nothing is troublesome that we do willingly;
8. how much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened;
9. take things always by their smooth handle;
10. when angry, count to ten, before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.”

A more modern-day translation of Jefferson’s advice would still suggest that successful people:
1. don’t procrastinate;
2. be self-reliant;
3., get a job and don’t live on credit cards;
4. don’t buy things you don’t need just because there is a sale;
5. swallow your pride so it doesn’t cost you friends, family, job;
6. don’t be a glutton;
7. do everything willingly and with a caring heart;
8. don’t worry about things that might never happen;
9. be smart about handling hot issues in life;
10. don’t speak until your anger cools down!

While few of us will achieve the fame of Thomas Jefferson, we all can make a difference in our own life and the lives of others if we work hard --- while taking some time to enjoy the good things life has to offer.

Just Like Your Mother! Thanks.

Sheila Miller — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:33:17 -0400

It’s Mother’s Day weekend --- a time to celebrate your maternal side. As farmers, we need to say thank you to lots of mother figures: Mother Nature, Mother Earth, and, closer to home, the person who delivered us into this world. All of these mothers are keys to life itself.

The first time someone told me I was just like my mother, I was confused and a bit surprised. As a youngster, I didn’t see my mother as a role model. She was simply my “mom.” As I have gotten older, I know that it just came naturally for her to put her strong character, opinions, and work ethic into her offspring. I now consider that statement one of the nicest compliments I can receive. I am fortunate to be able to once again celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday with the most loving teacher, care giver, and critic I know. She has nurtured me as a child and cheered my success as an adult.

As I was growing up, my mom spent many hours teaching my older sister and me the fine arts of cooking, cleaning, and sewing. She tried her best to prepare both of us for the future. She gave us the courage to be independent and to strive for careers that allowed us to utilize our talents. She knew that those lessons would make us self-sufficient and would someday lead us on our own paths to success. Mom would have to share us with many people over the years, and our special family times would be less frequent as my sister’s and my careers demanded more days and years away from our first home.

Today both my sister and I have followed in the footsteps of our maternal mentor, and have become mothers as well. No matter what accomplishments we may have realized in our chosen fields, there is no greater achievement in life than giving life to someone. In my sister’s case, two sons crowned her with the title “mother.” My crowning achievement was Emilie, and I’ve been happily celebrating Mother’s Day, thanks to her, for the past twenty-three years.

From her first heart beat, I fell in love with the title of “mom.” Learning the role wasn’t always easy. During the first few weeks of Emilie’s life, I called on my mother for advice on how to deal with the incessant crying when colic gripped her tiny body. Mom’s shared wisdom aided me immensely as I dealt with the joys and anguish of motherhood. The topics were diverse and her knowledge immeasurable. She was a reliable source for sound advice, and a grand substitute when I had to be away from my daughter. My mother welcomed the title of “grandma” with open arms and immersed herself in that special stage in life where she could love, teach, and “spoil” her granddaughter.

As Emilie has grown into a young woman with an independent spirit and a dream to succeed in her own career, she has probably heard far too often “you’re just like your mother.” I beam with pride when I hear the comparison, because I am her biggest cheerleader, just as my mother was for me as I was growing up.

Motherhood has been a blessing, a gift, and one of life’s biggest challenges. It is a job that is never-ending and never fully appreciated. One special day a year, we honor mothers everywhere. It’s a time to say thank you to Mother Nature, Mother Earth, and especially the person who gave us life. It’s a time to hug our children. It’s a time to cherish the opportunity to celebrate Mother’s Day and everything we love.

Counting Down to an Historic Conference!

Sheila Miller — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:30:36 -0400

In just one month, historic barn enthusiasts from across the country will gather in Pennsylvania to celebrate these icons of farmstead buildings. We are expecting people to travel to Berks County from states as far away as the Midwest, and perhaps further. As the pioneers traveled westward, so did the skills for building barns. But, the frequency of the styles of barns we take for granted in Pennsylvania diminishes dramatically once you cross our Commonwealth’s and our neighboring states’ boundaries. Our state is fortunate to have a treasure chest of old barns, most of which are still in terrific condition despite their century or greater age status.

My passion for old barns has been the focus of much of my “spare time” for the past twelve months. I have been working with people far more knowledgeable than myself about these historic buildings as we joined energies to launch the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization to record and preserve historic barns in Pennsylvania. Soon after we had formally kicked off our Foundation, we were asked to co-host the 2008 national conference. The National Barn Alliance would be our partners if we agreed to take on the challenge.

The founding group agreed this would be a great opportunity for the Foundation to spread the word about historic barns and their importance in the Keystone State and beyond. We got started with the task of planning and implementing what we know will be a wonderful event which is coming up next month from June 5-7.

We will be gathering in Kutztown, and partnering with its well-known state university and the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center. Dr. Rob Reynolds has played a vital role in coordinating our efforts for higher learning as both a professor and the Heritage Center’s director. His enthusiasm for these timber-framed tributes to our agrarian heritage is contagious. Rob has been an asset to our Board and this upcoming conference beyond description.

Key to the success of the Foundation and this year’s conference are the rest of my board members, especially Bob Ensminger and Greg Huber. Bob and Greg have planned and mapped out a once-in-a-lifetime historic barn tour of the Oley Valley in Berks County. Both of these men are well-known authors whose subjects are historic Pennsylvania and Dutch-style barns. With eight special stops on the agenda for Saturday, June 7th our bus tour will be a tremendous opportunity to learn from two of the top experts. Ensminger and Huber will be joined by two other HBFF of PA board members, Jim Lewars and Phil Pendleton, two respected experts on the history of the region, who will be sharing their knowledge while the buses are traveling from site to site.

During the past year, I have come to realize that people who love barns need lots of time to trade stories about their latest “sweetheart” structures. Whenever our Foundation board assembles, it takes at least fifteen minutes to refocus the members on business. They would prefer to keep talking about barns and all their beauty. With some persistence, I redirect their energy to planning this major conference, with all its details. With this understanding, our three-day event actually kicks off Thursday evening, June 5th, with an informal reception on the grounds of the Pennylvania German Cultural Heritage Center. There will be lots of food and conversation for all conference participants.

In between the informal reception and Saturday’s barn tour, we will have an information-packed day on Friday, June 6th, as we congregate in the Student Union Building at Kutztown University to hear panelists, experts, and enthusiasts sharing their knowledge about barn architecture and preservation. The day will be highlighted by a special dinner tribute to three special barn authors and authorities: centenarian John Heyl, who will be returning to his native Pennsylvania from the state of Maine, Dr. Joseph Glass, and of course Bob Ensminger. They will be sharing their vast experiences spent studying and documenting old barns. Having all three of these gentlemen with us next month at Kutztown will be a reunion you won’t want to miss.

So, plan to join us as we celebrate historic barns in Pennsylvania. For more information about the conference and registration forms, go to the website for the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania at www.pahistoricbarns.org. We’d love for you to join in the fun and fellowship. See you in Kutztown.