Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:59pm.
Chris Torres
Staff Writer The Northeast Equipment Dealers Association (NEDA) has alerted dealers to a possible equipment theft ring in the region. Dealers across Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and New England have reported having large pieces of farm and construction equipment stolen in recent weeks. Many of the pieces include skid loaders that can be used on farm and construction sites. Dave Close, operations manager at NEDA, said a combination of factors, including lax security measures at some dealerships and a bad economy have made some dealers an easy target for thieves. “I believe the economy has a lot to do with it.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:38pm.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series on health care challenges in farm and rural communities. “Americans who live in rural communities have a harder time finding the doctor they need and getting the care they deserve, and their health suffers,” says U.S.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:33pm.
 Virginia Barn Finalist for Restoration Jennifer Merritt
Virginia Correspondent AUGUSTA CO., Va. — Campbell’s Soup is sponsoring a campaign to preserve five barns this year as part of their “Help Grow Your Soup” promotion. Sally Shomo hopes her family’s barn is one of the five.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:26pm.
 Guy Steucek
New England Correspondent BRENTWOOD, N.H. — Having just worked with a difficult season, about 50 vegetable growers participated in a workshop on “10+ Marketing Strategies & Tips to Consider When Selling Produce.” Nada Haddad and Becky Sideman, UNH Cooperative Extension organized the day long workshop.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:19pm.
 Hanover Farmers Direct Market to Historic Inn Tracy Sutton
Regional Editor HANOVER, Pa. — Chef Andrew Little has a good thing going and he knows it. Little, executive chef at the historic Sheppard Mansion Inn in Hanover, Pa. serves a “farm-to-table” seasonal menu of organic local ingredients, most of which he sources from nearby farms. “I like to go and meet the farmers and hear their stories,” said Little.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 12:02pm.
 Chris Torres
Staff Writer MANHEIM, Pa. — So, what’s a better cover crop for this area — rye or triticale? What’s an optimum planting date — late August or late September? Could a mixture work best on my farm? These are some of the questions pondered by a small group of people that came to a cover crop field day Tuesday at the Penn State Southeast Ag Research and Extension Center just outside of Manheim. Jeff Graybill, extension educator in Lancaster County, and Charlie White, an extension associate at the College of Agricultural Sciences, led the tour, which began at the research center and ended at the nearby Kreider Family Farm. The plots at the extension center are used to study more “exotic” cover crops from Europe and other areas of the world, which are currently being used by farmers such as Steve Groff in southern Lancaster County. But the plots with more locally-based crops at the Kreider farm are part of a larger research project encompassing 11 separate sites statewide. The purpose of this project, according to White, is to study the effectiveness of certain cover crops based on planting dates and location. “This is the first time that a statewide study has been done to compare these crops around the state,” White said. The cover crops being used in the project are more typical of the kinds being used by farmers in this area — like rye, wheat and oats, just to name a few.
Planting dates were in late August and late September. Land from the 100-acre Kreider Family Farm was volunteered to Penn State for the Lancaster County research plot. Graybill led the walking tour through two separate plots, which included the same cover crops planted at different times. Results varied depending on the actual cover crop.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:59am.
 Laurie Savage
Maryland Correspondent JARRETTSVILLE, Md. — The Peach Bottom Concerned Citizens Group, Inc., says coming together in numbers is the best way to advocate for a better environment and local food systems. “It’s about building support. Grassroots is very, very important,” said Maria Payan of the PBCCG.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:55am.
Chris Torres
Staff Writer CARLISLE, Pa. — Globalization is creating great opportunities and great challenges for dairy producers in the U.S. Alan Reed, senior vice-president of U.S. manufacturing and ingredient marketing at Dairy Management Inc., told nearly 100 people at the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania Dairy Industry Forum last week here at the West Pennsboro Fire Hall that he believes the industry has no choice but to embrace the new realities of a global market if it hopes to grow. “You can’t escape the impact of globalization,” Reed said. Even though the recession has cut into the growth some countries such as China and India have experienced lately, Reed said the market will eventually rebound and that will mean more opportunities for U.S.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:50am.
 HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently congratulated Pennsylvania FFA members on their recent achievements at the organization’s nation convention, held Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis. “The dedication of our FFA members to their personal growth, premier leadership and career success is impressive and appreciated because they are the future of the state’s agriculture industry,” said Redding.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:45am.
American Farm Bureau Federation WASHINGTON — Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). AFBF’s 24th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61. “As we gather this Thanksgiving for food and fellowship, it’s fitting to take a moment to recognize and give thanks, not only for the abundant food we enjoy as Americans, but for the hard-working farm and ranch families across our nation who produce it,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. The cost of a 16-pound turkey, at $18.65 or roughly $1.16 per pound, reflects a decrease of 3 cents per pound, or a total of $.44 per turkey compared to 2008. Milk, at $2.86 per gallon, dropped $.92 and was the largest contributor to the overall decrease in the cost of the 2009 Thanksgiving dinner. “Consistent with the retail food price declines seen throughout the year, consumers will pay just a bit less for their Thanksgiving feast this year,” said Jim Sartwelle, an AFBF economist.
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