Lancaster Farming: Ephrata, PA
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:22pm.
 Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor LANCASTER, Pa. — Times are changing. Agriculture is evolving. Regulations are increasing. Consumers are more aware. Activists are challenging farm practices. Kevin Ochsner, a consultant with Indiana-based Agri Business Group, Inc., challenged PennAg Industries Association members last week at the Lancaster County Convention Center to engage in the discussion. Ochsner said questions from these groups are “fundamentally rocking” the industry to its core. “We have been in a situation where there our things outside our control that are impacting our business and we are trying to figure out where we go from here,” said Ochsner, who also operates a small beef operation in Colorado and hosts a television show called “Cattleman to Cattleman” on RFD-TV. “We cannot any longer in this industry have other people sharing our message and determining our destiny.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:17pm.
 Laurie Savage
Maryland Correspondent FREDERICK, Md. — The Maryland Holstein Association had a good year, despite a difficult year for members in the milk business, organization officials say. President Donna Myers told members the association continues to support youth in various ways, including presenting $25,000 in scholarships last year. “That’s quite a feat, and one you should all be proud of,” she told attendees at the Maryland Holstein Convention held Friday, March 12, at the Frederick Fairgrounds. Juniors continue to shine on the national level.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:13pm.
 RICHMOND — Governor Bob McDonnell this week appointed Harrisonburg Delegate Matt Lohr to serve as the Commonwealth’s next Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Lohr is a three-term Republican Delegate representing Harrisonburg and sections of Rockingham County. Speaking about the appointment, Governor McDonnell noted, “Matt understands the importance of agriculture to Virginia’s economy.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:11pm.
 Maegan Crandall
Central N.Y. Correspondent ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell Small Farms Program recently hosted its third Small Farms Summit with a large group of diverse attendees including farmers, non-profit organizations, faculty, extension educators, and policymakers all interested and committed to enhancing the viability of small farms in New York state.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:06pm.
Dick Wanner
Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER, Pa. — Bill Chirdon offered a potent example of the money value of food safety when he addressed an agribusiness group in Lancaster recently. Pennsylvania leads the world in mushroom production, he said, but eight years ago the industry was in peril.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:02pm.
 Group Brainstorms the Future of Agriculture Chris Torres
Staff Writer HARRISBURG, Pa. — By 2050, it is estimated that 9 billion people will be living on our planet. At the same time, oil is running out, urban encroachment is becoming a bigger issue and farmers are leaving faster than the next generation can replace them. So how will agriculture evolve to meet the world’s needs by the middle of the century? That was one of the main topics at a meeting last Thursday of the Nuffield Farming Scholars at the Farm Show Complex. About 53 Nuffield scholars representing six countries and a passion for learning about agriculture around the globe made the trip to the fifth Contemporary Scholars Conference.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:56am.
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor LANCASTER, Pa. — Agriculture is a keystone in the protection of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, according to Ann Swanson of the Chesapeake Bay Commission office based in Harrisburg. Farmers have a role in the discussion. Swanson shared how farmers can work with the commission to protect the watershed and agriculture at last week’s PennAg Industries Association meeting at the Lancaster Convention Center. “It is mathematically impossible to do it without agriculture,” she said of the cleanup effort. The Chesapeake Bay Commission is a multi-state entity with representation from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:55am.
Chris Torres
Staff Writer It’s been at least three years in the making but coming this fall, anyone interested in getting a degree in winemaking in Pennsylvania will be able to do so. And they won’t have to go to California. Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) announced earlier this month that it will add courses in enology and viticulture starting in late August. The college will offer associate degrees in applied science and certificates in enology and viticulture, along with a select-a-course option for those just wanting to brush up on their skills. All courses will be offered online, with some including a “blended format” requiring students to attend weekend camps either at HACC’s campus in Harrisburg, Pa.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:53am.
 Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
New York Correspondent LODI, N.Y.— Steve and Barbara Smith consider their business a sort of dairy-oriented community supported agriculture (CSA) operation in which members pay for partial ownership in a herd of Jerseys in exchange for a share of the milk they produce.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:50am.
 Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
N.Y. Correspondent CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — Raising Simmental beef cattle is a family affair for Randy and Karen Rugenstein. Their 35-head operation, Rugenstein Family Farm, began when daughters Amy and Rebecca — who were then 4-H youngsters — wanted to raise livestock 16 years ago. “We ended up buying them a couple of beef calves, and they were really responsible,” recalled Karen.
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