Agriculture

What is Agriculture? Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines it this way: the science or art of cultivating the soil, producing a crop and raising livestock. A synonym given is farming and is probably what most people think of as agriculture. Judging from this definition, agriculture should enjoy very high esteem. Yet, what has happened to agriculture's image and reputation is not unlike what has happened to many trades. In our post-modern culture, working with one's hands is considered by many as lowly or demeaning.

In addition to working with farmers, I often get the opportunity to speak to professional and civic organizations locally and in other states. Many times I am asked questions by someone who has read something or seen a video clip or movie produced by people with agendas. While there is nothing wrong with watching or reading such things, the problem is the average reader or watcher has no foundation of knowledge through which to filter the information. We have come to a point in our society where we are on average three generations from the farm.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture recently recognized employees for their years of service to the department. The following area employees were recognized: 30 years Edward Crow, Thurmont, Md., pesticide regulation Thomas Lupp, Frederick, Md., forest pest management 25 years Christopher Firme, Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., forest pest management Moana Himes, Frederick, resource conservation...

Agricultural literacy is a large concern of mine, and sort of a cause, if you will. My concern was heightened when I read about a survey conducted by a British charity called LEAF, which revealed that only 40 percent of young adults associated cows with milk. Furthermore, only 33 percent and 36 percent, respectively, were unaware eggs came from chickens and bacon comes from pigs. So what is agriculture?  Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines it this way: The science or art of cultivating the soil, producing a crop and raising livestock.  A synonym given is farming, and is probably what most people think of as agriculture.  At best, agriculture is part of people's nostalgia, Farmer Brown or Grandpa's Farm.

One-hundred-and-fifty years ago Monday, this county was the scene of the bloodiest single day of the Civil War or the War of Northern Aggression. If you are a frequent reader of this column, then you know I am almost as passionate about history as I am about agriculture. As we look back, “The 1860 agricultural census of Washington County portrays pre-war Sharpsburg as a district of prime land, crops, and animal husbandry (the raising of livestock). Typically, wheat, Indian corn, hay, rye oats and Irish potatoes were the crops raised.

Is agriculture an economic engine, a part of national defense or is it just producing food? I guess it depends on your point of view. However, I would say it is all three. How can it be, you say? First, let's look at agriculture as an economic engine. According to a report from the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force Economic Development Committee, when a dairy farm spends money locally, it creates a multiplier effect more than two times the original dollar. In other words, for every $1 a dairy farm spends, roughly $2.50 in wages and related business transactions is contributed to the local economy.

by DON AINES enlargement CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - "It's cows, it's plows, it's sows," Mimi Lufkin said last week of the perception many students have of the Chambersburg Area School District's Agricultural Education Program. Cloistered away in a group of classrooms and offices in the northwest corner of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, the Agricultural Education Program doesn't have the visibility it needs to attract more diverse students, the consultant from Christiana, Pa., told the school board last Wednesday.

Put the development where the municipal services already exist. That seems to be the guiding principle behind a proposed new comprehensive plan for Jefferson County, W.Va., that would concentrate new development in a "townscape" area around Charles Town and Ranson. But planners need to look harder at ways to encourage farming to continue. To encourage preservation of land in designated rural areas, the proposed plan would only allow cluster developments at a rate of one home per five acres.

SMITHSBURG - Smithsburg High School had an air of Old MacDonald on Friday. The school's chapter of Future Farmers of America brought a cow and some pigs, sheep and goats to the school grounds, and invited elementary students to see them. "When they see the animals, their faces light up," said senior Morgan Smith, the president of Smithsburg's FFA, which is part of a national organization. The high school students intended Farm Fun Day as a chance for youngsters to pat animals and maybe learn a little about the ways of agriculture.

Today is July 4, 2006. It was 230 years ago that the Declaration of Independence was signed, irreparably changing the armed conflict between the colonists and King George III. Who were these men that undertook such a task? There were 56 men who signed this document. These signers were doctors, lawyers, merchants, clergymen, politicians and farmers. Some of the most famous signers were farmers such as Virginians Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr. and Thomas Jefferson.

In July, members of a work group created as a result of a measure that passed the Maryland General Assembly earlier this year will start looking at ways to get more information about pesticide use in the state. This group - which will consist of two senators and two delegates, and representatives of various interested parties such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Maryland Farm Bureau - was created to find out if there are any existing gaps in data about pesticide use in the state and decide whether there is a need to create a reporting program for pesticide users such as farmers.

Matt Harsh, co-owner and operator of Chesley Vegetable Farms, a 45-acre fruit and vegetable farm in Washington County, was appointed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley as one of five new members of the Young Farmers Advisory Board. The board is comprised of representatives from different commodity groups who provide the agriculture secretary with information and recommendations on policies and issues facing the agriculture industry. Members serve three-year terms and are eligible to serve two consecutive terms.

Smithsburg High School junior Austin Grove, a member of the school's FFA club, drove his tractor to school from his house in Leitersburg on Friday morning and spent the rest of the day showing livestock to youngsters as part of Farm Day at the school. “It was a little bit chilly this morning, but it was fun driving down the open road,” the 17-year-old said. “I've wanted to get this running (tractor) for years now for this, and I finally got the time to work on it.” The event, run by FFA students, included high school students driving tractors to school and displaying farm life to students at Smithsburg Elementary School.

Washington County Government has announced that Leslie Hart has been appointed to the Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture. In this role, Hart will deliver recommendations and offer insights into programs and policies to help meet the needs of the agriculture community and the state's agricultural strategy goals. A subject matter expert within the agriculture community, Hart has served the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission as an agricultural business development specialist since 2008.

In addition to working with farmers, I often get the opportunity to speak to professional and civic organizations locally and in other states. Many times I am asked questions by someone who has read something or seen a video clip or movie produced by people with agendas. While there is nothing wrong with watching or reading such things, the problem is the average reader or watcher has no foundation of knowledge through which to filter the information. We have come to a point in our society where we are on average three generations from the farm.

The Maryland Agricultural Commission will hold a public meeting Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at the Howard County Fair Grounds Dining Hall, 2210 Howard County Fair Road, in West Friendship. Anyone interested in farming and rural topics is encouraged to attend. The meeting provides citizens with an opportunity to share their opinions and discuss issues and policies affecting agriculture and rural communities, exchange ideas, get better acquainted with the role of the Maryland Agricultural Commission and meet the commission members.

One week ago today was National Agriculture Day. We should all know that food and fiber doesn't just arrive at the grocery or clothing store ... or magically appear on our dinner table or in our closet. There's an entire industry dedicated to providing plentiful and safe food for consumption, as well as a wide range of comfortable, fashionable clothing choices. We rely on agriculture for the very necessities of life. From beef and pork, to cotton and corn, agriculture is working harder than ever to meet the needs of Americans and others around the world.

There were thoroughbreds and foals, muscular lines and wavy manes, but all without horse trailers and with a much easier cleanup Sunday. Saddles-n-Spurs, the 4-H horse club, held its fourth annual model horse show Sunday at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. Instead of riders lining up at the gate to a show ring, young girls carried their entries of model horses to the center tables and dusted them off before the judges gave the models a scrutinizing eye. Like their real-life counterparts, the model horses were judged on the body and build of their breed, said Rebecca Lawson, a judge from Boonsboro.

It is hard to believe it is 2013 already. While many have made New Year's resolutions and others have been wringing their hands about the economic situation, take heart, this too shall pass, whether it is your failed resolution or our economic woes. I did a little research and this contraction in our economy is nothing new. In my lifetime (since 1959), we have had no less than six of these recessions, and since our country was founded there have been a total of 18. With three exceptions, these downturns lasted one to three years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is mailing the 2012 Census of Agriculture to Maryland farmers, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture urges all Maryland farmers to complete the Census by the Feb. 4 deadline. The Census can be taken online or mailed in. For the first time, the 2012 Census contains questions asking for the number of acres under conservation tillage practices, acres planted to cover crops and acres under conservation easements. This information will be critical in documenting the work farmers are doing collectively to be good stewards of the environment.