Farmers

USDA offers assistance to farmers By ANDREW SCHOTZ andrews@herald-mail.com The U.S. Department of Agriculture has programs that could help Washington County residents and farmers affected by the drought. Residents with low incomes may apply for a loan through the USDA's Rural Development office. The interest rate is 1 percent. The maximums are $20,000 for the amount and 20 years for the term. The loans may be used to replace wells or make home improvements.

By DAVE McMILLION Staff Writer Silver plastic confuses aphids, blue plastic increases squash yields and red plastic boosts tomatoes. Agriculture experts are not recommending that farmers turn their fields into a rainbow of colors, but they have observed that placing certain colored plastic on the ground around vegetable and fruit plants results in better production. The concept was discussed Wednesday at the Western Maryland Ag Field Day, an annual conference that bring farmers, growers and the public up to date on the latest developments in agriculture.

MERCERSBURG, PA. - Leaning on his green-and-white umbrella, ignoring the seeping water slowly soaking the cuffs of his pants, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., watched intently as Mike Rice fished a koi from the troughs at Mt. Parnell Fisheries and explained the market price of the small wriggling fish. Waiting to be named a Friend of the Farm Bureau for the third time, Shuster ducked under his umbrella, wound among troughs of goldfish, carp and koi, all the while listening to farmers explain Pennsylvania's latest agricultural concerns.

Farmers seen as scapegoats for Pfiesteria By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer A Maryland commission addressing the state's highly publicized Pfiesteria problem is raising concern among some farmers and lawmakers who feel agricultural runoff is being hastily targeted as the culprit in the outbreaks that killed thousands of fish and left dozens of people ill over the summer. "I hope we're not going off half-cocked," said Gerald Ditto, a Clear Spring hog farmer and president of the Washington County Farm Bureau.

As if weathering the recent drought and getting low prices for the crops they produce weren't bad enough, about 1,000 of Maryland's family farmers took another blow recently when CareFirst insurance cancelled policies held through state farm bureaus for 20 years. If the state and its elected officials are serious about preserving family farms, they will find a way to help farmers get the coverage they need to stay in business. Some state lawmakers have already weighed in, caling CareFirst's decision "outrageous.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - West Virginia's "rainy day fund" could provide about $5 million in relief to farmers hit hard by the state's severe drought, state Del. John Doyle, D-Jefferson, said. [cont. from news page ] West Virginia Gov. Cecil Underwood has asked for a special session of the state Legislature in which he is expected to ask lawmakers to approve a financial package to aid struggling farmers. "The figure I'm hearing is about $5 million of the $75 million in the state's emergency fund," Doyle said.

On Monday, the health of the Chesapeake Bay got a report card that most students would not want mom and dad to see - a grade of D and a score of 27. William C. Baker, president of the Bay Foundation, proposed a variety of solutions. Before they're implemented, however, we would like some assurances that they won't put an unacceptable burden on Western Maryland's farmers. According to The Associated Press, the foundation's report card considers 13 categories. Some areas improved, such as the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen flowing into the bay from the Susquehanna River.

andrear@herald-mail.com After fighting unsuccessfully against tighter land-use guidelines, at least one segment of Washington County's farm community has reversed itself and is asking the County Commissioners to temporarily prohibit farmers from carving their land into building lots. Several members of the county's Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board said they believe a moratorium is needed primarily to defuse "pressure to sell in haste in a climate that is raging with high land values and unrestrained development" until the county formally adopts new zoning laws associated with the revised comprehensive plan.

Donald Houser was so excited about his corn crop this spring that he had his picture taken surrounded by the 48-inch-high lush green stalks at his Hagerstown-area farm. cont. from front page For the first time in three years, Houser and other Hagerstown-area farmers had an early growing season to celebrate. There were no signs of the drought that has plagued farmers for two straight seasons. No late freezes, no major hail or windstorms. When spring officially ends tonight at 9:49 p.m., weather observers won't have much to report about the season.

Today's economy has encouraged many residents to become more conservative with their finances. In order to stretch each dollar, most must change certain aspects of their lifestyles. The Franklin County Conservation District will host a session Tuesday, March 17, designed to assist the farming community in making more efficient management choices. The workshop will focus on utilizing economical methods of no-till systems, cover crops and nutrient management on farming operations.