PYFA Objectives

Stipend Application

2011 Summer Conference

2011 Winter Conference Photos

2010 Summer Conference

New Representative

President´s Comments

Scholarship Winner

2009 Summer Conference

2009 Winter Conference

 

PYFA Chooses New Executive Secretary

The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association (PYFA) selected Betsy Huber of Chester County as their Executive Secretary at the recent Board meeting.
Huber is past president and current legislative liaison of the Pennsylvania State Grange. She has served 21 years as a township supervisor in Upper Oxford Township and is active in many community and church activities. She also is current president of the PA State Council of Farm Organizations, secretary of the PA FarmLink board, and a Penn State Trustee. She has served as Chairman of the National Grange Board of Directors for the last five years.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to assist PYFA in advancing its mission to educate and promote the agricultural industry," Huber said. "We will focus on communication within PYFA and with other agricultural organizations because it is so important for all sectors of agriculture to work together."
PYFA is open to any farmers willing to learn. Frequent workshops are held in various counties as well as a winter and summer conference. For more information email payoungfarmers@hotmail.com.

Board Looks to the Future

The PYFA Board took a hard look at the future of the organization, spending a day in a strategic planning session working to reflect on and evaluate its mission, goals and objectives. Dr.Lisa Holden, professor in Penn State′s Department of Dairy and Animal Science, facilitated the thorough, thought−provoking discussion by 18 PYFA leaders.
Participants agreed to propose a change in PYFA′s current mission to: The Mission of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association is to educate and promote the agricultural industry. The proposed change will be discussed further at the October Board meeting and brought before the delegates for consideration at the winter conference in February.
Those in attendance also considered the relevance of the stated goals and objectives and worked to make them more consistent with the mission and more reflective of the current realities in the agricultural community.
The Board seeks input from every member. Your thoughts are important and are welcomed. Please feel free to contact President Tim Rhoads at 814−267−4846, firefighterfuzz@msn.com or Executive Secretary Betsy Huber, 484-459-1957, email payoungfarmers@hotmail.com. Or contact your regional vice−president.
The Board is committed to revitalizing PYFA, expanding to reach out to new members and working together with other leaders in the agricultural community. Your involvement in making PYFA leaders in your communities and in the Commonwealth is vital − and valued. Please let us hear from you

Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association Summer Conference
(With Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators)
July 12, 13, 2011 Athens Area High School, Bradford County, PA

Thirty−one members of the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association (PYFA) attended their summer conference, joining with the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) who hosted the meeting at Athens Area High School in Bradford County.
Members held a business meeting and toured many industrial and agricultural sites in Bradford County, including the site of a gas drilling operation and a windmill operation. They also visited Masco Cabinetry, Vulcraft Metal Truss, Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority, Hagens Dog Food Plant, Antler Ridge Winery, C.C. Allis and Sons Sawmill, Bradford County Conservation District and Cargill Packing.
At the PAAE Awards & Recognition Banquet, Denise Sanner, past president of PYFA, was given the Oustanding Cooperation Citation for her outstanding support of agricultural education and her efforts to forge a closer relationship between PYFA and PAAE.
Berlin Brothersvalley Advisor Doyle Paul received recognition for the Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Ag Ed Program. He later was recognized as the Region VI National Association of Agricultural Educators winner.
Tyler Claypool, 2011−2012 PA FFA Sentinel, New Galilee, attended the meeting as the new FFA representative to the PYFA Board. He will join Benjamin Shughart, Carlisle, who is serving the second year of his term, and replaces Caleb Wright, Alexandria, who has completed his service.
PYFA members visited the Troy Fairgrounds, enjoying the Historical Society’s Farm Museum, the oldest living farm museum in the country. A picnic dinner was held there.
The mission of PYFA is to educate and promote the environmentally appropriate production, marketing and processing of food, feed and fiber.

Pennsylvania Young Farmers Recognize Outstanding Members Hold Winter Conference in DuBois

The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association held its 51st annual winter conference in DuBois, February 8−10, recognizing the achievements of outstanding members, attending educational seminars and touring local businesses. Nearly 125 members participated.

The event was hosted by the newly re-activated Brockway Chapter of Young Farmers, advised by James Berry, ACT/Nutrient Management Specialist with the Jefferson County Conservation District. Holly Plummer, who farms with her husband Kevin at Plum Hollow Dairy, Reynoldsville, is president of the new chapter, and Bill Smith, Smith Oak Farm, Reynoldsville, is vice-president. Smith´s wife Suzie is secretary.

Recognitions included:

• Outstanding Young Farmer, Over 30 − Ed and Tina Wilkinson,
       Gettysburg Young Farmers
• Outstanding Young Farmer, Under 30 − Jeffrey and Megan Ruth,
       Kutztown Young Farmers
• Spokesperson for Agriculture − Caleb Wright,
       FFA representative to the PYFA Board
• Honorary Young Farmer − Cliff Day, State FFA Facilitator and member of the
       PYFA Advisory Group
• 2010 Richard Hoppes Memorial Award − Ed and Debbie Zug,
       Solanco Young Farmers
• Outstanding Young Farmer Adviser − Doyle Paul,
       Berlin Brothersvalley Young Farmers
• Outstanding Chapter − Lewisburg Young Farmer Chapter −
        Robert Pardoe, Jr., advisor
• Host Chapter Award − Brockway Young Farmers

Gettysburg Young Farmers chapter was recognized for having the largest number of members in attendance; Lewisburg Chapter had the highest percentage of attendees. Brockway Chapter received special recognition for its work in hosting the conference, supporting Conference Chair Jim Berry.

Ed and Tina Wilkinson, Adams County, received the Outstanding Young Farmer, Over 30 award. They operate Getty Acres Farm in partnership with Ed´s father Larry and brother Dan. Tina serves as office manager, and they have 15 full time and part time employees, farming 4000 acres with multiple enterprises.

Starting farming while still in high school, Ed had FFA dairy projects and in 1986 received the FFA American Farmer degree. Son Carl works full time on the farm and daughters Heather and Holly work throughout the growing season as needed.

Dairying is the cornerstone of Getty Acres, with 250 dairy cows segregated into production groups, with the top two groups being milked three times daily. A nutritionist helps fine tune the ration, and improvements in housing and equipment have added to the success of the operation. Ed supervised the construction as facilities were upgraded.

Crop production also has increased steadily, with a typical crop ration of two years corn, one year small grain, one year soybeans and four or more years hay. All grain crops are planted using no−till. Annual hay production is over 4000 tons on 1970 acres.

Getty Acres was featured on a special produced by WGAL−TV, Lancaster, throughout the growing season. A compilation of the segments was shown at the PYFA meeting.

Jeffrey and Megan Ruth received the Outstanding Young Farmer Under 30 award in recognition of the progress they have made. They operate Quarry View Farm in Berks County where Jeffrey, 29, has lived his whole life and began helping his grandfather Asher Green when he was five.

Jeffrey farms a total of 280 acres, 99 of which is owned. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, all used for a cash crop. After graduation from high school, Jeffrey worked closely with his grandfather, gradually assuming more of the farming decisions, including a move to doing custom work.

Both Megan and Jeffrey work part time on Megan´s parents´ dairy farm, Show−Top Farms, with Jeffrey feeding the calves, helping with the morning milking and milk house clean up. Megan is a relief milker. She is greenhouse manager at Grim´s Greenhouse in Lehigh County.

Married since 2007, they have a 17−month−old son Asher, and live on a farm owned by Megan´s grandparents.

Ed and Debbie Zug received the 2011 Richard Hoppes Memorial Award, presented in memory of Richard Hoppes, who dedicated his life to young farmers. Ed is treasurer of PYFA and Debbie is Membership Chair, and they are active members of Solanco Young Farmers and life members of PYFA. They have both served as public relations directors, and Ed was previously Eastern Region Vice−President. They operate a dairy farm at Peach Bottom with their son Brian. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Doyle Paul, Berlin Brothersvalley, was named Outstanding Young Farmer Adviser, for his exceptional contributions to agricultural education in western Pennsylvania. After teaching agricultural education at Berlin Brothersvalley School District for 36 years, he retired, but continues to serve as Young Farmer Adviser. He and his wife Donna are both life members of PYFA and are both involved in the local Chapter. Doyle also serves as Penn State´s representative to the PYFA Board. They are the parents of three children and grandparents of nine.

Clifford Day was selected as Honorary Young Farmer, for encouraging leadership in the next generation of farmers, a goal shared with PYFA. Retired after 32 years of teaching at Garden Spot High School in Lancaster County, Cliff serves as state FFA Facilitator within the Department of Education and is a member of the PYFA Advisory Group, leading and supporting to ensure a strong future for Pennsylvania agriculture.

Lewisburg Young Farmer Chapter was named the Outstanding Chapter in recognition of their educational activities. Robert Pardoe, Jr., their advisor for 29 years, was named Outstanding PYFA Advisor for 2009. The chapter is in the North Central Region, and holds nine business meetings and one on´farm meeting a year.

A highlight of the conference each year is the Spokesperson for Agriculture event where contestants visit a local supermarket and interact with shoppers in a ´media blitz´ to help them understand the role of agriculture in providing the food they purchase. Hosting the event this year was Martin´s Grocery Store in DuBois. Contestants were Caleb Wright, FFA representative to the PYFA Board and Bill Smith, Reynoldsville, vice−president of the newly re−activated Brockway Young Farmers Chapter. One shopper, Terri Clark, a homemaker from DuBois, was selected to have her groceries paid for by PYFA. Her total cart cost $171.36 − PYFA paid for all the food items, which amounted to $147.

After giving prepared speeches, Caleb Wright was selected as the winner. Judges included Kathy Hartzell, Ag Choice Farm Credit, Butler; Susan Alexander, educator, Jefferson County Penn State Extension, and Michael Kern, executive director, Farm Service Agency. Ag Choice Farm Credit, Mechanicsburg, supported the contest by paying part of the expenses to have the winner attend the 2011 NYFEA Institute in St. Louis, MO.

Diane Welsh presented a citation from State Representative and Speaker of the House Sam Smith. Paul Corbin, Jefferson County Commissioner, extended greetings to the group from all the Commissioners, including Jim McIntyre and Jeff Pisarcik.

Dan Hawkins, Brockway Area School District Superintendent, also attended the meeting.

Educational seminars were presented by: Gary Gilmore, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Jamie Ulrick, PA State Conservation Commission, and Beth Futrick, Pennsylvania Agricultural Ombudsman; and Michael Donovan, Land Manager, Business Development, Seneca Resources.

Educational tours included visits to Bionol Clearfield LLC, the first commercial-scale ethanol plant in Pennsylvania, having begun production in 2009. Attendees also visited the Brookville Glove Manufacturing Company, manufacturer of gloves for 120 years; BWP, LLC, where they saw the process of making high quality hardwood professional bats, completely handmade; Laurel Mount Vineyard; Plum Hollow Dairy and Smith Oak Farm, whose owners are officers with the new Young Farmer Chapters.

Women enjoyed visits to historic downtown Brookville, seat of Jefferson County; the Jefferson County History Center; and Heirloom Quilting where they learned ´locker hooking´.

In the annual business meeting, Tim Rhoads, Berlin Brothersvalley Chapter, was elected president. Jeff McClellan, Midd−West Chapter, was chosen as president-elect and Denise Sanner, Kutztown Chapter, became past president.

Regional vice-presidents include: Eastern Region: Sam Glick, Quarryville and Christine Oellig, Annville; North Central Region, Carol Corman, Centre Hall; and South Central Region, Kathy Zimmerman, Littlestown. Bob Corman, Centre Hall, is secretary; Ed Zug, Peach Bottom, is treasurer; and, Debbie Zug, Peach Bottom, is membership chair. Britney Marsh, Carlisle, public relations director.

Special thanks goes to the Jefferson County Conservation District, its board, District Manager Debra Wilson and Missy Buck for their support with time and resources to make the conference a success. Financial contributions from S&T Bank, TeamAg, AgChoice Farm Credit, Butler, and Pioneer Hi-Bred International were important to supporting the conference.

At an auction of items donated by businesses and Young Farmer members, $2536.50 was raised with Col. Bob Brinton serving as auctioneer. Attendees donated items of canned foods to the Brookville Food Bank, which was delivered by Brockway Young Farmer members on Feb. 15.

Spokesperson contest: Young Farmer Member Linda Krall and Homemaker Terri Clark, front, watch as the cashier checks out Terri´s groceries at Martin´s Grocery Store in DuBois. Looking on are, back, from left: Caleb Wright, contestant; Bill Smith, contestant; Mike Kerr, Farm Service Agency; Callihan Schillaci, Farm Service Agency; and Kathy Hartzell, Ag Choice Farm Credit.

 

Outstanding Young Farmer, Under 30: Nathan Jamison, Western Region Vice President, left, presents a plaque to Jeffrey and Megan Ruth, Kutztown Young Farmer Chapter, for Outstanding Young Farmer Under 30.

 

Outstanding Young Farmer, Over 30: Sam Glick, Eastern Region Vice President, left, presents a plaque to Tina and Ed Wilkinson, Gettysburg Young Farmer Chapter, for the Outstanding Young Farmer Over 30.

 

Tim Rhoads, PYFA President, left, presents the Outstanding Chapter Advisor award to Doyle Paul, Berlin Brothersvalley. Keith Leydig, PYFA Past President, and Nathan Jamison, Western Region Vice President, look on. The three PYFA officers are all members of Berlin Brothersvalley Chapter in Somerset County.

 

Debbie and Ed Zug, center, received the Richard C. Hoppes award in recognition of their dedication to PYFA. Grace Hoppes, left, and Denise Sanner, PYFA Past President, right, present the award.

 

Carol Corman, North Central Region Vice President, presents a plaque to members of the Lewisburg Chapter. From left are: Corman, Anna and Dennis Wolfe, Janet and Irvin Reynolds, and Advisor Bob Pardoe, Jr.

 

 

Denise Sanner, PYFA Past president, presents the host chapter award to Bill Smith, Brockway Young Farmer Vice President.

 

Denise Sanner, PYFA Past President, congratulates Caleb Wright on being selected as the PYFA Spokesperson for Agriculture for 2011.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 15, 2011 CONTACT: Sally B. Bair (717-285-4926)

Pennsylvania Young Farmers Attend Summer Meeting

Thirty-five Pennsylvania Young Farmer (PYFA) members attended their annual summer conference in Huntingdon last week, held in coordination with the summer meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE).
In addition to conducting a business meeting, the group visited the Visitor´s Center at Raystown Lake, Clover Creek Cheese Cellar and Friends Farm, both in Williamsburg.
Ben Shughart, 2010-2011 FFA state Chaplain, attended the meeting as the newest FFA representative to the PYFA board, joining Caleb Wright, Alexandria, who is serving the second year of his term.
At Clover Creek Cheese Cellar, David Rice described their family´s raw milk and cheese operation with pasture-fed cows. They use a New Zealand-style swing parlor for milking and move the cows among 14 pastures. In business for 20 years, Rice said, "We are quite proud of our raw milk." Their daughter, Yolanda, Blair County Dairy Princess, served the visitors samples of their cheeses.
At Friends Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) operation with 40 families as subscribers, John and Chris Wise talked about the sustainable methods they use to grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, eggs and meats. They also offer artisan breads and biscotti for sale. In addition to their CSA, they hold a farm market on Saturdays. Chris said, "We take pride in growing high quality produce."
The Young Farmers joined the Ag Educators for a BBQ dinner at Huntingdon County Fairgrounds where they were welcomed by former Pa Secretary of Agriculture Sam Hayes and visited the Farm Museum. The groups held a join picnic on Tuesday evening in Huntingdon.

The Pennsylvania Young Farmers who attended the PYFA summer meeting held in Huntingdon in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators´ meeting included, front row, from left: Keith Leydig, Robert Corman, Linda Krall, Deb Kammerer, Denise Sanner, Faye Herr, Kendall Wilkinson, Sally Bair and Donna Paul. Back, from left: Dan Wilkinson, Edith Rhoads, Tim Rhoads, Sam Glick, Anna Mary Glick, Jim Berry, A.Dale Herr, Pam Berry, Denise Leydig, Ken Sanner, Laurie Wilkinson, Doris Wilkinson, Ed Zug, Irwin Reynolds, Janet Reynolds, Glenn Krall, Debbie Zug, Robert Pardoe, Larry Wilkinson, Chris Weller and Doyle Paul.

Benjamin Shughart, 2010-2011 Pennsylvania FFA Chaplain, will serve a two year term as FFA’s representative to the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association Executive Board. A 2010 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, Shughart was selected as FFA Chaplain in June. He is a state proficiency award winner in sheep production, and has earned the Greenhand, Chapter and Keystone degrees.
The son of Robert and Deborah Shughart, Shughart is a member of Cumberland Valley FFA and has been chapter reporter, chapter vice president and area secretary. He showed the Grand Champion Junior Shropshire Ewe at the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show, and also raises Hog Island sheep, a rare breed. He is a member of the Condoguinet 4-H Sheep Club where he has held several offices and presents workshops and other presentations. He is currently president of the Cumberland County 4-H Council.
PYFA President Denise Sanner said, "We look forward to having Ben serve on our board, and provide input into our discussions. PYFA is committed to working more closely with the next generation of agricultural leaders, and forging a closer tie with FFA is an important goal."
Shughart joins Caleb Wright, Alexandria, who is in the second year of his two-year term.
Although he did not grow up on a farm, Shughart hopes to be a farmer, raising beef and sheep, and will attend Ohio State ATI in Livestock Science.

President´s Comments

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Welcome to the PYFA web page. We hope you´ll find it useful.

Pennsylvania Young Farmers are committed to education and the promotion of environmentally appropriate production, marketing, and processing of food, feed and fiber. As an adult education program, we are associated with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and, in most cases, are affiliated with local school districts.

The nearly 1,000 Pennsylvania Young Farmer members meet regularly in their local chapters and gather several times a year for statewide educational meetings. We are also part of the National Young Farmer Educational Association, and all members are encouraged to attend the national meetings held twice annually.

To recognize the achievements of our members, we have an awards program at the local and state level. Applications for these awards are made through local chapters, and forms are available on this site.

With agriculture Pennsylvania´s number one industry, we know the importance of supporting and encouraging the next generation of agricultural leaders, and we work to have a close relationship with FFA.

I invite you to browse through the site to learn more about PYFA. If you´d like information on becoming a member, contact one of the state officers or your local chapter adviser. We welcome anyone who is willing to learn!

PYFA is also on Facebook! Join us there!

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PA Young Farmers Award Scholarship
Destinee Horning, Manheim Central High School, is recipient

The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association has awarded their annual educational scholarship to Destinee Y. Horning, 849 Temperance Hill Road, Lititz. A senior at Manheim Central High School, Destinee will attend Delaware Valley College majoring in Pre-veterinarian and Dairy Science.
The daughter of Nevin and Denise Horning, Destinee has been a member of her FFA chapter for four years, participating in chapter meetings, CDE days, county volleyball tournaments, chapter tomato sales and other activities. A member of the National Honor Society, she also teaches Sunday School and is president of her youth group.
As an FFA member she has received the Greenhand, Chapter, Red Rose and Keystone degrees as well as receiving the Star Chapter Ag Placement Award and proficiency Award in Veterinary Medicine. She has received awards for placing second in the Dairy Judging CDE at the county level for two years, and has also received pins for scholarship and leadership awards each of her four years as a member.
Destinee attended the MAAC summer conference and was selected to attend the National Institute on Cooperative Education (NICE) in Tennessee. Denise Sanner, PYFA President, said, “We are very proud to offer this scholarship annually to support the next generation of agriculture leaders. We understand the importance of education to a successful career. I offer sincere congratulations to Destinee and wish her well in her desire to become a veterinarian.”
Her father is a long time member of the Manheim Young Farmers Chapter and the Horning family was named their Outstanding Farmer over 30 in 2009. Previously he had been a member of the Ephrata Chapter, where he served as president, vice president and treasurer. He was also a regional vice president of the PYFA.
The Hornings managed one of the top producing dairy herds in Pennsylvania, with a 31,000 lb. average, giving special attention to integrating proper genetics, feeding and quality care. They recently sold the 90 cows and replacement heifers as Horning takes over increasing responsibilities in his church.
Having grown up on the farm, Destinee helped regularly with milking the cows, feeding calves and helping with field work. Her SAEs were all in the area of dairy production.
She developed her interest in the health and wellness of animals through her work on the family dairy farm, and also rode with a large animal veterinarian experiencing the career firsthand. She chose to attend Delaware Valley because of their “Three-Plus-One” program, which will enable her to move into graduate school after three years.
The PYFA Scholarship, valued at $425, is offered through the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation Financial Office.
First priority is given to applicants whose parents or grandparents are PYFA members then to applicants who are PA FFA members, or a PA 4-H member.
Applicants may also be a PYFA member seeking to further his/her education in agriculture. The post-secondary course does not necessarily have to lead to a degree.

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Archive Information

2009 Young Farmers Fall Newsletter

The PYFA Board held its October meeting in the officers of Land O´Lakes, and Dennis Schad, Director of Marketing and Regulatory Affairs gave a brief background on ther facilities and products. John Frey, Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence, spoke about the goals of the Center which include providing educational support and working with dairy producers to keep their enterprises profitable and successful.

It was announced that Samantha Borneman, Kutztown FFA member, received the FFA scholarship which she will use in her studies at Delaware Valley College.

Four youth will be attending the National Young Farmer Educational Association Institute in Mobile, Alabama in December: Caleb Wright and Britney Marsh, both FFA representatives to the PYFA Board, and Casey Trexler and Jordan Rice, both members of the Kutztown FFA chapter. They will all participate in the Young Ag Leaders Event at the Institute.

The Board voted to support the sponsorship of jackets to four FFA freshmen.

Dennis Schad introduced the board to the processes and products of Land O'Lakes
when they met at Land O'Lakes headquarters in October.

John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence, gave an
overview of the work of the Center and its support of Pennsylvania's Dairy Industry.

Those who stayed late at the board meeting were treated to this sight:

  

  

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2009 Summer Conference: Offers Education and Interaction

Eighteen Young Farmer members and advisors participated in the PAAE summer conference at Conneaut Lake in July. The meeting was an outstanding opportunity for PYFA members to interact with ag teachers as they held their annual get-together, "Escape to the Lake."

Members arrived at the historic Hotel Conneauton Monday evening and enjoyed dinner and relaxation. On Tuesday, it was down to business, with a board meeting, followed by a day of interesting tours of agriculture in western Pennsylvania. The day concluded with a picnic at beautiful Presque Isle State Park and then a visit to Pymatuning Lake, where members had the unique experience of feeding the carp and seeing the sunset.

The tours included visits to industry, horticulture and production agriculture, and PYFA members were divided among the three buses to get different experiences. One bus went to Dad´s Dog Food, Channelock Tools and Grimm Plastic Injections. A second went to Sperry´s Chicken Farm, Waddell Dairy Farm and Mason Farm, while a third went to Ernst Conservation Feed Company, Walker Hydroponics near Edinboro and Asbury Woods, an environmental Center in Mill Creek Township.

Leisurely discussions among ag teachers, young farmers and the state FFA leadership team created new opportunities for collaboration. New PAAE President-elect John Wardle expressed his support for working together more closely, encouraging PYFA members to use their experience and enthusiasm to support ag teachers. Further discussions will follow, but all members are encouraged to support the ag program and the FFA chapters in their areas. Nearly 120 ag educators attended the conference. Wardle extended an invitation for PYFA members to participate in the 2010 conference that will be at Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County.

Caleb Wright, the new FFA representative to the PYFA board, attended the board meeting, bringing best wishes from the leadership team and their desire to work closely with the young farmers. Wright is South Central Region VP and is a member of the Blue Juniata FFA Chapter. His home is in Alexandria.

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Western Pennsylvania agriculture
         and other local places of interest

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