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.
Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association Offers Stipend to FFA Members
(To Pay Expenses to Attend National Young Farmer Educational InstituteThe Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association (PYFA) is offering a stipend for qualified FFA students to attend the National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA) Institute to be held in Kansas City, MO, December 7-10, 2011. PYFA will pay expenses for up to three FFA members to attend and participate in the National Institute which has a strong young adult educational component. To be eligible, FFA members must be involved in their chapter and must turn 18 before December 1, 2011 or have a parent who is a PYFA member who will accompany them to the Institute. PYFA President Tim Rhodes said, "Pennsylvania’s Young Farmer offers this travel stipend to help encourage and support the next generation of farmers. The national institute allows FFA members to learn more about opportunities for careers in agriculture and agri-business while developing their leadership skills. As they participate in educational tours, they will interact with other young ag leaders and other ag professionals from around the country." Applications have been distributed to FFA advisors and agriculture teachers throughout the state, and are available by clicking here . Selection will be based on completion of the application, answers to essay questions character, activities, and interest in pursing an ag-related career. Personal interviews may be conducted. Applications may be mailed to Sally B. Bair, 4000 Marietta Avenue, Columbia, PA 17512 by September 15, 2011. The NYFEA is committed to educating agricultural leaders through leadership training, agricultural education and community service. Last year three Pennsylvania FFA members joined their peers from around the country at the NYFEA winter meeting in Monterey, CA.
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.
PYFA Objectives
At its strategic planning session in September, PYFA leadership discussed the current stated objectives of the organization and evaluated them by dividing them into four categories. As they sought to streamline the objectives and make them relevant, they created objectives below which will be presented to the Board at its October meeting for consideration and discussion. We welcome input from members.
Communication
• To communicate with stakeholders, individuals and organizations outside of PYFA.
Education
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To provide instructional opportunities (either in a classroom or on−site settings) with support from professionals to aid agriculturalists in maximum efficiency.
•To educate the consumer in the areas of agriculture that affect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
•To provide those in production and agribusiness careers the necessary support for sound business organization, record keeping, farm laws, estate planning, etc.
Leadership
•To provide state officer leadership training.
•To provide leadership training for all members.
•To provide state officer leadership training, as well as provide leadership development for all members.
Networking
•Provide educational networking opportunities through recreational and social activities.
•To communicate and partner with agricultural organizations to enhance e cooperation and learning at all levels of agricultural education.
Dr. Lisa Holden led PYFA′s leadership in a day long session of reviewing the mission statement and objectives and planning for a more dynamic future for PYFA. PYFA leadership worked diligently and thoughtfully as they met in State College in September.