Tryin' to keep 'em Down On The Farm

Breeding registered cows is a favorite occupation of Candy Barker Cooney. She and her husband, Ron, also tend to a 60-head dairy herd and cropland. Candy knew from the time she was a teenager that she wanted to be a farmer. She is active in the state Holstein organization. Lugene Heimel photo

Potter County agriculture was in the spotlight last week as a farmers' group held its 21st annual "Progress through Communications" tour.

The daylong event not only showcased the industry for about 40 community leaders, it also gave farmers the opportunity to air their concerns with decisionmakers as they visited successful operations in the county's northern sector.

Potter County was once the king of Pennsylvania potato farming and one of the state's top milk producers. Gradually, many farms were sold for real estate development or investment property and younger generations opted out.

In recent years, several Amish families have helped to resurrect local farming, supplementing their income with woodworking and construction contracting. But some second- and thirdgeneration Potter County farm families carry on, even as they worry about the future.

Everett (Sonny) Blass, left, chats with Ulysses area farmer Ron Cooney during a stop on last week's Progress Through Communications farm tour. Blass's son, Jon, was the tour guide in his role as chairman of the farmers' committee that sponsored the daylong event. Lugene Heimel photo

Ron and Candy Barker Cooney, who opened their 280-acre dairy farm near Ulysses to the Progress tour, said they're uncertain what will become of it after they retire. Both of the Cooneys grew up on a farm, but their three sons have chosen not to continue in the family tradition.

"We can understand that, since they've seen how much hard work it involves," Candy Cooney said. "Also, with the economics involved, we've really gone without a lot over the years."

Still, both of the Cooneys said they enjoy their

occupation.

"When you work so hard for so many years to establish what you have, there's a real satisfaction to it," Ron Cooney explained.

Candy Barker Cooney discussed the challenges and the satisfactions that come with life on a dairy farm. She and her husband operate a farm that has been in her family for more than 85 years. She and her husband, Ron, expressed concern about what might happen to the farm when they retire, since their children have chosen other careers. Lugene Heimel photo

Government controls on milk prices have made dairying a break-even business, at best, much of the time, he added. The Cooneys supplement milk sales at their

Rolandice Farm with

cattle breeding and production of alfalfa, corn and mixed hay on a separate farm near Genesee.

As they strolled through the Cooneys' cow barn, Pennsylvania State FFA officers Cale Grimes and Kristie Folk said their organization is working hard to help teenagers prepare for careers in agriculture. They gave high marks to Future Farmers of America chapters operating in Coudersport and Northern Potter school districts.

"It's not just doing chores, or milking cows, or the other types of farm activity that many young people are exposed to when they grow up on a farm," said Grimes, a Northern Potter graduate and state treasurer of FFA. "Agriculture also involves business management, computer technology and a variety of other career opportunities."

A respected northern Potter County farmer, Jerry Barnett (left), received the coveted Service to Agriculture Award during last week's annual Progress Through Communications for Agriculture Tour. Barnett is shown during a casual conversation with Potter County Commissioner John Torok, a former farmer. Barnett has grown certified seed potatoes and seed oats for nearly 40 years. Earlier this year, he received the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer Award. A graduate of Northern Potter Area High School, Barnett joined the U.S. Air Force. He returned home to join his father, Robert Barnett, and his uncle, Edgar Barnett, on the family farm near Raymond known then as Barnett Brothers Potato Farm. Lugene Heimel photo

The tour also included a stop at Pennsylvania Pellet Company, south of Ulysses. That business, in operation since November, employs about 45 people manufacturing pellets for wood-burning stoves.

FACES OF THE FARM TOUR (from left): Long-time vo-ag teacher and conservationist Earl Brown attended the tour and participated in the awards presentations. Luke Watson discussed production and marketing activities at the Pennsylvania Pellet Company in Ulysses. Jon Blass chaired the Progress Through Communication Committee and directed the tour.

Co-owner Luke Watson said there's a strong demand for pellets across the country and his company has expanded to 'round-the-clock production. He expects daily output to pass 100-ton milestone in the coming months.

Pennsylvania Pellet buys woods chips, sawdust and hardwood remnants from many sources, including local producers. Those materials are converted to pellets through a process of drying, grinding and compression.

The tour also included a stop on Horseshoe Road in Ulysses Township. That's an example of the Potter County Conservation District's ongoing project to maintain unpaved roads through measures that protect waterways by reducing sedimentation.

Several area farmers spoke out during a roundtable discussion that followed the tour. Among concerns they voiced to county, state and federal officials in attendance were low milk prices, delays in approvals from environmental agencies, deteriorating secondary roads and rising real estate taxes.

A representative for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter asked the farmers if the production of ethanol from local crops -- corn, in particular -- would be feasible. Several farmers said the local growing season is too short for expanded field corn production.

Gene Kosa, a founding member of the Progress Through Communication organization, urged those present to consider the interest of farmers during policy decisions.

"It's very hard to stay in business, but there's always something that keeps a farmer going," Kosa said. "For example, when Candy Cooney was talking about her Holsteins, there wasn't any doubt about the fact that she loves her cattle. But are we going to lose that in the future generations?"

Long-time Potter County potato farmer Jerry Barnett was presented the coveted Service to Agriculture Award during a picnic that closed out the tour.

The committee also honored outstanding FFA members Raymond Lent of Coudersport and Derek Erway of Northern Potter. Lent received the Henry Staiger Award, a memorial to a long-time vocational agriculture teacher and community servant in Coudersport. Erway was presented the Barnett Award, in memory of former Potter County agriculturalists Robert Barnett and Edgar Barnett.

Potter County has about 350 farms in operation. Sales of crops, milk and meat exceed $30 million annually.

Jon Blass, representing the latest generation of a longtime Potter County farm family, chairs the Progress Through Communications committee. He expressed appreciation to those who attended for committing a full day to the tour.

"It's very important that we keep the dialogue open," Blass said.