Category: Coalitions – Agricultural

A letter from Mike Firestine, Chair of the PA Ag Republicans

PA Ag Rep LogoJanuary 2013

Greetings!

I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas and will have a prosper New Year!

The 97th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show is fast approaching.  What an exciting way to start the New Year.  Celebrating agricultural at the PA Farm Show has been a tradition for many families in the keystone state.

Another tradition is the annual meeting of the PA Ag Republicans.  This year’s annual meeting is being held at 3:30 pm, on January 7, 2013 in the Susquehanna Room, in the Farm Show Complex.   Join our guest speaker, Congressman GT Thompson as he gives us his perspective of the Farm Bill and fiscal cliff; GT is a member of the Congressional Agricultural Committee.  Also joining us will be Robert DeSouse, State Director for Senator Pat Toomey, who will update us on what is happening in the US Senate.

The PA Ag Republicans are a group comprised of farmers, ranchers, agricultural industry representatives who have a common interest, good strong government, love of America, farm family values, and a compassion for the number one industry in Pennsylvania.

We as Ag Republicans represent the voice of rural Pennsylvania.  Our legislatures count on us to help them with agricultural issues.  This is why we need groups like the PA Ag Republicans.

We need YOU to be a member of the PA Ag Republicans!  To be a member of the PA Ag Republicans the cost is minimal, but the results of your dues are maximum.  Yearly dues are as follows:

Keystone Member – $50.00

Family Membership – $30.00

Individual Membership – $25.00.

Please join and help promote republican values and address and solve agricultural issues across the state of Pennsylvania.   All checks should be made payable to the PA Ag Republicans.  Please no corporate checks.  Please send your dues to: Mike Firestine, 4520 Conrad Weiser Parkway, Womelsdorf, PA  19567.

The PA Ag Republicans represent Agricultural of Pennsylvania, the true working class.  We look forward to seeing you on January 7, 2013 at 3:30 pm in the Susquehanna Room at the Farm Show Complex.

Sincerely yours,

Michael Firestine, Chairman

PA Ag Republicans

Pennsylvania Farmers Applaud General Assembly for Passing Legislation Updating the State Vehicle Code (PFB Urges Governor to Sign Bills)

(Camp Hill) – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) praised the state General Assembly for passing legislation that will update the state vehicle code and resolve long-standing transportation problems experienced by farmers.

“The reasonable changes to the state vehicle code included in Senate Bill 390 and House Bills 2371 and 2372 will allow farmers to move modern pieces of equipment from field to field and field to farmstead. While newer equipment has enabled farmers to increase productivity, especially during the planting and harvest seasons, they are wider than vehicles typically used by farmers 30 years ago. We are now urging Governor Corbett to sign the legislation,” said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.

The Senate bill would increase the width allowance of a farm implement of husbandry (such as a planter) up to 16 feet. H.B. 2371 would clarify the types of agriculture materials that can be transported by agribusiness vehicles under increased width allowances to include manure, while HB 2372 would increase the distance farm equipment and trucks that are used primarily around the home farm can travel from 25 miles to 50 miles and increase the distance a multi-purpose agriculture vehicle, such as a four-wheeler, can travel from two miles to five miles.

“The long overdue changes to the code regulating farm trucks are needed, because farmers are traveling longer distances to plant and harvest crops on farmland they own and rent. They also are required to travel longer distances to deliver agricultural products or to reach businesses that sell farming supplies,” added Shaffer.

Farm Bureau noted it strongly supports changes to the vehicle code included in the legislation that will require additional precautions by farmers under certain circumstances.

“Farmers are committed to maintaining safety on Pennsylvania roadways and welcome the opportunity to increase safety measures to further protect drivers and passengers in other vehicles by installing extra lighting or using pilot vehicles,” concluded Shaffer.

PA Ag Republicans host Family Farm Day on June 23, 2012

To download a flyer click – 06-2012 Family Farm Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PA Ag Republicans host Family Farm Day

A family event will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the farm of Darren & Kristen Grumbine, 1725 Mt Pleasant Road, Lebanon, PA.

Pennsylvania Ag Republican announce they are hosting a family farm day on Saturday, June 23, 2012.  This event is family friendly and all ages are encouraged to attend.  The event begins at 1:00 pm with lunch being served followed by a special speaker at 2:30 pm.  There will be a live band playing as attendees meet and greet candidates seeking office or while talking your representatives already elected to office.

2012 is a very important election year Republican commentators and pundits have all been telling us “this will be a pivotal election for individual freedom”. Those of us in the agricultural economy see and know this is the understatement of the year. Farming family enterprises regardless the size, have been inundated with overbearing regulations and mandates from the number of animals permitted, to the environment they are raised in. In many cases the cost of complying out weigh the benefit of remaining in business.  We need your help and participation. On June 23rd join us on the Darren Grumbine farm, meet and greet our state and federal candidates running in this year’s election

For more information or to make reservations visit www.paagrepublicans.wordpress.com or call 570-541-8697.

Rep. Keller and SUN Area Dairy Princess Dawn Franck to Celebrate National Cheese Month

MIFFLINBURG – Rep. Fred Keller (R-Union/Snyder) and SUN Area Dairy Princess Dawn Franck invite residents of Union and Snyder counties to join them for a Cheese Break in celebration of National Cheese Month.

The Cheese Break will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, at Keller’s district office within the Mifflinburg Government Center, located at 343 Chestnut St. The office is located in Suite 1.

“Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Pennsylvania, with dairy production making up the largest segment of that industry,” Keller said. “I encourage residents to drop by my district office at their convenience, even if individuals can only stay for a couple of minutes. The Cheese Break is an excellent opportunity for people to recognize the importance of agriculture.”

The Cheese Break will feature a variety of local cheeses as well as other favorites made from cheese and milk. Recipes booklets will also be available for the foods served as well as for other family recipes.

“During my term as SUN Area Dairy Princess, I would like to raise awareness about the dairy industry and the impact milk and other dairy products have on all our lives,” Franck said. “This is an excellent opportunity to not only learn about the dairy industry and have some delicious snacks, but also to get one of your three recommended servings of dairy for the day.”

If you wish to attend this free event, please RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 25, by calling Keller’s office at (570) 966-0052 or (570) 837-0052 or by e-mailing Benjamin Ranck at branck@pahousegop.com.
 
State Representative Fred Keller
85th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives