Building a Vision for Rural Pennsylvania holds session in Pittsburgh

Public forum addresses broad spectrum of concerns

PITTSBURGH – The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee continued its Building a Vision for Rural Pennsylvania series today with a listening session in Pittsburgh, Committee Chairman Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) said.

State Senator Sean Logan (D-Monroeville), who is a member of the Committee, hosted the public session at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne. The Food Bank has a network of almost 350 member agencies serving about 120,000 people on a monthly basis in an 11-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania. It utilizes donations from farmers and farmers' markets for a portion of the food it distributes.

During the listening session, the Committee heard from about 25 individuals representing local food banks, the Penn State Cooperative Extension, alternative energy programs and others. "We have received a wealth of useful information today," Brubaker said. "I want to thank Senator Logan for inviting us here and providing us with this opportunity."

Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, detailed the issues facing her organization because of state budget cuts proposed by Governor Rendell. Her organization is requesting $20 million for the State Food Purchase Program, up from the $18.75 million provided in 2006-2007, although the Governor has proposed to cut funding to $18 million.

"This cut would mean $67,000 less for our organization alone, meaning the loss of 225,331 pounds of nutritious food for distribution," Rothermel said.

Rich Venezia of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services also emphasized the importance of the State Food Purchase Program and shared Rothermel's support for $20 million in funding. "This program is the first line of defense against hunger for the community," Venezia said.

Donna Piccivitt provided further examples of the growing needs for nutritional food facing the Beaver Falls Salvation Army. Five years ago, she said, the Beaver Falls Salvation Army had about 900 needy families on their rolls. Today, that number has grown to more than 1,900 families who have applied for assistance.

Another item in which presenters were interested was the creation of and funding for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System through the 2007-2008 state budget. Tom Dubs, representing the Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks, explained how this program would be modeled off a similar one in Michigan.

"The Surplus System would use some of our own funding combined with a federal grant and assistance from the state Department of Agriculture to package apples that would not otherwise meet the requirements of a processor's customers," Dubs said. "The farmer would receive a higher dollar for his product, and almost 47,000 low-income families in 27 counties would receive apples grown in Pennsylvania."

Dr. Ida Laquatra, who spoke on behalf of the Penn State Cooperative Extension, also mentioned the Governor's budget proposal as it pertained to agriculture research. She noted that Governor Rendell has recommended only maintaining the current funding for Penn State's agriculture research and cooperative extension programs, and that the Cooperative Extension would like to see $3 million added to each of those line items.

Two local dairy farmers, Sam and Bev Minor, were also on hand to share their experiences with their 400-acre farm business and the issues facing dairy farmers in their area. They asked for support for the Center for Dairy Excellence, which received cuts in the Governor's budget; more support for the First Industries Fund and the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund for farmers; continued support for the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board; and an increase for the Penn State Cooperative Extension and agricultural research.

Walt Bumgarner, a Livestock Educator with the Washington County Cooperative Extension, talked about the need for funding for the Livestock Protection Program. "Southwestern Pennsylvania is a large sheep producing area," Bumgarner said. "These animals are often killed by coyotes and other predators, and our farmers need help."

Lee Miller, Director of the Beaver County Cooperative Extension, brought up the topic of bee farming. He noted that the death of bees in the Commonwealth will have a negative impact on agriculture, and it is something to which the state needs to pay close attention.

On the topic of alternative energy, the Committee heard from Herb Balzuweit, President for Business Development with Sunnyside Ethanol, LLC, and Craig Sweger, Agricultural Program Director at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh.

Balzuweit discussed the ethanol plant that Sunnyside Ethanol is in the process of building in Clearfield County. His company plans to build five across the state, making an investment of several hundred million dollars at each site. "We are very thankful for the assistance we have received in this venture from the Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, as well as the Governor's renewable energy program," Balzuweit said. "We are also working with Pennsylvania companies to secure corn from both Pennsylvania and out-of-state sources."

Sweger mentioned the other side of using corn for ethanol production, cautioning about the unintended consequences of using corn for ethanol production, such as an increase in grain prices that would pinch farmers who use corn to feed their livestock. Sweger also mentioned that access to high-speed internet is an issue for rural Pennsylvania.

John Shea, a Program Assistant with the Allegheny County Cooperative Extension, discussed alternative fuels as well. "Testing proves that these alternative fuels burn cleaner than natural gas," Shea said, adding, "It will take a combination of many efforts to overcome our energy issues." Shea noted that some of these promising alternative energy businesses need help getting off the ground.

Brubaker noted that in addition to the information his Committee received from these groups, the discussion also facilitated new relationships that will help both the agricultural economy and needy families through direct food distribution as well as nutrition education.

"I sincerely appreciate the firsthand knowledge and experience of these individuals and that they have taken the time to be with us today, because they have demonstrated how agriculture truly touches every part of Pennsylvania," Brubaker said. "I am certain that this information will be invaluable as my Committee works to craft an agenda that will meet the needs of our agriculture industry and rural areas."

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will hold two more listening sessions this week in Waymart and Lebanon.

Contact:

Kristin Ebersole, Executive Director
Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

717-787-4420