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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Penn State holds Ag Progress Days Every year, Penn State University sponsors Ag Progress Days, an outdoor exhibition for both farm and non-farm families, and it was my pleasure this year to visit and learn more about agriculture products, services and technology. Ag Progress Days draws more than 50,000 visitors, who come to see approximately 375 exhibitors and demonstrations as well as the latest Penn State research, and to discuss issues with experts. These educational exhibits show how the agriculture industry is addressing matters such as safeguarding and improving our food supply and the environment, and helping to enhance the efficiency and profitability of agriculture and the many related industries. One highlight this year was the Agricultural Alternative Energy Tent, co-sponsored by Penn State and the PA Department of Agriculture. Here, local companies displayed information regarding wood-based ethanol, biodiesel, anaerobic digestion of manure, alternative grain fuels and wind power. I found these exhibits particularly informative, as the General Assembly will be holding a special session on energy policy this fall. In addition, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, which I chair, has finished compiling the comments and input we received at our listening sessions earlier this year. We continue to seek out new information and ideas, such as those offered at Ag Progress Days, as we move forward with building the Committee's priorities for the 2007-2008 session. Local farms first to be preserved with public-private partnership Two Lancaster County farms are the first to be preserved under a county and non-profit partnership provided for under Act 46 of 2006. Act 46 amended the Agricultural Area Security Law to authorize private non-profit organizations to jointly purchase agricultural conservation easements with government units. This change was significant because non-profit groups like land trusts and conservancies can be an important source of additional funding for preserving farmland. On August 9, the state Farmland Preservation Board approved the preservation of 5,000 acres in the Commonwealth, including the King family farms in Lancaster County, whose conservation easements were jointly purchased between Lancaster County and the Lancaster Farmland Trust. I am very pleased that these new measures are in place to encourage further protection of our valuable farmland, and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will be reviewing the farmland preservation program further to ensure that it is still as effective as it can be. Charges for directory assistance calls increase The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate is alerting citizens that effective August 1, charges for certain long-distance directory assistance calls have increased. Prior to August 1, individuals who access long-distance directory service by dialing the area code followed by 555-1212 were charged $1.99 per call. The charge has now gone up by 50 cents to $2.49 per call. Rate increases were also responsible for a 14-cent increase from $1.15 to $1.29 to place calls using directory assistance. However, the Office of Consumer Advocate has recommended lower and even no-cost alternatives. For instance, callers choosing local 411 directory assistance are charged 95 cents per call, after the monthly allowance of two calls. National 411 charges $1.25 per call, while dialing the operator for directory assistance costs $1.75. Free online directories are available for callers to use at any time. In addition, you can also use 1-800-FREE-411, where you will have to listen to a brief advertisement before receiving the number you are seeking, but your phone bill will be free of directory assistance call charges. For more information, see www.free411.com.
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