For Immediate Release
August 27, 2008
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Dairy farms needed for tours

The Center for Dairy Excellence is seeking hosts for tours of dairy producing farms in the local area. The Discover Dairy educational program is an online educational series, focused on school-aged children, that showcases Pennsylvania dairy farms through video, interactive games, lesson plans and classroom activities.

A list will be compiled in a database and shared with schools participating in the Discover Dairy educational program. The Center will also create resources to help schools set up trips to local farms and help those farms prepare for visits. This effort can allow dairy producers to give effective and accurate messages to take home.

I urge those who are interested in being included in the database to please contact the Center for Dairy Excellence at (717) 346-0849 or email the information to ctigrove@state.pa.us. The lesson series is funded by the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program and the local Dairy Checkoff to educate youth about the dairy industry. To learn more about Discover Dairy visit www.discoverdairy.com.

Local Volunteer EMS and Fire Ambulance urged to seek grants

Local volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services organizations are encouraged to apply for grants through the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.

Grants may be used for the purchase or repair of firefighting or rescue equipment, construction or renovation costs for facilities, training or debt reduction. Grants range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000 for volunteer fire companies and rescue companies or $10,000 for volunteer ambulance companies. Volunteer fire companies that also provide volunteer ambulance service are eligible to apply for both a volunteer fire company grant and a volunteer ambulance service grant.

Grant applications will be accepted for 45 days beginning in the first week of September. The online application for the grants is available at www.osfc.state.pa.us. I hope to see all companies in the 36^th District take advantage of these resources, and my staff and I are always available to assist with the application process.

Hunter-Trapper Education Courses set for fall

In anticipation of the coming hunting season, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is conducting Hunter-Trapper Education Courses.

All first-time hunters and trappers must complete the training, although many people also repeat the course as refresher safety training since the courses cover topics such as firearm safety, basic techniques, and hunter responsibility. As of this writing, four sessions remain open in Lancaster County throughout September:

• Sept. 5-6 at the Manheim Sportsman's Association. Pre-registration in required; contact Tagge Forrest at 283-9198.
• Sept. 13-14 at the Lititz American Legion Post 56. Pre-registration is required; contact Glen Spickler at 627-6200 or Barry Lieberman at 627-7070.
• Sept. 19-20 at the Cocalico Sportsmen's Association. Pre-registration is required; contact Steve Hildebrand at 336-2997.
• Sept. 25-27 at the Hempfield Recreational Commission. Pre-registration is required; contact the Hempfield Recreational Commission at 898-3102.

Cable restraint certification, required to use such devices to capture foxes and coyotes, is available Sept. 14 at the Rodger's Hides and Supplies in Honey Brook; contact Brian Mohn at (610) 562-1790. More information about these courses is available at www.pgc.state.pa.us.