Farm Bureau Discussion, Tour Highlights Issues Farmers are Facing

The Blair County Farm Bureau held a legislative Farm/Agribusiness Tour at Clover Creek Cheese Cellar in Williamsburg on Aug. 20, 2021.

After introductions of the farmers, local politicians, and agricultural agencies attending, Laverne Nolt began a guided discussion on issues for action for local farms.

Sen. Judy Ward spoke on the exemption for conversion of farm buildings for event spaces. She said event spaces typically have to comply with codes that aren't feasible for barns and other buildings on farms. Ward noted that event spaces require sprinkler systems, but these systems are most often too costly for farmers.

"Farm owners do this to keep their farms sustainable," said Ward.

Ward said that there are other safety measurements, such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and multiple exits, that can make up for a lack of sprinkler system.

"It's a balance between safety and economics," said Ward.

Discussion then moved to expansion of high-speed broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Multiple attendees referenced remote schooling in 2020 and students who had to sit in Sheetz, school, or church parking lots just to get internet access. Some students had to go into the school buildings weekly to get physical copies of homework because they couldn't access internet.

Attendees also noted that farms are becoming more technical and rely more on broadband as they sell products online and order things.

Blair County Commissioner Amy Webster spoke about the plan to bring high-speed internet to underserved locations, like farms. This plan will be put into action with the more than $23 million Blair County will receive from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Another issue, highlighted by the intense rain two days earlier, was relief from excessive stormwater management regulation and fees. Farmers are required to pay high fees because of the amount of impervious surface on a farm. However, this criteria does not consider that farms have a lower percentage of imprevious area, compared to a farm's total land area. Discussion followed about legislation that would cap these fees based on percentage of a property's total land area.

Farmers in attendance also made note that stormwater runoff should not be blamed on farms.

In a discussion about companies selling solar panels to farms, both Nolt and Louis Brenneman warned farmers to be wary. Brenneman said the contracts from these companies are vague and unclear. He also noted that salesmen would promise one dollar amount verbally, but the contract would say another.

"I'm not against solar farms at all," said Brenneman. "I just want farmers and landowners to be diligent."

Nolt also noted that these companies become bankrupt, and the cleanup is left for farmers.

While talking about transportation issues for farmers, road conditions were brought up. Webster noted that box culverts are being put in on County Road 101, which runs from East Freedom to Claysburg. There will also be a road paving project on County Road 101, but it is at the southern end, where the Sheetz store is located. That section needs to be repaved due to the storm water problems that have degraded the roadway.

When asked how roads are chosen for work to be done, Webster told attendees that engineers make recommendations based on the conditions of the roads.

There was some discussion about harvestable trees by water sources. Farmers said they can't get loggers to remove trees along water because if the trees fall into the water, the water will be contaminated and the loggers will be fined. However, farmers are seeing trees fall into the water and cause dams, which causes flooding. Those present commented that if the trees are going to fall into the water anyway and contaminate it, loggers should be able to remove them without worry.

After the discussion portion of the morning, attendees were taken on a tour of Clover Creek Cheese Cellar. This farm is owned and operated by the Rice family. Anthony Rice gave a tour of where the cheese is made, while his father, Dave Rice, gave a tour of the milking station and the cows.