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From the Desk of County Commissioner
Marty Qually
(8/2018) I had an opportunity to join our local orchard industry in celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Adams County Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC). Our $580,000,000 fruit industry is a success because of three factors: natural resources, scientific research, and hard work. It was an honor joining the people who have
made this area so successful.
The research lab is not as well known as our local Penn State Extension (PSE) office, but it is equally important to our local economy. A great example of their role in supporting our community was their quick reaction to the potentially devastating frosts that hit our orchards last April. Following a very warm March, the multiple cold nights in
April almost resulted in the loss of our peach, apple, cherry, plum, and pear crops. Penn State Extension scientist Dr. Tara Baugher and Fruit Research and Extension Center director Dr. Jim Schupp knew they needed to analyze the damage and begin to educate the fruit growers as to the next step. After a few days of analysis they were able to alleviate many of the
fruit growers' concerns, and were confident that many orchards would not see significant apple or peach crop loss.
Throughout the year these scientists work to find ways to improve our orchards, but in this case their hard work in defining the damage went a long way to reducing the stress that each orchard family was experiencing. While our April frosts would seem to only be a concern for the orchard families, these families and their employees represent a
significant portion of our economy. Without the confidence that their crops will come in, they would cut back on hiring new employees, expanding their business, or on a personal level commit to hiring a painter, plumber, or electrician to work on their house. In Adams County Penn State Extension and the fruit lab help us all understand that we are connected to
each other and that the more educated we become the better we become.
Our orchard industry success goes hand in hand with the success of FREC. With every pest which invaded our orchards, FREC researcher found solutions. Plum pox, lead rollers, stink bugs, and the spotted lantern fly have all endangered this industry and they will all be fought back. The next stage of the industry will include an increased use of
technology in orchards. While only theoretical now, research has already begun in using robotics to harvest fruit. Robots picking fruit is not as far fetched as you would think. Most orchard labor is provided by immigrant labor. As the challenges to attract foreign labor increase, it may become more cost effective to harvest fruit with machines. Clearly, weÕve
come a long way in Adams County.
For years now PSE has been focusing on issues that challenge local communities throughout Pennsylvania, and as each community is different, so too are the programs and initiatives of each Extension office. In Adams County they have been in the forefront of helping new residents understand the issues of developing housing next to farms and how
better community planning can help both farms and residential subdivisions coexist.
Often I discuss in my column the importance of improving our broadband capacity and quality in Adams County. While people may think that this idea or the subsequent formation of Adams County Connect, was started by some group of IT geeks. It originated with Penn State Extension. So too did they notice that the lack of truly high speed internet was
affecting all aspects of our community.
Have you been eager to eat the Mediterranean way, but are not sure where to start? Penn State Extension has a workshop to help you design and put the Mediterranean lifestyle into practice in your own life. That doesn't sound like the 4-H programs or other farm images that we envision from Penn State Extension. Or the Strong Women/Growing Stronger
program, which is a safe, effective strength-training and nutrition program for individuals who have been active or sedentary for the past few years and are interested in improving their health. They also offer courses on canning foods, home gardening, food safety and more.
While my point is becoming redundant by now, this evolution in education and branching out into non-farm fields is keeping PSE not just relevant in today's rapidly changing world, but is keeping them integral to our success. If you want to learn more about their programs visit their website for more information, www.extension.psu.edu/adams.
I have had the honor to serve on the board of Penn State Extension for six years now and it is clear to me that they have come a long way. As a County Commissioner I spend much of my time attending events and learning about important parts of our community. My job then becomes to help others Òconnect the dotsÓ and show them how often seemingly
disparate groups actually have vital connections to one another. While few of us are involved with PSE and FREC, they are two critical organizations supporting our world renown $580,000,000 fruit industry. I think we all can agree that is an important part of our way of life in Adams County.
To learn more about the issues facing our wonderful and complex community please join me on facebook at Marty Qually Adams County Commissioner. And as always if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at 717-339-6514 or marty@martyqually.com.
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