Area 4-H students participate in inaugural leadership day

Hollidaysburg, PA – Tuesday May 15, 2012 –4-H members from Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon and Mifflin Counties attended the inaugural A.B. Ross Leadership Program on Saturday at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Pennsylvania Furnace. The program, sponsored by Sen. John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-Blair), was a coordinated effort between Eichelberger and Penn State Extension.

The focus of the program was to teach 9th-12th grade 4-H members how to develop a Nutrient Management Plan. They learned about watersheds, topography and concentrated animal areas. The day-long session included featured specialists from Penn State Extension, the Penn State Department of Dairy and Animal Science, the Blair County Conservation District, and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Attendees also visited Luzerne Farm in Huntingdon County, owned and operated by Mr. Ed Quigley.

“These students learned about why water quality is important in our area and how it affects others downstream. They had instruction all morning and saw practical application at the Luzerne Farm in the afternoon. They are armed with the information necessary to help others comply with new regulations,” said Eichelberger.

In this ‘train-the-trainer’ model, the students will take what they learned back to their clubs and teach others. The impact in the five-county 30th District is expected to extend to over one thousand people involved in agriculture. Plans are to make this an annual event.

Area 4-H students participate in inaugural leadership day

Hollidaysburg, PA – Tuesday May 15, 2012 –4-H members from Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon and Mifflin Counties attended the inaugural A.B. Ross Leadership Program on Saturday at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Pennsylvania Furnace. The program, sponsored by Sen. John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-Blair), was a coordinated effort between Eichelberger and Penn State Extension.

The focus of the program was to teach 9th-12th grade 4-H members how to develop a Nutrient Management Plan. They learned about watersheds, topography and concentrated animal areas. The day-long session included featured specialists from Penn State Extension, the Penn State Department of Dairy and Animal Science, the Blair County Conservation District, and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Attendees also visited Luzerne Farm in Huntingdon County, owned and operated by Mr. Ed Quigley.

“These students learned about why water quality is important in our area and how it affects others downstream. They had instruction all morning and saw practical application at the Luzerne Farm in the afternoon. They are armed with the information necessary to help others comply with new regulations,” said Eichelberger.

In this ‘train-the-trainer’ model, the students will take what they learned back to their clubs and teach others. The impact in the five-county 30th District is expected to extend to over one thousand people involved in agriculture. Plans are to make this an annual event.

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EICHELBERGER SPONSORING A.B. ROSS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

4-H students get opportunity to discuss agriculture

Hollidaysburg, PA – Tuesday, May 8, 2012 – Select members representing 4-H clubs from Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties will roll up their sleeves and lace up their boots to learn about the environmental impact of livestock and the laws that govern their operations.

The agenda includes sessions led by specialists from Penn State Extension, the Penn State Department of Dairy and Animal Science, the Blair County Conservation District, and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. In addition to the speaker sessions, the group will visit Luzerne Farm in Huntingdon County, owned and operated by Mr. Ed Quigley. While there, Penn State Extension specialists will cover topics related to the environmental impact of livestock operations on soil and water quality.

Eichelberger, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has coordinated the day’s activities with Penn State Extension. “This is a great opportunity for students to work with government and other interested parties to develop a brighter future for agriculture in Pennsylvania,” Eichelberger said. The goal is to provide members with the tools necessary to understand why laws are put in place and the larger picture of environmental impact of livestock, from large operations to several animals raised as a 4-H project in their back yard. The program’s impact will extend to more than 500 youth in the 30th Senatorial District.

WHO: State Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr.
WHAT: A.B. Ross Student Leadership Program
WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 2012
8:30 AM – 4:15 PM
WHERE: Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center
2701 W. Pine Grove Road
Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, 16865

Media RSVP is appreciated.

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Discussing looming threats to Pennsylvania’s economic stability

Hollidaysburg, PA – Tuesday, April 3, 2012 – Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-Blair) and Representative Steven Bloom (R-Cumberland) will host a live screening and discussion of the recently released mini-documentary, “The Four Alarms: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy.” According to Eichelberger, the movie “sounds the alarm on a raging, structural fire that’s threatening Pennsylvania’s economic stability.” Adding, “Steve and I are taking this discussion to the people who are really the emergency bucket brigade. Without citizen involvement now, I don’t think government will get the message.”

The short film highlights a range of controversial public policy issues from welfare abuse to mounting state debt. The free event is open to the public and members of the media.

WHO: Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr.
Representative Steven Bloom
WHAT: “The Four Alarms: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy”
WHEN: Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 6:30-7:30 PM
WHERE: Geeseytown Fire Hall
215 Mary Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

Free information on health, finances, and social services

Huntingdon, PA – Thursday, April 5, 2012, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) and Representative Mike Fleck (R-81) will co-sponsor the Huntingdon County Senior Expo 2012, Making Choices for a Healthier Future.

This free event for seniors will be held in cooperation with the Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon Area Agency on Aging, Penelec, a FirstEnergy Company, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital, and the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company.

WHO: State Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. and State Representative Mike Fleck
WHAT: Senior Expo 2012
WHEN: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
WHERE: Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company, Huntingdon, PA

Senior Expo 2012 will have exhibits from state and local organizations and businesses promoting available social services, financial and estate planning services, recreation and cultural services, home health and wellness services, and volunteer opportunities. Seniors will be able to have necessary screenings, obtain information, and win prizes. The Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon Area Agency on Aging will provide a complimentary lunch to seniors who visit the exhibits this year.

For further information, please contact Wendy Reitz, Legislative Aide, at 1-866-509-EICH (3424) or email wreitz@pasen.gov.

Media RSVP is appreciated.

Photo: Donna Gority, Jimmy Wayne and Senator John H. Eichelberger Jr. at Arrow Child & Family Ministries’ Ambassador Luncheon held Thursday, March 29 at The Casino at Lakemont Park.

** NEWS RELEASE**

30th Annual Jaffa Sports Show
Senator Eichelberger and Staff to Attend Show

Hollidaysburg, PA- February 20, 2012, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. and staff will again host a booth at the 30th Annual Jaffa Sports Show. Senator Eichelberger will be providing copies of Pennsylvania laws and regulations regarding hunting, fishing, boating, and firearms to attendees.

WHO: Senator Eichelberger and Staff
WHAT: 30th Annual Jaffa Sports Show
WHEN: February 24-26, 2012
WHERE: The Jaffa Shrine, Altoona, PA

The show hours will be Friday, February 24th from noon until 9:00 PM, Saturday, February 25th from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM, and Sunday, February 26th from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Senator Eichelberger will be present throughout much of the weekend.

Please contact Wendy Reitz, Legislative Aide, at 1-866-509-EICH(3424) or email wreitz@pasen.gov for further information.

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EICHELBERGER AND BLOOM SOUND THE ALARM OVER PENNSYLVANIA’S LOOMING FISCAL ISSUES

Harrisburg, PA – Wednesday February 8, 2012 – State Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) and State Representative Steve Bloom (R-199) held a press briefing on the many fiscal challenges that face Pennsylvania, not just in terms of the current budget, but for the foreseeable future as well.

The 2012-2013 budget proposed by Governor Corbett is an important step in the right direction, but serious challenges to the fiscal health of the Commonwealth remain. According to Eichelberger and Bloom, even if the economy improves in the near term, there are significant structural problems built into the state budget which will continue to impair Pennsylvania’s ability to live within its means. The structural problems which must be addressed to preserve Pennsylvania’s economic viability come in four major areas: public pension obligations; welfare spending; massive increases in borrowing; and an explosion in corrections.

“Growth in these four major spending areas is projected to far outpace the growth that is projected in revenues. An austere budget is an important step, but if we don’t take action now to enact significant reforms in these areas, the future financial picture for Pennsylvania’s government will remain bleak,” said Eichelberger. “We must change the retirement structure offered to public employees, we must eliminate artificial cost drivers such as prevailing wage, we must stop waste and abuse in a welfare system that has allowed the poverty rate to increase; and we must reform our penal system to reduce recidivism and costs.”

Both Senator Eichelberger and Representative Bloom urged their colleagues and the public to recognize these substantial structural deficiencies in Pennsylvania’s fiscal situation and to re-double the efforts to enact significant reforms that go beyond the Governor’s budget document.

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Eichelberger Participates in VIP Dairy Showmanship Contest
at Pennsylvania Farm Show

Harrisburg, PA – January 12, 2012 – On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. participated in the VIP Dairy Showmanship Contest at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. Eleven legislators competed for the honor of VIP Master Showman. Each legislator was partnered with an exhibitor from their district who provided the calf or cow the legislator showed. Senator Eichelberger showed a ten-month old Brown Swiss named Sandra from Manor Meadow Farm in Everett owned by the Stanton family. This is the third year that he has partnered with the Stanton family to handle one of their animals.

Eichelberger said “Dairy farming is a major component of Pennsylvania’s and our region’s agriculture industry. It is critical to Pennsylvania’s future. This event provides a fun, interactive way to learn more about the dairy industry, discuss the challenges farmers face and the methods they are using to overcome those challenges.”

The show was covered live by Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) and will be rebroadcasted over the coming weeks.

For more information, please call Wendy Reitz, Legislative Aide, at 1-866-509-EICH (3424) or email