The Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council (PFGC) celebrated its 50th birthday recently at the Shady Maple Banquet and Conference Center near New Holland, Pennsylvania. Nearly 150 people participated in the celebration which included comments by Russell Redding, PA Secretary of Agriculture; State Senator Mike Brubaker and Steve Larson, Editor of Hoard’s Dairyman.

During its 50 years, the PFGC has been a leader in promoting forages and grasslands. A few of the activities of the PFGC are the First National Grassland Field Day and Conference which evolved into the AFGC’s National Conference. The PFGC started an event known as Forage Progress Days which involved field demonstrations and education activities all related to forage and grassland. This event is now the Pennsylvania Ag Progress Days which annually draws about 120,000 people to the three-day event.

The PFGC also sponsored and coordinated the Alfalfa Growers Program which involved accurately monitoring inputs and production from grower’s alfalfa fields. This information not only helped the individual grower whose farm the data come from but also was used in educational programs which helped many alfalfa growers across Pennsylvania.  FG

—Information and photos provided by PFGC Executive Vice President Marvin Hall, Department of Agronomy, Penn State University

PHOTOS:
TOP RIGHT: Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding presents a special certificate to board members (left to right) Mike Kuhns, Al Rotz and PFGC Exeuctive Director Richard Hann.

TOP LEFT: Pennsylvania Senator Mike Brubaker presents a senate proclamation recognizing the PFGC to President Scott Harkcom.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Charter members of the PGFC included (left to right): Al Dugan, Charlie Walgemuth and Ruth Dugan

BOTTOM LEFT: Hoard's Dairyman Editor Steve Larson with PFGC founder John Baylor.