How will this expansion affect the local community?

 

HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE FARMING COMMUNITY?

 

In this area we are fortunate to have a large agricultural infrastructure of suppliers and support people.  This infrastructure allows for competition and cheaper inputs for all dairy farms large and small.  However, farms and cows are slowly leaving the county.  In the past 10 years the number of farms in Pennsylvania has shrunk from 13,200 to 9,700.  In Franklin County alone, the number of commercial dairy farms has dwindled from 610 to 465.  As more farms and cows leave so will its support infrastructure.  When the infrastructure gets smaller so will the competition among suppliers leading to higher costs.  For instance, this area can only support so many feed suppliers with so many cows.  As cows start to leave, inevitably some feed suppliers will have to look elsewhere to support his or her business or face going out of business.  Eventually if enough animals leave the area we will be left with fewer and fewer options, decreasing competition among feed supplier and other farm support personnel.  With a large expansion we are helping to support and are investing in the future of our agricultural infrastructure in the area.  A 920 cow dairy requires the inputs of many suppliers and supports a large agricultural infrastructure that benefits all farms large and small.

 

A 920 cow dairy also requires many feed inputs.  We will be buying all of our grain commodities and some of our silage needs.  This will be added opportunity for local farmers.  We will be supporting our local farmers by buying feed from them that they may have otherwise needed to look outside the area to market.

 

HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE MERCERSBURG AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES?

 

Agriculture is this state’s and this county’s biggest industry.  Money from the agricultural industry trickles down to support other industries in the state and in this county.  More specifically the dairy industry is the biggest sector of our agricultural industry.   There is a trend towards fewer and fewer dairy farms in this state and this county.  As these farms disappear it has great negative affect on the local economy outside of agriculture.  Dairy farms support local economies outside of agriculture more than most other industries due to money that stays and is spent in the local community.  Continued on next page...