Bucktail Leadership Down on the Farm
LOGANTON – The Bucktail Youth Leadership program embarked on another leg of their adventures in October. Bright and early in the morning while the fog was just starting to lift, the students left their school and traveled to visit several hidden jewels in Sugar Valley: touring the Schrack Farm, exploring the Amish Buggy Shop and an Amish farm, and concluding with a visit to the NorthEast Fishery Center.
Arriving at the Schrack Farm, the students were greeted with country air aromas and the warming sun. Ms. Gwen Bechdel and Mr. Rich Wykoff, program volunteers, were joined by Mr. Jim Harbach, Schrack Farm Manager, and Ms. Lisa Blazure, Conservation District Agricultural Resource Conservationist, to lead the tours. The students were excited to learn about the many modern farming techniques implemented at the farm, which has been a family-owned business for nine generations since 1773. No-till farming has been implemented for the last 40 years to protect the biology of the earth and the watershed, and to promote good growing soil. A manure digester helps to produce electricity to run the farm properties as well as selling back to the grid, to produce bedding for the animals, and provides general fertilizer to put nutrients back on the fields. The milk parlor was fascinating and the students learned that spring water is used to cool the milk to prepare it for transport. Nearly 85 pounds of milk is produced daily by a single cow, which translates to approximately 10 gallons. The Schrack Farm currently milks nearly 1,000 cows three times a day. This milk is used for various milk products, cheeses, butter, and a main ingredient of delicious Hershey chocolate.
Next, the students and guests travelled to the Buggy Shop and Amish farm just up the road. Although the visit fell on an Amish holiday, the properties were made available to the group. After enjoying a snack, the students were able to tour the building where Amish buggies are constructed, painted, and decked out with custom interiors. The group then walked to the farm area to see the contrasts in the farming operation between the two farms visited. They learned about growing tobacco, the importance of waterway conservation, the differences between the earth formations of Sugar Valley and the Renovo area, and the interesting history of Loganton.
When asked for leadership advice, Jim Harbach shared his leadership philosophies: surround yourself with people most like you want to be; set attainable and measurable goals and make them a priority; always remember your attitude is always 100% in your control; and go skydiving, because after that there won’t be much in life that you will say that you can’t do. Lisa Blazure’s best practices included to lead by example, stand your ground on the things that matter, and the importance of effective communication, particularly good speaking skills.
It was then lunch time and the group was treated to warm soup, sandwiches, and cookies prepared by Program Coordinator, Bobbie Jo Simcox. While they ate, each of the students shared their enthusiasm assignment, revealing how being more enthusiastic about a certain aspect of their lives proved to be helpful, and how enthusiasm can be contagious. The students discovered that being enthusiastic brought more pleasure and less stress to their everyday activities.
Following lunch, the teens left for the NorthEast Fishery Center where Biologist Tom Kehler met them. They observed monstrous sturgeon fish, along with trout, which are kept at the Fishery Center for studying. Recently three of the sturgeons were provided to a Big Bass Pro Shop in the mid-west. The group was able to see and touch a paddle fish, which is a unique fish named because its nose is a paddle! Mr. Kehler advised the students that the facility serves as a population ecology branch, fish technology center, and fish health center. In their short visit they learned about the importance of monitoring fish life to understand aquatic resources and ecosystems, which helps to address concerns of endangered and threatened species.
The kids had a great time visiting the farms, seeing animals, and observing fish they never would have seen otherwise. They came away from this session with a better understanding of economics, biology, and history, and a greater appreciation for the environment. The students were very grateful for this session, and look forward to the next stop on their adventure in November. This year’s class includes: Shiane Acor, Karen Bunsick, Treavor Burrows, Danielle Green, Aaliyah McGowan, Sylvia Moore, Benjamin Probert, and Elliot Probst.
The Bucktail Youth Leadership Program is coordinated by Bobbie Jo Simcox and Gwen Bechdel as an activity club at Bucktail High School. Financial support for the program is provided by the Leadership Clinton County Alumni and private donations. The mission of the program is to provide educational experiences to help develop awareness in the areas of community, culture, and government. Each session throughout the nine-month program includes a focus on leadership building, communication, and other life skills activities, and a public speaking component is assigned each time. The students are expected to gain a better understanding of the society in which they live, realize their own wealth of abilities and interests, and demonstrate how their involvement can impact their communities.
