FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2003
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Approves Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board Nominee, Votes in Favor of Waugh Loan Forgiveness Legislation

HARRISBURG – The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee unanimously voted in favor of the nomination of Boyd E. Wolff to the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board at a public hearing on April 23.

“Mr. Wolff is highly qualified for this position, and I am pleased that he will be continuing his active role in the agriculture community,” said Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York), Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. “It will be a pleasure to work with him as we promote Pennsylvania’s role as a leader in agriculture.”

Wolff served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture from 1987-95 and was a leader in developing the state’s farmland preservation efforts. He also served as President of the Westmoreland County Cooperative Extension, Chair of the Western Westmoreland Planning Commission and as a member of the State Ethics Commission from 1995-98.

Wolff has firsthand experience in agriculture, as he operated a dairy farm in Westmoreland County from 1953 until 1986. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science from Penn State.

The Committee also voted in favor of Senate Bill 673, sponsored by Sen. Waugh, which amends the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Act of 1992. The Act provides for loan forgiveness in the amount of up to $2000 per year for agriculture and veterinary medicine graduates who return to the farm or practice large animal veterinary medicine in Pennsylvania.

Waugh’s bill would expand the loan forgiveness program to include loan forgiveness for teachers of agricultural education.

“Teachers are a vital resource for those who are interested in an agriculture career,” Sen. Waugh said. “Our teachers will train the agriculture producers of tomorrow, so we need to make sure the very best teachers stay here in Pennsylvania.”

Among the supporters of SB673 are the Pennsylvania State Grange, PennAg Industries Association, The Pennsylvania State University, Delaware Valley College, the Horticulture Trade Alliance, and the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators.