TRENDING:
Mark Balthaser is following in his family’s 130-year tradition.
At Northkill Creek Farms, the 21-year-old has committed his career and financial future to farming. The construction of two meat bird buildings was a lifetime decision, and he realizes the importance of the financial requirements placed on his shoulders. But being a farmer is in his genes as he starts the sixth generation in the Balthaser clan.
When asked why he has taken this step, Mark said, “I feel this is an opportunity to continue the family farm, do something I enjoy and have a future.”
Samuel Balthaser, Mark’s great-great-grandfather, purchased the present farm in 1888. The farm in Upper Tulpehocken Township was passed on and is now owned by Mark’s father, Randy, and mother, Traci, for 14 years.
The present farm operation is made up of three parcels of 280 preserved acres. Crops of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, grass hay, rye and grazing pasture are grown for the 100 herd of Holstein and Brown Swiss dairy animals. The milk is sold to Guers Dairy in Pottsville, a family fluid milk processor, with their products found in many venues in the northern Berks.
In 2002, Mark’s grandfather Wilson decided to honor his family tradition by dedicating the first farm to permanent agriculture production and sold the agriculture conservation easements. The easements on the other two farms were sold in 2004. Wilson said farming the land was his whole life and preserving it for future generations was the right thing to do.
Meat birds are a new commodity to the Balthasers, allowing Mark to have his own business while helping with the cows and crops when needed.
Mark contracts with Bell & Evans in Fredericksburg, Lebanon County. Mark owns the buildings and provides the labor and electricity. Bell & Evans provides the day-old chicks, feed and management advice. The farm supports local businesses by purchasing most farm inputs from farm supply business within 50 miles of the farm. Farmer Boy Ag in Myerstown completed construction of the new facilities.
Today’s challenges are labor and high input costs, but the Balthasers believe in the future of agriculture.
One reason is that 15-year-old daughter Hannah has dairy interests. Her homebred brown Swiss cow has won two national junior shows. They hope consumers realize where their food comes from and how hard farmers work to provide it.
Clyde Myers worked for 30 years as a Penn State Extension educator in Berks County and is a Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board member.
The Berks County Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, established in 1989 to protect agricultural land in perpetuity, exists through funds from the county commissioners and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
The staff of the Berks County Department of Agriculture administers the program under the guidance and decisions of a nine-member board made up of four farmers, a township supervisor, a contractor and three members-at-large.
With 800 farms and more than 76,765 acres preserved, Berks ranks second in the state and fifth in the nation in farmland acres preserved.
The program welcomes inquires and invites landowners to apply to preserve their farms forever. For more information contact the office at 610-378-1844 or at www.countyofberks.com/alp.
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Berks farm family makes sure tradition endures – Reading Eagle
