PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Summer, 2023

Warm Greetings to Everyone!

It looks as though we have put winter squarely behind us! As many of you are reading this, you will be knee deep in fawns. I wish you all the best of success throughout the summer. PDFA continues to work on the issues that are important to Cervid Farmers and Ranchers across the commonwealth. Some of these items are:

• Harrisburg Legislative Meetings

• Farm tours with PDFA Members and Legislators

• Department of Agriculture meetings

• Seeking additional member-only discounts & benefits

• PAC fund raffles and distributions

• Sponsored Legislative Events

• Monthly board meetings

• Planning a multi-day PDFA Event for the Fall

• Publishing a Quarterly Newsletter

• Legislative trip to Washington, DC

• Increased communication efforts via newsletter, Facebook page, podcasts and e-blasts

• Compliance related legislative issues, Livestock

As you can see, the list is extensive. Our volunteer association exists because of its membership and their generous donations. In that light, we hosted an in-person board meeting during the month of April in Harrisburg. The turn-out was good and I personally enjoyed visiting with all the attendees. We had two presenters; one from an insurance company and a solar panel company – both of which specialize in AGrelated policies. Look for updates on future discounts from each entity as part of your PDFA membership. Later that same evening, we had our PAC raffle which included a 150 class whitetail deer hunt donated by Shilo Ranch (Thanks to them) and a Black Rain AR-15. The funds raised from this raffle go directly to our lobbying efforts in Harrisburg.

On the Department of Agriculture front, we welcome Dr. Alex Hamberg into the Director position at the Bureau of Animal Health and thank Dr. Kevin Brightbill for his years of service. We look forward to continued development of common sense CWD regulations with Dr. Hamberg and Brian Proctor (CWD Coordinator) in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ij_gxOYNQE the coming months/years. As many know, we have available funding for GEBV testing via our Cooperative Agreement Funding Grants. These grants are through the USDA, applied for and then distributed by the PA Department of Agriculture. I urge you to PLEASE continue to lean on these funds and test your animals. This testing is and will become increasingly more important for commerce opportunities throughout the commonwealth and perhaps also nationally in the future.

A quick note - Past President of the PDFA, Glenn Dice and I traveled to Washington, DC last month for three days of meetings with advocacy groups and legislators on two primary items. First is the Indemnity Funding available in the case of a depopulation event and second, was the CWD Research and Management Act appropriations funding. The ACT process started in 2019 on a similar trip. I mention this for two reasons, 1) these matters take time - years in this case - and 2) these trips have a financial cost associated with them. While our time is donated, the costs of travel, hotel and food are expensed on behalf of the association. I appreciate Glenn for joining me on this trip and advocating directly for PDFA membership. It is important that the voice of Deer Farmers and Ranchers is continually heard.

In closing, my belief is the tone surrounding CWD is changing. I can see it and hear it in conversations all the time. Let’s position ourselves in the absolute best way to take full advantage of these soon-to-come opportunities. If there is anything I or the Board of Directors can do for you, please let us know.

Respectfully submitted,

Josh Newton, PDFA President

Fall Event

September 14 & 15

Rooms available at $159/night plus 11%

Fall Event

September 14 & 15

Rooms available at $159/night plus 11% tax. Please call hotel at 855-618-6181 and reference room block for PDFA Fall Auction Code: 12933 or book through our website at www warehousehotel com and use Group Code: 12933 – no later than Monday, August 14, 2023 All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card. Individual pay guests may change the method of payment at check in. The guest is responsible for room, tax, incidentals, and other mandatory fees (cots, additional car, incidentals, etc ) or gratuities

Individuals may cancel room reservation up to 72 hours prior to arrival The above rates include complimentary guest parking (1) car per guest room and the use of the fitness center and group exercise classes.

Please call hotel at 855-618-6181 and reference room block for PDFA through our website at www warehouseh – no later than Monday, August 14, 2023. with a credit card Individual pay guests at check in. The guest is responsible fo mandatory fees (cots, additional car

Rooms available at $159/night plus 11% tax. Please call hotel at 855-618-6181and reference room block for PDFA Fall Auction Code: 12933 or book through our website at www.warehousehotel.com and use Group Code: 12933– no later than Monday, August 14, 2023. All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card. Individual pay guests may change the method of payment at check in. The guest is responsible for room, tax, incidentals, and other mandatory fees (cots, additional car, incidentals, etc.) or gratuities. Individuals may cancel room reservation up to 72 hours prior to arrival. The above rates include complimentary guest parking (1) car per guest room and the use of the fitness center and group exercise classes.

Individuals may cancel room reservation above rates include complimentary gues p g p g the use of the fitness center and group exercise classes

Code: 12933 and

15 Gun Prizes And 5 Cash Prizes

PA DEER FARMERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GUN RAFFLE ALL PROCEEDS GO TO PDFA GENERAL FUND

Drawing will be held during the Fall Sale in September 2023.

Winners need not be present. Winners responsible for pick-up and clearance check. Corporate Checks are accepted. Make checks payable to PDFA or PA Deer Farmers Association.

DONATION: $10.00 PER TICKET