Our society and the agricultural community have been through many changes over the past years, but the goals of the county fairs remain consistent today ... providing a family oriented show dedicated to education, entertainment and fellowship to all.

These county fairs serve as one of the few remaining links between farm and nonfarm residents. Today, less than 2 percent of our population is a farmer. With the majority of the public at least three generations removed from actual farm life, the county fairs are more important than ever before. More often than not, education and communication with each other can avoid basic misunderstandings. Too often, nonfarm residents are ready to lay blame on the farming sector for a problem or concern that is unwarranted. On the other hand, farm residents must realize the need to get along with and positively promote their occupation to nonfarm residents.

While the decline in the number of farms will continue for years to come, the remaining producers will strive to meet the needs of tomorrow's society. Farm and nonfarm residents will need to coexist more in the years to come and the county fairs will provide an avenue for such interaction.

Locally we have the Butler Farm Show currently under way Aug. 9 to 14 and the Hookstown Fair Aug. 24 to 28 or you may just want to stop in at the Big Knob Grange Fair being held Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 in Rochester, Beaver County. To locate a fair near you, log on to the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs at www.pafairs.org.

CREP maintenance

Now is the time to begin maintenance mowing under the CREP program. The conservation reserve enhancement program is a voluntary program whereby participants enter into 10- or 15-year contracts and earn an annual rental payment for the acreage under contract. The trade off for the rental payment is harvesting and grazing restrictions and improved water quality and wildlife habitat.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.