During his six years as Secretary of Agriculture, Sam Hayes has overseen millions of dollars in new construction in the name of Pennsylvania Agriculture.
“We have undertaken more construction at one time than the Agriculture Department ever has,” said Hayes. “We opened the new livestock evaluation center near Ag Progress Days this summer in Centre County. This provided another 178,000 square feet in exhibition space and a ten times larger facility.”
Saturday, Hayes and Governor Mark Schweiker opened the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
“We have made the Farm Show complex a year round facility,” said Hayes. “The Farm Show is our chance to show off the $84 million expansion project. We have the largest agricultural facility in the United States. The Farm Show Complex is two and a half acres under one roof and over 1 million square feet. We have made it a 12 month facility by adding air conditioning, and it has brought a whole new dimension to the facility.”
Last week Pennsylvania hosted Agro-International. The trade show brought in 290 international guests and set up 1,200 customized business meetings in the name of Pennsylvania Agriculture.
“Agro-International is another way we are promoting Pennsylvania Agriculture around the world,” said Hayes. “We had people representing 75 countries who came to Harrisburg. We set up customized business meetings to help convince them to buy Pennsylvania agricultural products.”
Many rumors have circulated around Hayes’ future after he leaves the post as Agriculture Secretary, one would have him running for Governor in four years.
“I have enjoyed my 35 years in public service, but it is time to come home,” said Hayes. “My heart yearns to be at home. I will speak on behalf of agriculture as a volunteer when called upon, but I have no plans to hold another office. There is a possibility that I may teach public policy for a higher education institution and share the experiences I have had.”
Hayes was very thankful to his wife Betty for being a great partner.
“Betty has been a great soldier,” said Hayes. “She is a very understanding partner. She had to make many sacrifices in her life so I could serve in the capacities I have served. I am very appreciative for her support in letting me do my civic duty in Vietnam, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and as Agriculture Secretary.”
Asked if he would serve under President Bush in the Department of Agriculture, Hayes responded, “I have no desire to go to Washington. I have served on policy panels for Agriculture during the start of the Bush administration, but I plan to continue to have a zip code in Pennsylvania. I can’t see a set of circumstances that would take me to Washington.”
The Daily Herald asked Hayes if there was any advice he would pass on to the next Secretary of Agriculture. “I would encourage them to nurture agriculture,” said Hayes. “Agriculture is the number one economic opportunity for young people. Agriculture is a great strategic strength. We depend on others for steel and oil, but we feed ourselves. It keeps us as a nation from getting into predicaments and keeps our nation from risk. We should be very careful about our production of food. Protect the people in the business of agriculture, not run them out like was done in the steel and oil industries.”
In six years as Agriculture Secretary, Hayes never stood still.
“The job starts new everyday,” said Hayes. “You have to keep pushing forward. If you stand still, you are falling behind. You have to adapt as the landscape changes. We put in a lot of long hours, but we accomplished many things. We have better communication between the labs, we have increased resources to promote animal health, we have better research on plant genetics, and we have increased inspections at amusement parks. We are dedicated to making our parks safe.”
In the words of Hayes, “There have been no slow days since taking office in 1997.”
On January 22, 2003, Secretary Hayes will have the opportunity to enjoy a nice slow day in Warriors Mark, his first in six years.
