The county has some of the best farmland available anywhere. It consists of a rich, limestone soil. Intensive farming is the norm here. A one hundred acre farm is a large one. Tobacco was a big cash crop in years past. Now it is difficult for farmers to sell tobacco. Many have turned to things like sweet corn, tomatoes, soybeans, cantaloupes and garden vegetables. These are often sold in markets or at roadside stands. The latter half of the summer and early fall are wonderful times to enjoy this harvest of delightful fruits and vegetables.

Sweet corn is most often eaten on the cob. However a favorite of the Pennsylvania Germans or Deutsch (not Dutch) is chicken corn soup. It usually consists of chicken broth, cut up chicken, sweet corn, egg rivels, herbs, and sometimes noodles. After eating a bowl of it, you say "Oii, Sel is Gut.", literally "Oh, that is good." Corn is also enjoyed in fritters and is often dried.

In recent years, cantaloupes have become a big crop in the northeastern part of the county. You can drive along the highways and buy anywhere from 1 or 2 homegrown cantaloupes for $1.00, depending on the size.

The raising of cattle, hogs, and chickens has also become a big business. This has resulted in far more production of manure than can be used on the land. Consequently there is a huge runoff, which has been polluting the Chesapeake Bay for many years.

Lancaster County is rapidly losing its rural flavor. The tourist industry has become enormous. The movie "Witness" had much to do with drawing tourists to Lancaster County to experience the Amish culture. There are also a wealth of historical sites in the county and if you are thinking of visiting us, try to take in such places as the Ephrata Cloister (a former religious community), Wheatland (President Buchanan's home), The Landis Valley Farm Museum, the Borough of Strasburg, the Borough of Lititz, and numerous other historical attractions.

I suppose the biggest change over the last 50 years has been the rapid growth of commerce and industry. Much farmland has disappeared as residential developments, shopping centers and industrial parks have multiplied. However, it is still a wonderful place to live.