Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Summer 2003 Passages Newsletter, Pennsylvania Association For Sustainable Agriculture
Summer 2003 Passages Newsletter, Pennsylvania Association For Sustainable Agriculture
By Brian Snyder
It has become increasingly clear in recent
years that if family farms are to flourish
once again across the American country-
side, farmers must reconnect in a meaning-
ful way with their closest neighbors and
with the rural communities in their region.
In fact, a growing chasm between farms and
communities has led to a sometimes brutal
public debate over such issues as land use,
property taxes, waste disposal, urban
sprawl, and funding for schools and other
public services.
Fortunately, at the same time that many
farmers are rediscovering the enduring
value of their neighbors, average consumers
are showing increased interest in the quality
and safety of their food supply. Increasingly
they are expressing a preference to buy food
that is grown on nearby farms, by farmers
who they know and can visit, using meth-
ods that assure accountability and high
quality
Farmers and consumers, it would seem,
are yearning to find each other. They are
Buy Fresh/Buy Local website (www.buylocalpa.org), plus numer-
like two highway crews tunneling through a
Shows the Way ous point-of purchase materials and tradi-
mountain from opposite sides. The moun-
Recently in downtown Philadelphia, tional advertising to get the word out to
tain in this illustration represents all the
PASA joined the Philadelphia Fair Food consumers on where they can encounter the
complexities of today’s marketplace, includ- Project and Farm to City to unveil a mar-
ing issues of processing, transportation, agricultural bounty of the region. Already,
keting campaign called “Buy Fresh/Buy huge banners with the Buy Fresh/Buy
marketing, and government regulation of Local,” which aims to connect farmers and
the food supply chain. Local logo adorn the outside of the Reading
consumers through a network of farmers’
What they need in order to succeed is Terminal Market (one of our most notable
markets, CSAs, restaurants, caterers, and
some kind of navigation system to guide campaign participants), and materials
other market venues, focusing specifically
their efforts. Such a system is now becom- on Philadelphia for the first stage of the inside the market indicate which vendors
ing available in southeastern Pennsylvania, campaign. feature local fare.
with promise for every region of the state in The campaign will utilize a Local Food “Philadelphia is an exciting city for
coming years. Guide (already in its first printed edition), a Continued on page 3
Contents
Summer 2003
2
PA Goes Local!
Continued from page 1
food,” notes Bridget Croke of the
Philadelphia Fair Food Project. “Restau-
rants participating in the Buy Fresh/Buy
Local campaign make special dishes fea-
turing locally raised ingredients. For
instance, Django Gypsy Café serves a deli-
cious Atlantic Bluefish and creamy mush-
room polenta made with locally grown
black forest mushrooms, and a smoked
tomato broth made with locally grown
tomatoes and bacon from locally raised
pork.”
“We are blessed to have a tremendous
variety of farm-fresh products available
from southeastern Pennsylvania,” says
Bob Pierson, Queen Village resident and
manager of Farm to City farmers’ markets
in seven Philadelphia communities. “The
farmers’ markets in Philadelphia sell
everything from strawberries, tomatoes
and sweet corn, to naturally raised beef,
aged cheeses, locally made breads, and
mouthwatering BBQ chicken and ribs
cooked right at the markets.” Bob also
manages a Winter Harvest program that
extends the availability of seasonally
diverse farm products year-round.
It’s a Regional Effort…
By next year, PASA plans to expand
this buy local campaign to a growing net-
work of market venues throughout the
target region, and to make materials avail-
able to individual farmers in southeast
Pennsylvania who wish to label their prod-
ucts as locally grown. A similar program
will be launched to promote farm prod-
The three heroes of Buy Fresh/Buy Local Southeast share a moment of levity at the
ucts in southwestern Pennsylvania by next June 15th campaign launch. From left to right, Bob Pierson (Farm to City), Bridget
year as well. Croke (Philadelphia Fair Food Project) and Ruth Sullivan (PASA).
What is local food? The current cam-
paign focuses on Pennsylvania food grown identifying farm-fresh products grown in Stores in the southwest.
within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia, their region by farmers who know the …That’s Happening
reaching as far as the areas around Lan- value of their local customers. Statewide and Nationwide
caster, Reading, and Allentown. PASA
In many cases this will mean partner- The Buy Fresh/Buy Local campaign in
and its partners will identify other buy
ing with private food retailers and distrib- Pennsylvania is part of an even larger,
local regions similarly, paying close atten-
tion, as in Philadelphia, to designations utors to properly designate the local nationwide Buy Local Initiative organized
and boundaries that farmers and con- by the FoodRoutes Network, our neigh-
products they carry. Current examples
sumers in the area find meaningful bor in Millheim, which provides technical
include partnerships with the Natural
In fact, consumer research has been a support to community-based groups
Dairy Products Corporation (Natural by working to strengthen regional markets
key to this campaign right from the begin-
ning. Our eventual aim is to make sure Nature), Kimberton Whole Foods, and for locally grown foods. FoodRoutes pro-
that consumers anywhere in the Com- the Swarthmore Co-op in the southeast, vides communications tools, networking
monwealth have a reliable method of and the McGinnis sisters Special Food Continued on page 30
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
yogurt, we would have a victory for eaters
PASA-TIVELY SPEAKING: Board President’s Corner and the economic viability of family dairy
farms.
By Kim Miller So far this story has a happy ending.
But it points out where industry wants to
take us as consumers. Believe this: there is
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
specs, arranging delivery schedules, and
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
Continued from previous page der wanted to launch PASA’s Farm-to-
farm-to-school campaigns. House can also School program.
help develop graduate assistantship pro- “At the Future Issues Forum at my first
grams (as she did at SRU) and organize PASA conference, some impassioned peo-
faculty and student petition drives to get ple asked, ‘why can’t we get our good food
farm-to-school projects off the ground. into schools for kids to eat?’” remembers
She emphasizes that the projects are great Snyder. “Even my daughters wonder why
opportunities for education and for build- their diet at school is different from ours
ing interdisciplinary partnerships on cam- at home. The answers—convenience and
pus. cost—are not good enough from the
“Almost all universities have programs point of view of the kids.”
and departments that can benefit from a To that end, PASA is in the prelimi-
farm-to-school project,” says House, nary stages of working with a secondary
“whether it be agro-economics, environ- school system in Centre County to
mental economics, or sustainable agricul- explore a farm-to-school project for school
ture.” lunches. According to House, the USDA
Indeed, the grant that PASA received Farm Bill has a Farm-to-Cafeteria pro-
came from DEP’s Office of Pollution Pre- gram that encourages K–12 schools to
vention and Compliance Assistance, purchase from local farmers. Schools that
which highlights the opportunity to are part of the Department of Defense’s
“National School Lunch Program” pro- Farm-to-School Program Coordinator,
explore how local food systems reduce the
gram may even be eligible for money for a Heather House
petroleum, CFC, and other pollution that
comes with our society’s current system of farm-to-school project. area of investigation.”
long-distance food transportation. “My main concern,” says Snyder, “is As for House, her main concern is
that mealtime in schools not be treated as hearing from Pennsylvanians who need
The Three R’s something separate from the curriculum. help with a farm-to-school project. House
Education, in fact, is one of the main Lunch is a tremendous opportunity to may be reached at 814-349-9856 or
reasons that Executive Director Brian Sny- inspire our kids to engage in an important heather@pasafarming.org.
7
Qué PASA? Regional Marketing — Southeast
the DeVaults were well equipped to han-
Three Southeast dle guests because the chilly rain meant
folks stayed inside. While the food was
delicious—including fresh greens, a gor-
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Qué PASA? Regional Marketing — Southeast
n Mix milk, eggs, and broken pieces of bread together and let stand at
farms.
Thanks to all three host families for least 1/2 hr.
n Chop onion and mushrooms and saute in canola oil. Mix all ingredients
their hospitality, and to all of the attendees
for the great food and fellowship. Once together.
n Pour into baking dish, and bake at 375°F. for about 1 hr. or until knife
again, I feel privileged to be part of such a
warm, generous, dedicated, and inspiring comes out of center clean.
group of folks.
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Qué PASA? Regional Marketing — Southwest
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
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Qué PASA? What’s up with your organization?
Producers Council, and Penn Ag Indus-
Overheard at the Third Annual Hog Summit: tries Association would have representa-
tives on hand to provide an alternate point
“The problem is not hogs, chickens, cows, or dairy. of view to Summit attendees. CAO oper-
ators were incensed by characterizations of
The problem is the social, environmental, and economic their enterprises. An assistant to PA Sena-
tor Mike Waugh (R-28) said, “I’m con-
problems resulting from concentration of anything. cerned that the driving movement behind
this (Summit) is a national movement
Nature abhors concentration, and will react to it.” against progressive agriculture. I contend
that we will remain free as a country only
Jim Brown, Hog Summit panelist and concentrated hog so far as we are able to feed our-
selves.” One wishes he and Senator
farmer turned factory farm opponent. Waugh had joined us on the Stolzfus farm
to see a viable, prosperous example of sus-
Continued from previous page activism stretching from Utah, Colorado, tainable pork production. Well, maybe
to the nation than Osama bin Laden. Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, and else- next year?
where to here in Pennsylvania. Local par- It is true Senate Bill 1413 (a Pennsyl-
Bringing the Battle to Gettysburg vania legislative effort to end local regula-
ticipants included the Concerned Citizens
Hog Summit 3 at Gettysburg this June tion of factory farms) died in committee
of Nippenose Valley, a year-old group try-
7 carried over the energy and controversy last year, but the issue has not gone
ing to protect Limestone Township,
from earlier summits. The format was away. High-density hog operations are
Lycoming County, from factory farms.
similar to the annual PASA conferences, here and, as activist organization Citizens
Old hands moved to comfort and person-
with two morning plenaries, one on for Pennsylvania’s Future pointed out,
ally reassure anxious, frightened, angry
“shortcomings of industrial agriculture,” they are on the increase. Struggles over the
individuals from York County, where a
the other on “creating meaningful solu- economic, environmental, and social haz-
showcase CAFO is being funded by
tions.” ards posed by factory farms are apt to
USDA’s Young Farmer Program.
A new voice at the Summit was Helen
In April, the National Pork Producers dominate Hog Summits for the foresee-
Browning, who spoke on operations at
Council announced that NPPC, PA Pork able future.
Eastbook Farm in southern England. In a
similar vein, the Stolzfus family’s Spring
Water Farm bespoke the success and
enthusiasm of the increasing numbers of
modest-sized, low-tech, imaginatively
managed sustainable units. These immac-
ulate facilities permit enjoyment of sweet,
clean country air in the midst of energetic
and responsive animals on lush, managed
pastures.
Lunch was delicious, sandwiched
between networking, browsing packed
stalls, and attending two afternoon break-
out sessions, each featuring six panels of
speakers. The first session I chose was the
“Roundtable Forum on Citizen Activism
and Options: Responding to Factory
Farms.” Moderated by Bill Weida of the
GRACE Factory Farm Project and Rick
Dove from Waterkeeper, the session fea-
tured participation by people from across
this nation who have struggled—are
struggling—with CAFOs. It was both The crowd at PASA’s pre-Summit field day observe these handsome Tamworth sows at
chilling and moving to hear details of Alvin Stoltzfus’ farm.The hut behind the hogs is used for farrowing.
15
Qué PASA? Farm Based Education
intensively-managed rotational grazing as
Pasture Monitoring
Continued from previous page an alternative to crop production. The
Johnsons milk 40–60 cows and raise stock
on the farm with the help of a Normandy
Participants at the Provident Farm field day have close encounters with cows of many different kinds.
16
Qué PASA? Farm Based Education
Continued from previous page land, agriculture, and wildlife manage- effectively; 4) the nutritional requirements
duce hay and forage. Dave makes large ment. Decision-making revolves around a of the livestock and wildlife are adequate-
round bales and has a bale tuber for wrap- holistic goal. All decisions are tested ly met; 5) there is minimal stress on the
ping baleage. He considers this a good against the goal and made in the context animals, as well as on the people, from
investment, especially in a year as wet as of available tools and information gath- physical handling; 6) there is maximum
this one has been. With all the rain, the ered through monitoring procedures. Jim’s coordination with cropping, wildlife
cows had a hard time keeping up with the approach to Holistic Management has needs, and other land uses, as well as with
growth on the pastures. Dave estimates it been influenced by John Ikerd and the the personal schedules of those who will
costs $.02/lb to produce forage as pasture idea of the new American farmer, one who operate the plan; and 7) the manager is
in comparison to $.04–.05/lb to produce engages in environmentally-conscious constantly moving toward the holistic
baleage. land stewardship on appropriately scaled goal.
Full grazing starts in spring around family farms; builds relationships that cre-
ate value-added direct marketing so that a Monitoring Procedure
mid-April. Dave limits earlier grazing
greater proportion of profits are kept by Jim Weaver demonstrated a simple
because some of the land is wetland with
the farmer rather than by processors and monitoring procedure that has been used
fairly heavy clay soils that are damaged by
other middlemen; and nurtures a high and improved by holistic managers for
traffic. Perennial grasses come on first and
quality of life through family and com- over 25 years to detect change on land
grow late into fall. The rest period for the
munity. grazed by livestock. The purpose of this
paddocks ranges from about 15 days in
Holistic management is based on the monitoring is not just to record change,
spring to 45–60 days in summer. Grass is
idea that the whole chain of the farm but also to steer all changes in the direc-
stockpiled to graze into November and
enterprise is only as strong as its weakest tion of the holistic goal. Indicators of
early December. To rejuvenate and
link. The holistic manager finds the weak resource condition monitored include
increase fertility, Dave chooses a paddock
link in the production chain, pays atten- water, minerals, energy, and community
for use as a winter feedlot in which round
tion to it by applying resources to dynamics. The measurements of the indi-
bales are placed, then gives that paddock a
strengthen it, and continuously monitors cators are used to produce an ecograph,
rest the following year.
the chain to identify weakest links. Wealth where progress is measured based on goals
With the farm situated at the headwa-
is generated by the allocation of expenses for the farm.
ters of Pine Creek, Dave would like to put
and the elimination of expenses, because Ideally, for ease of calculation, 100
in more permanent lanes to protect water
once an expense is eliminated, it can’t rise. points on the farm are monitored and
quality. Thistle has become a weed prob-
Management of grazing animals and converted to percentages. The monitoring
lem in an area where drain tile was
monitoring for early-warning biological points are selected randomly along a tran-
installed because of soil disturbance, and
indicators is central to holistic manage- sect that crosses as many different types of
he is not able to control the weeds there
ment. Livestock are used to help create the systems on the farm as possible (for exam-
with clipping because of wetness, so he
landscape that is envisioned. Periodic dis- ple, hay fields, pastures, and woodlot). To
plans to try vinegar (10%) as an organic
turbance (grazing and/or clipping) is help keep the choice of sample points ran-
herbicide. Dave recently started a collabo-
needed to maintain soil cover and to keep dom so that the manager is not biased by
rative research project with Ron Hoover, a
plants fresh and high in nutritional quali- appearance of an area, Jim suggests using
Penn State University on-farm research
ty. In this system, livestock are used as a marker (in this case, a flagged dart). Jim
coordinator, to investigate organic weed
land reclamation tools, but are also man- used the “throw the dart over the shoul-
management through different practices
aged to take into account other functions der” method to randomly choose moni-
such as clipping, adjusting soil fertility,
of the ecosystem, such as wildlife habitat. toring points.
and aeration.
This enables the use of the herd to benefit At each of the 100 monitoring points,
Holistic Management the whole environment and, ultimately, to the manager measures indicators of
Jim Weaver, a member of the Northern create the landscape that will sustain the ecosystem function: the closest plant or
Penn Holistic Management Network, production and quality of life described in plant type (grass, broadleaf, forage, weed);
presented a pasture monitoring method the holistic goal. amount of plant cover; soil condition
that was developed by Alan Savory The outcomes of this type of grazing (wet, dry, eroded); evidence of worm or
(www.holisticmanagement.org/). Jim management are several: 1) in the growing insect activity within six inches of the
explained, “Holistic Management is a months, the land can produce the maxi- point; and other animal activity (manure,
decision-making framework through mum amount of high quality forage on an ground-nesting birds) within six feet of
which people can make decisions that are increasing or sustained basis; 2) in the the point.
environmentally, socially, and financially non-growing months, there is adequate Soil condition measurements are best
sound in both the short and long term.” forage and/or cover for livestock and made when soil biological activity is high
Holistic Management has its roots in wildlife; 3) droughts can be dealt with Continued on page 18
17
Qué PASA? Farm Based Education
Continued from page 17 ered a good population. Healthy soil drought management, and the pastures
and with adequate soil moisture; for smells good. A rich earthy smell indicates and fields at Provident Farm have an
example, two days after a good rain or irri- high biological activity. No smell indicates SOM content of about 5–6%. SOM
gation. To determine how well a soil takes an intermediate condition, and a bad or improves water-holding capacity, and
in water, about a pint of water is poured chemical smell indicates a poor condition. reducing runoff is especially important on
on the soil from a distance of about one Ecographs for recording the indicator clay soils like the moderately drained
inch. You pour the water within five sec- values are available at the Holistic Man- Wellsboro soil at Provident Farm.
onds, slow enough so that the soil surface agement website, www.holisticmanage- The take home message for the day was
is not disrupted, but fast enough to deter- ment.org/. To check progress toward the this—to get your pastures to sustain ani-
mine how long it takes the water to soak holistic goal, the farm should be moni- mal nutrition and environmental quality
into the ground. tored annually at the same time of year. needs, it is important to monitor the
W
R OWE R’
Upon observation, a small wet spot The ideal monitoring time is at the peak changes that accompany management.
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indicates rapid infiltration and is usually of the forage growing season around the 12345678901234567890123
due to a well-aggregated surface condi- G R O E R’
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summer solstice. However, consistency is
tion. A soil aggregate is a cluster or crumb 12345678901234567890123
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critical, so it is important to be aware of 12345678901234567890123
of soil particles stuck together with a com- time limitations on a particular farm and G
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bination of weak electrical forces from the choose a time of the year that consistency 12345678901234567890123
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L SL S
D IDS I S
is possible.
duced during the decomposition of organ- 12345678901234567890123
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Soil Quality Test Kit 12345678901234567890123
ic matter. A well-aggregated soil accepts 12345678901234567890123
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B EB E
water easily, provides room for vigorous Farmers generally have a sense of what 12345678901234567890123
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A poorly aggregated soil crusts and erodes holds moisture well, resists erosion, drains 12345678901234567890123
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easily, and will not accept water very rap- well, remains uncrusted, decomposes crop 12345678901234567890123
idly, leading to water runoff. residue rapidly, and produces healthy
plants. Soil scientists from the USDA
UNT LA
To maintain the aggregated state, a
healthy population of soil organisms is have developed a kit that ag professionals
and farmers can use to help monitor their
Labels for direct
necessary to provide the glue that holds
the soil particles together. The organisms soil quality—the soil’s ability to perform marketing
Labels and
for direct
that decompose crop residues and cycle its critical functions of supporting plant
nutrients need organic matter and mois- and animal productivity, contributing to value-added
marketing and
clean surface and ground water supplies,
ture. A well-aggregated soil is loose and
crumbles easily through your fingers. A and enhancing human health.
products
value-added
poorly aggregated soil is cloddy and crust- Paul Shaffer and Kris Ribble demon-
strated some of the measurements possible
products
ed. Adequate ground cover for long peri- We design and print labels
ods of the year fosters higher water with the Soil Quality Test Kit (available
for flowers, honey, fruit,
infiltration, and provides food for the soil from Gempler’s www.gemplers.com), We design and print labels
including soil pH, electrical conductivity vegetables, sprouts, milk,
organisms that drive nutrient cycles. for flowers, honey, fruit,
Ground cover also helps reduce soil ero- (as a measure of salinity), and water infil- yoghurt, cheese, meat,
vegetables, sprouts, milk,
sion and water runoff by giving the water tration rate. The Kit also includes supplies eggs, nuts —
to assess soil respiration (a measure of yoghurt, cheese, meat,
more time to infiltrate the soil. labels for almost anything!
To determine the soil organisms pres- microbial activity), bulk density, soil eggs, nuts —
ent, move aside surface residue and look nitrate, aggregate stability, earthworms, labels for almost anything!
for ants, millipedes, beetles, snails, or compaction, soil structure, and soil tex- SERVING GROWERS
other small animals on the soil surface. ture. A DEP Growing Greener Grant pro- SINCEGROWERS
SERVING 1975
Two or more within a two-foot circle is vided funds to test the Kit on 17 farms
considered a desirable amount. These with grazing plans. SINCE
request 1975
a free catalog
organisms help break down coarse crop NRCS and Project Grass personnel are
residue into smaller particles and make it also testing a tool developed by Dr. Ray request a free catalog
1-800-693-1572
more available for nutrient cycling. Look Weil in the Department of Soil Science at
for earthworm holes or casts at the surface
and then turn over a shovelful of soil and
the University of Maryland to measure
biologically active carbon in the soil as an
1-800-693-1572
growersdiscountlabels@tds.net
count the number of earthworms. Two or indicator of organic matter. Soil organic
more earthworms per shovelful is consid- matter (SOM) is a key to soil fertility and growersdiscountlabels@tds.net
18
Continued on page 24
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19
PASA Business Member Profile
What is unique about your business? benefit to your business? sylvania to endure and withstand
We are unique on the national scene in The conference is obviously a great change—to understand it and to act and
that we are a legislative service agency. forum. With our booth there, we get to not just react, whether specifically in agri-
Pennsylvania is the only state with a provide our literature and hear and share culture or in other sectors.
research agency that is dedicated to rural information. The Center is currently What do you see as some of the criti-
issues and housed under the general looking at getting locally grown food into cal issues facing agriculture and ag-relat-
assembly. our schools, so membership has been ed businesses today?
Why did you join PASA? helpful there, too. There is a whole host of them! It is an
It was a natural connection, given what What does the term “sustainable” ever-changing and diverse industry. One
PASA is all about. It helps us in terms of mean to you and how do you incorporate simple definition doesn’t really describe
research. We get to hear about issues that that into your business? agriculture, so that’s a challenge. One
may affect our membership. PASA serves One definition is to endure and with- voice doesn’t necessarily speak for it. Then
an audience we believe we need to hear stand. We work to help rural Pennsylvania there are Jane and Joe Consumer who
from, and a sector that is critical to the endure and withstand, and maintain a have no concept of the agriculture indus-
state’s economy. quality of life that sets Pennsylvania apart. try and don’t know any of the behind-the-
How has your membership been a We help the government help rural Penn- Continued on next page
20
Continued from previous page
scenes things that go on.
What do you see as the connection between sus-
tainable agriculture and the consumer?
I think there is a great opportunity for all of us who
support Pennsylvania agriculture to develop a strong
educational program geared toward that Jane and Joe
Consumer. There is a need to understand what’s going
on as it relates to them and their decisions as consumers
and their personal choices. There is a connection
between sustaining and keeping agriculture, in all the
shapes it has, as a viable industry in Pennsylvania, and
consumers will play an increasingly important role.
21
were all delighted (and sated) by a buffet of
Women Helping
Women in Farming
Some of Pennsylvania’s leaders in sustain-
able agriculture met in July to promote the
Pennsylvania Women in Agriculture Network
(WagN), which provides women with a
space that responds to their unique needs as
CBS Evening News organic. The release says the market for female members of the state’s farming com-
Features Tait Farm Foods organic food and products is growing at an munity. Amy Trauger, a doctoral candidate at
Kim Tait, Vice-President of PASA’s Board estimated 20–30% per year and currently Penn State University (PSU) who specializes
of Directors, appeared in a July 9 CBS accounts for more than $11 billion in annual in gender roles in farming, leads the group
Evening News “Eye on America” segment, sales. through emails and face-to-face monthly
the third in a series entitled “Making Ends Rodale, whose grandfather, J.I. Rodale, meetings.“Because of the persistence of gen-
Meet.” Reporter Wyatt Andrews said of Tait, coined the term organic in 1942, said in the dered occupations, women in agriculture
“She represents the fresh new face of agri- release, “Are we willing to sit back and wit- tend to be excluded from certain spaces of
culture—women who own, manage, and ness the degeneration of our environment, knowledge and authority about farming, and
market the American farm.” Tait attributed and quietly lose control of the quality of are often reluctantly let into the ‘farmer club’
the success of Tait Farm Foods to her will- food we eat every day?” Instead, he “called as an ‘honorary man,’” Trauger explains.
ingness to create a year-round, seasonal on leaders to pool resources and work Participants in WAgN-Pennsylvania
retail store on the farm. together towards a common, quantifiable include farmers, agricultural extension
The report also featured PASA member vision.” Rodale received OTA’s Organic agents, trainers, researchers, legislators, and
and former Director Carolyn Sachs, whose Leadership Award at the May meeting. See brokers. Organizations represented include
university research on women in agriculture the press release at www.newfarm.org/ Pennsylvania Certified Organic, The Rodale
reveals, “women who own farms tend to pressroom/pressreleases/press052203.shtml Institute, PSU, and PASA. To get involved,
have smaller farms, to carry less debt, to use contact Trauger at 814-422-0634 or
fewer pesticides, and to have smaller niche Potluck News akt122@psu.edu.
markets for what they produce.” Summariz- from the Susquehanna Valley
ing her research, Sachs concluded that the By Leah Tewksbury BOOK REVIEW:
new image of the American farmer is “not a The annual PASA Conference provides Bringing the Food Economy Home:
guy in overalls.” To see the report and excellent learning opportunities, cama- Local Alternatives to Global Agribusiness,
accompanying article online, visit www.cbs- raderie, cuisine, and business resources.Yet it by Helena Norberg Hodge,Todd Merrifield,
news.com/stories/2003/07/09/eveningnews/ can be difficult to find time to meet PASA and Steven Gorelick, Kumarian Press, 2002.
main562415.shtml. members who may be neighbors down the (Reviewed by Ruth Sullivan)
road or in the local area. So to learn more Bringing the Food Economy Home was an
Rodale Institute about local PASA people, a good crowd of engrossing, absorbing, and quick read. And
Launches Organic Initiative folks from the Susquehanna Valley region boy did it open my eyes. Full of memorable
Announcing “the single-most ambitious (north-central Pa.) gathered together this quotes and useful facts, the book highlights
agricultural initiative of this century” at the spring and then again in early summer to the social, ecological, and economic impacts
Organic Trade Association (OTA) meeting in share potluck and get acquainted. of the global food system. It takes you
Austin, Texas, this May, Anthony Rodale, The potlucks provided a friendly environ- through the landmarks of the global food
chairman of Rodale Institute, called for at ment for exploring sustainable living and system, from consolidation in feed, seed,
least 5% of America’s remaining 2 million business concepts, such as developing local chemical, production, and processing sectors
farmers to transition to organic farming by cooperative relationships between produc- to the structure of globalized trade. The
2013. According to a Rodale Institute press ers and buyers, using various marketing authors simply and elegantly describe the
release, 12,200 farmers—just over half of strategies, and compiling a list of local pro- basics of the World Bank, the International
one percent of all U.S. farms—are certified ducers for consumer use. Of course, we Monetary Fund (IMF), the General Agree-
22
ment on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and the filed in the U.S. or face economic sanctions, ter for email updates at www.farmaid.com/
World Trade Organization (WTO). If your also known as cross retaliation. In other event/misc/enroll.asp in case more tickets
eyes normally glaze over when you hear words, the U.S. can legally impose economic are released.
these names, this book will do an excellent sanctions on Mexico if the Mayan people use
job of showing you, succinctly and startlingly, their traditional herbal medicines without New! Farm-Fresh Recipes:
why you should care.To wrap up, the authors paying royalties to transnational corpora- Ready-to-Copy Recipes Cards for
focus on how communities around the tions like Dow Chemical, which now owns Produce Marketers
world have succeeded in regenerating their patents on some of these thousand-year-old Farmers who sell direct to the public
local food system. remedies. agree that recipes increase sales. Most cus-
Put out by the International Society for Heck, it’s even legal to patent the genes tomers just need a little inspiration to get
Ecology and Culture, this book takes a of the shaman who gives you that medicine. them cooking with fresh ingredients. A new
broad, international view, with many exam- Since the mid-90s, there has been a deluge of book, Farm-Fresh Recipes, is packed with easy,
ples from both north and south of the equa- U.S. patent applications on human genes of enticing recipes that use a lot of fresh pro-
tor. I highly recommend Bringing the Food tribal peoples all over the world. Thanks to duce. Nearly 300 recipes are printed three
Economy Home for anyone interested in the WTO, even your genes can be legally on a page, all focused on one major ingredi-
understanding the impact of globalized trade owned by corporations or individuals. And ent. The book is designed so that you can
and industry consolidation, and learning now the Bush Administration plans to use a take it to the copy shop, make all the copies
about solutions yet to be implemented. secret trade tribunal of the WTO to force you want, and have them cut down into
Available from Kumarian Press in Bloomfield, Frankenfoods down the throats of Euro- recipe cards. Copyright permission is specif-
CT, at (860) 243-2098 or www.kpbooks.com peans and consumers worldwide. ically granted in the front of the book, and
for $18.95. Ticked off? Do something about it! Join the book is spiral bound so it lays flat on the
the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) copy machine, with trim marks for accurate
Snyder Gives Cuban on an escorted OCA delegation to attend cutting.You can either stamp the back of the
Agriculture Slide Show the historic teach-ins and protests at the cards with your farm’s name, or you can use
On July 10 at West Chester University, next international WTO Ministerial meeting one of three templates included in the book
PASA Executive Director Brian Snyder gave in Cancun Mexico (Sept. 4–11) www.organ- to design your own message that can be
a 1.5-hour presentation on sustainable agri- icconsumers.org/wto_cancun.htm. photocopied on the back of the recipe
culture in Cuba, complete with slide photo- pages.
graphs that he took during his recent trip Farm-Fresh Recipes was written by Janet
there with the Food First/Institute for Food Majure, a food writer and cookbook author.
and Development Policy. (See “An Excursion A comprehensive index lists recipes by
through Cuba: A Clue to Our Future?” Pas- ingredients, which comprise every major
sages #43, spring 2003, p.1.) Over fifty peo- type of produce grown in North America.
ple attended. Anyone interested in Although most recipes use only produce,
scheduling a presentation may contact Sny- some recipes include fish, chicken, and beef.
der at 814-349-9856 or brian@pasafarm- The book costs $20 plus $4 shipping from
ing.org. Growing for Market, PO Box 3747,
Lawrence, KS 66046; 800-307-8949. Or
Forget rBGH! Try Bach Instead. order online at www.growingformarket
Research psychologists at the University .com. Wholesale orders get a 40% discount
of Leicester, UK, played loud, soft, and no for 12–49 copies, and a 50% discount for 50-
music to a herd of 1,000 Friesian cattle from plus copies.
5 a.m. to 5 p.m. over a course of nine weeks.
According to a report by the Organic Con- Yes,We’ll Have No Bananas
sumers Association, the researchers found By Robert Alison
that milk yield rose 3% when the cows lis- Farm Aid Coming to Ohio The banana is about to disappear from
tened to slow music instead of fast music. Willie Nelson and company will bring store shelves around the globe. Experts say
Favorite pieces included Beethoven’s “Pas- FarmAid 2003 to the Germain Amphitheater the world’s favourite fruit will pass into
toral Symphony” and Simon and Garfunkel’s in Columbus, Ohio, on September 7. Nelson oblivion within a decade. No more fresh
“Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” and fellow FarmAid Board members Neil bananas. No more banana bread. No more
Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews banana muffins or banana cream pie. Why?
Patenting Nature will perform as usual, joined by artists Sheryl Because the banana is the victim of centuries
(From Organic Bytes, #15, June 11, 2003) Crow, Brooks & Dunn, Trick Pony, and oth- of genetic tampering. Scientists say they will
Thanks to the World Trade Organization ers.The concert comes as the Ohio Farmers be unable to prevent the extirpation of the
(WTO) and a host of “free trade” agree- Union and dozens of organizations urge banana as an edible commercial crop.And its
ments, it is completely legal for a large cor- Ohio Governor Bob Taft to veto Ohio demise may be one more powerful argument
poration to patent and own the genes of House Bill 142, which makes it illegal for in the hands of those who are concerned
individual plants, animals, indigenous medi- local governments to regulate large livestock about genetic modification of foods. (For the
cines, and even humans.The WTO states that operations. While the concert is currently full article, see www.commondreams.org
all member countries must honor all patents sold out, the website invites people to regis- /views03/0719-02.htm)
23
Opportunities & Classified Ads Passages
Ad Rates and Policy
Advertising Inquiries: Please call or
OPPORTUNITIES write the PASA office for a full advertising
and flower production (preferably in a
package and rate card. Special rates avail-
Learn the Basic Principles of Biodynam- CSA), production and marketing experi- able for PASA Business Members and mul-
ic Farming & Gardening, September 13, ence, management, leadership, and ability tiple advertising packages. Contact the
2003–Summer 2004. A part-time, one- to work with youth a must. Complete PASA office.
year program presented by the Pfeiffer infrastructure of 20 acres certified organic Display Ads Rates: Full page $150; Half
Center in Chestnut Ridge, NY, consisting land, heated greenhouse, barns, tractors, page $90; Quarter page $60; Eighth page
of eight Saturday workshops and a final (business card) $40. All rates based on
and all equipment needed for daily opera-
camera-ready copy. Contact PASA office
one-week intensive. Taught by leading tion. Housing, noon meal, stipend/profit for complete rate card.
practitioners including Will Brinton, Stef- sharing possibilities. Contact Chuck
fen Schneider, Jennifer Greene, Craig Classified Ads: $5 for first 30 words, and
Crimmins at 501-889-5124 x3650 or $.20 per word over 30. PASA members
Holdrege, Mac Mead and Pfeiffer Center chuck.crimmins@heifer.org receive one free 30-word ad per year.
Director Gunther Hauk. For information
CLASSIFIED ADS Opportunities & Calendar Listings:
contact The Pfeiffer Center at 845-352-
PASA is pleased to offer these listings at
5020 ext. 20. Grass Finished Beef. Limited supply of no charge as a service to our members.
Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Pro- quarters, halves, or whole available Please limit entries to no more than one
November 2003. No grain — ever. No paragraph.
gram Applications. The Pa. Dept. of
Environmental Protection announces the hormones. From old-fashioned grass- Advertising Disclaimer: PASA cannot
based herd. Mike or Barb Wahler, (717) investigate the products or claims of
availability of $5 million of grant funding advertisers and we don’t necessarily
through the new Pennsylvania Energy 899-6934. endorse any products advertised in Pas-
Harvest Grant Program. Grants will fund sages. However, we encourage you to sup-
Organic Layer houses wanted. Interested
projects that promote awareness and build port the companies that support PASA.
in areas north of Harrisburg, south of We reserve the right to accept or reject
markets for cleaner or renewable energy
Route 192. For more information call any ad.
technologies. Proposals should manage
the Commonwealth’s energy resources in a Keith Fleetwood or Dale Smeltz at Back Issues: Are available from PASA.
way that also improves the environment, Kreamer Feed 800-767-4537.
supports economic development, and
enhances quality of life. Eligible proposals
include biomass energy projects. Special
consideration will be given to proposals
Opportunities…to support
that assist farmers. Applications are avail- PASA’s Farming for the Future Conference!
able from the Grants Center at 717-705-
5400 or www.dep.state.pa.us at the SPONSORS
directLINK “2003 Energy Harvest PASA’s commitment to convening Farming for the Future remains strong, and
Grant.” Applications must be postmarked
sponsorship support is key to its success. Sponsorship carries wonderful ben-
or received by 4:30 p.m. on September
19, 2003, at the Department Grants Cen- efits and demonstrates your support for strengthening farming in our com-
ter, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State munities while increasing the visibility of your business.
Office Building, 400 Market Street, PO
Box 8776, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8776. LOCAL FOOD
It means a lot to the PASA membership, to bring responsibly grown and local-
Rent-Free Land in Centre County. PASA
ly raised foods to the table for conference meals. Consider becoming involved
members Claire and Dan Brannen Sr. live
on a seven acre parcel of farmland near in providing these healthy foods and beverages for the conference.
Centre Hall (Centre County). They
would like to see up to six acres farmed SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
sustainably and organically (though not Great excitement was generated at the auction tables in 2003, and we’re excit-
necessarily certified as such). Farmers ed to top last year! We are assembling some terrific items to be auctioned off
interested in rent-free land should call and invite you to contribute to the mix! Do you have a weekend stay at your
them at 814-364-2004 or e-mail Inn or Farm? Perhaps a piece of art or antique farm equipment? Something
Dan_Brannen@yahoo .com. handmade or unique to Pennsylvania? We are looking for items of all sorts and
Experienced farmer needed to manage would love to hear from you.
and operate 100+ family sustainable
Community Supported Agriculture oper- For more information or to become involved in the above opportunities,
ation at Heifer International’s educational contact Lauren Smith at PASA headquarters (814) 349-9856
ranch in central Arkansas. 3+ years experi- or lauren@pasafarming.org
ence in a wide range of vegetable, herb,
24
Summer vacation is almost over, so I
hope you have enjoyed a much deserved
break from tests, homework, and assign-
5. Protect your drinking water. Find
out about your local watershed. (It’s
not a building where water is kept!) East-
ments. If the pool, summer trips, soccer, ern Pennsylvania is part of the Chesapeake
reading, seeing friends, and simply relax- Bay watershed, which means that the
ing are getting too boring, here is some- water that falls here drains into the Atlantic
thing to think about and perhaps to do! Ocean by way of the Cheasapeake Bay. Call
Last year, most of the people in our your local conservation agency (check the
part of Pennsylvania suffered through a Yellow Pages or ask your parents) to learn
very dry summer. Up until June, 2002 more about your area’s watershed. In a
was a moderately wet year, but farmers watershed, all the rain and other water
and gardeners were desperate for rain the goes through the soil to the water table,
rest of the year. the place where water is stored under- Since we have been talking about
So far, 2003 has been very wet. As a ground. This is usually where your family’s water this month, here are some ques-
matter of fact, a local radio station well gets its water. If any pesticides or fer- tions you might want to research. Try
reported that there were only six sunny tilizers are used in this region they end up using an atlas or other reference book, or
days in all of May. This has meant that going downstream to the Atlantic or they ask your parents!
flowers and yards have grown and flour- go down into the water table that is the
ished. However, this could change source of the drinking water for many of 1. What is the longest river in the
quickly. Since summers are usually dry, a the families in that region. Keep your water world?
dry spell would be more likely. clean by not pouring harmful substances 2. What is the longest river in North
Here are some ideas for helping your down the drain or on the ground outside. America?
family conserve water. It’s a good thing,
whether or not there’s a drought! 6. Try a new way of gardening.
Xeriscaping uses plants well adapt-
ed to the amount of rain in a given region.
3. Which is the largest ocean?
4. Is that ocean growing or is it
1. Are you a gardener? Water your
plants early in the morning or in the
evening so that the water doesn’t evapo-
Since summers can be dry, it is wise to
select drought resistant plants, for looks
shrinking? Do you know why?
5. The surface (top) of one body of
rate as quickly. and to conserve water. Some beautiful water on earth is actually more than 400
choices are echinacea (purple cone feet below sea level. Do you know which
2. Water your plants thoroughly once
a week (or more if it is very dry)
rather than lightly a few times a week.This
flower), yarrow, sedum, and rudbeckia
(black-eyed Susan).
one?
6. Which country is home to the
actually helps your plants to develop nice wettest (rainiest) place on earth?
deep roots that help them survive.
Write and let me know if you can
Send your gardening and Junior Page ideas to:The Junior PASA Page, c/o Sally Roe, RD3 Box 44,Troy, PA 16947.
25
Calendar of Events
26
Calendar of Events
farm’s new winter shares program. Stan- Oct 13 Beech Grove Farm Field Day,
dard PASA Field Day fees apply. See your Trout Run (Lycoming County). Worked by NOVEMBER
PASA Field Day Calendar, or call Kate Anne and Eric Nordell, Beech Grove Farm Nov 22 A Study of Rudolf Steiner’s
Gatski at 814-349-9856, ext. 6. is one of eleven “focal farms” for a North- “Agriculture” Lectures, Chestnut
east Organic Network study of systems Ridge, NY. For the first time, Gunther
Oct 1 Retail Farm Market Tour. Join management at exceptional organic farms. Hauk, program director of The Pfeiffer
PASA and the PA Retail Farm Market Asso- NEON researchers will summarize their Center, offers an in-depth study of the nine
ciation for a tour of premiere direct mar- findings at this event. Standard PASA Field lectures that are the basis for the spiritual
kets in Elkton, MD, Wilmington, DE, Elwyn Day fees apply. See your PASA Field Day renewal of agriculture now known as “Bio-
PA, and Westtown, PA. Registration fee of Calendar, or call Kate Gatski at 814-349- dynamics.” Participants should read the
$30 includes lunch and bus transportation, 9856, ext. 6. lectures in advance. Contact The Pfeiffer
which will pick-up participants near Harris- Center at 845-352-5020 ext. 20.
burg, Lancaster, and Allentown. See your Oct 17–19 Bioneers Conference, San
PASA Field Day Calendar, or call Kate Rafael, CA. An event dedicated to focusing
Gatski at 814-349-9856, ext. 6. on creative social strategies that help
implement solutions for environmental
FEBRUARY 2004
Oct 4 Organic/Biodynamic Fruit crises. Visit www.bioneers.org for more
Orchard Management, Claverack, information. FEBRUARY 5–7, 2004 — PASA’s
NYRegional Farm & Food Project, 518-
427-6537, farmfood@capital.net. Oct 17–19 Three-Day Cheesemaking 13th annual Farming for the Future
Course. Linda Faillace, 802-496-4559. Conference, State College, PA. “Path-
Oct 5 Seed Cleaning, High Mowing Seeds, ways to Prosperity: The New Face of
North Wolcott, VT. Tour High Mowing Oct 22 What Worked & What Didn’t?
Agriculture” Newly expanded to
Seeds and their new seed cleaning facility Pasture Walk, Mansfield, PA. The Holistic
Management perspective of farming in the three days. See more detail on back
with grower Tom Stearns. Free event, pre-
Northern Tier. How can we improve the page of this newsletter. Please join us!
registration required. Call NOFA-VT at
802-434-4122. planning and monitoring of on-farm activi- For a complete brochure, call 814-
ties, including financial and grazing plan- 349-9856 or sign-up at www.pasa-
Oct 11 ABGA Sanctioned Boer Goat ning. Sponsored by Northern Penn Holistic farming.org
Show, Ithaca, NY. John Bloomer, 607-546- Management Network. Contact Jim
2825, bloomer@empacc.net. Weaver at 570-724-7788.
By George DeVault
Never mind that he is based in Des Why would anyone want to invest hundreds of
Moines, Iowa, the heart of the western
Corn Belt.
Never mind that 90 percent of the
thousands of dollars in machinery to grow corn
440,000 people who read his magazine
grow at least some corn. that might net you $200 in one of those rare years
Never mind that the best Midwestern
growers can net $95 to $175 an acre on when you have a good crop?
corn, plus $30 an acre from the federal
government.
does not a farmer make. In fact, with low Moines Register to Successful Farming mag-
When it comes to getting started in
commodity prices and rising production azine, he wrote an entire book about peo-
farming today, Successful Farming Business
costs, corn can easily break a farm. ple getting started in farming. It’s called
Editor Dan Looker has this advice: Don’t
“According to Dick Funt, a small fruit Farmers for the Future. Even though the
grow corn!
specialist at Ohio State University, estab- book was published in 1996, Looker said
“That net income of roughly $200 an
acre pales in comparison to what an acre lished raspberries can return $1,000 an most of the farmers he featured are still in
of established raspberries might produce acre or more over costs. His numbers farming today, although maybe not exact-
in Pennsylvania,” Looker told a crowd of make you wonder why anyone would ly in the way they thought they would be
about 200 at the Ninth Annual New & want to invest hundreds of thousands of in the beginning. That, Looker and the
Beginning Farmer Workshop in dollars in machinery to grow corn that other speakers said, is because getting
Grantville, Pa., in early March. might net you $200 in one of those rare started in farming today requires flexibili-
“Why you don’t need to grow corn to years when you have a good crop and ty and a diverse mix of high-value crops
get started in farming” was the title of most of the world doesn’t. According to that may include:
Looker’s keynote address at the popular Funt, raspberry farms have the potential • Pastured poultry, for both meat and eggs
conference sponsored by Pennsylvania to return about 12 percent on your invest- • Controlled grazing of any kind of live-
Farm Link. By a show of hands, about 95 ment. That’s a lot more than the three to stock to help keep capital investment
percent of the people in the audience said five percent that investors in Midwest and production costs low
they wanted to become farmers. corn ground might expect these days,”
Looker said. • Organic production
“The title of my talk today was
inspired by my experience at The New Of course, raspberries are not an • Vegetables
Farm,” said Looker, who worked at the instant key to success. It takes a few years • Dairy goats
magazine in the early 1980s. (Although and maybe $6,000 to establish an acre of
• Farmstead cheese
New Farm folded as a magazine in 1995, raspberries with trickle irrigation. So,
raspberries may not be for everyone, but • Agritourism, or entertainment farming,
it was just revived as a webzine by the
there are plenty of other profitable crops as some call it.This can include every-
Rodale Institute at www.newfarm.org).
“One of the people on the Rodale Press you can produce. thing from corn mazes and hayrides
staff owned a small raspberry farm that “If you can rent a small plot of land, through you-pick pumpkin patches to
was profitable. It provided some part-time you may be able to sell vegetables in the fee fishing and hunting and even running
income that supplemented his salary at summer and pumpkins in the fall,” Look- a bed and breakfast on your farm.
Rodale. But what he really wanted to do er said. “If that goes well and if you have “We need to look at living and working
was to someday have enough land and the long-term access to land, then Dick Funt on farms in the broadest possible
machinery to grow a crop of corn. Even in suggests moving into pick-your-own ways. Land can be used for more than
those days, it didn’t seem like you were a strawberries, which reach full production producing food. Pennsylvania is blessed
real farmer unless you could grow corn.” in three years. And, eventually, raspberries with a lot of beautiful farms that would
Nothing could be further from the or blueberries may fit in.” appeal to city folks,” Looker
truth, according to Looker and all the Looker knows a lot about beginning observed. Having a good website for your
other workshop speakers. Growing corn farmers. After moving from The Des Continued on next page
28
Continued from previous page
farm is essential to success in any kind of BEGINNING FA R MER R ESO UR CES
agritourism, since so many city people Farmers for the Future Midwest Small Fruit and Grape
plan their vacations with the help of the by Dan Looker (ISBN #081382383 8) Network
Internet. The book costs $21.99, plus $6 shipping. www.ag.ohio-state.edu/sfgnet
While crop and enterprise mix can and Visa, MasterCard and American
North American Farmers Direct
will vary greatly from farm to farm and Express accepted.
Marketing Assn.
region to region, all of the speakers said Iowa State Press
www.nafdma.com
there are timeless “guiding principles” that 2121 State Ave.
Ames, Iowa 50014 Northeast Workers On Organic
can help any beginning farmer. Here is a
Call toll-free 1-800-862-6657 Farms
sampling:
www.smallfarm.org/newoof/newoof.html
n Start small and go slow.
Pennsylvania Farm Link
www.pafarmlink.org Organic Farmers Agency
Today, Charles Conklin produces 2708 N. Colebrook Rd. for Relationship Marketing
300,000 pounds of trout and largemouth Manheim, PA 17545 www.ofarm.org
bass a year at his Pocono Mountain Fish Phone: (717) 664-7077
Beginning Farmer Center
and Seafood Company. He started the E-mail: pafarmlink@redrose.net
Iowa State University
business 31 years ago—with just 100 fish. USDA Agritourism Website www.extension.iastate.edu/bfc/
“By starting slowly, I mean doing your www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/RESS/altent
homework before you ever put a seed in erprise
the ground. Chip Planck, a college profes-
n Add value to what you produce.
sor who became a vegetable farmer out-
consumers. Eliminate middlemen and
side of Washington, D.C., has put how
put the whole food dollar in your pocket. “Value-added is where farmers here in
you should do this in the right order,”
n Find a mentor.
Pennsylvania and the rest of the Northeast
Looker said, quoting Planck from Farmers
can beat the socks off of those of us in the
n Know thy enemy, even if it means
for the Future:
Midwest who raise corn,” said Look-
“The best ag school of all is your own
working a summer at a confinement hog er. “We may have some of the best soils
farm. The next best, working at another
operation. You’ll learn what they’re doing and flattest fields on earth, but you’ve got
farm for money. The next, working at
wrong—and what you can do better. millions of potential customers.”
another farm for no money. The worst, an
n Join a trade group like the North
Holley Moyer, Brian’s helpmate, said
ag school where you must pay them.”
she does that by turning her goat milk
n Make sure your first customers are sat-
American Farmers Direct Marketing
into several different kinds of “pot
Association to meet people in the same
isfied. There is no better advertising than cheese,” which is exempt from food pro-
type of farming and exchange ideas.
word-of-mouth. cessing laws. Just one gallon of milk pro-
n Don’t rush out and buy land.
n Don’t try to do everything.
duces one pound of cheese that retails for
“Buying land these days would be eco- $14, which is more than most dairy pro-
“A lot of these agritourism businesses
nomic suicide for many young farmers,” ducers receive for milk by hundredweight.
are very time consuming, just as is a lot of
Looker said. “Land prices have hit all-time The Moyers first bought goats to
direct marketing,” Looker cautioned. “I’ve
highs in many areas. It’s probably best to reclaim overgrown land.
visited some CSA farms that raise and
n Buy crop insurance, advised John
start out renting. This is where the linking
market 40 or 50 different vegetables. That
programs may be able to help you.”
variety is part of the appeal over the bland- Berry, Extension marketing specialist for
Instead of buying land, Charles Mar-
ness of supermarkets. But I can’t imagine southeastern Pennsylvania. It is a good
shall from the federal Farm Services
doing that and then having to cook break- risk management tool, comparable to
Agency advised beginning farmers to “put
fast and wash bedding for tourists every homeowners, health and auto insurance.
your money into income-producing
n Explore the financial, land, housing
day on top of that.”
things. You have to reduce the amount of
“Agriculture is becoming more special-
money you need. Do not buy land at the and other resources of your extended
ized but also a lot more diverse these
outset.” family before turning to lenders and real
days. Our system of food production
n Use credit sparingly, and wisely.
estate agents.
includes Joel Salatin’s system of pasture
Federal farm programs, the speakers
n Save your money.
poultry production and Tyson Foods. No
said, won’t do much for beginners since
facet of this is simple. Some of it, includ-
“Don’t go out to eat, buy new cars or a they mostly help larger, established farms
ing pasture farrowing and organic veg-
lot of new clothes,” advised Brian Moyer, that are getting bigger and pushing land
etable production, is far from
a Berks County pastured poultry produc- prices higher. That’s especially true of
simple. There are good reasons why many
er and newly elected PASA board mem- commodity programs.
farmers would never try either one.”
ber. “Go to the store very little. Make do Hog production, once a traditional
n Sell everything directly to with what you have.” Continued on page 31
29
PA Goes Local! “People everywhere are attracted to this issue
Continued from page 3
opportunities, and information resources regardless of whether they seek local food for rea-
to organizations working to rebuild local
food systems across the country. sons of personal health, support for family farm-
“People everywhere are attracted to this
issue regardless of whether they seek local ers, concern for the environment, to strengthen
food for reasons of personal health, sup-
port for family farmers, concern for the their local economy, or simply because local food
environment, to strengthen their local
economy, or simply because local food tastes better,” says Joani Walsh, Program Coor-
tastes better,” says Joani Walsh, Program
Coordinator for FoodRoutes. “Food has dinator for FoodRoutes Network. “Food has the
the power to unite and reconnect people
in a way that gives this movement unique power to unite and reconnect people in a way
potential.”
A public event to celebrate and that gives this movement unique potential.
“launch” the southeastern Pennsylvania
Buy Fresh/Buy Local campaign was held
on June 15, Father’s Day, at Yard’s Brew- greetings from Secretary Dennis Wolff come just in time to address the rising tide
ing Company in Philadelphia, with 130 and made clear the department’s intention of controversy that has occupied so many
local food enthusiasts in attendance. Fare to promote Pennsylvania-grown products municipal meeting agendas and editorial
for the day included a roasted pig from on a local basis as a priority in the future. pages across rural Pennsylvania in recent
Country Time Pork in Berks County, zuc- Cook explained PDA’s plans to imple- years.
chini and eggs from Green Meadow farm, ment a “Pennsylvania Preferred” label that Now more than ever, the lasting solu-
cheese from Farm Fresh for Chefs (both can be used in a complimentary way with tion for Pennsylvania family farmers is to
Lancaster County), and a variety of marketing efforts that are more locally be introduced to Pennsylvania consumers.
breads, beverages, and other foods pro- based. As it turns out, that’s a darn good thing
duced in the southeast region. With the Buy Fresh/Buy Local cam- for the consumers involved, and the com-
Cheryl Cook, recently appointed paign, a new era of mutual appreciation munities in which they live as well.
deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania and benefit between Pennsylvania family Editor’s Note: An abbreviated version of
Department of Agriculture (PDA) and a farmers and consumers may indeed have this article appeared on the cover of the July
featured speaker at the event, brought begun. If that is the case, it may have 5th edition of Lancaster Farming.
30
Grass-Fed Gospel
Continued from page 10
er visit to southwestern Pennsylvania in
the fall. PASA and Slow Food Pittsburgh
Sincere Thanks
would like to incorporate that visit into a
grass-fed beef BBQ, shaping up now for
September or October. It will be a chance
for a Job Well Done
for SW grassfarmers to show their stuff The staff and Board of PASA would like to extend our heart-felt thanks to
and for Western Pennsylvania chefs, farm- Dan Brannen Jr. of Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. As our readers know, Dan has
ers, and enlightened eaters of all stripes to
been guest editor of Passages for the past five issues. Not only has Dan done a
see how good grass-fed beef can be.
P.S. Collier’s herd passed the tenderness commendable job in continuing to bring the membership news of the organi-
tests with top honors. He expects to sell to zation and sustainable agriculture, but he has also sustained our reputation for
NELA and to keep some product for his producing one of the best sustainable agriculture publications in the country.
regular customers back home.
Internally, Dan’s dedicated efforts on Passages have allowed the Board and staff
Don’t Grow Corn! the time necessary to develop editorial policies and interview candidates to be
Continued from page 29 the next permanent editor.
“mortgage burner,” is also risky for begin- Dan is moving to Santa Fe with his wife Jen and their two daughters Kaya
ners, unless they specialize in pastured or
and Malina, to pursue new interests. But Dan’s mark on PASA and environ-
organic production and direct marketing,
usually to some niche market. mental issues in Pennsylvania is assured, and folks in New Mexico will be lucky
Successfully getting started in farming to have him there. We’re excited for the Brannen family and wish them food for-
today all comes down to learning to be a tune.
successful entrepreneur, not just an agron-
Thanks again Dan, for being there to serve and for helping Passages get to the
omist or tractor driver, concluded Marion
Bowlan, executive director of Pennsylva- next level!
nia Farm Link.
Key personality traits include passion
and persistence, good health and lots of
energy, creativity and innovation, inde-
pendence and self-reliance, good intu-
ition, self-confidence, market awareness,
lack of need for status, acceptance of chal-
lenge and a strong work ethic.
As what she called a “calculated risk-
taker,” you’ll no doubt figure out pretty
quickly on your own that corn is definite-
ly not the place to start.
[Editor’s note: A shorter version of this
article appeared in Lancaster Farming.]
31
For the latest information on
PASA activities, visit us at:
www.pasafarming.org
Certified by PCO
32
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
You are invited for a visit to tour our site and attend our weekly meetings.
To contact us or find out more go to www.hundredfoldfarm.org, e-mail
rhubarb@cvn.net or call (717) 334-9426 to talk with Bill or Sandy.
Perhaps you know someone else who might like to know about Hundredfold?
Please help us spread the word!
33
PASA Membership/Contribution Form
Please clip this application and return with payment to: PASA Membership, PO Box 419, Millheim, PA 16854.
Company/Farm
ZIP+4 County
$ 100
Would you like to receive mailings from PASA: NO YES
Nonprofit Please complete Field C
SUBTOTAL $
Address
Your contribution as a lifetime member will be managed with care as part State ZIP+4
of our Founder’s Fund, sustaining both your ongoing membership and
the long-term future of PASA. E-mail
Sustaining Lifetime Member Please complete Field B $ 700
Are you farming: NO YES — how many acres:
SUBTOTAL $
Would you like to receive mailings from PASA: NO YES
Gift Memberships
In addition to your own membership, you may give PASA membership to D. Gift Membership
a good friend, family member, business associate or other worthy recip- Name
ient on an annual or lifetime basis…a gift that keeps on giving!
Please complete Field D Address
Student $ 15
City
Individual $ 35
State ZIP+4
Family/Farm $ 55
SUBTOTAL $
Donation Payment
Tax-deductible donation to Annual Fund SUBTOTAL $ Total amount due Check Make check payable to PASA
$ Credit Card Complete below
Card No.
$
Exp. Date
Total Amount Due VISA MasterCard
Cardholder Name
Signature
34
Top left: These two enthusiastic participants at the Buy Fresh/Buy Local campaign launch
in Philadelphia seem insistent about where their food is produced.
Top right: Local chef at the Buy Fresh/Buy Local launch serves a grass-fed hog from Coun-
try Time Farm in Berks County.
Bottom right: Jim Weaver explains the basics of holistic resource management (HRM) to
participants at the Provident Farm field day.
Bottom left: Bill Brownlee, of Wil-Den Farm, explains the function of his innovative pas-
ture farrowing hut to captivated onlookers at the Fair Winds/Wil-Den field day.The Brown-
lees use a wagon wheel pasture system for year-round management of hogs outdoors.
35
SAVE THE DATE!
F E B R U A RY
PASA’s 13th Annual
Farming for the Future
Conference
Pathways to Prosperity: The New Face of Agriculture
5-7 2004
February 5, 6, and 7th , 2004