mar-apr 2004 passages newsletter, pennsylvania association for sustainable agriculture

8/9/2019 Mar-Apr 2004 Passages Newsletter, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture

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Serving the Community of Sustainable Farmers, Consumers and Businesses Throughout Pennsylvania and Beyond

By Michele Gauger

Do you know how the US Postal Ser-

vice has the motto We Deliver for You

through any type of weather? Maybe

PASA should consider adopting that as

our conference motto. The number 13

was starting to feel a little unlucky, as

this year a late evening snow/ice storm

threatened to derail our scheduled pro-

gram. Brian Snyder, executive director of

PASA commented, This is the one we

made happen against all odds.In usual style PASA members rallied

and made the trip to snowy State Col-

lege for the 13th annual conference Feb-

ruary 57. The PASA conference had a

record number of over 1400 attendees

from 28 states and 3 provinces. The new

pre-conference Thursday format attract-

ed about 400 participants, and the usual

Friday and Saturday workshops were a

hit. Many of us left tired but inspired

for the next growing season.

By Kim Miller

As usual the PASAconference blew meaway this year. So muchto learn and so little timeto do it. I have yet tomeet a PASA memberthat does not have aninteresting story andsomething to share. Butthe man who made thegreatest impression onme this year was PercySchmeiser. I am sad-

dened that only 400 ofus were privileged tohear Percy speak onThursday evening. He is the most uncom-mon common man that I have met inyears.

I met Percy prior to his speaking andchatted with him at length during thesocial hour. We talked about the thingsthat farmers talk about, our farms, ourfamilies, the weather, and the state offarming today. You dont have to spendmuch time talking to Percy to realize thathe is a lifelong farmer. He is quiet,straightforward and not out to impressanyone, just an honorable farmer and agentleman. I secretly wondered if hewould be able to excite any interest in thePASA crowd.

And then he shared his story. He beganby stating simply This is what happenedto me. So he talked about his farm andthe raising of rapeseed for the productionof Canola oil. And he talked about savingseed and trying to develop seeds that

would do well on his farm and in his local-

An Uncommon Man2004

Farming for the FutureConference Recap

Continued on page 6

Continued on page 4

Number 47 March/April 2004

Newsletter of the

Pennsylvania

Association

for Sustainable

Agriculture

PassagesSustainable Food and Farming Systems

Got Milk?Got Freedom

of Speech?PASA Farmers in Tioga County Win

Case vs.Ann Veneman & the National

Dairy Promotion Board (see article

page 3).

PRESIDENTS CORNER

Percy Schmeiser begins his story, Heres what happened to me.

ity. He established his emotional connec-tion to this work by he and his wife devot-ing fifty years to this annual practice. It isclear that he is proud of the work that heand his family accomplished in develop-ing better seed varieties; ones with appli-cation to his geographic area and climate.Through hard work and proper steward-ship of resources, Percy and his wifereached the time in their lives where theymight contemplate a well-planned retire-ment. And then along came Monsanto.

It is public knowledge that Monsantodevelops Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs) as a way to increase the marketfor its products. By splicing new geneticmaterial into rapeseed they have been ableto create a plant that is in most ways justlike rapeseed. The most obvious differencebetween this new plant and rapeseed is itstolerance to being sprayed with the Mon-santo herbicide, Roundup. Research has


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March/April 2004

Passages STAFF & OFFICE

Staff Editor: Michele Gauger

Layout: C Factor

Advertising Sales: Michele Gauger,PASA office, [email protected]

Pennsylvania Association

for Sustainable Agriculture

114 West Main StreetP.O. Box 419

Millheim PA 16854Phone: (814) 349-9856 Fax: (814) 349-9840

Website:www.pasafarming.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Kim Miller,Westmoreland County

Vice President: Kim Tait, Centre County

Secretary: Lyn Garling,Centre County

Treasurer: Chris Fullerton, Huntingdon County

Mary Barbercheck, Centre County

David Bingaman,Dauphin County

George DeVault,Lehigh County

Mena Hautau,Berks County

John Hopkins,Columbia County

John Jamison,Westmoreland County

Dave Johnson,Tioga County

Don Kretschmann,Beaver County

Brian Moyer, Berks County

Anthony Rodale, Berks County

Kim Seeley, Bradford County

PASA STAFF

Headquarters

Brian SnyderExecutive Director

[email protected]

Lauren SmithDirector of Development& Membership Programs

[email protected]

Heather HouseDirector of Educational Outreach

[email protected]

Michele GaugerMembership & Research Assistant

[email protected]

Brandi MarksOffice Coordinator/Bookkeeper

[email protected]

Regional Office

David EsonDirector of Southwest Programs

Phone:[email protected]

PASAs Mission is

Promoting profitable farms which produce healthy

food for all people while respecting the natural envi-

ronment.

PASA is an organization as diverse as the Pennsylvania

landscape. We are seasoned farmers who know that

sustainability is not only a concept, but a way of life.

We are new farmers looking for the fulfillment of land

stewardship. We are students and other consumers,

anxious to understand our food systems and the

choices that must be made.We are families and chil-

dren,who hold the future of farming in our hands.This

is an organization that is growing in its voice on behalf

of farmers in Pennsylvania and beyond.Our mission is

achieved,one voice,one farm, one strengthened com-

munity at a time.

PASA is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider,and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to:

USDA Office of Civil Rights Washington, DC 20250-9410.

Passages March/April 2004 Contributors

CONTRIBUTORS:George DeVault,David Eson, Michele Gauger, Heather House, Lancaster Farming, KimMiller, Brian Moyer, Eric Nordell, Sarah Rider, Amy Souza, Lauren Smith and Brian Snyder PHOTOGRA-

PHERS: Barrie Audio Video, Inc.,Dave Lefever, Pat Little, Heather House, Brian Snyder.

PASA in the NewsHave you seen articles about PASA in your local news-

papers or other media? PASA is active across the state,

and wed love to know what coverage we are getting

in your area. Please clip any articles you see on PASAand mail them to our Millheim headquarters to the

attention of Office Coordinator Brandi Marks.

Do you have a greatarticle idea for Passages?

Want to share a farming practice with members? Wed

love to hear from you. Please contact the newsletter

staff at newsletter@ pasafarming.org.

Deadline for May/June Issue: April 12,2004.

Passages is printed with soy inks on recycled,chlorine-free paper

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1 Presidents Corner

2004 Farming for the FutureConference Recap

3 Directors Corner

9 Success for the Silent Auction

12 Farm-Based Education

16 PASA Update

18 Regional Marketing

19 Volunteer Listing

20 Membership Resources

21 Editors Corner: The Grapevine

22 Calendar

Classifieds Ads & Opportunities

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Renee Troutman gave an overview on raising

honey bees that gave beginners the confi-

dence they need to get started. Troutmans

was one of over a hundred presentations

that varied in nature from nuts and bolts to

broad and philosophical,appealing to both

the beginner and expert alike.

Anuradha Mittal Anuradha Mittal, a native of India

interim Executive Director of Food Firsoffered an optimistic vision and reasonfor a continued struggle versus industrialized agriculture throughout the worldSo how does Mittal remain optimistic when Farmers around the world arunder social, economic, and politicaabuse from modern industrial agriculture? Her answer is By looking at all oyou. I find inspiration to keep fighting

in each one of us. I see that we have notquit and we are not hopeless. she said.

This [PASA conference] has been anincredible experience and I have learnedso much she said. Mittal noted thachange is taking place slowly in thisnew face of agriculture. She furtheadded, Food is a personal and politicaissue as we all need food to survive. Foodsovereignty is a basic human right. It itime to fight against hopelessness versularge industrialized agriculture. It is timeto create a new future.

Sustainable AgLeadership Award

This years award went to Mike andTerra Brownback of Spiral Path Farm(Business Member Profile, Passages#46in Loysville, PA. Brian Snyder, ExecutivDirector of PASA and Leslie Zuck, Executive Director of Pennsylvania CertifiedOrganic offered introductory praises fothe couple who have been key in theestablishment of both organizations

Percy SchmeiserThe success of Thursdays pre-confer-

ence set the tone for the evening winterpicnic where attendees had the oppor-tunity to hear the story of PercySchmeiser. Schmeiser detailed his cur-

rent legal struggle with Monsanto,which is now in the hands of the Cana-dian Supreme Court. You can read moreabout Schmeisers story on the cover.Contributions were collected after thepicnic with Percy and we were able toraise close to $3,000 for his defensefund. Thanks for the generosity! If youwere not in attendance but would like tomake a contribution, you can do so byvisiting www. percyschmeiser.com.

Paul HawkenIm not wearing a suit so dont mis-

take me for a businessman. Those werethe opening words spoken by Paul

Hawken in his keynote address Friday.The noted author and business-minded

environmentalist brought a message ofsupport and acknowledgement of the

important work of PASA and other

organizations across the world focusing

on environmental sustainability.Hawken began by describing his

childhood in the San Jacquin Valley of

California including details of his grand-

fathers farm. This farm formed a part-nership with Safeway, which ultimately

WorkshopsPassageshas detailed the whos who

listing of presenters that came to this

years conference in previous issues. And

they certainly did not disappoint. One

complaint we dont mind getting is that

the superb line-up of quality workshops

we offer makes choosing among them

difficult. If you missed a workshop, you

can order directly from Cocalico Cas-

settes by calling 717-336-4179.

Conferenc

eRecap

Paul Hawken delivered an inspirational

keynote that reminded us The fate of the

world lies in the hands of ordinary people

thank God for that.

Anuradha Mittal spending some time greet-

ing conference attendees during her book

signing.

would result in his grandfathers bank-ruptcy. Today Hawken has become anadvocate of a new ecological economy.Business has the power to destroy orrestore, it goes both ways, he said. Butin my experience the bigger a corpora-

tion gets the less likely they are to servehumankind. Hawken added that cor-porations force uniformity and lack ofdiversity. However it is diversity that iskey to healthy economies.

The fate of the world lies in thehands of ordinary people thank Godfor that. People have the right to deter-mine their own destiny and the only waythe sustainability movement is going tosucceed is on the local level. We cantachieve sustainability from our currenteconomic model that is hurting our

rural economies, he said.

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Mike and Terra operate a 118-acre pro-duce operation with a 300-memberCSA. Many who know the Brownbacksdescribe them as inspiring and dedicatedpeople. Mikes acceptance speech wasfilled with tears and gratitude for therecognition.

The Brownbacks lost their son Arias

in 2001 and have started the Arias M.Brownback Memorial Scholarship Fund.Each year this fund allows those new andbeginning farmers who may not finan-cially be capable of attending the PASAconference a chance to do so. This yearsscholarship helped 15 participants.

Past award recipients have included:Robert Rodale (1993), Paul Keene(1994), Herbert Cole (1995), CassPeterson & Ward Sinclair (1995), Pre-ston Boop (1996), Linda & Don Weaver(1998), Anne & Eric Nordell (1999),

Lucy & Roman Stoltzfoos (200), Steve& Cheri Groff (2001), Moie & Jim-Crawford (2002), Tim Bowser (2003).

Sustainable AgBusiness Award

This new award was created to recog-nize businesses that have been leaders increating links between producers andconsumers, while offering services in thearea of sustainable agriculture. The firstaward winner was Judy Wicks, founder

of the White Dog Caf in Philadelphia.PASA board member Lyn Garling andTim Bowser, Executive Director ofFoodRoutes Network presented theaward to Judy, One day Judy learnedhow conventional pork was raised,marched into the kitchen of the caf andtold the chef not to serve any more pork

until a local source was found saidBowser. Wicks has been in business for20 years, buys from local producers andthe caf now buys 100% of its electricityfrom wind-generated sources. Wicks has

also established the White Dog CafFoundation that supports various organ-izations in the pursuit of sustainableagriculture. Wicks, surprised by theaward acknowledged her kitchen staffand foundation employees that were in

attendance.I

Reflections on a Conferencethat Almost Wasnt

By Brian SnyderI suppose everyone who has been to a

PASAFarming for the Futureconferencewould have their own favorite memoriesto share. The evaluations every yearmake us aware of the things that variouspeople appreciate. For some people itsthe opening and closing keynoteaddresses. Perhaps for most its the many

workshops to choose from even toomany by some measures. Others willcomment that its the meals that keepthem coming back year after year.

My own favorite item on the confer-ence agenda is the presentation ofawards. This year, in addition to thefamiliar Sustainable Ag Leadership Award, we added a new permanentaward category for Sustainable Ag Busi-ness Leadership. We were delighted togive the ag leadership award this year toMike and Terra Brownback of SpiralPath Farm, while the inaugural businessleadership award went to Judy Wicks ofthe White Dog Caf in Philadelphia.

Mike and Terra Brownback were presented the 2004 Sustainable Ag Leadership Award. Leslie

Zuck, director of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, presented the award saying, Mike and Terra

have been mentors for many, many people.(pictured above: Mike,Terra Brownback, Leslie Zuck

and Cheryl Cook, Deputy Secretary for the Pa Dept.of Agriculture.

Continued on page 6

5

Judy Wicks,founder of the White Dog Caf,accepted the first ever Sustainable Business Award.Its

this type of courage and resoluteness that has made Wicks, her business,and the foundation shes

established synonymous with conscious eating. (pictured below: Brian Snyder, Lyn Garling, Judy

Wicks,Cheryl Cook and Tim Bowser).


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conference center itself is just abig hollow box without all thePASA people there, and shewouldnt enjoy it as much.

For me, this was the match-ing bookend to the remarks of

Bob Steele, dean of the PennState College of Ag Sciences, atthe opening session. Noting thatthe entire University was shutdown due to the terrible icestorm, Dean Steele exclaimed,But I knew this crowd wouldstill come!

Yes, they did come. Despitethe realization of our weathernightmares, which occurred atthe worst possible time, we fig-ure that only a hundred or so

out of a potential crowd of fif-teen hundred loyal PASAmembers stayed away over thethree-day period of the confer-ence. I have to pause to reflect every timeI think about how so many people actu-ally risked their lives to be with us.

The simple reality is, we have redis-covered the spirit of being together asthe source of our vision, strength anddetermination to go out there andchange the world for the better. And itsespecially gratifying to hear from many

Conferenc

eRecap

With both awards, we were able tomaintain the surprise right up to theend. And as per the usual at our confer-ences, the recipients wondered aloudhow it was they were deemed worthy.

There is always such a strong sense of thegroup when we get together, I suppose it would seem odd for anyone who hap-pens to get singled out for recognition.This is why I love this part of the event,because we are vividly reminded eachyear of the all for one and one for allnature of our community by the sincerehumility of our members who happen toreceive awards.

You see, whatever the favorite partofthe conference, many people will saythat somehow it is the experience of the

wholegroup being together that has suchan impact on those who attend. Peoplesometimes search for words to describeit, calling it the feel of the group, theexcitement of being together with like-minded people, or the regeneration ofspirit that results from their participa-tion.

At the close of this years conference,my eight-year-old daughter asked ratherinnocently, Daddy, can we come backhere before next years conference? Ihad to patiently explain to her that the

Thankyouforawonderful conference.Itwasperhaps themost enlighteningthatIhave everattended. Thepeople(members)ofPASAarewonderful and IdontthinkI evermetastranger. Iattendedbecauseofthe APPPAmeetingandtheprogramsthattheyoffered.

Imust saythat yourstate mustofferwonderfuopportunitiesitseemedthat whenI leftonSundaymorningtoreturntomyhomestateofIndianI exited I-80EastinsteadofI-80 West. ThebeautyofyourstateoffI-80was sowonderfulandI wasenjoyingthefarms and thescenessomuchI was iNewJerseybeforeI realizedthemistakeI hadmadintaking I-80east.

Twoandahalfhourslater!!!Thetripwasjustaswonderfulasyourconfer-

ence.Pleasekeepme on yourmailinglistforfutureconferences.Sincerely,

JAMES WHELANThorntown,Indiana

folks each year who encounter that spirit for the first time. Above is a letter wereceived from one such soul, whoencountered even more unexpecteddiversions than the rest of us (used withpermission.) His words are a testamento the success of what I will alwaysremember as the conference that almostwasnt. I

Continued from page 5

Left: Kids enjoyed making sweet music with the harp, while older kids (left) practice

keeping a steady beat. Kids who participated in the youth program also enjoyed

learning to contra dance, decorating gift bags, swimming, scavenger hunts and

more!

Below: Even the seasons worst wintry mix couldnt keep PASA conference registrant

away! By the time we got started on Friday, following a one hour delay in schedule

the 1,200 person capacity room was nearly full! In sum, over 1,400 participants

passed through the conference doors, making this year the largest PASA conference

ever! Addressing the audience during the Friday morning session is Dan Desmond

Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.


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Conference Food DonorsThe ingredients for the meals served during

the conference are gathered from supportive

farmers, processors,and distributors.

Applegate Farms Blue Grass Beef Cow-a-Hen Farm

Dancing Creek Farm Eberly Poultry Farms Elk Creek

Fish Hatchery Forks Farm Four Seasons Produce

Frankferd Farms Foods Green Haven Farm Green

Hills Farm Hares Valley Growers Help From Above

Farm Honest Tea Jamison Farms Journeys End Farm

Jubilee Organic Farm Keswick Creamery Kettle

Foods King Farm Kretschmann Farm Lady Moon

Farms LeRaysville Cheese Factory Lost Hollow Honey

Mad Mex Restaurant McGeary Organics Milky Way

Farms Natural Dairy Products New Morning Farm

Old School Snacks Over the Moon Farm Paradise

Organics Penn Cheese Corp

Penn State Bakery Penn Stater

Conference Center Phillips

Mushroom Farms Pure EarthOrganic Farm Seven Stars

Farm Snyders of Hanover Spi-

ral Path Farm Spring Bank

Acres Spring Creek Natural

Foods Sunny Ridge Farm Tait

Farm Community Harvest Tait

Farm Foods Townline Farm

Poultry Reserve Tuscarora

Organic Growers Cooperative

Wil-Ar Farm Wil-Den Family

Farms Willful Cedar Farm

Windy Knolls Farm

Above: In a survey issued to all participants at

the conference, folks overwhelming cited the

food as the one thing they absolutely would

not change about the conference.PASA is given

the opportunity to use sustainably produced

foods contributed by PASA farmers and other

friends with the help of Chef Stout.

Below: Patron of Sustainability conference

sponsor Lady Moon Farms exhibit featured

photos of both their Florida and Pennsylvania

operations.

2004 Conference SponsorsAmerican Farmland Trust American Pastured Poultry Producers Assn.

Animal Welfare Institute BCS America Center for Rural Pennsylvania

Centre County Community Foundation Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Dairyland Sales and Service Delaware Valley College Duquesne

University, Environmental Research Center East Coast Organics Eberly

Poultry Farms Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania Ernst Conserva-

tion Seed EverPower Global Corporation Fertrell Company

FoodRoutes Network Goodville Mutual Insurance Goodwill Industries

of Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank IPM Labora-tories, Inc Lady Moon Farms Lakeview Organic Grain Lancaster Ag

Products Le Raysville Cheese Factory Moyers Chicks,Inc. Natural Dairy

Products Corp. Natures Best Organic Feed NC+ Organics Organic

Unlimited Organic Valley Family of Farms Pa Department of Agriculture

Pa Department of Environmental Protection Penn State University,

College of Ag Sciences PennFuture Pennsylvania Certified Organic

Pennsylvania College of Technology Plains Animal Hospital Poultry

Man Professional Recyclers of PA Rodale Institute Sierra Club, Penn-

sylvania Chapter Slippery Rock University Spiral Path Farm Tait Farm

Foods Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative Waterkeeper Alliance

White Dog Cafe Foundation Wilson College Wiscoy Pet Food Co.


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Conferenc

eRecap

8

Claudia Albertin &GlennVernon

Mary Barbercheck

Nancy & Bob Bernhardt

Michele Briggs

Gene Chenoweth

Moie & Jim Crawford

Melanie & George DeVault

Helen & Bill Elkins

Wendy & David Eson

Therese Fafard &Nathan Heilman

Chris Fullerton

Lyn Garling

Janet Goloub &Martin Boksenbaum

Mena Hautau &Steve DeBroux

Trent & Rachel Hendricks

Bernie & Ingrid Hoffnar

Todd & John Hopkins

Heather House

Vicki & Donald House

Jacki & Vernon Hunsberger

Jason Ingle

Sukey & John Jamison

Becky & Don Kretschmann

David Lembeck

Ann & Hugh Lofting

Becky & Steve Marks

Beth & Ken Marshall

Dianne & Kim Miller

Paula Goetting &Jim Minesky

Carolyn Mugar

Martha Noble

Anne & Eric Nordell

Glenn & Jeanne Owens

Florence & Anthony Rodale

Carolyn Sachs

Susan & Don Sauter

Nancy Shorsher

Lauren & Ian Smith

Loanne Snavely &Gary Gyekis

Paula & Brian Snyder

Kim Tait

Amy Trauger

Michael Wahler

Anonymous

Anonymous

BUSINESS FRIENDS

Amsterdam ProduceEnterprises, Inc.

Heifer International,Mid-Atlantic Office

Northern Tier SustainableMeats Coop

Red Hill Farm CSA

Friends of the Conference 2004 These Friends of the Conference have acknowl-

edged their support for us in assembling a top quali-

ty event with affordable fees, by contributing $100

each. In a very real sense, they are paying the true

cost of maintaining this valuable tradition, and we

thank them.

Fifty organizations, farms and businesses sponsored the 13th annual Farming

for the Future Conference, and many of them exhibited as well taking

advantage of reaching out to the eager audience. Pictured (here) are display

representing three of our proud Conference Sponsors Fertrell, Organi

Unlimited and Pennsylvania Certified Organic.

Looking for a good book? Conference attendees had the chance to peruse a

variety of vendors in the marketplace.

During breaks and between workshops, Matt Steinman (pictured here) and

Peter Johnson hosted an on-going demonstration of their biodiesel machine

which produces 55 gallon batches of the renewable fuel.

Left: PASA Treasurer Chris Fullerton, seen here holding an antique butte

churn from the Silent Auction, informed members that over half of the funds

used to support PASAs mission are considered restricted, designated fo

specific funder-related projects. To gain flexibility in work PASA can do, PASA

must increase the flow of unrestricted funds, which come from individua

donations and unique fundraisers like the Silent Auction.


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Jean Bentz

Nancy & BobBernhardt

Angela Brubaker

Roy Brubaker

Sabine & Tom Carey

Gene Chenoweth

Eileen G. Clark

Cottage RoseInteriors

Cow ParadeHarrisburg

Chef Mike Ditchfield

Dairyland Salesand Service

Demeters Garden

Jean Downing

East End Food Coop

Fertrell Company

Ilene & PhilFreedman

Brian Futhey

Ben Gatski

HarpingFor HarmonyFoundation

Heifer International

Carl Hursh

Hugh Lofting Timber Framing, Inc.

Jamison Farm

Jerry Jackson FinePewter

Lidias Pittsburgh

Maysies FarmConservation Center

McGinnis Sisters

Special Food Stores

Kim Miller

New TrendsPublishing, Inc.

Patti Olenick

PA Departmentof EnvironmentalProtection

Parkers NewAmerican Bistro &Glendennis B&B

Penn StaterConference CenterHotel

Rachel Rider

Sue Ripley

Sams Club

Schorn ConstructionCompany,Inc.

Louise Schorn Smith

Nancy Shorsher

Slow Food

Pittsburgh

Lauren & Ian Smith

Soil Secrets,Inc.

Steam Valley

Mountain Fiber

Farm

Jack Vanderwende

Wegmans Food

Markets, Inc

Janna Weil

Mary Whittam

Whizbang Books

Wil-Den Family

Farms

Chris Wise

Suzanne Wittman

Alma Wynne

By Sarah RiderPASAs second annual Silent Auction

at the Farming for the FutureConferencewas a huge success. Many thanks go out

to our generous donors and avid bidders.We are proud to report that the auctionraised over $8500 in revenue, with over70% of the items going at or above fairmarket value.

The auction had a unique array ofitems, including original art and crafts, weekend getaways, creative food pack-ages, gift certificates, books, farm andgarden equipment, and even a live cow!The other cow that was on display wasfrom Cows on Parade (see photo below) to learn more about this unique char-ity event visit www.cowparade.net. Forthe second year in a row Maysies FarmConservation Center donated a CSAsubscription and Schorn ConstructionCompany donated a PASA LifetimeMembership. Hugh Lofting TimberFraming, Inc. also donated a timberframe corncrib, which was constructedon-site during Thursdays pre-confer-ence.

There was an overwhelming responseby PASA members who were willing to

contribute items and it was heartwarm-ing to watch as the items poured in on

Thursday prior to the conference.

Thanks to Ian Smith, gallery overseer,

the very best of PASA members artistic

talents, creativity, and generosity were all

laid out in a beautiful display.

We are already thinking ahead for

next year and anticipating some new and

exciting items. If you have a great auc-

tion item idea, contact Lauren Smith at

PASA headquarters at 814-349-9856. I

Success for the Silent Auction

A Big Thanks to the Silent Auction 2004 Donors

Tickets to Cow Parade 2004 (cowparade.net) in Harrisburg

were just one of 62 unique items sold in the Silent Auction,

which raised over $8,000 for PASA!

One of the best things about the PASA conference is network-

ing with new contacts and catching up with old friends! We

heard a thousand thank yous for moving breakfast and the

Sustainable Social Hour to Deans Hall.Folks had a little more

elbow room in which to mingle and a chance to admire the

timber framed corncrib built during the pre-conference. The

corncrib was the premiere item in this years Silent Auction,

and was donated by Hugh Lofting Timber Frame, Inc. in West

Grove,PA.

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Imagine now if we went to court andthe judge ruled that I should have main

tained my fence so that my neighbor

cattle could not come onto my property

and that since I didnt his cattle were

welcome to eat their fill. Further that

should harvest the rest of my crops and

give them to my neighbor to compen-sate him for abducting his cattle. I

should pay him for the disease brough

onto my farm because, though I may notwant it, I took it, stole it in fact from his

cattle. This is the Monsanto argument

though what I call a disease in my exam-

ple, they call intellectual property in

reality.

Is it clear now?

A genetically modified organism

not the same as the unmodified organ

ism. It has new genetics. We have seenover and over the problems created when

a species is imported into a new envi-

ronment. We are very careful to try and

limit that kind of thing today. And ye

we casually allow the introduction of

species with new genetics simply because

some company can make a buck on it.

In fact we might want to conside

laws that require a company like Mon-

santo to post a financial guarantee bondthat would be used to compensate those

whose farms are contaminated wit

adulterated rapeseed. If rapeseed grown

on a farm, conventional or organic

becomes contaminated with Monsanto

product then that farmer would have a

claim against Monsanto. It could also be

used to compensate the local govern-

ment whose job it is to remove thegenetically altered plant (now a supe

weed according to Percy) from the road

and power line rights of way. These

bonds should be required until the

owner of the patented plant demon

strates conclusively that there are nounplanned adverse consequences from

the use of their plant.

We can also boycott the products o

companies that sell and promoteGMOs. And we can spread the word

that a genetically altered plant or anima

is a new life form. Corporatism and it

attending arrogance will be the death o

us all. Unless all of us, like Percy

Schmeiser, stand up to the Corporatist

and just say No. I

PresidentsCorner

not been done to see in what other waysthis new plant might differ from rape-seed and so the governments of bothCanada and the U.S. have allowed theplanting of this new plant under theassumption that if it looks like rapeseedit must be rapeseed and, therefore, can-not be prohibited. They have made sim-ilar assumptions with soybeans, cornand potatoes allowing new genetic forms

of these plants as well. Many other coun-tries are not so sure, most notably Indiaand many European countries. They willnot buy GMO seeds or food containingGMOs. Monsanto finds this behavioroutrageous and unfounded.

What is, in fact, outrageous is whatMonsanto has done to Percy and otherfarmers in both the U.S. and Canada.GMO adulterated rapeseed does cross-pollinate with conventional rapeseed.Monsanto discovered that Percys rape-seed had become contaminated with

their licensed GMO material anddemanded a licensing fee of more than$100,000. This contamination ruinedthe fifty years of Percys breeding work.Further the widespread contaminationof conventional rapeseed farms in Cana-da crushed the price for canola oil on theworld market as many countries refusedto buy GMO tainted products. Percynever planted a single seed of GMOadulterated rapeseed on his farm, doesntwant it on his farm, and yet, he was suedfor failing to pay for the required Mon-santo license.

In a non-jury trial in front of a lonejudge he lost his case as the judge decid-ed that intellectual property rights takeprecedence over the property rights offarmers. A three judge appellate courtupheld the first ruling. And so it went tothe Canadian Supreme Court on appeal.Percy now awaits the result of this hear-ing. As do we all. Should the SupremeCourt find in Monsantos favor then anyof us who farm can ultimately expect to

have our crops contaminated by Mon-santos or other companies GMOs andhave those companies demand licensingfees from us. Surly this is a plot straightfrom the Twilight Zone. I wish it were.Uncommonly, Percy has stood up to theCorporatists. He has spent nearly$400,000 defending his family and therights of farmers everywhere from thepredatory practices of corporatism. He

understands that the greatest legacy weleave our children isnt the money in thebank. He is a man that lives by principle.

Absurd as it is, the assertion thatintellectual property rights have prece-dence over the rights of landowners isnot the scariest part of this mess. It is theassertion by agricultural Corporatiststhat a plant that has been geneticallymodified is the same as the unmodifiedplant that I find most scary. If it has dif-ferent genetic material, I would argue, itis a different plant. Ironically, Monsanto

has a patent on this plant preciselybecause it is a new plant; yet they want itto be viewed by the world as being exact-ly like conventional rapeseed, exceptwhen they want to be paid a license feefor its use. Some might see this as beingdisingenuous. Evidently they are justignorant of the ways of the new Ameri-can commerce. Let me raise the veil ofignorance with the following example ofthe logic of the new commerce.

In my neighborhood farmers donthave a very high opinion of a farmer who does not keep his fence in goodrepair. If a farmers cows get out and domodest damage on another farm once oreven twice, then that is probably accept-able. More than that and there might besome price to pay. Now if my neighborscows came to my place and eat most ofmy crops and track disease onto myplace so that I cant continue to raise myown cattle, then that is a very seriousproblem. My neighbor can expect to seeme in court.

PASA-tively Speaking:An Uncommon Man

Continued from page 1

10


11/24

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Far

m-BasedEd

ucation

Its About Reading the AnimalsBy Sarah Rider

Even with good planning andgood thoughts, it all goes wrong.The handling of animals isextremely variable. Those werethe words of Dr. Jennifer Lanier,director of the Humane Society ofthe United States and a prominentresearcher in animal behavior andlivestock handling. Dr. Lanier,who has studied with Dr. TempleGrandin, the revolutionary figurein animal handling systemsdesign, presented a PASA work-

shop on the topic of animal han-dling. Ask any livestock producerand the most stressful part of their joblikely would be handling animals forhauling or medical reasons, anythingthat would change the animals routineand be unnatural for the animal. Theseare the days when peaceful existence asfarmer and livestock disintegrates.

The idea of no-stress handling is notnew and PASA hoped this workshop would offer ideas on how to create apotentially harmonious handling sys-

tem. This system would then change themost stressful part of raising animalsinto a respectful and pleasant experience.

Dr. Grandins research has influencedsignificant changes in industrial pre-slaughter handling of animals. The meatindustry has also taken note of the linkbetween pre-slaughter stress and meatquality. Hormones released when ani-mals are stressed produce tough, drymeat. A Colorado State University studyon a national beef-quality audit foundthat bruises on cattle cost the beef indus-try an average of $1/animal. Thatamounts to an industry loss of $22 mil-lion/year.

A relatively small group of partici-pants in the workshop was experiencedwith animal handling and each had theirown livestock handling nightmare storyto tell. There were students, extensionagents, farmers and animal researchers,everyone looking for a new approach toanimal handling. In doing hands-onhandling exercises with Penn States well-

that afternoon, which was more

difficult than it seemed when theanimals were so closeto where wewanted them!

Most importantly, when problems arise, before the pushing andshoving starts, stop and re-evaluate the situation. Cattle have twopoints of balance, one at theshoulder and one at the hip. Bydirecting pressure at these areas iis possible to use the cattles natu-ral reactionary movements tomake them move forward or back

ward. Once the animals reach thepoint of being stressed out, they

are much harder to handle and generallymore dangerous. As we were fruitlesslyworking the animals one participant discovered the benefit of stopping pressurebefore the situation got out of controlShe found that when the animals balkedat going into the holding tub, if shereleased the pressure and gave them aminute, they walked right in. If she followed her natural inclination to continuously push them when they stop, they

would turn around and bolt.We also learned how to determine an

animals biological proclivity towardskittishness. Subtle information basedon body characteristics could help tailora handling approach for a herd. DrLanier detailed Dr. Grandins studies oassociations between hair whorls on ananimals forehead and temperamentGenerally, the higher (above the top ofthe eye) the whorls on the forehead, themore skittish an animal. No whorls onthe face generally indicate the moshigh-strung animals. Bone structure isanother phenotypic indicator of temperament. The smaller the frame andbone structure the higher likelihood of ahot temperament.

I was once told the fastest way tomove animals is slowly, and have foundthat advice to be very sound. The hardest part to change about animal handlingis the way we move. There is someinstinctual reservoir that humans drawfrom when dealing with animals. You se

If animals are stressed, they are much harder to handle.

trained beef herd, the group learned firsthand inherent difficulties of dealing withlivestock.

We were given the assignment tomove a group of steers from one holdingpen, down an aisle, into another holdingtub, through a curved chute, weigh themon a scale and finally move themthrough a squeeze chute. Several produc-ers, including myself said under theirbreath that this would be no big deal as

Penn State has a handling set-up of which any farmer would be envious.Even after our lessons that day, with thebest equipment and a group of experi-enced folks, we still struggled with thechore. We tried for almost an hour tomove the herd and only got about 80%where we wanted them.

Dr. Lanier was quick to take advan-tage of the teachable moment to remindus, Its not about your facilities or whatyou are wearing, its about reading theanimals. It takes practice, lots of it, totruly empathize with animals, assesstheir temperament, read their stress lev-els in a situation and to change ourhuman behavior to accommodate theirnatural tendencies.

Dr. Lanier continued, The onlything you can plan on is using everymodicum of your patience, self-controland empathy. And most importantly,when in doubt, take a break. This was amajor principle we heard throughout theday and finally had to put into practice

1212


13/24

the animal you want and they look likethey are going to the right place, they just need a little push. If we dont readthe animals and adjust our plan accord-ingly, we tend to fall back on brute force,which almost always is stressful for theanimal.

Human Behavior Changesto Make Handling Animals Stress Free

Train animals to be handled. Famil-iarize cattle to objects on the farmand spend time walking out amongstcattle to tame them down.

Watch body movements moveslowly with no jerky motion.

Beware of your size facing a cowyou are larger than, flapping yourarms, wearing a big hat or blowingshirt makes you look even bigger.

Work quietly with as few people aspossible.

Leave the dog and kids at home,both are seemingly predacious withquick, unpredictable movements andhigh-pitched voices.

Discontinue use of electric cattleprods. Use plastic paddles or stickswith flags or plastic streamers attached

to drive cattle. Animals can see these

clearly.

Other Stress Factors

Something new or out of place (to

animals).

Shadows, contrasting colors and

glare. Overcrowding cows are hierarchi-

cal and crowding causes challenges to

the dominance structure, while soli-

tude is rarely welcome.

Fear of falling animals avoid

uneven or slippery surfaces, mud,

water, anywhere the underlying sur-

face is unpredictable.

Remedies

Tape cardboard over space to give the

appearance of more solid sides. Use lights to illuminate dark corners.

Work at a time of day to minimize

shadows.

Dry up mud holes.

Partition off corners, so holding areas

are rounded and animals are less like-

ly to get stuck. I

1313

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While resignation is the more conven-tional response to injustice as far as mostfarmers go, such has never been the case forthe Cochrans, especially Brenda. I alwaysfelt we should try to do something, sheexplains.

Her eyes light up as she further describeswhat, to her, is the self-evident truth aboutmodern farming. Commercialism in farm-ing today is a cataclysmic event for familyfarmers, and we are in danger of repeatingthe mistakes of collectivization in the oldSoviet system of agriculture. Brenda assertsthat central planning just doesnt work, asit always seems the planners themselves endup reaping the biggest profits.

Over the years, a series of organizationalaffiliations have been instrumental in sup-porting the Cochrans quest for agricultural

justice. Most prominent in years gone byhad been the American Raw Milk Produc-ers Association (ARMPA), which was partof the National Family Farm Coalition(NFFC). This was followed by strongstands on behalf of farmers taken by variousbranches of the Catholic Church. Andfinally, help came from the Center for Indi-vidual Freedom and Institute for Justice inpursuing the recent checkoff case.

When asked why they ended up going tocourt to fight what seemed like a futile

uphill battle, Joe apologetically explainedthat we grew tired of efforts to organizeindividual farmers into a force for change.The time had come, it seemed, for powerfulindividual action on behalf of a communitythat by its nature resists collective action.

Still, over a simple Lenten meal of tunasalad sandwiches and fresh milk from thebarn, there was little feeling of triumph

shared across the Cochran dinner table thatday. Fact is, they expressed an enduringsense of anxiety that a win such as theirsmight be too little to turn the tide of com-mercialism, and too late to save their ownfarming ambitions.

Theres very little hope out there,Brenda explains. If it werent for the grow-ing sustainability movement in farming,wed have nothing to hang on to. Joe addswistfully, If farmers could just count on afair price, say $16/cwt, we could keep ittogether. With this, the conversation

turned to thoughts of a smaller operation,with direct contact to customers who knowwhat theyre getting and are willing to pay.

Joe and Brenda Cochran are proud ofwhat they have achieved. They farm almost900 acres of mostly rented ground. Theymaintain a closed herd of handsome ani-mals, not buying a single cow since 1981.They have kept their cows mostly outdoorson good pasture, and have never used syn-thetic growth hormones to boost produc-tion beyond what God had intended. They

are successfully raising a small busload onoticeably intelligent children without burdening the public school system. And nowthey have won a constitutional victory tha will save perhaps countless farms in dutime, even if not their own. Beyond thesefeats, what would anyone ever need to applythe term heroes in full force?

The trip back down the now familiar

road to more modern times might havebeen quicker that day, but for the unexpected encounter with a large, liquid manurewagon that had just dumped its load, perhaps from one of the confined livestockoperations in the vicinity. There it wasalong the road and plain to see. The stinking brown substance had been applied tostill-frozen fields of late winter snow, righalong the banks of a meandering stream in all other respects, a nice looking place fonative trout to thrive.

The forecast of unseasonably warm

weather meant that much of the load wouldsoon run downstream as part of thesnowmelt, along with the hopes and dreamof untold thousands of traditional dairyfarmers who had been taunted for their failure to change. I wondered if Joe and Brenda Cochran would be among them, alongwith our societys remaining connection tothe things that really matter. I

Editors Note: An edited version of thiarticle and photo appeared in LancasterFarming.

14

Tioga Farmers Win AppealContinued from page 3


15/24

Claudia Albertin& Glenn VernonLoganton, PA

Nitya Akeroyd & Jeff ZehrBoyertown,PA

Mary BarbercheckPort Matilda,PA

Judy & Henrik BergerFamilyHuntingdon, PA

Katherine Bigler &John KrambAdams, PA

Linda & Tim BlakelyEglon,WV

Wanda & Preston BoopMifflinburg,PA

Timothy BowserMillheim,PA

Terra & MichaelBrownback FamilyLoysville,PA

Jane & Dick BurlingameRussell, PA

Virginia & Mike ByersSpring Mills,PA

Gene ChenowethMifflinburg,PA

Moie & Jim CrawfordHustontown,PA

Barbara CrosbyPortageville,NY

Jonda CrosbyHelena,MT

Andrew CrowleyGlendale,OH

Bill Deitrick FamilyNew Columbia,PA

Dan DesmondLancaster,PA

Melanie & GeorgeDeVaultEmmaus, PA

David DietzYork,PA

Elizabeth Dropp &

Wesley RamseyYoungsville, PA

Dale & Jack DuffNatrona Heights,PA

Chris FullertonHustontown,PA

Nancy GabrielIthaca, NY

Lamonte Garber FamilyHopewell,NJ

Lyn GarlingRebersburg,PA

Janet Goloub &Martin BoksenbaumTreichlers, PA

The Hass FamilyBear Creek,PA

Mena Hautau &Steve DeBrouxBarto, PA

John HeinzUpper Black Eddy,PA

Debra Heller &Brian FutheyWoodward,PA

Bobbie Hineline &Tom Ljungman FamilyGreensburg,PA

Susan & Joel Hubler

Slatington, PA

John IkerdColumbia,MO

Cindy & John IrwinPequea,PA

Wes JacksonSalina,KS

Rose Marie KendallHookstown,PA

Becky & DonKretschmannRochester,PA

David LembeckState College,PA

Becky & Steve MarksBloomsburg,PA

Martha & Allen MatthewsFamilyBurlington,VT

Dave MattocksBainbridge,PA

Tracy & Jeff MattocksMiddletown,PA

Sue & Tom MaurerAnnville,PA

Margery McIver &Leo HorriganBaltimore,MD

Dianne & Kim MillerFamilyNew Alexandria,PA

Ted W. MitchellLevittown,PA

Babs MummaMechanicsburg,PA

Philip Jan & Daniel NagelOttsville,PA

Anne & Eric NordellTrout Run,PA

Joan & Drew NormanWhite Hall, MD

Claire & Rusty OrnerBrookville,PA

Cass PetersonFlanders,NJ

Dan ReinholdMill Hall,PA

Rita ResickPittsburgh, PA

Susan Richards & RobertAmsterdamMechanicsburg,PA

Ardath RodaleKutztown,PA

Florence & AnthonyRodaleKutztown,PA

Carolyn SachsState College,PA

Gail & Marcus ShefferWellsville,PA

Sondra & Ben SimmonsHershey,PA

Hammer & Roy SletsonMadisonburg,PA

Lauren & Ian SmithSpring Mills,PA

Melissa & Andrew SmithCollegeville,PA

Paula & Brian SnyderCentre Hall,PA

Barbara SongerClarion,PA

John A. StellmackState College,PA

Debbie Swettenham &Linda HumphreysSarver,PA

Phyllis & Mark TerwilligerHonesdale,PA

Joan S. & Dennis W.ThomsonUniversity Park,PA

Ruth TonachelTowanda, PA

Nan & Chris UhlState College,PA

Jodi & Evan VerbanicPittsburgh, PA

Karen & Jan Vollmecke,Jeff BeyeaCoatesville,PA

Althea & WilliamWagmanFort Littleton,PA

Beth WhitemanBoalsburg,PA

Founders Fund A Lifelong Commitment to SustainabilityAll of us at PASA are proud of the growing roster of lifetime members. Contributions for lifetime membership will be managed with care as part of the PASAFounders Fund, sustaining both ongoing membership as well as the long-term future of PASA. There are few things a member could do to symbolize their

lifelong commitment to sustainability than to place such confidence in the value and viability of PASA itself. It is our pleasure to list all new lifetime mem-bers in each issue ofPassages, and to print the entire list (on an annual basis.) Following is the complete list of PASA Lifetime Members as of March 10, 2004.

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our staff on a part-time basis to helpgenerate the Fall and Winter newslettersand also to help with the membershipcampaign. This arrangement worked ouso well that Michele has now comeaboard full-time, splitting time between

the Membership department, where shewill continue to coordinate the newsletter among other duties, and the Educational Outreach department, where shewill assist Heather House, primarily withthe Farm-Based Research program weare doing in cooperation with Penn StateUniversity. I

Results of the PASA Board ofDirectors elections held during

the conference in February

George DeVault

Lehigh CountyChris Fullerton

Huntingdon County

Lyn GarlingCentre County

John JamisonWestmoreland County

Kim MillerWestmoreland County

We thought we should bring ourmembership up to date on staff changes,

as we are striving to maintain qualityprograms and services that they havecome to expect. Please note the follow-ing:

G In 2003, Kate Gatski continued tocoordinate our busy schedule of Farm-Based Education field days. This was atransition year for her as she joined hernew husband Ben Gatski on the familyfarm near Bloomsburg. As Kate will notbe working with our FBE program in2004, we thank her for hard work anddedication to PASA over the years, and wish all the best for Kate and Ben intheir life together.

G We are very pleased to announcethat Heather House, who joined PASAas the Farm-to-School Coordinator lastspring, and so ably coordinated the pro-gram for this years annual conference aswell, has been promoted to the position

of Director of Educational Outreach.This new department will encompass

our programs for Farm-Based Educa-tion, Farm-Based Research, Farm-to-School and, of course, the Farming forthe Futureconference each year. Heatherhas shown tremendous enthusiasm inmoving PASA ahead in these importantprogram areas.

G Ruth Sullivan, who joined PASAas our Director of Southeast Programs inthe fall of 2002, announced in Novem-ber 2003 that she and her husband Bobhad purchased a farm on the Blue HillPeninsula of Maine. Ruth and Bobmoved to their new place on January2nd, and we wish them all the best intheir new endeavors. The position ofDirector of Southeast Programs willremain open until an extended fundingstrategy can be developed, at which timewe will make a further announcement.

G Last fall, Michele Gauger joined

PASA

Update

Changes at PASA

At the 2004 PASA Farming for the

Future Conference there was an opportu-

nity for attendees to participate in

Regional Breakout Sessions. These brief

meetings were a chance to do some

brainstorming and goal-setting for PASA

programs in each region. The four break-

out sessions this year covered the (1)

Western, (2) Southeastern, (3) Southcen-

tral, (4) Northcentral/Eastern regions ofPennsylvania (see adjoining map). These

regions will likely evolve in years to come

to suit members needs and market reali-

ties. We are hopeful this opportunity to

come together will allow the PASA mem-

bers in each region to better organize

their efforts throughout the year.

Those who were unable to attend the

conference, but would like to be involvedwithin their respective regions, should

contact PASAs regional contacts for infor

mation on upcoming events.

Heres Your Chance to be Involved in Your Region

REGIONAL CONTACTS

Western

David Eson, 412-997-2343

[email protected]

Southeastern

Brian Moyer, 610-944-9349

[email protected]

Mena Hautau, 610-378-1327

[email protected]

Southcentral

Rob Amsterdam, 717-691-3531

[email protected]

Chris Fullerton, 814-448-2173

[email protected]

Northcentral/Eastern

Leah Tewksbury, 570-437-2620

[email protected]

12

3 4

16


17/24

Name

Address

City/State/ZIP

Phone E-mail

Record the product you want, quantity,and color and size choices if appropriate.

Subtotal Products: add $4.00 shipping Total Due:and handling

PASA Merchandise

You Want To Do What?! Farming!Real farmers, real advice, and realfacts about the joys and chal-

lenges of sustainable agriculture.

Five farms share why they do

what they do, and the rewardsthey receive along the way

including a greater connection totheir community from practicing

sustainable farming methods.

This 15-minute video was pre-

miered at the 13th annual PASAConference to rave reviews. Pick up a copy on VHS or DVD format.A great pie

to show to a wide variety of audiences from community groups to ne

wannabe farmers to consumer groups. VHS or DV

Either format $15.

Conference T-Shirt On Sale Now!Commemorative 13th annual addition.Attractive 2-color design on 100% c

ton. Available in a variety of colors orange, yellow,green, or natural color

organic cotton. Sizes S,M, L, XL,XXL.To order, request size,and first and secocolor choice. Buy two and sav

$9.50 for one, $17.00 for tw

PASA Caps Protection From the Sun!Comfortable cotton caps available in a variety of designs and colors.

IThe popular brushed twill caps embroidered with the PASA logo, or the bo

PASA Farming for the Future phrase. Available in blue, green, charcoal

natural. Adjustable back strap fits most. $20.

ICool, bright and lightweight caps are available screenprinted in black wthe PASA Logo, or the bold PASA Farming for the Future phrase. Availab

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18/24

RegionalMa

rketing

By Amy SouzaThe idea of seasonal eating left main-

stream American consciousness decadesago. And as the global marketplace hasbecome more of a reality, consumershave grown less concerned about wherefood comes from and more focused onhaving whatever we want whenever we want it. Theres a movement afoot to

change that. Grassroots activists in near-ly every developed nation around the world are trying to reconnect peoplewith their food using a fairly simple con-cept: Buy local.

There are so many reasons to buylocal, says Christine Robinson, ofFoodRoutes Network in Millheim,Pennsylvania. We get so many benefitsfrom responsible, sustainable agricul-ture. And its one of the most effective ways consumers can contribute to pre-

serving their community and the envi-ronment. Sustainable farming practicesrepresent the intersection of agricultureand environmentalism, Robinson adds.These farmers are responsible stewardsof the land and water, conserving andprotecting their vitality for future gener-ations while meeting our current foodneeds.

The nonprofit FoodRoutes Networkhelps organizations across the countrypromote local food systems. Their most

grocery stores every Sunday and seewhats on sale. Food, in that sense, habecome a commodity like any other.

Consumer EducationThe state of Pennsylvania agriculture

is somewhat confusing. On one handits the commonwealths leading industry, with $1 billion of goods exported in2000 including agriculture, food andwood products. Pennsylvania also leadthe country in mushroom production with 425 million pounds grown hereach year, and is a leading egg producer American Farmland Trust also reportthat Pennsylvania leads the nation innumber of farms and acres of farmlandprotected under easements.

Anecdotally, however, farmers in th

southwestern part of the state tell a dif-ferent story. Many know farmers whohave gone out of business. Some lamenthe reworking of farmland into homesubdivisions. And most see the need topromote small farms as paramount, lesthey go the way of mom-and-pop shopin the face of competition from big-boxstores.

Pennsylvania is already a leader indirect farm sales to consumers, BrianSnyder, Executive Director of PASApoints out. Theres a tremendous tradition in this state of marketing fresh foodlocally. Lancaster County, of course, isthe hotbed. But its not just the Amishand the Mennonite communities thagrasp the issue, he adds. Middle-clasand upper-middle-class consumers arebeginning to understand the importanceof buying fresh food.

In Pittsburgh, Snyder admits, Itprobably a slightly harder sell. What welack is consumer education, primarilythe value of eating seasonally. Still

there are over 30 farmers markets in thegreater Pittsburgh area, and the East EndFood Co-op has been pushing local andorganic food products for 25 yearsToday the co-op has 5,000 active members and 40 percent of its yearly salecome from nonmembers. When WholeFoods Market opened here last year, iwas the largest store opening in company history to date. (That has since beensurpassed by an opening in Ann Arbor.David Eson calls the Whole Foods suc

recent project is a Buy Fresh, BuyLocal campaign, currently being imple-mented by 10 groups from Oregon toMaine. Around the country, advertisingof Come to our farmers market com-petes with Buy a Big Mac, Robinsonexplains. High-quality materials areexpensive, so we focus on doing thingsgroups wouldnt be able to afford on

their own.So just why should consumers care

about buying local produce? DavidEson, PASAs director of southwest pro-grams, says it boils down to three things.Environmentally, it cuts down on CO2emissions. Youre not dealing with trucksdriving 2,000 miles from California toship lettuce. Socially, rural economiesare suffering. In an area like Pittsburgh, where youve got people moving awayfrom both cities and suburbs, local farms

support the interconnection betweenurban and rural areas. Economically, were saying, especially to consumers who are buying perishables, keep yourlocal food dollar close. A small business-man, the farmer, will buy more localproducts with the money they make.

Eson admits thats a pretty heavymessage and potentially a hard sell.American consumers have been spoiledon cheap and abundant food, Eson says.People get the circular from the major

Buy Fresh, Buy LocalIf youre serious about promoting regional growth,put local produce on your table

18


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DSC01559.tif

In the Works

Western Regional MeetingsDuring the PASA conference approx-

imately 40 members from the Western

region of the state (a geographic area

totaling 19 counties) met and discussed

THE BOARD AND STAFF WISHTO THANK THESE RECENT VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are essential to running a conference of this size! Our volunteers helped

at the registration desk, sold merchandise at the PASA booth, set up audio-visual

for speakers, organized the Silent Auction, coordinated the youth and teen pro-

gram, and lent general support throughout the conference. Pictured above are

Todd Hopkins (left) and Bette Toth.

future activities for the region. Thegroup decided that PASA staff willorganize two meetings per year for thewhole group (one at the conference andone in the region). Beyond the meetingsfor the whole group, one meeting per

year will be held in the northern sectionof the region (PASA members livingnorth of State Route 422) and one meet-ing will be held in the southern sectionof the region (PASA members livingsouth of State Route 422). Stay tunedfor more information in upcomingissues ofPassages. Western Counties (19Counties) Erie, Crawford, Warren,Mercer, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jeffer-son, Lawrence, Beaver, Butler, Arm-strong, Indiana, Washington, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette andSomerset.

McGinnis SistersSpecial Food Stores

In late January PASA hosted a meet-ing between McGinnis Sisters and areafarmers. The McGinnis Sisters manage-ment team discussed their purchasing

cess a huge test balloon, proving that

people are willing to drive to East Liber-

ty to buy what they perceive to be high-

quality food. Eson believes the time is

now ripe to launch a Buy Local cam-

paign in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Even if you find food production pol-itics hard to swallow, its hard to argue

with freshness. The best way to get peo-

ple to buy local is to get them to taste the

difference, says Robinson of

FoodRoutes Network. I

Reprinted with permission by author.

Full article appeared in the 11/20/03

edition ofPulp.

Bob AmbroseGeorgia Berner

Charlie Boyer

Sarah Bowen

Angie Brubaker

Mike Byers

Bill Callahan

Pat Callahan

Noreen Campbell

Nicole Carman

Gene Chenoweth

Eileen Clark

Sara Colson

Barbara Corson

Moie Crawford

Jack Duff

Liz Elmore

Rita Wise Favinger

Bill Fuller

Ron Gargasz

Karen Grubb

Sue Haney

Paul Hepperly

Todd Hopkins

Julie Hurst

Peter KilpatrickDave King

BeckyKretschmann

Kristen Markley

Julie Mason

Sue Maurer

Tom Maurer

Dennis Mawhinney

Andrew McMullen

Dianne Miller

Maggie Moore

Gil Morrison

Gayle Morrow

Holley Moyer

Suzy Meyer

Patti Olenick

Ryan Peterson

Virginia Phillips

Kurt Plummer

Maria Pop

Craig Richards

Sarah Rider

Michael Risser

Jason Ritchey

Phyllis RubinPenny Sandoval

Paul Sarver

Ann Seeley

Shon Seeley

Roy Sletson

Ian Smith

Ronald Stanley

Kyla Stewart

Tom Streble

Genelle Sweetser

Karen Taphorn

Martin Thomas

Bette Toth

Amy Trauger

Randy Treichler

George Vahoviak

Eric Van

Bob Vernon

Joani Walsh

Janna Weil

Karin Welzel

Melanie Wertz

Will Wise

Alma Wynne

needs for the upcoming year. If you are

interested in receiving the meeting notes

or contact information, please call David

Eson at (412) 997-2343 or david@pasa-

farming.org.

SurveyThanks to all the PASA members for

returning their farmer and Buy Fresh

Buy Local surveys. PASA staff will be

tallying survey results by the end of Feb-

ruary. Survey results will be used for the

local foods directory and our Buy Fresh

Buy Local label design.

Buy Fresh Buy LocalPASA is in the process of developing

a local food directory for the Buy Fresh

Buy Local campaign launch in June.The guide will be similar to PASAs pre-

vious southwest directory, the South-

western Pennsylvania Consumer Guide

to Farm Fresh Products. The guide will

list farmers markets, on-farm markets,

businesses and farms in the region who

offer fresh, local products.

SOUTHWEST REGION

19


20/24

http://agmap.psu.edu/AgMap provides an online directory for Pennsylvanias agricultura

industry. It serves consumers looking for locally-grown Pennsylvania

foods, and allow farmers to search for agencies and businesses serv

ing the agricultural community.Developed by Penn State University

College of Ag Sciences, this site also hosts job announcements and

classified ads for enrolled businesses.

www.foodroutes.org

The FoodRoutes web site is a fantastic resource for those seekininformation on our food system. It offers communications tools, tech

nical support, networking and information resources to organization

and groups nationwide that are working to rebuild local,community

based food systems. FoodRoutes network is dedicated to reintroduc

ing Americans to their food the seeds it grows from, the farmer

who produce it, and the routes that carry it from the fields to thei

tables. Their website is well worth a visit, and also has a Find Good

Foodmap, in a searchable database powered by LocalHarvest.org.

www.localharvest.orgThe LocalHarvest.org web site allows farmer members to create an

extensive custom entry including photos of the farm.It allows visitors

to sign up for customized updates that are sent whenever a new list-

ing is added or an existing listing is modified within a particular area.

They also have a new calendar section and online store. LocalHarvest

includes PASA as an option in their registration process our farmer

members should check PASA in the Associated Organizations page

when registering.That way, people who want to find PASA members

in their area will get a complete list.

www.newfarm.orgGo to the Farm Locator section of www.newfarm.org to check out this

well-developed farmer database that helps consumers, brokers, and

restaurateurs locate farms and farm services they are looking for.

Recent improvements have been added to generate more refined

searches.The Farm Locator is just one element of Newfarm.org, which

is also the on-line portal to research conducted through The Rodale

Institute.This Institute is a nonprofit educational and research organ-

ization committed to sharing information globally about successful

agricultural solutions to health and environmental problems.

Mem

bershipRe

sources

By Lauren SmithMore and more consumers are becoming

aware of issues involving our food supply,

and are seeking safe, locally-grown food for

their families. We at the PASA office field

many calls each week from these folks hoping

to be connected with producers in their area

that are raising food using sustainable meth-

ods.

The membership department is always

happy to review our databases and offer somepersonal suggestions. Towards this end, it is

very helpful when our farmer members have

competed the member survey that accompa-

nied the annual membership materials. Also,

PASA is in the development stages of offering

a PASA farmer member directory within our

website www.pasafarming.org. This directory

will include farmers who offer direct market-

ing. Interested PASA farmers should contact

the PASA membership department at mem-

[email protected] for more informa-

tion on how to be included on the PASA

website.

Another effective method of linking con-

sumers with local and sustainable farms is to

promote other searchable databases on the

Internet, which help consumers locate every-

thing from pastured eggs close to their town,

to a beef farmer selling directly to his com-

munity, to a variety of farmers who can pro-

vide a reliable source of locally grown and

often organic vegetables. These websites can

also be used to locate local farmers markets

CSAs, restaurants, and food co-ops.

PASA encourages our farmer member

interested in new markets to get their opera

tions included in these searchable databases

Some allow members to create and update

their own listings, and write a description o

their operation listing available commodities

Even if a farm or other food-related business

is already on the Internet, they can still ben

efit from a listing on these websites. Being

part of these directories will substantially

increase a farms chances that potential cus

tomers will locate them on the Internet. I

Fresh Off the Internet Sites to Connect Producers

and Consumers

Websites such as FoodRoutes provide services for producers and consumers alike.

20


21/24

SURVEY SHOWS CONSUMERS

WANT LOCALLY GROWN FOOD

A survey conducted by the Leopold Cen-

ter for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State

University, revealed consumers were enthu-

siastic about locally grown food and sup-

portive of the farmers that grow it. More

than 75 percent of respondents chose the

product labeled grown locally by family

farmersas their first choice for produce and

meat products. For more on the study, visitwww.ag.iastate.edu/centers/leopold/.

NEW MARKET LOCATION

IN SOUTHWEST PA

The Hempfield Market will be relocated

to the Lynch Field Athletic & Aerobic Center.

In cooperation with the City of Greensburg,

a pavilion and market site has been donated

to the FarmersMarket Association of Central

Westmoreland County. The new site can

accommodate several sheltered vendor sites

with ample room for tailgate vendor setups. Those interested in becoming vendors or

who would like additional information

should visit the site on localharvest.org or

contact manager Paul Sarver of Sarvers Hill

Farm at 724-834-2334.

SEED SAVERS

Kayri Havens, Director of Conservation

for the Chicago Botanic Garden,and ecolog-

ical enthusiasts including boy scouts, sci-

ence students and retirees are fanning out

across the prairie, collecting seeds of 1,500Midwest plants to preserve for the future.

Seeds are harvested, prepped, catalogued,

frozen and flown to West Sussex, England.

Why England? The Botanic Garden has part-

nered with Britains Millenium Seed Bank in a

global project that aims to preserve and cat-

alog the seeds for research for 10% of the

worlds flora or 24,000 species by the year

2010. Havens says,This project is about our

legacy and preserving plants that are an

important part of our history and culture.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

FOOD PROJECTS

The Community Food Projects (CFP)

Competitive Grants Program provides major

funding for community-based food and

agriculture projects in the U.S. This year

there will be approximately $4.6 million

available with preference given to projects

that develop linkages between two or more

sectors of the food system, support the

development of entrepreneurial projects,involve public and for-profit as well as non-

profit entities, and promote multi-system,

interagency approaches with multi-stake-

holder collaborations that build the long-

term capacity of communities to address

their food and agricultural problems. Pro-

posals are due April 14, 2004 and more infor-

mation is available at www.reeusda.

gov/1700/funding/ourfund.htm.

AGRITOURISM PROJECT

Professor Susan Ryan and the Earth Sci-ence Department of California University of

Pennsylvania, in conjunction with The Cen-

ter for Rural Pennsylvania, is researching

agritourism in the state of Pennsylvania.

Agritourism is considered a combination of

two of the leading industries in Pennsylva-

nia: agriculture and tourism. The final prod-

uct of this research will make policy

recommendations to understand, develop

and sustain the agritourism industry for the

advancement of Pennsylvania and its rural

areas.

Current work is focusing on developing a

database of agritourism providers. Surveys

will be mailed to these identified providers

as well as individuals who live and work in

rural Pennsylvania. If you require further

information, please contact Susan Ryan at

724-938-4531 or via e-mail at [email protected].

OAKHURST DAIRY UPDATE

Update from Passages #45 & 46

In December Oakhurst Dairy of Portland

Maine settled with Monsanto and agreed to

change their milk label. The familiar statement of Our Farmers Pledge: No Artificia

Growth Hormones Used will remain, bu

will now include a disclaimer FDA states:No

significant difference in milk from cows

treated with artificial growth hormones.

This settlement ends a legal battle tha

began last summer, while the dairy promot

ed their milk as rGBH-free, a growth hor

mone manufactured by Monsanto. The

settlement could lead the other two majo

dairies in Maine Hood and Garelick Farm

to follow suit.Both dairieslabels proclaim

their milk as hormone-free. Since Maine

three major dairies require farmers to

pledge not to use hormones, farmers who

do use them have to ship their milk to out

of-state dairies.

WATER EDUCATION

GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE

The League of Women Voters of Pennsyl

vania Citizen Education Fund announces

grants available for Water Resources Educa

tion Projects, applications due April 2, 2004Partnerships of local or regional organiza

tions such as watershed associations, civic

groups, etc. can submit grant application

for educational projects up to $5,000 tha

raise awareness about protecting the com

munitys drinking water sources and/or pre

venting nonpoint source pollution in the

watershed. Applications available by emai

at [email protected],call 1-800-692-7281 ext

10, or download from www.drinkingwisewa

ter.org

EditorsCorner

The Grapevineby Michele Gauger

21


22/24

ClassifiedAds

Calendar

EDUCATOR/APPRENTICE WANTED

Phillies Bridge Farm near New Paltz, NY seeks

Educator/Apprentice. Indepth training in bio-

dynamic, organic and CSA farming.Appren-

tice: 100% farming,late FebNovember,

stipend, on-farm housing. Educator/Appren-

tice:60% farming, 40% education (school vis-

its,day camp, low income family visits),late

April-October,$250/week, assistance with find-

ing off-farm housing. Call 845-256-9108.

AVAILABLE Certified organic dairy has

eggs available from pastured-raised hens.

Farm fresh produce in season, including heir-

loom tomatoes, Candy onions and red pota-

toes.On farm sales.Green Valley Organics,279

Maple Shade Road, Christiana, PA 17509 or call

717-529-2898.

FARM APPRENTICE WANTED 12-month

position on a model sustainable farm in Wash-

ington County, Pennsylvania.The farm is locat-

ed 20 miles west of Pittsburgh and consists of

a 150-acres. Apprentices responsibilities will

include tasks related to production of fruit and

vegetables for the Greater Pittsburgh Commu-

nity Food Bank,and working closely with its

volunteers. $1,000 per month plus onsite

apartment. Position begins ASAP. Send cover

letter and resume to Evan Verbanic,Farm Man-

ager, Food Farm, Inc.,1357 Valley View Road,

Bulger,PA 15019 or [email protected].

SEEKING FARM BUSINESS MANAGER

Established family vegetable farm and pro-

duce business in southern Huntingdon Co.

seeks energetic,detail-oriented business man-

ager. Full-time,year-round position w/ salary &

benefits. Experience in small business,book-

keeping, inventory management is desired.

Nice rental housing available nearby.This is a

friendly, exciting place to work, where a moti-

vated person can take big responsibilities and

make a difference.Send resume via e-mail

([email protected]) or write New Morning

Farm, HCR 71 Box 168B, Hustontown,PA 17229

or call 814-448-3904.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED Sustaining

Greene County is beginning the development

of a model farm near Waynesburg.They are

looking for volunteers to help repair a barn,

shed, and home.Below is a description of skills

that they need.Contact Kevin Paul at sustain-

[email protected] or at (724) 852-5278. We are looking for people with

experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical,

fund raising or barn renovation skills. Also we

would welcome volunteers to provide manual

labor and cash donations.

ORGANIC LAYER HOUSES WANTED

interested in areas north of Harrisburg, south

of Route 192. For more information call Kream-

er Feed,1-800-767-4537 ask for Keith Fleet-

wood or Dale Smeltz.

LOOKING FOR ORGANIC FARMER

Approximately 50 tillable acres available in

Schuylkill County for rent or joint venture.

Land has been chemical-free for 5+ years. Con

tact Joe Michalik at 570-385-4633 or e-mail at

[email protected].

ORCHARD PRODUCTION/RETAIL SALES

help wanted full-time on Chester Co. diver-

sified fruit farm.Long-term opportunity. Must

have basic horticultural skills and strong inter-

est in selling retail at farmers markets. Mini-

mum pay $12/hr,higher possible based on

experience.Call 610-486-6235 or NorthStarOr-

[email protected].

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS! Alternative

homesteaders looking for kindred spirit(s) to

rent mobile home, share organic garden space

in rural Airville, PA.Opportunity for market

garden or CSA. Commuting distance to York &

Lancaster,PA and Bel Air, MD. Beautiful hiking

trails & Susquehanna River nearby.Call Amy

Donohue at 717-862-1737. Mailing address is

637 E. Posey Rd. Airville, PA 17302.

AprilAPR 25 | Homeopathy for All Creatures Great

& Small, Philadelphia, PA A seminar with

holistic veterinarian C. Edgar Sheaffer, VMD,

columnist for AcresUSA., in the Philadelphia

Areas Main Line section.Dr. Sheaffer,who has a

veterinary practice in Lebanon County, PA,will

discuss programs that have been safe,easy to

administer and effective for various species ofcompanion animals. For information contact Cit-

izens Alliance for Progressive Health Awareness

(CAPHA): 610-640-2788 or visit www.capha.org.

APR 30MAY 1 | Organic Beekeeping Work-

shop, Chestnut Ridge,NY. A workshop for active

beekeepers as well as for beginners including a

hands-on session. Contact The Pfeiffer Center by

phone 845-352-5020 ext.20, email: info@pfeiffer-

center.org. or the website: pfeiffercent

mar-apr 2004 passages newsletter, pennsylvania association for sustainable agriculture

Documents