Passages

Sustainable Food and Farming Systems

Newsletter of the
Pennsylvania
Association
for Sustainable
Agriculture

Serving the Community of Sustainable Farmers, Consumers and Businesses Throughout Pennsylvania and Beyond
Number 70 January/February 2008

PASA’s 17th Annual

Farming for the Future conference
PASA’s signature event — the Farming for the Future
conference was a success in early February. Widely regarded
as the best sustainable agriculture gathering in the East,
this diverse 5-day spectacular brought together an audi-
ence of over 1,900 from 39 states and 8 countries.
 Pennsylvania Association
Jan/Feb 2008
for Sustainable Agriculture 2008 Farming for the Future 6 Director’s Corner
114 West Main Street Conference Review
7 Board Perspective
P.O. Box 419
3 Sustainable Ag Awards
Millheim PA 16854 13 Consumer News
Phone: (814) 349-9856 • Fax: (814) 349-9840 5 Conference Volunteers & Friends,
Website: www.pasafarming.org Brownback Scholarships 14 Business Member Profile
Passages STAFF & OFFICE 8 Conference Photos 15 Regional Marketing
Staff Editor: Michele Gauger
Layout: C Factor 16 Farmer Profile
Advertising Sales: Michele Gauger,
PASA office, michele@pasafarming.org 20 Membership News

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 22 On-Farm Research

President: Kim Seeley, Bradford County
Vice President: Brian Moyer, Berks County
Secretary: Mary Barbercheck, Centre County
Treasurer: Louise Schorn Smith, Chester County
David Bingaman, Dauphin County
Jennifer Halpin, Cumberland County
Mena Hautau, Berks County
John Hopkins, Columbia County
John Jamison, Westmoreland County
Don Kretschmann, Beaver County
Jeff Mattocks, Dauphin County
Sandra Miller, Cumberland County
Rita Resick, Somerset County
Anthony Rodale, Berks County
Jim Travis, Adams County
At-Large Board Member
Jamie Moore, Allegheny County
PASA STAFF
Brian Snyder
Executive Director
brian@pasafarming.org
Lauren Smith
Director of Development
lauren@pasafarming.org
Chris Fullerton
Director of Consumer Outreach5
chris@pasafarming.org
Allison Shauger
Educational Outreach Director
allison@pasafarming.org
Michele Gauger
Director of Membership & Research Assistant
michele@pasafarming.org
Brandi Marks
Office Coordinator/Bookkeeper
brandi@pasafarming.org
Carrie Gillespie
Bookkeeping Assistant
carrie@pasafarming.org
Southeast Regional Office
Phone: 610-458-5700 x305
Marilyn Anthony
Southeastern Regional Director
marilyn@pasafarming.org
Western Regional Office
Julie Speicher
Marketing Manager
julie@pasafarming.org
Sarah Young
Program Assistant
sarah@pasafarming.org
24 Editor’s Corner: The Grapevine
25 Classified Ads
30 Calendar
31 Membership Form
Photographs on the Eleven students from the Sixty young Future Farm- During the Hands-On
front cover (clockwise Penn College of Technolo- ers enjoyed activities Pastured Poultry pre-
from upper left) gy Culinary program (one including the exploration conference track held at
of whom pictured here)
Keynote speaker, Diane of wooden instruments. Poultry Man LLC in Mif-
Wilson, signs copies of contributed a great PASA thanks Joan Turns flinburg PA, participants
her book, An Unreason- amount of labor in pro- and George Vahoviak of worked together to build
cessing the raw ingredi- Shaver’s Creek Environ- two 9’ x 9’ cattle panel
able Woman: A True Story
of Shrimpers, Politicos, ents for our conference mental Center as well as hoop houses. The Ameri-
Polluters, and the Fight meals. Chef Mike Ditch- the Penn State Sustain- can Pastured Poultry
field touted Willy able Agriculture Club for Producers Assn. (APPPA)
for Seadrift, Texas for an
Benedetto (pictured rear) their dedication to this then generously donated
eager crowd following
as “one of the guys that important program. one of the hoop houses
her inspirational opening
remarks. has made the sustainable to the PASA Auction.
food program at the con-
ference happen!”
Passages January/February 2008 Contributors
Contributing writers & photographers: Marilyn Anthony, David Eson, Chris Fullerton, Mena Hautau, Ron Hoover,
Kristen Leitzel, Pat Little, Paul Morgan, Gayle Morrow, John Rhodes, Kim Seeley, Allison Shauger, Kate Sigler,
Lauren Smith, Brian Snyder.
PASA’s Mission is… PASA in the News
Promoting profitable farms which produce Have you seen articles about PASA in your local news-
healthy food for all people while respecting the papers or other media? PASA is active across the state,
natural environment. and we’d love to know what coverage we are getting
PASA is an organization as diverse as the Pennsylvania in your area. Please clip any articles you see on PASA
landscape. We are seasoned farmers who know that and mail them to our Millheim headquarters to the
sustainability is not only a concept, but a way of life. attention of Office Coordinator Brandi Marks.
We are new farmers looking for the fulfillment of land
stewardship. We are students and other consumers, Do you have a great
anxious to understand our food systems and the
article idea for Passages?
choices that must be made. We are families and chil-
Want to share a farming practice with members? We’d
dren, who hold the future of farming in our hands.This
love to hear from you. Please contact the newsletter
is an organization that is growing in its voice on behalf
staff at newsletter@pasafarming.org.
of farmers in Pennsylvania and beyond. Our mission is
achieved, one voice, one farm, one strengthened com- Deadline for March/April 2008 Issue:
munity at a time. March 17, 2008

PASA is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider and Employer. Some grant funding comes from the USDA and com-
plaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA Office of Civil Rights, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
Passages is printed on recycled, chlorine-free paper

2
Conference Review
Annual Awards Celebrate Leaders in Sustainable Agriculture
By Gayle Morrow, sion statement, which Snyder
PASA member shared:
Who gets the Sustainable We care for the Earth by pro-
Ag Business Leadership Award moting organic and bio-dynam-
or the Sustainable Ag Leader- ic farming methods. We conduct
ship Award this year? As always our business in a respectful and
it was a surprise — right up ethical manner while building
until the Farming for the Future strong cooperative ties within
conference awards banquet, our larger community. In a more
only a handful of folks knew. personal way, we support each
It was especially surprising individual’s quest to learn more
to the recipients — they did about healthy choices in diet and
not recognize themselves in lifestyle. Finally, we are commit-
PASA executive director, Brian ted to honoring each customer
Snyder’s announcements. with outstanding service.
“When Brian started out I Jerry Brunetti was honored with the Sustainable Ag Leadership Award “I would really rather be on
thought — I wonder who this at the conference. Jerry was surprised and very grateful to be recognized. a farm,” said Brett as he accept-
Pictured left to right are Kim Seeley, PASA board president; Jerry
is,” said Terry Brett, who, with Brunetti and Brian Snyder. ed the award (and who would-
Kimberton Whole Foods, n’t rather be on a farm?). “But
earned the 2008 Sustainable Ag Business least are connected to a farm?” mused thank you for honoring all of us at Kim-
Leadership Award. “I couldn’t believe he Snyder in his preface to the announce- berton Whole Foods for what we do.”
was talking about me.” ment of Brett’s award. “There are proba-
Jerry Brunetti, who took the 2008 bly many reasons for this, but I’m sure we Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Ag Leadership award, was could all agree that farm-based businesses Leadership Award
equally amazed at his own achievement. often do well simply because of the work Want to reduce your use of pesticides,
He didn’t know who Snyder was describ- ethic learned on farms.” eliminate dependence on chemical fertil-
ing, but admitted with a laugh that he That ethic, and the dedication of Brett izers, and learn to toss around terms like
thought “this is my kind of guy.” and Kimberton Whole Foods to “provide phenolics, terpenes and sterols?
the highest quality products possible, at a “Who ya gonna’ call?” asked PASA
Sustainable Agriculture fair price, based on the cost of production board president, Kim Seeley as he intro-
Business Leadership Award rather than simply what the market duced Jerry Brunetti.
Terry Brett is the first to admit he’d would bear,” are exemplified in their mis- continued on page 4
rather be farming, but customers of Kim-
berton Whole Foods are, perhaps selfish- Kimberton Whole Foods was honored with the Sustainable Agriculture Business Award during the
ly, glad he’s not. “I shopped there last Friday evening awards banquet. Terry Brett, who accepted the award on behalf of everyone at Kim-
berton, was thankful to have their work recognized. Pictured from left to right are Terry Brett of Kim-
Monday night and I counted so many berton Whole Foods, Brian Snyder and PASA board treasurer, Louise Schorn Smith.
locally grown products,” said PASA
board member, Louise Schorn Smith in
her introduction. “His personal strengths
include business and management style,
super-human energy, and dedication to
the local food system.”
Brett and Kimberton Whole Foods
have, she said, “set the gold standard” for
what they do.
Brett started out in 1986 with culture
— yogurt culture, that is. He was hired to
make and market yogurt for the Camp
Hill Village/Kimberton Hills biodynamic
farm. The result was Seven Stars Yogurt
and the expansion of an existing natural
foods store that eventually morphed into
Kimberton Whole Foods.
“Have you ever noticed how many
successful businesses start on a farm, or at

3
Conference Review
PASA Leaders
continued from page 3
Snyder characterized Brunetti as “a
true Renaissance person,” one who “elic-
its strong reactions of all sorts when he
teaches, which is rather refreshing in an
era of increasingly boring, standardized
ways of thinking and learning.”
Brunetti began his professional career
in animal sciences, then, as Snyder said,
“branched out in both directions along
the food chain…on subjects as far-rang-
ing as soil and forage quality and alterna-
tive approaches to treating human
disease.”
His dynamic and energetic speaking
style has made him a favorite at the PASA
conference and other venues. PASA and
its members are fortunate, Snyder said,
that Brunetti “considers this conference
to be a home base…where he is not just
a speaker but a member of the family.”
“I’m overwhelmed by this,” said
Brunetti as he accepted the honor. “It is
family, and it is my greatest joy and priv-
ilege to give [to you]. Thank you.”
Departing Board
Members Recognized
The Friday night banquet was also a
time to honor outgoing board members
Mena Hautau and Anthony Rodale.
PASA board vice president Brian Moyer (left) presented outgoing board member Anthony Rodale
with a gift from the board. Anthony was honored during the Friday evening awards banquet for his
years of service to the organization.
PASA board fundraising chair, Mena Hautau was honored during the Friday evening banquet.
Mena will be leaving the board due to term limits after the conference and she was recognized for
her efforts by former board president, Kim Miller (left) and Brian Snyder.
Mena Hautau, who had served on the
board since 1999, is a senior Extension
agent in agronomy and agriculture with
Penn State Cooperative Extension in
Berks County. She chaired the search
committee that ultimately hired Brian
Snyder as Executive Director and has
been an invaluable leader and partner in
the organization’s fundraising efforts.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to have
4
someone like her on any board,” said
Miller. “She’s always willing to do her
part and beyond. She helped us to come
up with an evaluation system for the
board and employees. These are things
that lend credence to an organization.”
“I’ve normally been in a role to thank
others for what they’ve done with PASA,”
said Hautau. “You get out what you put
into it. I’m thankful to the board for
coming together as a team, and it is a
privilege to work with the staff we have.
It is up to us as members to make sure
they have the resources they need to get
the job done.”
“Anthony Rodale (who was not able
to be at the banquet) is from the first
family of agriculture,” continued Miller.
“We could not be more pleased than for
him to lend his name to our organization
in its early years. It is unusual to have the
opportunity to have someone with inter-
national stature put his shoulder to the
same wheel as our shoulders.”
Rodale is the grandson of The Rodale
Institute’s founder J.I. Rodale. Under his
guidance, the Institute has worked to
develop educational programs geared
toward children — helping them under-
stand the vital connections between
healthy soil, healthy food and healthy
people. He and his wife, Florence, live in
Allentown. They have two children, Mar-
low and Coco-Margaux. n
Conference Review
The annual PASA Charity Auction was once again a success in raising funds for our Annu-
Arias M. Brownback
al Fund. One of the items featured included the original painting by Kathy Frank, which Scholarships Awarded
served as our conference graphic this year entitled “Brush Valley Cows.” Stay tuned for
the March/April Passages for a complete recap of this fundraiser. PASA is pleased to announce that the
Arias M. Brownback Scholarship Fund
supported 50 scholarship recipients to
attend the 2008 Farming for the Future
conference. The Scholarship Fund
annually benefits from members’ gener-
ous contributions. As the conference
has grown over the years, so have the
number of requests for and awards of
scholarships.
Thankfully, member support for this
important fund has kept pace with the
demand for scholarships and we have
never turned away an aspiring farmer in
need. Applying for the scholarship is easy.
Applicants must demonstrate two quali-
ties: an interest in pursuing farming as a
vocation and a financial need that would
otherwise prevent them from attending
the conference. A sincere thank you to
everyone who has contributed to this
worthy cause! Stay tuned for the
March/April issue of Passages to hear
from some of our scholarship recipients.

CONFERENCE Friends of the Conference

VOLUNTEERS The Farming for the Future conference is an extremely important event for the PASA
PASA staff and board would like membership. It’s our chance to learn from and network with interesting people and field
to thank our dedicated volunteers experts and gather new ideas for improving our businesses and lives.Those who donat-
who helped make our recent ed $100 to become a Friend of the Conference were contributing to ensure everyone
conference a success. can participate by keeping registration fees affordable. Thanks to all of these generous
Chris Adamski • Nitya Akeroyd • Kat folks for being a Friend!
Alden • Val Alexander • Wendy Allem • Amsterdam Produce Don Kretschmann Susan & Don Sauter
Amanda Barker • Michele Briggs • Chris Enterprises, Inc. David Lembeck Allison Shauger
Brittenburg • Sabine Carey • Eileen Bob Anderson
Tracy & Jeff Mattocks Louise Schorn Smith
Clark • Moie Crawford • Heather Donald Mary Barbercheck
Maryann & Dennis Peggy & Joseph Schott
• Adam Dellinger • Sarabelle Eisenfeld • Nancy & Bob Bernhardt Mawhinney
John Lee Fisher • Meghan Fridirici • Nancy Shorsher
Linda & Tim Blakeley Milky Way Farms
Heath Gamache • Donald Gibbon • Kress Simpson
Jane & Dick Burlingame Dianne Miller
Greta Haney • Maggie & Dale Henry • Lauren & Ian Smith
Charlestown Farm Kim Miller
Todd Hopkins • Liz Hunsberger • Karl Paula & Brian Snyder
Moie & Jim Crawford Sandra Miller
Ingram • Shira Kamm • Rachel Kohn
Bill Curran Rick Stafford
Obut • Pat Leary • Warren Leitzel • Gin- Dave Mortensen
Lisa & Duane Diefenbach Genelle Sweetser &
ger Marshall • Julie Mason • Cindy& Eric Martha Noble
Gene Chenoweth
Noel • Patti Olenick • Sunil Patel • Andy Bill Elkins Northern Tier Sustainable
Debbie Swettenam &
Pressman • Colette Skundberg-Radtke • Helen Elkins Meat Cooperative
Linda Humphreys
Tony Ricci • Penny Sandoval • Rachel Chris Fullerton Mary Ann & William Oyler
Tuscarora Organic
Schaal • Dan Shimp • Becky Smith • Meg Gleason Nora Pouillon Growers Cooperative
Shana Tritsch • Holly Tyson • Bob Ver- Greener Partners Rita Resick Barbara & Michael Wahler
non • Sue Walker-Moyer • Bill Wolfe • Todd & John Hopkins Melissa Reynolds Sandie & John Walker
David Wrestler • Steffany Yamada •
Carl Hursh Thomas Reynolds West Penn Power
Karen & Phil Yanak • Heidi Zellie • Effie
Becky Kretschmann Carolyn Sachs Sustainable Energy Fund
Zuck • Leslie Zuck

5
Director’s Corner
Scientism and
the Rise of the
Agricultural-Industrial
Complex
By Brian Snyder, Executive Director
Some excerpts from my talk at this
year’s Farming for the Future conference:
This talk is entitled “Scientism and
the Rise of the Agricultural-Industrial
Complex,” a heading that not so long ago
would have conjured images of shady fig-
ures on grassy knolls and visiting aliens
from other planets whose spaceships and
bodily remains were being hidden away
somewhere in the deserts of New Mexico.
But isn’t it interesting, and a true measure
of how things have changed in our socie-
ty, that it no longer is even controversial
to suggest that a coalition of government,
industry and university personnel might
be involved in an effort to manipulate
our food system, altering the process of
otherwise “free” markets to ensure the
benefit of the few over the many?
I was actually out of state at a meeting
with several other sustainable ag and food
system leaders when the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture issued its
first-in-the-nation directive to ban what
it called “false and misleading labels.”
The department was clear right from the
start that this ban was to be applied not
only to claims about growth hormones,
but also to other substances like antibi-
otics and pesticides.
So let us celebrate our achievement in
getting the governor and his Dept of Ag
to reconsider and rescind their original
order. This tremendous victory came
about not only because hundreds of
PASA members made their voices heard,
but indeed because in working with other
state and national partners, we collective-
ly generated thousands, perhaps tens of
thousands of messages to the governor’s
office, all of which were simply appealing
to the commonsense proposition that a
growing number of consumers want to
know more, not less, about the food they
buy for their families.
It also happened because the milk
dealers in Pennsylvania threatened to sue
if they could not put something on the
label about not using rBST. So let’s also
keep this “victory” in perspective. It’s
quite likely that letters, phone calls and
emails would not have been enough by
themselves. Why is this? I believe the rea-
son is that a new voice has emerged that
considers itself above that of the general
public in terms of both intelligence and
political importance, and that voice is
what I’m calling “scientism.”
I use the word “scientism” very care-
fully to mean something other than the
normal practice of science, which is
something we all appreciate as the pursuit
of empirical knowledge, properly done
without undue bias and in the public’s
best interest. Scientism, on the other
hand, describes a situation where there is
no longer a dialogue going on about the
nature of reality from many different per-
spectives, like religion, science, history
and philosophy, as you would normally
expect. But in this case, science has
become a religion, and in fact the final
arbiter of truth in all those other impor-
tant disciplines as well.
This new attitude toward science is so
ubiquitous today that one could almost
fail to notice it. But its arrogance is felt
on a regular basis in meetings I attend
around the state and country. Scientism
even has its own language, or “liturgy”
you might say, in expressing its confident
hold on reality. In this way of thinking,
an “activist” is simply someone you
strongly disagree with, and the concept of
“sound science” is used consistently to
indicate the use of science that is biased
on behalf of industry.
One identifying mark of scientism is
that it controls the answers it gives by first
controlling the questions that are being
asked. It is now very clear that we are
6
involved in an epic struggle to recover the
questions that have been obscured in our
big box research institutions. In fact, I am
convinced that the struggle for food sov-
ereignty and the research that will get us
there is rapidly becoming the major civil
rights struggle of our time.
But as a struggle, it’s also becoming
clear that there is another side out there
fighting against us every step of the way.
The food labeling issue has at least served
to expose the unholy alliance that has
occurred between some factions within
government, industry and the scientific
community. The aim of this alliance is to
control the food system for the relatively
short term gain of its members, and their
strategy is to “divide and conquer” those
other groups, such as ourselves, who have
the longer term aims of preserving our
farms, saving the Earth and maximizing
the quality of life for all humankind.
We know for instance that a principle
goal of this alliance is to redefine the con-
cept of “sustainability” as it relates to agri-
culture, essentially requiring the use of
the latest technology for a farming opera-
tion to be considered sustainable. We also
suspect that the next step would be to
pick apart the National Organic Program
and the organic movement in general to
the point where the term “organic” loses
its meaning and becomes irrelevant to
farmers and consumers alike…as though
we don’t already see evidence of this hap-
pening. Ultimately, however, it is the
Local Food Movement that represents
the greatest threat to the Agricultural-
Industrial Complex, because you can
never reproduce a true local food system
on an industrial scale.
In order that we never again get
caught flatfooted on issues of importance
to our members and our mission, we are
joining with some close partners today to
form a new coalition of our own for the
promotion of local, organic and sustain-
able food and farming systems here in
Pennsylvania, and possibly beyond. Join-
ing me in forming this coalition will be
representatives from Pennsylvania Certi-
fied Organic, the FoodRoutes Network,
White Dog Community Enterprises and
The Rodale Institute.
In all, we hope to connect through
this alliance with thousands of people
who understand the value of high quality,
continued on page 12
PASA Board Perspective
Laws of Nature,
Laws of Man
By Kim Seeley, Board President
Have you studied a sunrise lately? This
morning, the color was infinitely precise
and woke up a countryside that was
enjoying 50 degree winter weather.
Unfortunately the only blemishes were
the jet streams created by man.
Man’s impact leaves a mark every-
where we turn these days, sometimes
good and sometimes just plain disgusting
(from antibiotic resistant MRSA, to
Colony Collapse Disorder, and even the
continued decline of the Chesapeake Bay
and other watersheds). If man’s technolo-
gy is so foolproof, scientifically proven
and positive, as well as methodically
reviewed and approved, why do we still
struggle with impending environmental
collapse?
Laws of nature are being broken daily.
In 1976 my family’s barn was hit by
lightning during a fast moving thunder-
storm. We were actually in the barn and
were fortunate to move all the animals
out to pasture, as we watched years of
work go up in flames.
The few weeks following the fire were
consumed by decisions about the kind of
structure to rebuild in its place. These
events were happening in the ‘70s, when
the new farm model was encouraging
centralization and concentration of ani-
mals in large, efficient, mostly metal
buildings.
As a sophomore in college at the time,
I clearly saw my future in dairying and
proudly grabbed all the technology avail-
able to help design what would become
my lifelong future. What my family did-
n’t realize was that all the shiny new
“stuff ” wasn’t built for longevity. Our
super steel structure would prove to be
fire proof, but not rust proof like our
native wood buildings.
Our feeding equipment would need
to be rebuilt in less than five years
because of the abrasiveness and acidity of
our total mixed ration (TMR). Our milk-
ing system would need to be “modified”
because of the design of both milk flow
and pulsation. The more serious problem
yet to be diagnosed was herd health and
longevity.
All of these things were extremely
challenging and frustrating, considering
we had invested in the latest technology
and yet none of it had even depreciated.
Our family had an act of nature throw us
a curve ball and we had humanly swung
at it without ever addressing the laws of
nature.
For years after our fire we were pro-
ducing milk in a chase for volume instead
of nutrient density. After all that is what
we were being paid for. Where would
Milky Way Farms be today if we had
PASA to turn to at that time? The by-
products of animals (meat and milk)
managed against the laws of natural sci-
ence are causing serious economic, envi-
ronmental and nutritional problems that
all of us need to help solve.
The laws and science of nature, not to
be confused with the laws and science of
man need to be respected.
I still see dairy farmers being encour-
aged to add more technology as a way out
of the current dairy crisis. Massive farm
debt is as insidious as poor animal nutri-
tion. Anyone looking for advice and is
currently being wooed by non-sustain-
able lending experts, should be encour-
aged to visit PASA farmers who readily
share their farm successes and failures.
Since joining PASA, I try to search for
sustainable solutions to things I do every
day on the farm and in life. I look for nat-
ural teachings, which to an open mind,
are all around us. These ideas come when
sometimes I least expect them.
Daily stress can sometimes cloud our
objectivity. Under calmer conditions, the
7
quiet voice in our head guides us to
enhanced vision and problem solving.
This mindset only can be achieved by
reading, listening and sharing with the
brilliance among us.
Over the years the PASA conference
has continually brought us the brightest
stars in the form of keynote and work-
shop speakers. This year was no excep-
tion. In my daily life, it is not uncommon
to remember and reflect on these various
presentations and bring the knowledge to
reality in the work I do. Our farm today
is an ongoing research and development
experiment based on sustainable practices
we have learned from others and discov-
ered with nature’s help.
As I write this column, the proposed
milk labeling change by Pennsylvania leg-
islators and dubious lobbyists has been
rescinded. What a victory for free speech
and the democratic process. It is impor-
tant to voice our opinions through PASA
when it comes to rulings and propaganda
that may be for the gain of some but not
all of mankind. I am so proud of the
response from members voicing the need
for truth, transparency and democracy.
Keep it up!
We are all tiring of hearing the con-
tinuous sound bites that the corporate
machine creates. “You are being emotion-
al not scientific, your technology tool bag
is being taken away by misinformed con-
sumers, the FDA and USDA allow it so it
is 100% safe.” The technology industry
and its supporters are intentionally leav-
ing out the most important rule —
nature and the laws and science of it.
The growth of PASA and the message
of sustainability advocates around the
world are based on the laws of nature. We
have seen real life case studies and testi-
monials that have occurred in front of
our own eyes, on our farms, as we chal-
lenge the laws of man.
Nature, as the morning’s sunrise
reflects, is a wonderful spectacle that no
one can debate. Thank goodness the sun
is the fuel for everyone’s spirit. Thank
goodness that all of you aspire and work
to produce and process food that is the
best it can be for our children’s spirit.
Thank goodness that all of you support
the work and truth of the PASA family.
Most importantly we must teach our
children to respect the laws of nature and
nature’s science. n
8The Farmers Market Café was a popular alternative
for a healthy snack or light meal. Vending PASA
members provided sandwiches, cheeses & breads,
salads, and other healthy fare, including raw milk!

Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) supported the conference in a big way with both a Patron of Sustainability
sponsorship and bringing sixteen representatives to the conference. Their creative exhibit booth “Bring Organic
Home” was the perfect backdrop for a group photo.

One item featured in the Live Auction was

“Dinner in your Home” courtesy of Chefs
Mike Ditchfield from Penn College and Willy
Benedetto of the Penn Stater. Both chefs have
an important role in creating the delicious
meals served at the conference.
Grammy nominated artist Adrienne Young and
her band Little Sadie had folks dancing
to their foot-stomping original music after
Thursday’s Winter Picnic.

Participants learned the ins and outs of poul- Jim Amory of the LeRaysville Cheese Factory
try processing at Kathleen and Eli Reiff’s farm (also a Bronze Key Conference Sponsor)
in Mifflinburg, PA during one of Thursday’s demonstrates the art and chemistry of
pre-conference tracks. cheesemaking to an attentive crowd.
 Brian Moyer, PASA board vice president,
was master of ceremonies during the
Friday morning plenary session.
Several PASA members, farms and businesses
donated items that were part of PASA’s annual
Charity Auctions. The auction held in Deans Hall
was also site of the new Photography Exhibit
coordinated by volunteer Donald Gibbon.
The photographs were continuously played
throughout the conference.

Dr. Michael Fox signs copies of his

books following his workshop on the
bioethics of food and agriculture.

The PASA staff took a bow at the closing ceremonies,

to a standing ovation! Pictured here left to right:
(front row) Kristin Leitzel, Carrie Gillespie, Kate Sigler, Brian Snyder,
Michele Gauger, Julie Speicher, Marilyn Anthony
(back row) Brandi Marks, Lisa Diefenbach, Chris Fullerton,
Allison Shauger, Lauren Smith. 9
 Mark McAfee shared a passionate account of his raw milk
activism during the closing keynote address.

Participants in Saturday’s drum circle workshop found their rhythm and

learned to build community through music.

State Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24th) addresses the Friday morning

crowd, telling his story of how he came to know more about sustainable
agriculture and why he thinks it is applicable in making Pennsylvania a
better place for its citizens. The senator drew a cheer for talking about
getting wholesome, locally grown food into the public schools.

Sharing the bounty of our regional foods is always a highlight at the conference, be it at the Chef Ken Stout carved
social hour (pictured here), the special cheese tasting, or the featured meals. A complete list of the grass-fed Steam
farms and businesses that participated in the food program will be in the March/April Passages. ship Rounds of beef
at the Thursday Winter
Picnic. The beef was
donated by Bakewell
and enjoyed
very much.

The Farmland Preservation Artists

held a show of their food and farmland
art during the conference, with a percentage
of sales benefiting PASA. Their beautiful show
was a delight to browsers and shoppers alike.
 Yvonne Post, Denise Sheehan and David Kline
demonstrate ways of incorporating healthy eating
as well as nutritious food production and
preparation into school curricula.

A popular exhibitor for over a decade,

Paul Goland of Hardscrabble Enterprises,
(Franklin, West Virginia) sold a wide vari-
ety of mushroom related products
including the shiitake logs shown here.

Over 60 children ages, 18 months to 12 years old, participated

in the Future Farmers’ Program. PASA thanks Jill Shankel of
Munnell Run Farm and the Penn State Sustainable Agriculture
club for their efforts to offer engaging programming.

At the conference, PASA announced the formation of a coalition among

representatives of White Dog Community Enterprises, Pennsylvania Certified
Organic, FoodRoutes Network and The Rodale Institute to help promote
local, organic and sustainable food and farming systems in Pennsylvania.
We hope to connect through this alliance with thousands of people who
understand the value of high quality, nutritious food coming from sustain-
able farms, produced and served in the convenience of their own communi- The “PASA Mercantile” was a great place to shop for gifts and
ties. Pictured left to right: Brian Snyder, PASA; Andrew Altman, White Dog support the organization. Attendees welcomed newly devel-
Tim Schlitzer,
Community Enterprises; Leslie FoodRoutes;Certified
Zuck, Pennsylvania Leslie Zuck, Pennsylvania
Organic; Tim oped and designed merchandise, such as fleece vests, thermal
Certified Organic;
Schlitzer, FoodRoutesandand
JudyJudy
Wicks, White
Wicks, DogDog
White Community
CommunityEnterprises.
Enterprises. mugs and totes, cheese kits and more!

PASA’s Consumer Outreach efforts included hosting a Buy Fresh Buy

Local (BFBL) booth at the conference. Consumer Outreach Director,
Chris Fullerton and several volunteers from Pennsylvania’s BFBL
chapters distributed information on how to join regional chapters
and more. See page 13 of this newsletter for further details.
11
Fundraising Update
Our Successful Haymow
Thanks to ALL!
WE DID IT!
$193,498
DEC 31

$185,000 — Our goal

—
—
—
$153,047
$150,000 — NOV 16

—
—
—
$109,747 —
SEPT 27
$100,000 —
$92,000
— JULY 15
$85,691
MAY 15
—
—
— $58,467
MARCH 15
$50,000 —
—

Illustration courtesy of Phyllis Kipp

—
—
—
0—

By Mena Hautau, Board Fundraising Chair

Greetings members and supporters! The PASA haymow is stacked to the barn Director’s Corner
rafters and then some! As we brought in the last of our 2007 hay crop, we gathered
continued from page 6
extra winter stores represented here in our Annual Fund meter as wrapped baleage.
Our goal of $185,000 was surpassed as we reached a “final harvest” of $193,498. We nutritious food coming from sus-
would like to thank everyone who helped and participated! tainable farms, produced and served
We empathize with those of you who had a hay shortage this year. However, in in the convenience of their own
the mythical land of the PASA hay harvest, we owe a great deal of thanks to the good communities. They will not fall eas-
weather and fortitude of our hay farmers, those of you participated in writing letters, ily for the more profane, self-indul-
making calls, joining in fundraising dinners or contributing to our benefit events and gent intentions of scientism or the
auctions. In the late fall, a very generous challenge gift of $15,000 from Lady Moon agricultural-industrial complex, but
Farms enabled our board and staff to reach out to members and friends in seeking will respond heartily to the dream
the final dollars needed. Over 120 donors came together to help us reach our goal, of sustainability for our farms and
by participating with a matching gift. the communities in which they are
So, there you have it. Be grateful for the earth that gives us her harvest. Be grate- situated…which is a sacred trust we
ful for our membership who cares deeply about keeping the organization viable, so must never betray, except at our
that good works can continue. n own peril. n
Editor’s Note: The 2008 Fundraising Campaign kicks off in the March/April issue.

12
Consumer News
Eaters of Pennsylvania, Fire Up Your Browsers!
A major overhaul of www.buylocalpa.org will give PA consumers new tools for local eating.
By Chris Fullerton, Director of Consumer Outreach
Consumer research during the past six months on how PASA can step up its
outreach to the non-farming public has provided us with a clear goal: we need
to enhance our online presence for the Buy Fresh Buy Local (BFBL) program,
which helps people connect to nearby sources for local food. Thanks to funding
from the Henry A. Wallace Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Winrock Inter-
national, PASA has the resources to begin meeting this challenge, and to work
on other ways to expand our BFBL programming. For the vast majority of Penn-
sylvanians, eating is the only opportunity they have to be “involved” in agricul-
ture. PASA intends to increase our efforts to connect and communicate with
consumers about their food choices.
Consumers hear more and more bakers, bed & breakfasts, and other busi-
about the nutritional, environmental, nesses that sell locally grown products.
economic and social benefits of eating But the website does have limitations.
local food that is produced in a responsi- For instance: it is not easy for a family to
ble manner. But in this age of informa- find a CSA with a drop-off location near
tion overload, what consumers want their home, because CSA farms are listed
most is exactly what PASA can offer, by farm location, not service areas.
advice on finding the best foods available Another challenge is keeping the
in their region. For most people, thinking information fresh. Currently there is no
about food starts with a shopping list! system for regularly updating entries in
Since 2005, the www.buylocalpa.org the online local food guide to make sure
website has been a useful resource. The they remain accurate. Clearly, we need to
site features background information on address these weaknesses. Our goal is to
the benefits of eating local as well as cal- create the most comprehensive, reliable,
endar listings for local food events, but user-friendly source for local food infor-
the main feature is an online local food mation in the state or perhaps anywhere.
guide. This search engine allows con-
sumers to find family farms including An “Angie’s List” for Local Food?
Community Supported Agriculture The Internet has made it possible for
(CSA) and u-pick farms, farmers’ mar- people to quickly find and share all kinds
kets, restaurants, grocers, caterers and of information. Some of the most suc-
cessful websites are those
that act as guides for con-
sumers by collecting and
organizing “reviews.”
Zagat does this with
restaurants and Angie’s
List does this for home
servicing companies.
Why can’t we do the
same for local food? By
offering opportunities
for consumers to rate and
comment on local food
sources at www.buylocal-
pa.org, our online food
guide will become a
much richer and more
interesting resource. And
13
we can also tap web-users to help us keep
information up to date and accurate —
it’s just a matter of creating the right tools
that are easy to use.
Using a request for reviews to turn a
one-way website into an interactive com-
munity is one example of “social net-
working” on the web. But we don’t have
to stop with ratings. Consumers will also
be able to build a personal portfolio of
their favorite local foods, markets, farms
and restaurants; respond to surveys on
various topics; and connect with other
local consumers to share information and
cooperate on local food shopping, cook-
ing and/or gardening. While basic search-
es and information will remain
free-of-charge to the general public, some
of these new services will be available on
the site only for auxiliary “consumer
members” of PASA.
A Sustainable Local
Food System — it takes a Village!
PASA, for all it has grown, is still tiny
when you consider the breadth of our
vision for a more sustainable food system.
An upgraded BFBL website will help us
build a network of informed eaters across
the state who will be additional eyes and
ears and hands and feet (and let’s not for-
get “mouths”) of our movement.
When consumers who have only
recently begun to think about their food
choices are ready to take the next step, we
want to provide them not just with infor-
mation, but also with a community. An
interactive website will allow those who
are already experts in local food to serve
as “trusted guides” to those who are new
to the search. We can’t forget that for
many people, CSAs are a new idea. Or
those long-time grocery store shoppers
might need a little handholding before
they make their first visit to an outdoor,
seasonal market.
But even existing “local food loyalists”
should benefit from the new web tools we
have in mind. If a family wants a differ-
ent choice for milk than currently offered
by their local grocery store, we will help
them connect to other like-minded fami-
continued on page 21
Buseiness Member Profile
What is unique about your business?
Jenn and Steve Kurian of
Wild for Salmon created
We’re unique in that my wife and I go up
the business to provide and fish and bring back the wild Alaskan
natural, sustainably Sockeye salmon to local consumers.We try
harvested salmon to bring back enough so people have it all
products of year ‘round, as we sell it at local farmers’
superior quality, markets and through orders.
priced for the
common good. Why did you join PASA?
We sell a lot of product to people tied to
PASA. We became aware of the Buy Fresh
Buy Local campaign and became interest-
ed in that concept. We are interested in
and supportive of small farms. PASA is an
“alert market” with a very focused audi-
ence and they’ve been very supportive of
what we do.

How has your membership been a bene-

fit to your business?
We had a booth at the conference and
when we were there word spread around
the PASA “web.” We’ve done networking
and have learned a lot, on a personal scale
and with the Buy Fresh Buy Local and
organic campaigns.

What does the term “sustainable” mean

to you and how do you incorporate that
Go Wild for Salmon into you business?
Bristol Bay Sockeye fishery is one of the
best managed in the world. Others haven’t
By Gayle Morrow done so well. With Alaska being so rural
Imagine a wild grilled Sockeye salmon filet, topped with a sauce of creamy dill and remote, man hasn’t had a chance to
or lemony white wine and garlic. Now imagine you can get that salmon filet here, damage it. It’s been doing extremely well
in Pennsylvania, and that it has that “direct from the boat” flavor. on account [of fish] being harvested from
You don’t have to use your imagination anymore. All you have to do is call it (Bristol Bay earned commendation from
Jenn or Steve Kurian at Wild for Salmon and that Sockeye The Marine Stewardship Council). As a
filet can be on our table. marketer I feel confident in the sustainabil-
It was a trip to Alaska that “spawned” the Blooms- ity of the runs. There are ups and downs,
burg couple’s business. They traveled there about but I think long-term it will stay strong.
five years ago to do some commercial fishing with a What do you see as some of the critical
friend, and came home with salmon for other issues facing ag an ag-related business
friends and family to try. To say it was popular is a today?
bit of an understatement. The most critical issues for our business is
“It went like wildfire,” says Steve Kurian. world population growth and global
So they decided to buy their own boat. warming, if it is happening. Both issues will
Now, says Kurian, “This is becoming a full-time operation.” have negative influences on the salmon
The Kurians fish out of the Bristol Bay fishery, using their 32-foot boat with population. There are problems with an
a four-person crew — Steve (the skipper), Jenn and two deckhands — and is out environment that is changing, for instance,
four to five weeks during the June and July salmon spawn. “There is usually a permafrost is melting and putting more
week of work on the boat first,” reports Kurian. He explains that the fish they sediment in the streams.
catch are kept in refrigerated holds on the boat. Then the salmon are periodical-
What do you see as the connection
ly transferred to another boat, which takes them to the processing facility where
between sustainable agriculture and
they are filleted, flash-frozen and vacuum sealed. From there the packaged salmon the consumer?
go on a barge to Seattle and are then trucked east. The consumer gets to vote with their dol-
“There are five rivers we can fish,” Kurian says. “We see whales, sea otters, lar. As more people become aware, they
bears and all kinds of great birds.” get to come to the farmer or the wild
For more information about Wild for Salmon or to order, visit www.wild- salmon fisherman and know they are get-
forsalmon.com or call 570-387-0550. Then fire up the grill! n ting a good product that supports the
environment.

14
Regional Marketing
WESTERN REGION
Regional Food Infrastructure Network Project
By David Eson, Western Program Director
During my first two years at PASA,
many farmers, food businesses, and con-
sumers talked about the lack of markets
for their products, need for organized
transportation to ship and receive local
products, and the inability to find local
products at area stores and restaurants. In
January 2005, a group of PASA members
in the western region came up with a plan
to begin to address these problems and
find potential solutions.
That plan was to determine the feasi-
bility of producing value-added food
product from local farms and selling
those products to consumers in local
markets. This plan would collect a com-
prehensive baseline of information that
could determine what current consumer
demand for food in the 19 counties of
western Pennsylvania totaled, what the
current supply of food produced in the
region totaled, where the food manufac-
turers were located, where farmers were
located in the region who were interested
in selling directly to consumers, and what
local farm products in the region local
consumers were looking for.
At about the same time our plans were
being finalized, the Rendell Administra-
tion announced the initiation of the First
Industries program, a $150 million grant
and loan program aimed at strengthening
Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism
industries. Over the next six months,
PASA’s Western regional office worked
with members and a consultant to draft a
feasibility study proposal for the First
Industries program. The proposal was
submitted to the Pennsylvania Depart-
ment of Community Economic Devel-
opment in July 2005 and a grant was
awarded in September 2005. This plan
is now known as the Regional Food
Infrastructure Network (RFIN) feasi-
bility study.
In October 2005, Tripp Umbach, a
consulting firm that provides customized
marketing research, strategic planning
and economic impact analyses, was con-
tracted to conduct the research and data
analysis for the project. Their work took
place from the fall 2005 until the fall
2007. As of the writing of this article, the
final report will be ready for public pres- trends, current agricultural production,
entation by sprinmg 2008. economic impact and farmer survey
The project was conducted in three information.
phases with the first phase being the n Consumers in Western Pennsylvania
assessment of agricultural production and
— demographics, food purchasing, pref-
economic impact in the region. The sec-
erence, marketing strategies, and con-
ond phase focused on consumers to
sumer survey information.
determine their food purchasing power
and preferences. The final phase looked n Opportunities and Challenges for
into the opportunities and challenges for Western Pennsylvania Agriculture —
western Pennsylvania agriculture. The agribusiness survey information, identi-
phases collected the following informa- fied gaps between farms and consumers,
tion: distribution and processing information,
n The Structure of Agriculture in West- and community focus groups informa-
ern Pennsylvania — geography, historical tion. n
Each phase of research was bundled into reports. The reports created were the Western
Pennsylvania Agriculture Structure Analysis, Regional Assets Assessment, Barriers and
Unmet Needs Assessment, Workforce Assessment and Consumer Market Research. Below
are a few highlights from these reports:
Western Pennsylvania Region
19 Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene,
Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland
3,365,0001 residents hold $108 billion2 in annual purchasing power.
The Region’s Farm Families
17,648 farms, average farm size: 137 acres3
• 89 farms (28% of state) selling $349,000 of organic products, 4% of Pennsylvania’s production
• 1,973 farms sell $13 million of food directly to consumers (1.2% decrease from 1997 to 2002)
Region’s farmers produce $656 million per year4, yet spend $672 million5 to raise it, losing $16
million in production costs each year. This is a total loss of $80 million over the last five years.
This loss is offset by an average of $24 million of federal subsidies6 and $58 million of farm-relat-
ed income7 each year.
The Region’s Consumers
The region’s consumers spend $7.9 billion buying food each year8, an estimated $5.9 billion of
this from outside the region9, while farmers lose $16 million each year selling commodities. Of
the $7.9 billion spent on food, only $13.6 million was spent purchasing directly from farmers.
Farm and Food Economy Summary
Farmers lose $16 million each year producing food commodities, while consumers spend
$5.9 billion buying food from outside the region. Of the $672 million in agricultural production
costs, about 10% is on hired labor. It is assumed that a large percentage of the remaining $600
million in costs (ie. fertilizer, seeds, feed, livestock, petroleum products and other expenses) is
spent on goods from outside the region.
Western Pennsylvania Region: markets for food10
Foods purchased for at-home consumption
Meats, poultry, fish and eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.2 billion
Fruits and Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $841 million
Cereals and bakery products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $723 million
Dairy products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $529 million
“Other” including sweets, fats & oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.3 billion
Foods purchased for consumption outside of the home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.3 billion
continued on page 17
15
Farmer Profile
Heather and Don Minto of Watson Farm have managed the historic property since 1980.
Watson Farm:
Grass-Based Farming by the Sea
By Michele Gauger
While interviewing Don Minto of
Watson Farm in Jamestown, Rhode
Island over the phone, I was wishing I
were able to conduct this interview in
person and see he and his wife, Heather’s
operation, first hand. According to Don,
their current 256-acre property is one of
the oldest, continuously farmed acreages
in the United States, originally cleared by
the Narragansett Tribe practicing slash
and burn agriculture in their production
of corn, squash and beans. When the first
English settled in the region, Conanicut
Island was already in grassland.
The Minto Family has managed the
Watson Farm, owned by Historic New
England, since 1980. Their mission has
been to manage the farm in the most sus-
tainable manner possible and to provide
public access, educational programs and
programs to connect people to the land.
The farm is open three days a week from
June 1 to October 15 to anyone wishing
to hike the property or take a tour or pas-
ture walk along the 3⁄4 mile shoreline.
According to Don “I grew up in sub-
urbia, but we turned our yard into more
vegetable gardens than actual grass.” Don
attended the University of Rhode Island,
where he studied plant and soil science
and also met his wife Heather. They both
had an interest in farming, as Heather
New England and when they first arrived
at what is now Watson Farm, they took
over an existing cattle herd, overgrazed
pasture and poor fencing.
“We had an interest in setting up rota-
tional grazing in order to produce grass-
fed beef and lamb. We set up permanent
high tensile fencing and used portable
fence to subdivide the pastures. We
worked progressively to raise the pH of
the pastures from 4.5 to 6.8 using lime
and farm-made compost was applied to
about 26 acres per year. We are still con-
tinuously improving our pastures by no-
till seeding legumes and grasses, utilizing
foliar applications of fish oil, trace miner-
als and soil amendments.
Over the years it became evident that
proper genetics were essential for produc-
ing quality grass-fed beef. Today red
Devon is their breed of choice due to
their breed’s docility, tenderness, intra-
muscular marbling and the ability to fin-
ish extremely well on grass alone. Watson
Farm is now home to about 90 head of
was studying historic textiles and wanted red Devon cattle for seed stock sales as
to eventually raise sheep. well as for the local market.
Don and Heather leased a few farms The Watson Farm also produces wool
and around 1979 began looking for their and lamb from their 50 Romney cross
own. However the cost of land made this ewes. The Mintos market their own wool
dream out of their reach. Luckily they as the “Conanicut Island Blanket” and
formed the partnership with Historic continued on next page
Interview with Don Minto
What do you see as some of the critical issues concerning agriculture today?
Some of the important issues for us are the problems with the industrial model of
agriculture and the health of our food system. In addition, the collapse of the agri-
cultural infrastructure particularly the USDA livestock processing plant issue and
the high cost of fuel.
What is unique about your farm?
Watson Farm has a rich agrarian past with the land being used continuously for
agriculture for over 2,000 years.
This 265-acre, seaside farm was bequeathed to Historic New England, www.his-
toricnewengland.org, a preservation organization in 1980 to be preserved in per-
petuity as a working farm with public access and educational programming.
How has your operation evolved?
In 1980 we began our enterprise with the goal of managing the grasslands for pro-
duction of high quality grass-based beef and lamb and marketing it to the local
community.Today we have evolved to raising Red Devon cattle of the right type for
breeding stock marketed to other grass farmers and market fifteen head per year
direct to consumers at the Coastal Growers Farmers’ Market.
Why did you join PASA?
Our philosophy has always been to “learn by doing.” We joined PASA and started
attending conferences in the early 1990’s for the quality and content of the work-
shops offered, networking, and the comradery of like-minded farmers.
16
 Regional Food Infrastructure… Marketing Local Products to Regional Consumers12
• Consumers most often shop at and would be most interested in buy-
continued from page 15 ing locally grown food from regular grocery stores and farmers’
markets
Consumer Preferences and Perspectives on Local Products11
• Consumers get most of their information about food products from
• Top three qualities consumers look for: safety, freshness and taste
in-store signs and newspapers
• 61% intentionally seek out local products. Of those:
• 57% of consumers would pay 5–10% more for locally grown or pro-
93% have purchased local vegetables duced food
38% have purchased local beef
• 81% would be likely to buy a product with the Buy Fresh Buy Local
90% have purchased local fruit
label on it versus a commercial/nationally branded product.
30% have purchased local cheese
• The top three reasons for buying local are its fresher, supports the
A final report of the RFIN project’s findings is available by contact-
local economy and tastes better.
ing the PASA Western Regional Office, 412-697-0411.
• For those that don’t seek out local food products, the top three rea-
Notes:
sons for not buying locally are: Access/availability, labeling/adver- 1 US Census 2002, estimates for 2005.
tising and convenience/location 2 Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts, Calculated from personal
income data from 2004 available for each county.
• If available… 3 All of the following data is calculated from county data from the 2002 US Census of Agri-
98% would buy local fruit cultural
4 Average taken over the years 2000 to 2004, from Cash Receipts from Marketing data from
84% would buy local chicken
the Bureau of Economic Analysis, www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis/.
98% would buy local vegetables 5 Average taken over the years 2000 to 2004, from the Total Production Expenses data from
82% would buy local beef the Bureau of Economic Analysis, www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis/.
6 Average taken over the years 2000 to2004, from the Government Payments data from the
87% would buy local cheese
Bureau of Economic Analysis, www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis/.
79% would buy local pork 7 Average taken over the years 2000 to 2004, from the Imputed and Miscellaneous income
• There is a higher demand for local meat (beef and pork) and dairy received data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis/. This
includes imputed income such as value of home consumption, and other farm related
products in rural communities and higher demand for local fruits and
income components such as machine hire and custom work income, rental income and
vegetables in urban communities income from forest products.
• There is a higher demand for local products versus organic products 8 This number is calculated using the Average Annual Food Expenditures per Consumer Unit
(2.4 people on average per unit) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1999–2000 Northeast
• There is a demand for local value-added products such as jams, Region Consumer Expenditure Survey multiplied by the number of households (2.48 peo-
syrups and salsas. ple on average per household) in Western PA from the US Census 2000
9 Using the same percentage (75%) used by Ken Meter, Crossroads Resource Center, Black
• Only 17% of consumers have concerns about buying local products, Hawk County (Iowa) Region’s Food and Farm Economy.
the greatest of which is safety/health/pesticides/preparation. 10 These numbers are calculated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1999–2000 Northeast
Region Consumer Expenditure Survey as above in Footnote 8.
• 69% consider “local” to be within 100 miles or less of the point of 11 From PASA’s Regional Food Infrastructure Network 2006 Consumer Survey.
purchase. 12 From PASA’s Regional Food Infrastructure Network 2006 Consumer Survey.

Watson Farm For more information on Watson Farm, contact Heather and
Don Minto at 401-423-0005, watsonfarm1796@yahoo.com.
continued from previous page Editor’s Note: The Mintos were part of the Thursday Pre-Confer-
through the statewide “Rhody Warm Blanket” initiative. ence track at the PASA conference entitled “Grass-fed, Grass-finished
“Our biggest challenge right now is to find a suitable Beef.” To order recordings of that workshop contact Cocalico Audio
USDA processor,” said Don. “We have been able to develop a at 717-336-4179.
wonderful customer base and sell at a local farmers’ market but
we have to haul cattle 6 or 8 hours to get them processed.” ADVERTISEMENT
Don mentioned that about four years ago he acquired a permit
from the Rhode Island Department of Health to sell meats Hungry Parasites,
direct to the consumer at their farmers’ market. They were the
first farmers in Rhode Island to get such a permit, although Predators on Patrol
other farmers were still selling “under the radar.” Don reports Use Biocontrol in the Field to Control:
that today there are about five other producers in the state that Corn Borer, Mexican Bean Beetle, Manure Flies
also have this type of permit. Use Biocontrol in the Greenhouse to Control:
“Currently we sell about 15 head of cattle during the farm- Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Thrips, Fungus Gnats
ers’ market season and one whole lamb per week at our market
which runs May–November” continued Don. We also provide IPM Laboratories, Inc.
customers with whole lambs and 30 lb. portion packs of grass- www.ipmlabs.com • ipmlabs@baldcom.net
fed beef during the winter months. Shortening the distance Phone: (315) 497-2063
between the farm gate and the dinner table has been their pri-
mary goal for keeping the farm and community sustainable. n
Healthy Beneficials Guaranteed

17
Regional Marketing News
SOUTHEAST REGION
Down to Earth Exhibit A Success for the
Chester Co. Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign
By Claire Murray, PASA member
This fall I had the pleasure of helping
to coordinate the second annual Down to
Earth Exhibit with curator and potter,
Lyla Kaplan. The exhibit was held at The
Art Scene in West Chester, PA and ran
November 9th–December 8th.
The mission of the Down to Earth
Exhibit is to display functional art that
enhances the culinary experience, to cele-
brate the intrinsic value of eating locally
grown food using handmade art, and to
build community by introducing visitors
to their local farmers and regional artists.
The juried show featured work from
sixteen functional potters displayed on
the creations of seven fine furniture mak-
ers — a “triptych” of food, vessel and
foundation. In addition to the artworks,
this unique exhibition featured four spe-
cial events that highlighted the relation-
ship between food, farming, and art.
My role in the exhibition was to help
create the four special events, and I
approached each as an opportunity to
have attendees leave with a deeper appre-
ciation for the beauty of functional art, as
well as an awareness of the importance of
a thriving local, sustainable food system
to a strong and vital community.
Events included a local food and bev-
erage reception, a documentary filmmak-
er who chronicled his membership at a
Sean Weinberg of Restaurant Alba, Inc. provided
pointers to Luke DeSimone while plating food
samples on plates purchased for the event.
local CSA combined with an evening of
local music and microbrews, a presenta-
tion by a local chef and potter and their
connection to the use of fire, and a
“Empty Bowls” fundraiser for a local
community garden organization.
The overall theme that emerged from
these events was a celebration of connec-
tions — connections between the artists,
farmers, musicians, moviemakers, venue,
and audience. It was wonderful to see vis-
itors holding pottery from which they
were sampling dishes prepared by local
chefs, from food grown by local farmers,
while watching films or listening to
music by local musicians — and in some
cases while standing next to the artist
who had crafted the bowl!
The exhibition was well attended
(with over 1,000 people specifically visit-
ing the Art Scene to see the Down to
Earth Exhibit) and well received — the
positive feedback has been amazing. It
was a success in that it managed to raise
both funds and awareness for the South-
east Pennsylvania Buy Fresh Buy Local
chapter. Thanks to Gwendolyn Yoppolo,
our ceramics juror, expressed it beautiful-
ly when she wrote:
“It has been an honor to jury this
endeavor to form connections between
those who make and celebrate handmade
pots and those who grow and prepare
Cooking for Real’s Denise Sheehan and Yvonne Post provided their vegetarian soup to happy
patrons during the Empty Bowls event. The event raised $2,800 for Community Gardens of Chester
County. Photo by Paul Morgan
18
EVENT SPONSORS
& CONTRIBUTORS
Special Thanks to Sustainer Sponsors:
Kimberton Whole Foods
Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. McNeil
We Greatly Appreciate the
Additional Support from:
5 County Arts Fund
Hugh Lofting Timber Framing
Inverbrook Farm
Chester County Economic Development Council
Cooking for Real
Countryside Consulting
Providing Farms
Birchrun Hills Farm
Charlestown Cooperative CSA
Highland Farm Friesland Sheep
Inverbrook Farm
Maysie’s Farm Conservation Center CSA
Natural By Natural Dairy Products
North Star Orchard
Shellbark Hollow Farm
Swallow Hill Farm
Walt’s Swarmbustin’ Honey
Vollmecke Orchard and CSA
Providing Vineyards, Breweries
& Restaurants
Stargazers Vineyard
Victory Brewing Company
Cafe Menta at The Arts Scene
Restaurant Alba
Talula’s Table
Complete details at downtoearthexhibit.org
food. Through this event, we raise aware-
ness of the centrality of what we eat, how
we eat, and how we engage in communi-
ty life.
Thank you to all the wonderful vol-
unteers, sponsors, artists, musicians, film-
maker, farmers, beer, wine and restaurant
donors, speakers, Café Menta, and our
amazing venue The Art Scene. n
Regional Marketing News
Marilyn Anthony, PASA’s new Southeastern Regional Director, is enjoying visiting various
farms and businesses in the region, including Sam Matthews’ Milky Way Farm in
Chester Springs. (Photo: John Rhodes)
PASA Welcomes Marilyn Anthony
By Michele Gauger
In November, PASA welcomed Mari-
lyn Anthony to the staff to fill the posi-
tion of Southeastern Regional Director.
Born in Allentown, Marilyn grew up in
the Bryn Mawr area. “I didn’t grow up on
a farm, but the development where my
family lived was next to an Angus beef
farm, so I spent a lot of time playing
there,” she said.
After attending Cornell University
and majoring in English Literature, she
earned a Masters degree in teaching from
Brown University. She was working for
an educational consulting company in
Philadelphia when she began a night job
cooking for a restaurant. After that expe-
rience she changed careers and spent the
next couple of decades in the hospitality
business in restaurants, hotels, and a cor-
porate food service company.
In 2005–06 Marilyn had the opportu-
nity to be CEO of the White Dog Café in
Philadelphia. While at the White Dog,
Marilyn began meeting area farmers and
became a member of PASA. She recalled,
“I attended the conference and was just
overwhelmed and energized by the
event.” Since that time, Marilyn’s most
recent venture has been opening a sea-
sonal restaurant designed specifically to
buy products from local farmers.
“Opening the Summerhouse Grill in
Susquehanna County was not only an
opportunity to work with local farmers,
but also a chance to help revitalize the
local economy,” said Anthony. It was her
goal to open the restaurant, have it
become established in the community
and then transition ownership to one of
her project partners, which is currently
underway.
Anthony commented, “The restau-
rant gave me the opportunity to work
directly with local farms. We worked
together to figure out the business issues
like pricing, supply, delivery, and market-
ing. I learned much more about farming
and the farmers learned more about the
restaurant business. I came to believe
chefs and farmers actually have a great
deal in common, though we never want-
ed to change places. Farming seems
incredibly complex and stressful to me,
whether you’re raising livestock or vegeta-
bles, but the farmers felt the restaurant
life would be way too crazy for them.”
When asked why she decided to apply
for the PASA post, she noted, “It was a
wonderful opportunity for me to pro-
mote local living economies, which is a
passion of mine, and also promote agri-
culture as part of the economic vitality of
the area.”
Since beginning her new role with
PASA, Marilyn has been traveling around
the region to meet members and visit
their farm operations. “I have been
amazed by the creativity and resourceful-
ness of the farmers I have met. I’m also
19
grateful for how generous they have been
with their time and resources,” she said.
“I see my role as Southeast Director to
forge closer links with farmers and con-
sumers — focusing on the superior qual-
ity of local food. The most compelling
reason to support local food is the taste,”
said Anthony.
Current projects Marilyn is working
on include member potlucks in Lancast-
er and Berks counties, the formation of a
Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter in the
Greater Lehigh Valley, a field day on
Southeastern Farmers’ Markets on March
15, a Grass Fed-Beef Challenge Cook-off
in August, a Chester County Bike Fresh,
Bike Local event on September 21, and a
major fundraising Celebration of Local
Farms dinner to be held at Longwood
Gardens on September 26.
“I welcome ideas, input and of course
volunteer help from all PASA members
throughout the southeast. If you are
interested in working on any of these
events, or have ideas for additional
efforts, or would like to serve on a region-
al advisory committee, please contact me.
PASA’s greatest strength is in our active,
committed, energetic members willing to
lend time and resources. I welcome your
help to accomplish an improved food sys-
tem and more educated consumers in the
southeast.”
“There is high demand for local foods
in the southeast region and I am very
interested in continuing to increase sup-
ply. We are exploring opportunities for
new and beginning farmers to have access
to agricultural land without necessarily
purchasing it,” she said. She currently is
meeting with land conservancy groups in
the region who may be interested in
opening some tracts of land for agricul-
ture. Marilyn wants to pursue some proj-
ects with 4-H or FFA groups in a pilot
program to encourage students to raise
specific livestock for an alliance of restau-
rant chefs.
Marilyn lives in Montgomery County
with her husband John, who owns MAJA
Recording Studio and Red Hill Pottery,
and their rescued pit bull named Kaki
who is all bark, no bite. n
Editor’s Note: Contact Marilyn at 737
Constitution Avenue, Exton PA 19341,
610-458-5700 x 305 or marilyn@pasa-
farming.org.
 Membership Notes
Membership News
VOLUNTEERS
n Changes at PASA
PASA staff and board would like to thank these dedicated
group of volunteers who helped staff our informational
booth at the recent PA Farm Show in Harrisburg: Earlier this year, PASA’s Western Regional Program
Betsy Albright Cameron Kelley Director, David Eson announced his intentions to leave his
position after over 5 years of service to the organization. All
Lee Bixler Amy Leber
of us at PASA want to thank David for his dedication
Wendy Briggs Sue & Tom Maurer and wish he and his family well in the future. At the time
Holly Cadwallader Patti Olenick of printing a search is currently underway for a new West-
Jason Collins Dave Palmer ern Regional Director, as well as Associate positions in
Tina & Clark Craumer Jo-an Rechtin PASA’s Consumer Outreach and Educational Outreach
Chrissie Dewey Linda Singley Departments.
Barbara & Charlie Gerlach Jessica Stought n Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership!
Liz Hunsberger Ann Schwar PASA members who have not done so already, don’t forget
Carl Hursh Randy Treichler to renew your membership for the 2008 year. To make this
Cynthia Iberg Roz & Jim Yannaccone process easier, a personalized form was mailed in November
and a second mailing the end of February. You can also
renew via our website at www.pasafarming.org. Thank you!
BUSINESS MEMBERS
PASA Staff and Board would like to welcome our newest n PASA Board of Directors Elections
business members as of February 1st:
At the time of publishing, absentee balloting was underway
Bethlehem Farm Innovative Farmers of Ohio for the 2008 PASA Board of Directors election. Ballots
Pence Springs, WV Richwood, OH were to be postmarked by March 8 in order to be counted
Eating Fresh Publications Leidy’s Pork Products in the election tally. An announcement of the winners will
Princeton, NJ Souderton, PA be made in the March/April issue of Passages.
Farm in the Hollow Lower Eastern Shore
Mifflinburg, PA Sustainable Organic Network
ADVERTISEMENT
FRESHFARM Markets (LESSON)
Washington DC Quantico, MD
Greenmarket Sustainable Lancaster
New York, NY Lancaster, PA
Griffis Lumber Turner Dairy Farms
Friendsville, PA Pittsburgh, PA

LIFETIME MEMBERS
PASA Staff and Board would like to welcome our newest life-
time members as of February 1st:
Kat Alden William Heasom
Bill Torretti Down to Earth Design
Spring Mills, PA Quakertown, PA
Val & Scott Alexander John & Sukey Jamison
Back Forty Farm Jamison Farm
McConnellsburg, PA Latrobe, PA

Debby & Larry Bright Amos King Family

Bright Farm Lititz, PA
Floyd, VA Charis Lindrooth
Michael Ahlert
Hope & Roy Brubaker
Red Earth Farm
Village Acres
Orwigsburg PA
Mifflintown, PA
Beth & Ken Marshall
Kristin Curtis Family Next Life Farm
Journey’s End Farm Homer City, PA
Newfoundland, PA
Rolanda Ritzman
Martha Gallagher Gary Kendall
Boalsburg, PA New Berlin, PA
Mel Gehman Lucy & Rob Wood
LeValle Egg Farm Spoutwood Farm CSA
Annville, PA Glen Rock, PA

20
Fire Up Your Browsers!
continued from page 13

lies nearby to organize a “reverse milk

route.” If someone wants to buy a whole
hog but doesn’t have the freezer space,
they can find a “meat mate” or two
online. Don’t want to spend all day can-
ning tomatoes yourself? Use the website
to send invites for a “preservation party.”
Because most folks in our PASA com-
munity can already be considered “local
food experts” in their regions, we will
jumpstart our new online program by
offering current PASA members free
online access to these new interactive fea-
tures when they become ready later this
spring (if you have an email address,
watch your inbox!). PASA has always
derived a lot of its strength from grass-
roots organizing and local networking;
our hope is that our members will help
accelerate the reconstruction of local food
systems across the state with these new
online tools!
The Web is Just
One Piece of the Puzzle…
While upgrading buylocalpa.org is
important, rest assured that we will also
be working on plenty of reasons for folks
to get up from their desks and go eat
something delicious! Our eight active and
growing Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters
across the state (see sidebar) will continue
to be the organizing points for much of
our consumer outreach, such as distribut-
ing local food guides and organizing local
events (including regional Local Food
Weeks). As we build on a solid five-year
track record of BFBL programming, our
expectation is that our new web-based
community building will help revitalize
and expand this work, which depends
largely on the contributions of local vol-
unteers, market partners and other
organizations.
We know that one of the best
resources you can have as a farmer is a
network of informed, committed, pas-
sionate and connected customers. We’re
hoping to raise a bumper crop in the
years ahead! n
For more information about PASA’s
consumer outreach initiatives, contact
Chris Fullerton, chris@pasafarming.org or
412-246-0990.
Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapters in PA
The goal of PASA’s Buy Fresh Buy Local (BFBL) programming is to make it easier for
Pennsylvania consumers to find, choose and appreciate great local foods…and to sup-
port the farmers and lands which produce them.
n Philadelphia
Chapter Coordinator:
Andrew Altman,
White Dog Community Enterprises
andrewaltman@whitedog.com
or 215-386-5211
n Lancaster County
Chapter Coordinator:
Linda Aleci, Local Economy Center,
F&M College
linda.aleci@fandm.edu or 717-291-4293
n Chester County
Chapter Coordinator:
Claire Murray, Inverbrook Farm
claire@inverbrook.com or 610-563-3116
n South Central PA
[Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cumber-
land, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Lebanon, Perry & York Counties]
Chapter Coordinator:
Susan Richards, Capital RC&D
susan.richards@rcdnet.net or 717-724-0009
n Centre County
Chapter Coordinator: Volunteer Needed!
Contact Chris Fullerton (see at right) if inter-
ested.
n Valleys of the Susquehanna
[Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata,
Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumber-
land, Snyder and Union]
Chapter Coordinator:
Trish Carothers, SEDA-COG
tcarothers@seda-cog.org or 570-522-7259
n Northern Tier
[Bradford, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna,
Tioga and Wyoming]
Chapter Coordinator:
Ruth Tonachel, N.T. Cultural Alliance
tonachel@epix.net or 570-268-4093
n Western Pennsylvania
[Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler,
Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest,
Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence,
Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren,
Washington and Westmoreland]
Chapter Coordinator: Volunteer Needed!
Contact Chris Fullerton (see below) if
interested.
n Statewide BFBL Coordination
Chris Fullerton, PASA Consumer Outreach
chris@pasafarming.org or 412-246-0990
Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters in Pennsylvania
are coordinated by PASA, on behalf of our
national partner, FoodRoutes Network
(www.foodroutes.org). To explore your
region’s food system further, hear about
upcoming events and find more ways to get
involved, please visit our website —
www.buylocalpa.org — or contact one of
the folks listed above.
Our work is made possible in part by fund-
ing from the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture and by contributions from indi-
viduals and businesses throughout the
state.

21
On-Farm Research
Cover Crop Combinations
at Varying Seeding Rates and
Subsequent Cash Crop Yields
In September 2006 the PASA/Penn
State On-Farm Research Program part-
nered with PASA member Steve Misera,
of Misera’s Organic Farm in Butler (But-
ler Co.) Pennsylvania. Steve’s interest in
on-farm research was to learn how to uti-
lize cover crops to provide nitrogen to
subsequent cash crops grown on his
diverse farm. Steve and his family have
been farming since 1998 and have been
at their current farm since 2000. They
raise organic chickens, eggs, corn, soy-
beans, wheat, oats and hay, and are work-
ing on obtaining certification for their
new beef operation. Steve sells his prod-
ucts to individuals, restaurants, CSA’s
and at a Pittsburgh farmers’ market.
Visits with numerous farmers in
Pennsylvania have revealed many are not
aggressively managing their cover crop
programs. While many producers incor-
porate cover crops into production sys-
tems, there is still important education to
be done concerning the management of
these valuable crops. Improved manage-
ment of cover crops may result in large
impacts on weed population dynamics,
soil quality, yield of cash crops and ulti-
mately farm sustainability.
Areas for improving cover crop man-
agement include increasing seeding rates,
optimizing the time of seeding and select-
ing better performing species, especially
legumes. Thicker stands of cover crop
should improve weed control through
increased shading of emerging weeds.
Greater cover crop yields will also con-
tribute to increases in soil organic matter
and improvements in soil fertility.
Misera, in conjunction with Penn
The Penn State/PASA
On-Farm Research
Program has been working
with PASA farmers
to improve cover crop
management on their
farms.
State On-Farm Research Coordinator,
Ron Hoover and PASA’s On-Farm
Research Assistant, Michele Gauger was
interested in comparing seeding rates of
five different cover crop combinations for
increases in biomass production, compe-
tition with weed populations and impacts
on subsequent grain crop yields.
The field used at Steve’s farm was
Figure 1. Plot plan for treatments used for on-farm trials
at Misera’s farm in Butler Co., PA.
22
approximately 800 feet long, measuring
1.5 acres and was previously planted in
rye. Lime was also applied to the field at
a rate of two tons/acre. The field was pre-
pared by moldboard plowing and disk-
ing, followed by a single pass with a
cultimulcher. The five cover crop treat-
ments and associated seeding rates of
each species were: Treatment 1 — Rye
alone (172 lbs/ac); Treatment 2 —
Wheat alone (148 lbs/ac); Treatment 3
— Wheat/Oats/Nebraska Hairy Vetch
(74/47/37 lbs/ac); Treatment 4 —
Wheat/Oats/Oregon Hairy Vetch
(74/47/37 lbs/ac); Treatment 5 —
Wheat, Oats/Austrian Winter Pea
(74/47/123 lbs/ac). Seeding rates were
approximately 20% greater than recom-
mended, due to the stiff drive mechanism
of the new grain drill and soft field con-
ditions.
Esch Manufacturing (Lancaster
County, PA) loaned the Penn State On-
Farm Research program a seven-foot
wide no-till grain drill for use in various
on-farm projects. The new machine was
delivered several weeks prior to using it
for this test. Use during this trial was the
first time it was operated in the field. The
stiff drive mechanism combined with the
soft field surface resulted in drive wheel
slippage during calibration. Seed weighed
into and out of the drill enabled the team
to determine actual seeding rates, which
were determined to be about twenty per-
cent greater than recommended or
intended seeding rates.
Each plot was approximately 260 feet
long and fourteen feet wide. The five

Table 2. Corn grain yields following various 2006/07 cover crops
(grain corrected to 15.5% moisture).
Table 3. Cover crop species and seeding rates used for 2007/08
on-farm trials at Misera’s Organic Farm in Butler County, PA.
treatments were replicated three times
each, resulting in a test that included fif-
teen plots. The actual plot plan and ran-
domized block pattern for this on-farm
trial is detailed in Figure 1.
Visual observations during November
2006 indicated the cover crops had estab-
lished well. The density of drilled species
was good in all plots. Hairy vetch had
reached an average height of approxi-
mately 3–4 inches, where the Austrian
winter peas had grown slightly taller by
this time. The hairy vetch also showed
signs of hardening off in the colder
weather. Two sources of rye were drilled
in and around the study and leaf color
differences were easily seen. Along with
color differences, plant density differ-
ences were very obvious. The areas seed-
ed with certified, untreated Aroostock rye
clearly had a greater population of darker
plants than where the variety not stated
locally grown rye was used. Some light
deer grazing pressure was also observed
on the oats.
In May 2007 aboveground biomass
samples were determined when plant
material was clipped at the soil line from
several areas that totaled one square
meter in each plot. The aboveground
material was transported to Penn State
where it was dried and weighed. Data
were subjected to statistical analyses. Fig-
ure 2 details the dry weights of each cover
crop combination. Although rye yields
averaged about 600 pounds per acre
greater than the wheat, the difference was
not statistically significant. However,
average yield from the rye plots was sta-
tistically greater than those from the three
treatments that included either hairy
vetch or Austrian winter pea.
PASA and Penn State worked with
Steve, who hosted a field day on May
15th, 2007, at his farm where partici-
pants learned more about this research
and Steve’s overall production methods
on his farm. Shortly after the field day the
cover crops were destroyed by moldboard
plowing. A disk harrow was used to
smooth the field and corn was planted on
May 30. Rotary hoeing and row cultiva-
tions were completed as necessary and as
the weather permitted. On November 4,
corn plots were harvested with Steve’s
combine, and grain weights were deter-
mined when grain from each plot was
Figure 2. Aboveground biomass dry matter yields for cover crop plots
taken at Misera’s Organic Farm taken May 11, 2007.
23
transferred into a gravity bin that was
parked on four wheel scales. Grain mois-
ture was also determined. Harvested plot
dimensions were recorded and used to
calculate grain yields corrected to 15.5 %
moisture. The treatment averages are pre-
sented in Table 2. While corn yields in
plots that followed a legume cover crop
were numerically greater, the differences
were not statistically significant. This is
likely due to the large variations between
yields from individual plots for a specific
treatment.
A second cover crop trial was begun
during fall 2007. In this trial, rye was
included in all treatments. Also, partially
composted horse manure and from
Steve’s beef herd was also added to the rye
and a rye/oat/hairy vetch treatment to
determine to what extent extra fertility
(especially nitrogen) will increase the
amount of cover crop biomass that will
be grown through spring 2008. Manure
was applied at the rate of 11,000 pounds
per acre. This field previously was in
small grain and later, buckwheat. The
crop residues and manure were plowed in
late August. On September 6, 2007, the
field was seeded with a conventional
grain drill to the cover crops outlined in
Table 3.
The cover crops will be sampled for
dry matter production prior to plowing
and corn planting in the spring of 2008.
Stayed tuned to future newsletters for
updates on this research.
This on-farm research is funded by a
USDA special grant and a Northeast Sus-
tainable Agriculture Research & Education
(NESARE) Partnership Grant. n
Editor’s Corner
The Grapevine
by Michele Gauger
New Book:
Remaking the North
American Food
System: Strategies
for Sustainability
Food and agriculture
are in the news daily.
Stories in the media highlight issues of abun-
dance, deprivation, pleasure, risk, health, com-
munity and identity. Remaking the North
American Food System examines the resur-
gence of interest in rebuilding the links
between agricultural production and food
consumption as a way to overcome some of
the negative implications of industrial and
globalizing trends in the food system.
Written by a diver group of scholars and
practitioners, including Clare Hinrichs, PASA
member and associate professor of rural soci-
ology at Penn State University. ISBN: 978-0-
8032-2438-4, University of Nebraska Press.
Reminder to PASA Farmers to
Update Your Listings
Just a friendly reminder to all PASA farm-
ers to update or add your listings to several
searchable databases available for con-
sumers to find local food sources. Be sure to
check out www.localharvest.org, www.buylo-
calpa.org, agmap.psu.edu, www.newfarm.org
or www.eatwellguide.org to add your farm-
ers’ market, retail business or farm.
Mobile Poultry Processing Unit
Available for Rent in SE PA
From PASA members
Jean Nick & Tom Colbaugh
If you produce birds and process them on
your farm you are officially USDA exempt in
PA (up to 20,000 “bird units” per year; chick-
ens are one bird unit, turkeys are 4) and can
market your birds within PA for any use,
including reselling if you label them properly.
ADVERTISEMENT
24
Producers pick up the trailer and provide
all their own personnel, cold water and elec-
tricity. Rent is $100 a day. Professional Poultry
Man equipment includes a propane fired
automatic rotary scalder, drum plucker that
renders six chickens at a time in seconds.
Contact Jean to reserve a date in 2008 at
ahappyfarm@yahoo.com or 610-306-2796.
Extending CSA Membership
to Low-Income Populations
The PA Nutrition Education Network is
interested in working with CSAs to provide
local food access to low-income consumers.
They are gathering information about the
potential for such a project so they can pur-
sue funding opportunities. Any CSAs that
may be interested in ways to extend their
membership to the low-income population
should contact Linda Kronheim, PA NEN,
717-233-1791.
Publication on Selling
Produce to Restaurants
Selling Produce to Restaurants: A Marketing
Guide for Small Acreage Growers, $12.95
+$3.95 S&H. Book reviews and details are
available at www.greentreenaturals.com or
call Diane at 208-263-8957.
Classified Ads
EMPLOYMENT
APPRENTICES — Hawthorne Valley Farm, a
diversified, Demeter certified Biodynamic farm,
is looking for farm apprentices for the 2008 sea-
son. Please see our website, www.hawthorneval-
leyfarm.org for more detailed information.
Apprentices work with and learn about the
interrelationships between our milking herd of
60 grass-fed cows, twelve-acres of mixed veg-
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Hawthorne Valley Farm, 327 Route 21C, Ghent
NY 12075, www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org.
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR & SALES MAN-
AGER — two positions available at Tuscarora
Organic Growers Cooperative, is one of the
nation’s largest and oldest organic growers
cooperatives. This is an opportunity for you to
directly help small-scale organic farmers stay on
the land. Production Coordinator — Works
directly with Tog’s farmer-members to coordi-
nate production, supply, and delivery to the
coop. Sales Manager –managing sales, customer
relations, customer service, sales staff & data-
base. Send letter of inquiry & resume to: David
Robb-General Manager at david@ tog.coop.
FARM MANAGER — creative, innovative-Hope
Springs Farm, 17-acre organic farm project in
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involve care of small animals and vegetable
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furnished 5-bedroom 3 bath farmhouse. Ideal
for couple. Organic gardening experience pre-
ferred. reply — lex8star@gmail.com, www.hope-
springsfarm.org.
FARMER — Seeking a farmer with experience in
CSA operations and organic farming. This posi-
tion begins in April 2008 and will work in coop-
eration with Pennypack Farm Managers. To
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ORGANIC INSPECTOR — Pennsylvania Certi-
fied Organic, Spring Mills, PA (Centre Co.). All
positions include benefits and involve signifi-
cant fieldwork and travel. This announcement
will remain in effect until the positions are filled.
Electronic submission of application materials is
preferred. Direct inquiries and applications to:
Beckie Lease, PCO Office Manager, 106 School
Street, Suite 201, Spring Mills, PA 16875,
pco@paorganic.org, www.paorganic.org.
CHEF FOOD EDUCATOR — Position open at
Red Fire Farm, a certified organic vegetable farm
in Western MA. The ideal candidate will have a
sincere interest in local agriculture, food,
vegetables, community education, and enjoy
vegetarian cooking. Contact Ryan or Sarah:
redfirefarm@gmail.com, www.redfirefarm.com,
413-467-7645.
FARM MANAGER — Rendezvous Organic Farm,
Crawford CO to oversee daily operations of 15-
acre organic farm. The farm produces a variety
of organically raised produce for direct sale to
the local resort and restaurant community of
Aspen. Please send resume and cover letter to
Adelaide Waters at adelaideok@aol.com or fax
970-925-4678 or mail to Adelaide Waters, PO
Box 8237, Aspen, CO, 81612. Call 970-925-9264
for more information.
PASTURED LIVESTOCK MANAGER — Old
Earth Farm is seeking an individual to continue
the management and development of our
unique livestock operation. Located in the Oley
Valley in Oley, PA, Old Earth Farm is an integrat-
ed livestock and vegetable farm that raises
meats for sale at the Headhouse Square Market
in Philadelphia and vegetables for sale through
our 100-member CSA. Please contact Tom Padu-
ano at 610-779-5051 or at oldearthfarm@com-
cast.net.
HELP WANTED — North Star Orchard, Chester
Co., PA. Expanding retail fruit and vegetable
farm needs a few more good people: 1 Full-time,
year-round & 2 Full-time, seasonal positions
(May through October). Housing a possibility.
Seasonal positions: Opportunity to work and
learn all handwork phases of vegetable and fruit
production. Visit northstarorchard.com or con-
tact Lisa@northstarorchard.com.
GROWERS NEEDED — Grower or Grower cou-
ple needed for 2008 season at the Brook Farm
Project, located in New Paltz, Ulster County, New
York, on a 70 acre demonstration farm, including
a 5 acre organic vegetable farm CSA with 100
members. We are searching for an experienced
individual or couple looking for a multi-year
opportunity. Please contact Dan Guenther by
email at brookfarm@hvi.net or 845-255-1052.
DIRECTOR OF FARM OPERATIONS — Sunny-
side Ventures, LLC, the new owner of Sunnyside
Farm — a diversified and certified organic fruit
and vegetable farm in Rappahannock County,
VA. The Director of Farm Operations will assist
the new owners during a transition period, pro-
viding leadership, vision, and strong manage-
ment for the farm. To obtain a full job
description please contact Shane J. LaBrake,
301-203-8954, sjlabrake@verizon.net.
FARM MANAGER INTERN — Cromwell Valley
CSA is located in the beautiful 350-acre
Cromwell Valley Park within ten minutes of the
cultural and educational opportunities of Tow-
son and Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to the
CSA the park is home to a pair of Percheron draft
horses, a flock of about forty rare breed chick-
ens, a children’s garden, educational programs,
and a summer camp. Contact P.O. Box 9707, Bal-
timore, MD 21284-9707, 410-880-2428, fax 410-
823-5857. Attn: CSA email: cvfarmer@bcpl.net,
www.bcpl.net/~cvpark/csa.html.
25
ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER — Casey Farm is
seeking applicants interested in working on our
organic farm located in Saunderstown, RI. Casey
Farm is a certified organic farm that produces
vegetables, small fruits, herbs, flowers and a
diversified small livestock. Food grown at Casey
Farm is distributed through our 215-member
Community Supported Agriculture program
and through two area farmers’ markets. Please
send resume and cover letter to jobs@historic-
newengland.org, fax to 617-227-9204 or mail to
Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114 attn: Human Resources
www.HistoricNewEngland.org.
ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER — on organic
produce farm in eastern NY. April — Nov, 50
hrs./wk, $8.50/hr., workman’s comp., farm pro-
duce, farm house apt. included. Duties include:
harvest, pack & record keeping, tractor cultiva-
tion, general farm work. Rquires at least 2 sea-
sons farm work including tractor experience,
organized, good communication skills. Spanish
helpful. CRAFT farmer training program avail-
able. Contact Willy Denner, Little Seed Gardens,
Lseed2002@yahoo.com, 518-392-0063.
WINTER CONSULTS AVAILABLE — 25 years of
organic growing & successful restaurant mar-
keting experience in Philadelphia — NY area.
Any grower, any location, guaranteed to make
you more money than consult costs; 10% of cost
donated to PASA. Call for details. 215-257-8491
or 267-664-6217.
MANAGER — Vegetable production & markets.
Sunnyside Ventures, LLC, the new owner of Sun-
nyside Farm — a diversified and certified organ-
ic fruit and vegetable farm in Rappahannock
County. To obtain a full job description, contact
Shane J. LaBrake, 301-203-8954, sjlabrake@veri-
zon.net.
AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANT — Accokeek
Foundation. Under the guidance of the Horti-
culturist, this position will assist in the planning
and implementation of all Museum Garden
activities in a manner conducive to sustainable
agricultural practices. View full job description
at www.accokeek.org. Send resume and cover
letter to Patti Canter Norment at pattinor-
ment@accokeek.org.
FARM MANAGER — Wilson College & the Ful-
ton Center for Sustainable Living (FCSL). The
successful candidate will be responsible for the
daily operations of a seven-acre organic veg-
etable farm, including all aspects of cropping
and sales to the community through a Commu-
nity Supported Agriculture program and a sea-
sonal farmers’ market. Candidates should send a
cover letter, resume and names of three refer-
ences to: Donald P. Kime, Director of Human
Resources, Wilson College, 1015 Philadelphia
Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201 or
dkime@wilson.edu. EOE.
Classified Ads
PT POSITION — Jack’s Farm a non-certified
organic, small farm is seeking to fill a perma-
nent, year ‘round, part-time position. Ability to
operate small farm machinery, lift 70 lbs. work
independently required. Prefer 2 full days end of
week. E-mail us at jacksfarm@gmail.com or call
Dan H. 610-326-1802.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & PRACTICAL FARM
SKILLS INSTRUCTOR — The Farm School —
teaching the craft of farming — is looking for
qualified candidates to manage and thoroughly
teach all aspects of animal husbandry and other
practical farm skills integral to the curriculum
for student-farmers participating in our Practical
Farm Training Program. Looking for farmers with
3-5 years experience raising beef, pork and
lamb. For more information or to submit a
resume contact Jennifer Core at jennifer@farm-
school.org or call 978-249-2656.
FIELD ASSITANT— The Red Wiggler Communi-
ty Farm in Clarksburg, MD is seeking a field assis-
tant for the 2008 CSA season. Red Wiggler is a
non-profit that employs adults with develop-
mental disabilities in the growing and selling of
vegetables to an 80 member CSA in Mont-
gomery County, Maryland. Starting pay: $9--
$11/hour, commensurate upon experience;
Max. 40 Hours/Week; Tuesday through Saturday
20 Weeks, Mid-April—Mid-September (start and
end dates flexible). Please examine our website
for more information: www.redwiggler.org, adri-
enne@redwiggler.org.
FARMER WANTED — Glynwood Center, in
Putnam County, NY, is seeking a hard-working
person to work on our growing mixed species
pasture-based livestock operation. Respon-
sibilities include: care of cattle, chickens,
goats, sheep, and horses as well as fencing, car-
pentry work, land maintenance and general
farm maintenance. Contact Ken Kleinpeter at
845-265-3338, ext 128, or 914-403-0171. E-mail:
kkleinpeter@glynwood.org
ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER — for Red Fire
Farm, an established certified organic produce
farm, the largest CSA serving the Boston area
and the Pioneer Valley, and a provider in local
wholesale and retail markets. The position is a
year-round, long-term position with opportuni-
ty for advancement. Contact Ryan or Sarah:
redfirefarm@gmail.com. www.redfirefarm.com,
phone: 413-467-7645.
VEGETABLE GROWERS — for the 2008 growing
season, Red Fire Farm, a certified organic veg-
etable farm in Western MA, has several positions
open for experienced vegetable growers to join
our production team. We seek individuals who
have a minimum of 1 season of experience as a
vegetable farm apprentice or the equivalent.
Contact Ryan or Sarah: 413-467-7645, redfire-
farm@gmail.com. www.redfirefarm.com.
ASSISTANT GROWER & INTERNS — needed
for 2008 season at the Brook Farm Project, locat-
ed in New Paltz, Ulster County, NY, on a 5-acre
organic vegetable farm CSA with 100 members.
The educational side of project works with local
SUNY New Paltz, the Culinary Institute of Ameri-
ca, other local organizations and individuals to
promote sustainable agriculture. Please email
resume to brookfarm@hvi.net.
DAIRY FARMER WANTED — Experienced
cheesemaker is looking for a farmer to partner
on small-scale handmade value-added project.
Need high quality milk. Call or email Kristie 484-
302-6643, kristiemcgarry@yahoo.com.
ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR —
Work with students and adults with develop-
mental disabilities on a farm. $9-$11/hour; Max.
40 hours/week; Tuesday through Saturday. Mid-
May—Mid-September (dates flexible) Please
send resume and short cover letter to: Red Wig-
gler P.O. Box 968 Clarksburg, MD 20871 or email
beth@redwiggler.org . Visit www.redwiggler.org
for more information on our farm.
The National Center for Appropriate Technology
(NCAT) a non-profit org. working to promote
sustainable technologies and systems, esp. for
the benefit of economically disadvantaged indi-
viduals and communities, has several job open-
ings for a Farm Energy Specialist, Forage &
Pature Specialist, Organic Specialist & Sustain-
able Agriculture Marketing Specialist. Visit
www.ncat.org/jobs.php for details.
APPRENTICES/INTERNS
INTERN NEEDED — Position in N.E PA is avail-
able for those interested in operating a green-
house business. Intern required to learn how to
operate a system designed to produce high
quality baby greens and lettuce with low or no
pesticides. Please send a letter of interest plus
resume to mthrasher01@peoplepc.com.
INTERNS WANTED — Blooming Glen Farm is
seeking three full-time, full season interns from
April 1st to mid-November for 2008 (Couples
welcome). We are a diverse organic vegetable
farm marketing to a 160 member CSA (all on
farm pick-up), a weekly farmers market in
Philadelphia, and local restaurants. Visit
www.bloomingglenfarm.com.
INTERN — Yellow Springs Farm Native Plant
Nursery needs summer interns to assist in goat
care & milking, plant care including weeding,
feeding with organic fertilizers, potting up
plants to larger containers, irrigation mainte-
nance, vineyard care and management, wood-
land and pond restoration planting and invasive
weed management. Also, there may be off-site
installation work available as well for our design
clients. Contact al@yellowspringsfarm.com or
610-827-2014.
26
INTERNS NEEDED — Are you a high-energy
person who wants to do work you can believe
in? Grow organic produce. Deliver healthy food
to local eaters. Use your talents. Re-invent your-
self as we reinvent our farm. If this excites your
enthusiasm, check out the full and part time
opportunities. Must be in good physical health.
www.kretschmannfarm.com. Pittsburgh area.
APPRENTICE WANTED — Weavers Way Farm is
a one-acre, non-certified urban organic farm
located at Awbury Arboretum in the German-
town section of Philadelphia. The farm is part of
Weavers Way Coop, a 3,000-member, communi-
ty owned market located just two miles from
the farm. Visit www.weaversway.coop for more
information on the farm and coop. To apply
send resume and letter of interest to Weavers
Way Farm, 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA
19119 or email farmer@weaversway.coop.
INTERNS/AG STUDENTS — To design, develop,
and implement a sustainable agriculture enter-
prise. I’ll provide land, equipment, and even
lodging on an 80 acre non-active farm in Potter
County, PA. You provide ideas, vision, and hard
work.We’ll share the successes and failures. Ideal
opportunity for recent graduates seeking to
apply their education while still acquiring the
experience and resources necessary before
starting their own agricultural operation.Willing
to partner with educational or other non-profit
entities. Email me for additional information at
mark.chambers@adelphia.com.
INTERN NEEDED — Anchor Run CSA in Wright-
stown PA seeks apprentices for the 2008 farm-
ing season. Apprentices will work alongside the
farmers in all aspects of farming and have the
opportunity to participate in a monthly region-
al apprentice educational program. Positions
open from April 1st through mid-November.
Visit www.anchorrunfarm.com, contact Tali at
215-598-1519, tali1968@gmail.com.
FARM-EDUCATOR APPRENTICE — Farm and
Wilderness Foundation (F&W) is a 501(c)3 non-
profit organization located in Plymouth, Ver-
mont. Farm Education Apprentices are
responsible for helping run an organic program
farm, organize activities and farm at one of the
summer camp sites and also deliver farm cur-
riculum to school groups. For a full job descrip-
tion, visit www.farmandwilderness.org.
APPRENTICE POSITIONS — Red Fire Farm, a
certified organic produce farm and CSA in West-
ern MA, has three apprentice positions open for
the 2008 season. Candidates should have some
prior experience with vegetable growing.
Apprentices learn how to farm vegetables and
berries in an efficient and profitable way at the
25-acre scale. Contact Ryan or Sarah: 413-467-
7645, redfirefarm@gmail.com. www.redfire-
farm.com.
Classified Ads
APPRENTICESHIP — Experienced farmer set-
ting up a new operation marketing to 2 small
college towns; Mansfield PA and Elmira NY.
Over a dozen farmers’ markets in the area.
Apprenticeship program details and farm plan
sent to applicant for review before farm visit.
Come and start on a path to world-class food
production and world-class husbandry of natu-
ral resources. Andy Lyon 570-537-2128
do_what_works@yahoo.com.
APPRENTICE PROGRAM — The Ecosystem
Farm of the Accokeek Foundation is an 8-acre
certified organic vegetable farm on the banks of
the Potomac River in Piscataway National Park.
Growing season apprentices in the Jean Wallace
Douglas Center for Land-Based Training are
needed. Full description at www.accokeek.org.
INTERNS NEEDED — Rainbeau Ridge, located 1
hour north of New York City, has 2 internship
openings for the 2008 season. These will incor-
porate responsibilities in the areas of livestock,
cheesemaking, market gardening and ag educa-
tion for children. Specific job descriptions will be
crafted to match candidates depending upon
skills, background and interests. We value excel-
lence, have high standards and appreciate indi-
viduals who can work in a fluid environment.
Visit www.rainbeauridge.com.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE INTERN POSI-
TION AVAILABLE — Spoutwood Farm CSA
has an immediate opening for a willing,
capable person effective immediately, and
continuing through the end of the season
(early November). Preference given to those
who can work for the full remainder of the sea-
son, but all will be considered. An information
sheet further explaining our Sustainable Agri-
culture Internship Program is available at
www.spoutwood.com/internship.html.
PASA Apprentice & Intern Listing
We will post your listing in our newsletter and
on our web-based Intern Board. Submit your
postings directly to Allison Shauger at alli-
son@pasafarming.org or via mail at PASA Intern
Board, PO Box 419, Millheim PA 16854.
FOR SALE
FOR SALE — 4 year old dun gray Miniature Jack
with Jerusalem cross. He loves people, but not
our sheep! Please help us get him back on pas-
ture! Asking $300. Please respond to eden-
vieworganics@aol.com, or call 814-632-8589.
FOR SALE — Full blood English Large Black
sows and gilts. 7 mature sows and 13 gilts rang-
ing in age from 16 weeks to 4 weeks. Health pro-
gram includes Tetanus, Erysipelas, Parvo and
Lepto vaccinations. Internal parasites controlled
through selection and herbal tinctures. Contact:
rthompson@sdtc.org 845-417-6418 or kgre-
fig@sdtc.org 845-337-1225.
FOR SALE — Planting by the Moon Calendar, A
complete day to day guide for the cosmic bio-
dynamic gardener. Lunar agriculture is an
ancient and venerable tradition. This calendar
offers practical timing tips for living and garden-
ing in harmony with the cosmos for everything
from starting seeds to harvesting crops, mow-
ing, pruning, composting and even brewing
beer, plus much, much, more. To order visit
www.plantingbythemoon.net.
FOR SALE — 43a Madison County, NY turnkey
organic (ready to be certified) vegetable. Barn
w/new roof, rootcellars, walk-in coolers, machine
shop, beautiful apartment. 1/4a blueberry plan-
tation, irrigation pond, 5a fenced/ watered pas-
ture, machine shed, farmstand. 1300sq.ft new,
super efficient, timberframe house w/ bluestone
floors & amazing kitchen. 2 ledgewood farm
high tunnels, 1 heated starter house. For photos
and info, visit www.greenrabbitfarm.com. Con-
tact Suzanne Slomin or Aaron Locker at 315-
893-7729 or rabbit7@frontiernet.net.
AVAILABLE — 8.5 acre farm in South Hill, VA.
Property has a large barn with four stalls, a large
machine / work shed with another two stalls, a
hen house with a penned in area, two ponds,
mature fruit & nut trees, open pasture / crop
land & 4- bedroom ranch home Looking for
alternative arrangement, to “rent” the property
for farm barter to a person who can adequetly
maintain / improve the property and its struc-
tures. May also “rent to purchase” arrangement.
This is a unique opportunity for a responsible,
sustainably minded person(s) to get on a farm
with flexible terms. Please email me if you think
you might be the person(s). Ed Raynie,
edraynie@yahoo.co.uk, 917-945-0561
FOR SALE — 36” Commercial Cider Press
(Bloomsburg PA). Stainless steel tanks. Sanifeed
system. Pumace pump. 20+ Polyethylene
racks/spacers. Large and small rolling screens.
Numerous pumps and extras etc. If you were to
buy this new it would cost over 40,000. I can
send you pictures if you would like. MAKE AN
OFFER! Give Mike a call at 570-784-2403.
FOR SALE — Tunis ewe & ram lambs. Born April
2007 all twins of twins, naturally raised, no hor-
mones or antibiotics, grass-fed w/ some grain.
Chester Co. area. Contact anne@shepherdsabid-
ingfarm.com.
WINTER CONSULT AVAILABLE — 25 years of
organic growing & successful restaurant mar-
keting experience in Philadelphia — NY area.
Any grower, any location, guaranteed to make
you more money than consult costs; 10% of cost
donated to PASA. Call for details. 215-257-8491
or 267-664-6217.
FOR SALE — Planter — Cole 12 mx single row.
610-326-1802.
27
FOR SALE — Six cross bred beef cows bred for
April/May calves. Most are second or third calf
cows with many productive years ahead of
them. Oldest one is six years old. All are bred to
a registered Angus bull (#14909555) linebred to
OCC Anchor, the bull Gerald Fry calls “the best
black Angus bull in the country.” $700/head u
pick, $3900 if you take all ($650/hd) Economical
opportunity to get started in the grass finished
beef market. 717-734-2082 or cell, 717-808-8021
FOR SALE — Williams tool system flat spade
cultivator. Includes 3-pt hitch, 78” tool bar, 4 side
knives (flat spades), pair of gauge wheels, $550;
(used only 3 hrs, purchased new for $950). Calll
814-692-8432.
FOR SALE — Cove Mountain Farm, 320 acre
farm has an agricultural easement, according to
the realtor, Judy Kelsey. More information is
available at homes.realtor.com (enter zip code
17236 and the price range $1,500,000 to
2,000,000 as the asking price is $1,595,000) Judy
Kelsey, 717-328-9494.
FOR SALE — Restored 1880’s farmhouse with
restored summer kitchen, 11 acres of woods,
fields, gardens, fruit trees and berries in beauti-
ful setting on the same road as New Morning
Farm and TOG in southern Huntingdon County.
For information call 814-448-2029 or email jslat-
tery@innernet.net.
FOR RENT — Locust Grove Farm — Recre-
ation/PSU Football Rental. Escape to beautiful
central PA at this 4 bedroom, modernized, his-
toric 1865 farmhouse. Visit http://locustgrove-
farm.vflyer.com or call Nancy Ferguson
Desmond at 814-238-4423 or 609-967-3265.
FOR SALE — Nine registered North Country
Cheviot ewes, 3 years old; 4 North Country
Cheviot cross ewes, 4+ years; 2 Dorset cross
yearling ewes; 1 registered Horned Dorset ram, 3
years old. These sheep have been raised in an
intensive, rotational grazing system. 170% lamb
crop for ‘07 814-757-8540.
FOR SALE — New Nordell DVD of their 2007
workshop, “Weed the Soil, Not the Crop,” now
available for $15 plus $3 S&H. 72-minute video
features rotational cover cropping for weed free
vegetables, alternative tillage techniques to
manage the weed seed bank & how to develop
a holistic weed management plan. Please send
payment to Anne & Eric Nordell, 3410 Rt. 184
Trout Run PA, 17771.
FOR SALE — Two reliable trucks for your refrig-
eration “on the go” needs. Heavy-duty trucks can
endure any venture. See www.pasafarming.org
for photos or call 412-697-0411.
FOR SALE — Female Maremma guard dog. 3
years old. Neutered, current rabies vaccine. Good
disposition. 814-757-8540.
Classified Ads
FOR SALE — Quality fed lambs: no hormones,
antibiotics, or growth promoters. Raised on
organic pastures and hay. Some organic grains
fed with kelp and yeast culture added. Call 717-
755-2149.
FOR SALE — Several Belted Galloway/Jersey
cross heifers; 4 weanlings, 3 yearlings (bred for
spring), and a 2 year old cow (bred). Also two Jer-
sey cows — very friendly! You can lead them,
they stand tied, and have been both machine &
hand milked. Both are bred. One is 8 years old,
she is a two teater but still gives 2 gal/day. The
other is 3 years old. I also have 40 Katahdin/Dor-
per cross ewes for sale; ages range form lambs
to 4 years. All of the animals are grass fed only!
No grain! No shots! I am located in York, PA. Email
swisslandacres@msn.com or 717-227-9271.
FOR SALE — Organic, 100% grassfed cows.
Traders Point has a unique offering: Nature is not
always the nurturer and the Summer of ‘07 will
attest to that. The combination of unseasonably
warm temperatures and half of the normal rain-
fall has exacted its toll on the farm. We really
have no other choice than to sell off a portion of
our herd. Traders Point remains one of the only
creameries in the nation to have a year round
100% organic grassfed herd. USDA certified by
Indiana Certified Organic. Care has been taken
to find high protein levels as well as higher fat
content. The Brown Swiss heritage is also fore-
most in the field of health nutrition with the
highest CLA, Call or email Fritz at 317-9196234
or jane@tpforganics.com
FOR SALE — We are a MIG seasonal dairy and
have 4 NOFA certified heifers born outside our
calving window. Crossbred with jersey and line-
back 10 months old. Also, Four 12 month old
crossbred bulls; Normande, Lineback, Jersey, and
Friesian. Contact Jim Phillips, 607-591-0562
Cortland, NY.
FOR RENT/LEASE
FOR RENT — farm in Cumberland Co., Southern
NJ, a beautiful one hour drive from Philadelphia,
Near Bridgeton and Delaware Bay. Opportunity
for CSA, organic growing, farmstand, livestock or
horse farm. 6 ac. available, rich, loamy soils, for-
merly grazed, no chemicals used in last 10 years.
30’x58’ Barn, currently with 7 stalls, 35 HP Kubo-
ta Tractor w/front end loader and brush hog,
housing potential: Farmhouse w/3 bedroom, 2
bath, new kitchen; or cottage w/ one room,
kitchen, bathroom. Call 215-438-7533, email:
urbanfern@aol.com.
SPACE AVAILABLE ON REFRIGERATED DELIV-
ERY TRUCK — From Lancaster/Lebanon/Eliza-
bethtown area to Philadelphia and surrounding
communities. Currently delivering organic, sus-
tainable agriculture, CSA, etc. Experienced, cour-
teous city delivery. Please call Joe at
717-286-6995 or e-mail at jbshirk@juno.com.
FOR RENT — Farmhouse in Washington Co,
Maryland. 3 BR, 2 BA. Looking for renter who can
help with dairy farm chores in exchange for a
reduction in rent. Possibility of acreage with
house for gardening. Organic gardeners only
please, land is in process of being certified
organic. Please email cmpp1@juno.com if inter-
ested.
FOR LEASE — Registered/Purebred Angus bull
— American Angus Assoc registration #
15807509 — born Jan 07; available starting Jan
08; 2 to 3 month lease desired; for info, contact
DW Green — HisWay Farms — Glenville, PA; 717-
235-5324.
FOR LEASE — certified organic dairy farm (in
total 560 acres, 350 acres open land) in the
foothills of the Blueridge Mountains. Also avail-
able a state-of-the-art creamery & hearth oven
bakery. Some housing available, good terms &
good markets. Please send inquiries to P.O.Box
563, Middleburg, VA 20118.
FOR RENT — 3 story, 4 bedroom stone-cased
house on three large lots w/creek at back. My
grandfather built & ran it as a farmette. Would
prefer family interested in sustainability/organic
gardening. Contact Brian Fisher, 814 280-0997 or
e-mail Gary at gbstss@epix.net.
WANTED
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS — Alternative home-
steaders looking for kindred spirit(s) to rent
mobile home, share organic garden space in
rural Airville, PA. Opportunity for market garden,
CSA, etc. Commuting distance to York & Lancast-
er & Bel Air MD. Beautiful hiking trails & Susque-
hanna River nearby. Contact us at 717-862-1737
or 657 E. Posey Rd, Airville PA 17302.
WANTED — 4 beef calves for Spring 2008. We
are in New Tripoli PA, NW Lehigh County. Con-
tact us at 610-298-2333 or rainbow9@ptd.net.
WANTED — 4 piglets suited for pasture grazing
for early Spring 2008. We are in New Tripoli PA,
NW Lehigh County. Please contact us at 610-
298-2333 or rainbow9@ptd.net.
WANTED — 3 farm families; Cuyahoga Valley
National Park (CVNP) will publicly offer three
more farms for long-term lease in mid-February
2008 through its Countryside Initiative program.
CVNP which covers some 33,000 acres between
Cleveland and Akron, OH made prior offerings in
2001, 2005, and 2006. Eight farms are now oper-
ational — and a total of 20 farms expected to be
leased within five or six years. Contact Country-
side Conservancy, 330-657-2542, www.cvcoun-
tryside.org.
WANTED — Heirloom variety apple trees suit-
able for Appalachian climate. Contact dawhet-
zel@hotmail.com
28
WANTED — Straw, small square bales. Approx.
100-150 bales. Does not need to be organic. We
can pick them up. We are looking within 50
miles of Troy, PA. Call 570-297-4466
WANTED — Greensgrow Farm is looking for
new or used beehive boxes for sale near the
Philadelphia area. If you have any or know
where some could be found, let Ryan know at
ryan@greensgrow.org or 215-427-2702.
WANTED — Interested in purchasing dairy
equipment for milking and cheese processing
for goat dairy. Equipment interests include:
Milk storage tank (25–150 gal), Temperature
regulated cheese vat (25–150 gallon), Cheese
forms, Milking Machine, Milk Cans (5 gal each),
Stainless Steel Shelving, Stackable trays,
Stainless Steel Hand sink, Stainless Steel Utensil
Sink 3 section, 2” gate curd strainer, Rake, Stain-
less Steel Cabinet, Stainless Steel Work Table,
Draining Table 8 ft, Refrigeration Unit for Milk
Storage, Refrigeration Display Cases, Shelving,
Cheese Press 2 piston. Contact al@yel-
lowspringsfarm.com or 610-827-2014.
WANTED — look for a partnership with a farm
(min 10 acres, 20 miles from Lansdale, ideally
crop land with light animal farming to provide
manures).The partnership is to build a high-tech
eco-farm that produces a unique product with
no market competition. If interested, let’s discuss
details. Contact actionjzl@yahoo.com or 215-
412-4753.
CARETAKER — Family seeking Caretaking or
Rent to Own opportunity in Pa. Family of 5 &
pets looking for an older farm (3-5 acres) w/ a
long term caretaking situation, or a rent to own
opportunity. Currently own our home in west-
ern PA, will be able to provide a % down if rent
to own will work for you. Refernces available.
Need room for 1 horse & would like to add
chickens & an organic garden. Cambria Co., Bed-
ford, Somerset or Ligonier are preferred loca-
tions, would consider further away as well.
Contact us if you think we can work something
out — shawfam@atlanticbb.net.
WANTED — Farmhouse & land to rent for Sum-
mer ‘08 (June, July, Aug…but could be flexible)
in or near Williamsport, PA. Am looking for 4 or
more bedrooms. Friends from New York &
Williamsport interested in a summer “retreat” to
work on writing poetry, gardening, sailing, build-
ing canoes & maybe putting on some plays.
Responsible, fun, and have local Williamsport
references. Contact setholinsky@gmail.com or
570-337-2976.
WANTED — Looking for small beginning flock
of ewes and possibly one ram, Prefer multipur-
pose breed ( fine wool, milk and meat) with
worm resistance and suitable for grass based
organic production. Contact dawhetzel@hot-
mail.com
Classified Ads
WANTED — certified organic, low input, IPM
fruit & vegetable growers to supply the growing
demand for locally produced food. The Com-
mon Market, a local food distribution center
located in Philadelphia, will begin operations in
the spring of this year. The distribution center
will offer produce to a select number of
Philadelphia area universities and hospitals in its
first year and later add meat, poultry, and dairy
products to its list and restaurants and grocery
stores to its customer base. Contact info@com-
monmarketphila.org for more information or
call 215 275-3435.
WANTED — Organically raised pullets- prefer
ready to lay and good winter layer breed such as
Buff Orpington. Will pick up. Contact dawhet-
zel@hotmail.com
WANTED — 2 Jersey Cows looking for tempo-
rary home. We have sold our NH farm & are
shopping for a PA farm. Need to park the cows
somewhere during the buying/moving. Also a
chubby, friendly Haflinger pony. Cows in late lac-
tation — you could milk them or dry them off.
Caroline or David Owens daowens@erols.com,
603-635 8553.
ADVERTISEMENT
Conference CDs
and DVDs
are available!
Farming for the Future
Keynotes and Workshops are
audio recorded courtesy of
Cocalico Audio
Cocalico offers nearly all conference workshops
and pre-conference programs on 80-minute
audio CDs. A select number of workshops are
also offered on DVD. To purchase CDs or DVDs,
contact Cocalico to place additional orders.
The order form is available at
www.pasafarming.org.
187 East Church Street • Stevens, PA 17578
Phone: (717) 336-4179
WANTED — 2-4 wool sheep (Shetland pre-
ferred) and dairy sheep (Lacaune and E. Freasian
crosses) prefer some animals pregnant. Also,
young (1-5 yr old) gelding or female donkey,
regular size to use as guard animal. Also looking
for 1-2 Brown Swiss cows, one recently bred, and
2-3 polled Oberhasli goats, with at least one
recently or soon to be bred. We are located near
Susquehanna in NE Pennsylvania (near NY bor-
der, 35 min. from Binghamton, NY), e-mail
Jerome or Lisa at skolfarm@comcast.net.
WANTED — growers and producers of organic,
low-input or IPM fruits, veggies & farm-based
value-added products to supply the growing
demand for locally produced food in Northeast-
ern PA. The Lands at Hillside Farms in Shaver-
town, PA is a non-profit educational farm with a
grass-based dairy, and a 30 year-old retail shop.
We sell our own milk in the Dairy Store as well as
locally produced meats, dairy products and
eggs. We will expand our offerings to include
locally and sustainably grown produce through-
out the growing season beginning in the spring
of this year. Contact christine@thelandsathill-
sidefarms.org or 570-696-4500.
29
WANTED — Registered Alpine or American
Alpine buck. Prefer pied. NWPA area. moosema-
niac@velocity.net or call 814-440-1712 and
leave a message.
LAND WANTED — Family in search of 5 to 20
acres of farmland or small farm with a fixer-
upper. Reasonably priced. Within two hours
from Pittsburgh. Please contact Cindy Totino
@412-882-2799 or cindytotino@yahoo.com.
WANTED — Looking for frizzle or cochin chicks,
preferably females if possible. For a small hobby
farm, only want four of each. Need to be within
two hours of State College, will pick up. Contact
Katie, 814-360-5458 or kak280@hotmail.com.
FULL LISTING
NOW ONLINE
Check out PASA’s website: www.pasafarm-
ing.org for new features including classi-
fied ads and employment opportunity
listings.
ADVERTISEMENT
 ADVERTISEMENT

Calendar
This calendar features many events some of PASA's sister
organizations are sponsoring that we felt many of our
members would be interested in learning more about. Stay
tuned for additional PASA events to be announced in the
coming months — including the Farm-Based Education
schedule.

March
Mar 15 So, You Bought the Farm…Now What? Sponsored by
Cornell Cooperative Extension. Contact Rebecca Hargrave,
607-334-5841.

Mar 15 PASA Southeast Field Day, “Managing Farmers’

Markets,” 9:00am–1:00pm. Chester County Economic Devel-
opment office, 737 Constitution Dr, Exton PA. Cost $10 PASA
members, $20 for non-members. Contact Allison Shauger,
814-349-9856, allison@pasafarming.org or visit www.pasafarm-
ing.org to register.

Mar 26 4th Annual NE-PA Grazing Conference: “Today’s

Grass-Based Agriculture: Grazing Systems, Healthy Soils &
Healthy Livestock.” Harford Volunteer Fire Company, Harford,
PA. 8:30am-3:30 pm. Featuring Dr. Huebert Karreman DVM of
Penn Dutch Cow Care, Jerry Cherney of Cornell University and
much more. Contact Kris Ribble, 570-784-4401 x111, kris.rib-
ble@pa.usda.gov.

Mar 25–27 SARE 20th Anniversary, New American Farm

Conference: Advancing the Frontier of Sustainable Agriculture.
Kansas City, MO. Visit www.sare.org/2008Conference/ ADVERTISEMENT

index.htm to register and learn more.

Mar 28 & 29 Northeast Grasstravaganza 2008. The Holiday Inn,

Binghamton, NY. Hosted by Central NY RC&D. Visit www.
cnyrcd.org.

Mar 29 22nd Annual Lahr Symposium, Native Plants: Cultivars

Considered, National Arboretum, Washington DC. Visit
www.usna.usda.gov/Education/events.html

April
Apr 3–5 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference spon-
sored by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, The
Desmond Hotel, Malvern, Chester Co. For more information call
Nicole, 717-909-1298 or email nfaraguna@conserveland.org.

Apr 5 The Role of Raised Beds in the Farm Organism, Pfeiffer

Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY. 9:00am–5:00pm. Cost $95. Contact
Carol Rosenberg, 845-352-5020 x20, info@pfeiffercenter.org,
www.pfeiffercenter.org.

June
Jun 5–8 National Barn Alliance Annual Conference in partner-
ship with the PA Historic Barn & Farmstead Foundation. Info —
Rod Scott, 641-648-4570.

30
PASA Membership Please clip this application and return with payment to:
PASA Membership, PO Box 419, Millheim, PA 16854
& Contribution Form or join online at pasafarming.org

Benefits of Membership Lifetime Memberships &

As a member you will receive: Permanent Business Partners
• A subscription to our bimonthly, Passages newsletter Contributions for Lifetime Memberships & Permanent Business Part-
nerships will be managed with care, sustaining both the ongoing
• A membership directory for networking membership as well as the long-term future of PASA. There are few
things a member or business could do to symbolize their lifelong com-
• Discounted admission to our annual conference mitment to sustainability than to place such confidence in the value
and viability of PASA itself.
• Discounted admission to our annual field day series $ 1,200
Sustaining Lifetime Member
• Invitations to other special events, such as our Please complete the Family/Farm Membership field at lower left

Harvest Dinners
Permanent Business Partner $ 3,000
• Free classified ad and discounted display advertising Please complete the Nonprofit/Business Membership field at lower left

in Passages
SUBTOTAL $
• Voting privileges
• The satisfaction of knowing that you are helping
sustain agriculture

Become a PASA Member Gift Membership

Name In addition to your own membership, you may give PASA membership
to a good friend, family member, business associate or other worthy
Company/Farm recipient on an annual or lifetime basis…a gift that keeps on giving!
Student $ 15
Address
Individual $ 45

City State Family/Farm $ 60

Lifetime Sustaining Member $ 1,200
ZIP+4 County
SUBTOTAL $
Home Phone Work Phone Name(s)

E-mail Address

City
Web Address

State ZIP+4

Are you farming: NO YES — how many acres: Telephone E-mail

How did you learn about PASA:

PASA Membership Levels

Payment SUBTOTALS
Student $ 15 $
Individual $ 45
CONTRIBUTIONS
Family/Farm Please complete field below $ 60 PASA is a registered 501 (C) 3 organization and contributions are tax exempt.

Please list all names for this Family/Farm membership. You may include children Annual Fund $ .............................
between the ages of 14–22, and also multiple generations directly involved in the farm.

Arias M. Brownback Scholarship Fund $ .............................

Nonprofit Please complete field below $ 100 Check Make check payable to PASA Total amount due
Business Please complete field below $ 150 Credit Card Complete below $
Please list up to two additional people associated with your business to receive individ-
ual membership privileges. Card No.

Exp. Date
VISA MasterCard Discover
SUBTOTAL $ Cardholder Name

Signature
 PASA Thanks All of the 2008 Farming for the Future Conference Sponsors

PAT R O N S O F S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

P L AT I N U M K E Y S P O N S O R S

Non Profit Org.

Pennsylvania U.S. Postage
Association for PAID
State College, PA
Sustainable Agriculture Permit No. 213
PO Box 419 • Millheim, PA 16854-0419