By Melissa Cipollone, PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture

"Whether it's chips, crickets or vegetables, Pennsylvanians are buying more organic food than ever." New data puts Pennsylvania second in the nation for total organic sales (California is first).

Our Executive Director, Hannah Smith-Brubaker, observes state policymakers taking note: “When I visit with legislators, I just can’t believe the change in literacy even from five years ago,” Smith-Brubaker said. “And it can’t just be the farmers. It’s that the consumers are prioritizing it.”

Thinking critically about market access while playing some mean harmonica.

We celebrate the expertise and talents of our vibrant sustainable ag community, which are captured in this short video from this year’s Farming for the Future Conference created by Joe Harrison from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

For more than a decade, businesses band together to undergird PASA’s mission on Earth Week.

Eleven years ago, Four Seasons Produce of Ephrata, Lancaster County pioneered an important annual fundraising campaign for PASA by donating a portion of their produce sales during Earth Week to us.

Their campaign has raised $250,000 to date!

The following year, Lady Moon Farms significantly grew the campaign by also pledging a portion of their Earth Week sales to PASA. During the past decade, several other businesses have joined the charge.

Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms of Chester County is participating for its ninth year, and two years ago our friends at Kimberton Whole Foods led the ‘retailers charge’ by jumping aboard the program and contributing per case of organics as well.

The PASA community can support this program by shopping at Kimberton during Earth Week (April 15th - 21st), as well as the following natural food retailers, which are also partnering in the program: Weaver’s Way Cooperative, Harvest Market Natural Foods, and East End Food Coop.

“PASA is all of us speaking with one voice. Let’s all show our support during this special week allowing PASA's mission to continue to grow!” says Tom Beddard, owner of Lady Moon Farms. We deeply appreciate the generosity of these businesses and the value they place on building a more sustainable food system.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events to support sustainable farming operations, visit the PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture webpage.

Click Here to find Community Supported Agriculture farms near you courtesy of the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture.

(Photo: Kimberton Whole Foods.)

NewsClips:

Crable: Streamside Buffer Projects Aim To Grow Profits For Farmers In Lancaster 

Natural Lands Trust Strikes Back Against School District’s Eminent Domain Play

County Commissioners Join Fight Against School District Taking Preserved Farmland

Midstate School District Faces Growing Calls To Stop Eminent Domain Move On Farm

Cumberland School District Warned Of Far-Reaching Effects If Preserved Farmland Acquired

More PA Dairy Farmers Calling It Quits As Milk Prices Keep Falling

Initiative Aims To Connect Struggling Dairy Farmers With Resources

U.S. House Committee’s Farm Bill Fails American Family Farmers On Conservation, Other Issues

Related Stories:

Root Mass Farm In Berks County Receives Small Farm Environmental Sustainability Grant

Nearly 2,800 Acres, 27 Farms Added To PA's Agricultural Land Preservation Program

Penn State Extension, Agriculture Officials Look To Slow Spread Of Spotted Lanternfly

(Reprinted from the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture website.)

[Posted: April 20, 2018]

4/23/2018