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 64 January/February 2007

PASA’s signature event — the

Farming for the Future confer-
ence was a success in early
February. Widely regarded
as the best sustainable agri-
culture gathering in the East,
this diverse 3-day spectacu-
lar brought together an audi-
ence of over 1,700 from 33
states and 4 countries.
 Jan/Feb 2007
Pennsylvania Association
for Sustainable Agriculture
2007 Farming for the Future
114 West Main Street Conference Review
P.O. Box 419
3 Sustainable Ag Awards
Millheim PA 16854
Phone: (814) 349-9856 • Fax: (814) 349-9840 5 Conference Volunteers & Friends,
Website: www.pasafarming.org Brownback Scholarships
8 Conference Photos
Passages STAFF & OFFICE
Staff Editor: Michele Gauger
Layout: C Factor 6 Director’s Corner
Advertising Sales: Michele Gauger,
PASA office, michele@pasafarming.org
7 President’s Corner
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 12 2006 Fundraising Campaign
President: Kim Miller, Westmoreland County
Photographs on front cover
Vice President: Kim Seeley, Bradford County 13 Regional Marketing
Secretary: Lyn Garling, Centre County Upper Left — The live auction held Friday night is
Treasurer: Chris Fullerton, Huntingdon County 14 Weed the Soil, Not the Crop both a fundraiser and a “fun-raiser,” as Brian Snyder
Mary Barbercheck, Centre County and auctioneer Brian Magaro amuse the crowd.
David Bingaman, Dauphin County 16 Farmer Profile: Berry Fields Farm
Upper Right — Joel Salatin’s books are as popular as
George DeVault, Lehigh County
18 Educational Outreach the speaker himself, sharing visions and techniques of
Jennifer Halpin, Cumberland County
farming “Joel-Style” at his Virginia Polyface Farm.
Mena Hautau, Berks County
John Hopkins, Columbia County
21 PASA Opinion
Center — Michael Ableman and PASA member/
John Jamison, Westmoreland County herbalist Grace Lefever share a hug at the closing cer-
23 The Next Step…Going Organic
Don Kretschmann, Beaver County emony.
Brian Moyer, Berks County
25 Editor’s Corner: The Grapevine Bottom Left — The Equipment Maintenance and
Anthony Rodale, Berks County
Jim Travis, Adams County Repair workshop track lead by skilled professional
26 Classified Ads
Shane LaBrake was ranked over-the-top useful by
PASA STAFF participants.
30 Calendar
Headquarters
Bottom Right, and above — Chair of the PA State
Brian Snyder 31 Membership & Contribution Form Senate Ag and Rural Affairs Committee, Senator Mike
Executive Director
brian@pasafarming.org Brubaker stated,“I’ve been told you are a niche, are a
fringe, are a radical group of peculiar thinkers. But
Lauren Smith
Director of Development what I can clearly see is that you are a group of peo-
& Membership Programs ple of passion, coming together to find the truth, a
lauren@pasafarming.org group that is not willing to settle for business as usual.
Heather House I support your mission 100 percent.”
Director of Educational Outreach
heather@pasafarming.org
Michele Gauger
Membership & Research Assistant
michele@pasafarming.org
Passages January/February 2007 Contributors
Brandi Marks
Office Coordinator/Bookkeeper Contributing writers and photographers: Mena Hautau, Ron Hoover, Heather House, Phyllis Kipp, Pat Little, Kim
brandi@pasafarming.org Miller, Brian Moyer, Anne and Eric Nordell, Kim Seeley, Allison Shauger, Julie Speicher, Lauren Smith, Brian Snyder,
Will Wise.
Conference Registration Staff
Will Wise
Conference Development Coordinator
PASA’s Mission is… PASA in the News
will@pasafarming.org 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,
Allison Shauger
Conference Registration Coordinator natural environment. and we’d love to know what coverage we are getting
allison@pasafarming.org 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
Western Regional Office
Phone: 412-697-0411 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
David Eson
Director of Western Programs stewardship. We are students and other consumers, Do you have a great
david@pasafarming.org anxious to understand our food systems and the
article idea for Passages?
choices that must be made. We are families and chil-
Julie Speicher Want to share a farming practice with members? We’d
Marketing Manager dren, who hold the future of farming in our hands.This
love to hear from you. Please contact the newsletter
julie@pasafarming.org is an organization that is growing in its voice on behalf
staff at newsletter@pasafarming.org.
Sarah Young of farmers in Pennsylvania and beyond. Our mission is
Program Assistant achieved, one voice, one farm, one strengthened com- Deadline for March/April 2007 Issue:
sarah@pasafarming.org munity at a time. March 16, 2007

PASA is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider and Employer. Some grant funding comes from the USDA and complaints
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
Awards Celebrate PASA Community Leaders
Sustainable Ag Leader Award
PASA’s tradition of honoring the Sus-
tainable Ag Leader took an interesting
turn this year. In the months leading up
to the conference, as the awards commit-
tee reviewed various candidates and dis-
cussed their impact on Pennsylvania
farmers and agriculture, an out-of-the-
ordinary shift took place. The person
who they decided to honor, one whom
they thought has made deep and lasting
change in our state’s rural landscape, was
not actually a Pennsylvanian.
Joel Salatin (shown above) of Polyface
Farm in Swoope, Virginia, was made an
honorary Pennsylvanian at the 2007
Farming for the Future conference as he
was presented the Sustainable Ag Leader-
ship Award. Presenter and PASA Execu-
tive Director Brian Snyder explained the
exceptional circumstances in giving the
award. “Joel does not live far away from
our state and frequently speaks at events
in Pennsylvania. But more to the point,
his methods have literally transformed
our countryside where by now you can
observe moveable pastured poultry pens
and rolling egg-mobiles in nearly every
rural community.” Brian continued,
“Beyond that, Joel also stimulates other
farmers to innovate on their own, which
has led to many novel approaches to
managing smaller farms all over our state
and elsewhere.”
As a demonstration of Joel’s effective-
ness as a leader in sustainable agriculture,
Brian asked people in the room whose
farms had been directly affected by Joel’s
work, and then also those who now eat
differently because of Joel, to stand.
Needless to say, everyone was standing at
the end, as Joel was invited onstage to
accept the award.
In reflecting on Joel’s often-heard
comment that farmers need to respect the
“pigness of the pig” and “chickeness of
the chicken” Brian exclaimed in giving
the award that we were honoring the
“Joelness of the Joel!” which drew laugh-
ter and appreciation from the audience.
Salatin commented that he was deeply
grateful in part because “In all my travels
around this country, I can honestly say
that PASA is the most effective statewide
organization supporting sustainable agri-
culture that I have seen!”
Congratulations Joel, and thank you
for sharing your systems, methods and
passions surrounding family farming
with all of us in PASA.
Sustainable Agriculture
Business Award
An award bestowed to only two oth-
ers, the winner of the 2007 Sustainable
Agriculture Business Leader Award is, as
presenter Brian Snyder stated, “A busi-
ness that started in a garage!” Brian con-
tinued that this is true of many successful
business ventures and is, in fact, a reason
why suburbia is not all bad. “Maybe in
the future when the cars are mostly gone,
many new and important enterprises will
take their place in garages all across
America!”
The business he was referring to with
small beginnings, and the recipient of the
2007 Sustainable Agriculture Business
Pictured left to right: Brian Snyder, Leslie Zook, Dave Mattocks, and Jeff Mattocks.
3
Leader Award, is The Fertrell Company
— who just last year celebrated their
60th anniversary and is the oldest pro-
ducer of organic fertilizers in the United
States.
Snyder mentioned, “Far more than
just the physical materials they have pro-
vided farmers who wish to operate natu-
rally or organically, the main product of
this company has always been customer
service. I have experienced this firsthand,
and a couple years ago when I had a
chance to speak at their annual meeting,
I found that the concept of ‘service’
extends to their employees as well —
there was a family-like feel to the whole
group and it was clear that employees
enjoyed being a part of it.”
Leslie Zuck, Executive Director of
Pennsylvania Certified Organic, took the
stage to help present the prestigious
award. “Dave Mattocks and The Fertrell
Company have made it possible for gen-
erations of organic farmers to succeed in
the challenging field of organic and sus-
tainable agriculture. Fertrell was founded
when chemical farming was just getting
started, but Dave and rest of the Fertrell
team believed that natural farming was
the better way and they’ve made believers
out of many who said it couldn’t be
done.”
Dave Mattocks accepted the award
with son Jeff. Dave was visibly touched
by the honor and declared “You people
here tonight are the reason for Fertrell’s
continued on page 4
Conference Review
PASA Leaders
continued from page 3
Departing PASA board secretary Lyn Garling
was honored during the Friday evening
awards banquet.
success — for it is your believing in the
concept of sustainability that has kept the
Fertrell Company in existence through-
out the years. I am inspired by you, and
very happy to see the percentage of young
people involved!”
Congratulations and thank you to
The Fertrell Company. The leadership
and vision you share with all of PASA —
from members in the field, through
fundraising and field day support, and
sponsorship of the conference for the past
14 years — is tremendous!
Departing Board Officers Honored
The Friday Night Banquet was the
also the setting for the membership to
honor two of our leaders who have served
the organization with strength and style
for the past nine years. Kim Miller, Board
President and Lyn Garling, Board Secre-
tary have reached board term limits and
will step off the PASA board of directors
at the spring meeting.
n A tribute was paid to Lyn Garling
by board member Mena Hautau:
“Lyn is not your average board mem-
ber, certainly not your average human
being. She has served most visibly on the
executive committee as secretary and
brings wonderful thinking to Board
meetings. She has a knack for looking at
an issue and being able to tie it all togeth-
er with the “whole.” Although Lyn is pas-
sionate about the organization and its
membership, she is grounded in the
harsh realities of the farming world and
has had her own share of struggle and
hard knocks. As she has reminded the
board several times, some things that we
see as unsustainable in agriculture, is just
pure survival for families that don’t have
any other choices.”
Lyn had to learn how to get more
comfortable around the words, “money”
and “growth” of the organization and the
board. This does not mean she still is real
comfortable with it either, but has been
valuable in keeping us grounded in what’s
meaningful about having resources and
what we can physically accomplish as an
organization. I value that as a board
member…giving us a reality check.
And finally, Lyn is a very generous
person who exhibits great passion for
what she values in life. She juggles many
things in her everyday world. Lyn, I will
miss you as a colleague, teacher and
friend. I thank you for all you have given
to this organization and know you will
continue to serve many of us in your
other interests. I hope some of that time
can now come back to you.”
n A tribute was paid to Kim Miller
by board member Mena Hautau:
“It just does not seem possible that the
time has come for Kim Miller to step
down as board member and president of
this organization. The one thing I think
about when I think of Kim Miller is how
present and available he has been to all of
us. He has been there at every step. I
think of Kim’s tenure as the bridge
between the days of the founding moth-
ers and fathers and today’s organization,
it’s all been under his tenure. He worked
through the departure of founding Exec-
utive Director Tim Bowser and he was
part of the team to hire Brian Snyder as
our Executive Director in 2000.
Kim also has been one to lead our
board through an intentional discussion
around organizational growth, fundrais-
ing and expansion of membership. It may
all look exciting on the outside, but there
is a fair amount of growing pains that
Kim has had to shoulder. He is often the
person who gets things rolling as a group
for the board and staff, due to his close
4
communication with staff. This year he
really was a help with our donor fundrais-
ing and led our board in setting some
goals with strategic planning for even
more exciting change in the future.
And finally, I think Kim’s sense of
humor and one-liners set a tone for board
meetings. It’s work but it’s fun work. You
get to read Kim’s musings in the newslet-
ter, but it’s even livelier in person. Kim, I
will miss working with you, the discus-
sions, and the laughter. You have con-
tributed in making PASA a stronger
organization. I admire your tenacity as a
guiding leader through the past 9 years. I
think you have given it your all, especial-
ly in times when the average leader would
have walked away. I want to say, thank
you, Kim Miller, that you were here to
lead us.”
n A tribute was also paid to
Kim and Lyn by board member
Kim Seeley:
“I have been proud to serve on the
PASA board led by Kim and Lyn. There
has not been one meeting that I have
attended that I didn’t marvel at the
knowledge and vision these two have
shared. They truly believe in people land
and community and always refer to our
mission statement in decision making…
the ultimate in leadership! Kim and Lyn
may be at the end of their terms, but just
beginning in a new role, as mentors to
PASA members who look to them as
PhD’s of Sustainability.”
Departing President Kim Miller received a
well-deserved ovation from conference
attendees at the opening plenary session.
Conference Review
Friends of the Conference
Arias M. Brownback Anonymous (2) Melissa & Thomas Reynolds

Scholarship Recipients Mary Barbercheck Susan & Don Sauter

The 2007 Farming for the Future scholarship commit- Nancy & Bob Bernhardt Peggy & Joseph Schott
tee was pleased to award 40 applicants full two-day con- Linda & Tim Blakeley Caroline & Don Shauger
ference registrations. These awards are made possible by
Michele Briggs Nancy Shorsher
the Arias M. Brownback Scholarship fund, which annual-
ly benefits from members’ contributions. As the confer- Moie & Jim Crawford Shary & Gary Skoloff
ence has grown over the years, so have the number of
Andrew Crowley Lauren & Ian Smith
requests made for scholarships. Thankfully, the generosity
of our members has kept pace with the demand for schol- Bill Curran Paula & Brian Snyder
arships and PASA had never turned away an aspiring Ann & Robert Docken Genelle Sweetser
farmer in need. Applying for the scholarship is easy and & Gene Chenoweth
applicants must demonstrate only two qualities: an inter- Helen & Joe Fahy
Debbie Swettenam
est in pursuing farming as a vocation and a financial need Mary Ellen Finger
& Linda Humphreys
that would otherwise prevent them from attending the & David Vickers
conference. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to Amy Talarico
Chris Fullerton
this worthy cause! Althea & William Wagman
Here are a few comments from one of our scholarship Lamonte Garber
recipients, “It was very valuable to make contact with Barbara & Michael Wahler
Lyn Garling
other dairy farmers, composters and mineral experts who Sandie & John Walker
could lead us to the sources of valuable information. It Meg Gleason
Janna Weil
was good to have the opportunity to come meet with peo- John & Todd Hopkins
ple who were in great support of what we are trying to do Business Friends:
Heather House
with our rotational-grazing dairy.”
Amsterdam Produce
Carl Hursh
Enterprises, Inc.
David Lembeck
Pennsylvania Women’s
Beth & Ken Marshall Agricultural Network
CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS (PA WAg’N)
PASA staff and board would like to thank Maryann & Dennis
our dedicated volunteers who helped make our recent Mawhinney Northern Tier Sustainable
conference and many other programs a success. Meat Co-op
Dianne & Kim Miller
Wendy Allem • Rob Amsterdam • Patrick Arndt • Susan Beal • Dipen-
dra Bhattarai • Joanna Bohlman • Emily Rosen Brown • Mike Brown- Holley & Brian Moyer
back • Kathleen Brumbaugh • Mike Byers • Bill Callahan • Sam Martha Noble
Cantrell • Eileen Clark • Melanie Dietrich Cochran • Wesley Confair •
Anne & Eric Nordell
Barb Corson • Moie Kimball Crawford • Jim Crawford • Lisa Diefen-
bach • Sarah DePasquale • Sarabelle Eisenfeld • Kathy Fields • Rob Fix Mary Ann & William Oyler
• Darrell Frey • Sam Fromartz • Ginny Gauger • Barbara & Charlie Ger- Virginia Phillips
lach • Aimee & John Good • Sandy Guzikowski • Sue & Rob Haney •
Brad Halm • Peggy Fogarty-Harnish • Claire Holzner • Erin James • Rita Resick
Mick Kodner • Becky Kretschmann • Shane LaBrake • Lap of Luxury •
Kitty Leatham • Pat Leary • Brian Magaro • Kerry Martin • Julie Mason
• Maryann & Dennis Mawhinney • Sue & Tom Maurer • Sandra Kay Editor’s Note: Details and acknowledgments about
Miller • Holley Moyer • Cindy & Eric Noel • Patti Olenick • Claire & the conference food program and auctions will be
Rusty Orner • Lynn Prior • Susan Richards • Janelle Robbins • Annyce included in the March/April Passages.
Schafft • Bethany & Micah Schonberg • Reni Schuh • Mimi Seymour
• Caroline & Don Shauger • Daniel Shimp • Patrick Smith • Crystal Special Note: Those who attended the workshop entitled
Smithmeyer • Matt Steiman • Amy Trauger • Chris Treichler • George “From Farm to Market, the Butcher’s View” at the confer-
Vahoviak • David Wrestler • Effie Zuck ence, presenter Mike Debach of Leona Meats wanted to
mention a clarification in a formula he used in the session.
Special Thanks To: Liz Elmore & April Kocis In the formula to determine the cost of your animal — you
who volunteered in the PASA office weeks before the conference. need to add the processing price to hanging cost then
Their help came just when the PASA staff needed it! divide to get cut out costs. Contact Mike at 800-416-3968 if
there are questions.

5
Director’s Corner
The World According to rbST
If at any time you want to check on
the health of agriculture in Pennsylvania,
it’s a good idea to look at the dairy indus-
try in particular. If you want to under-
stand what’s happening in the dairy
industry right now, you need only do a
search on one term, recombinant bovine
somatatropin, or rbST for short.
In case you don’t already know, this is
the artificial growth hormone commonly
used to treat cows on conventional dairy
farms to increase milk production — by
about 10 to 15% according to its manu-
facturer. The rather sudden furor that has
erupted over this substance, known by
Monsanto’s brand name as Posilac, can be
described as wildfire-like…and if you’re
not careful, you can get burned!
My own experience with this issue
began with the meeting last spring that I
have reported before, where leaders of
three large milk processing companies
met with a subcommittee of Pennsylva-
nia’s Dairy Task Force. The purpose of
the meeting was to celebrate the increase
in statewide milk production that had
been achieved in the last couple years.
When asked for their impressions of
our apparent success, two of the three
processor representatives stated clearly
and poignantly that while increased pro-
duction was nice, the Pennsylvania dairy
industry needed to be more concerned
about the quality of milk being pro-
duced. One of them, from the HP Hood
company, more plainly stated that “What
we really need is more organic milk!”
So there we were, talking about a need
to boost organic milk production, a topic
normally taboo within the halls of gov-
ernment. Moreover, our invited guests
explained they had identified that the fac-
tor consumers of organic milk cared
about most was eliminating the use of
rbST in the production process. There-
fore, in the absence of enough certified
organic milk, they would seek to provide
milk that is at least rbST-free.
Nothing has been quite the same
since. There have been editorials, letters
The question of rbST use is one
of profound importance to our
society, and we owe consumers
the ability to make an informed
choice as they see fit.
to the editor, Internet blogs, public meet-
ings and recriminations back and forth
about the way rbST-free milk is certified
and whether or not farmers are getting
their fare share of profits for giving up
this “all important technological
advancement.”
The whole discussion has been rather
fun to watch, especially since I was there
when it was initiated. But honestly, it’s
not all that funny anymore. I’ve seen
public officials looking awkward in trying
to make the world safe for rbST, and
young people coerced into telling large
crowds that the only difference between
conventional, rbST-free and organic milk
is price.
But the saddest part of all has been the
opportunity our dairy industry, and
therefore all of Pennsylvania agriculture
has missed — at least so far — to make
product quality our hallmark. As I’ve said
many times before, nothing would be
better for all our farmers than for the
whole world to identify the name “Penn-
sylvania” as that place where only the best
agricultural commodities can be found.
Moreover, even a modest effort on the
part of our agricultural leaders to negoti-
ate with and ultimately give those proces-
sors and the consumers standing behind
them what they truly want, more milk
carrying USDA organic certification,
could provide a windfall for our dairy
farmers and the rural communities in
which they reside. This opportunity is
even more significant given the growing
impression that some “organic” milk
coming from out West is little more than
a product of conventional feedlots.
Again, the name “Pennsylvania” can
mean something in this regard.
6
But what about the much ballyhooed
“truth about milk” as some commenta-
tors put it? Scientifically speaking, is
there really any difference between milk
produced one way or the other? There are
two answers that make sense to me.
First, a tentative “yes” — we know
there can be differences, depending on a
number of factors that make up a whole
production system. Even the rbST cheer-
ing squad is always careful to say that all
milk contains the “same” vitamins and
minerals, but never the “same amounts”
of vitamins and minerals. They also are
not explicit about whether conventional
milk might under any circumstances con-
tain substances not found in the rbST-
free variety.
Second, and not being a scientist
myself, I have to admit that I don’t really
know the answer to this question. But as
a student of ethics, I also don’t really care.
It is actually quite offensive to me that a
scientist would suggest, given his experi-
ment showing no literal difference
between two products, that I should not
care at all how each was made. This is one
indication of why scientists rarely make
good ethicists.
The question of rbST use is one of
profound importance to our society, and
we owe consumers the ability to make an
informed choice as they see fit. Think
about it…in sports we might ban an ath-
lete for life if he or she uses artificial
growth hormones. But we’re not sup-
posed to care if they are used in produc-
ing our food? There is a fundamental
issue of fairness involved here, and it is no
less severe if the “user” of such substances
is a creature with no choice in the matter.
But the issue of fairness does not stop
there either. Much has been said about
compensating farmers for choosing not
to use the technology available to them.
In addition to that, however, we must ask
if it is really fair for anyone to profit from
pushing a product that farmers were not
asking for and didn’t even need to do
their best work in the first place. n
President’s Corner

Talking About Food

By Kim Miller The tenor of public conversation has changed over

It seems everywhere I go people are
talking about food and not just about the last several years to one that PASA members have
where you can get the biggest portion for
the least amount of money. The tenor of been having since the beginning.
public conversation has changed over the
last several years to one that PASA mem-
bers have been having since the begin- tific and regressive. The science that has only assume that those who promote this
ning. Folks are interested in eating food produced inedible pork loin, I will sub- kind of system are doing so for personal
that is as fresh and local as possible. They mit, is nothing short of mad science. And economic gain.
also want food that is free of pesticides, raising hogs in confinement with all of In fact things are now so bad for con-
antibiotics and GMOs. the attendant environmental risks can ventional ag that we are to look outside of
The success of organic food providers, hardly be construed as progressive. Yet food production for the savior. Biofuel,
coupled with public awareness and inter- Pennsylvania’s agricultural industrialists perhaps the dumbest idea ever conceived
est in sustainable agriculture, has the con- act as if only mad science, government in American agriculture. If it takes more
ventional agricultural industry circling subsidy and disinformation will save energy to produce a gallon of ethanol
the wagons to defend their shrinking Pennsylvania’s farmers. than that gallon produces, using corn as a
market. From trying to source, and we have the
stack the National added disadvantage of
Organic Standards depleting what is left of
Board with industry our topsoil, then how
shills to rolling out a can this be any kind of
“Milk is Milk” disinfor- solution?
mation campaign the Mad science and
factory farmers con on. government subsidy is
The one thing that the only answer.
never occurs to our con- The real strength of
ventional ag industry is the sustainable ag com-
to produce a better munity is that we are
product. In fact it is open and honest with
almost amusing when each other. The more
one considers just how our customers know
effective they can be at about food the happier
producing lousy food. we are as farmers.
Over the recent holiday The more nutritious,
season I was twice sub- tasty, and free of chemi-
jected to conventionally cal agents the food we
Current PASA board vice president, Kim Seeley speaks with out-going board
raised pork loin. In both president Kim Miller before Friday morning’s plenary session at the conference. produce is, the happier
cases the loin was care- our customers are. In
fully and properly prepared. In both cases In fact we in the sustainable ag com- the new food system farmers and cus-
I was able to conclude that the pork munity welcome scientific inquiry. Bring tomers are allies not adversaries or dupes.
industry really has succeeded in produc- on the research dollars within the land We also welcome scientific inquiry
ing “the other white meat.” Yes, pork loin grant system to develop more tasty and and progress. But, the kind of progress
is now devoid of flavor, unable to hold nutritious foods, raised with less off-farm that leads to better food. Not just food
moisture during cooking and with a inputs. Let’s be progressive and under- that has a longer shelf life or can travel
mouth feel similar to sawdust, just like stand that the era of cheap oil is over and farther or be produced for a penny a
industrial chicken breast. In short, it is with it the possibility of cheap fertilizer, pound less. But, better food, like the pork
inedible. pesticides and transportation. To insist loin I have in my freezer that my neigh-
We in the sustainable ag community what we need to do is more of the same, bor raised. It’s not just another white
are frequently accused of being unscien- only harder, is regressive and one can meat. n

7
 John and Dana Eisenstein taught an early morn-
ing class on how to make lacto-fermented drinks,
including homemade root beer!

Michael Ableman gave a compelling closing keynote,

ending the three day conference with a slideshow of
photos from his latest book, Fields of Plenty.

PASA conference sponsor and exhibitor

Solair Energy Inc. of Ralston, PA was
one of 81 exhibitors on hand to talk
with conference attendees. Solair also
generously donated an item for the
Silent Auction.

Pennsylvania Certified Organic celebrated its 10th

birthday at the conference and founding member and
Executive Director Leslie Zuck talked about the orga-
nization’s successes and challenges over the years.

Debra Heller (left) and Charlie Boyer contributed their musical talents Brian Moyer, PASA board member and co-chairperson of the volunteer conference committee,
during the Sustainable Social Hour on Thursday evening. Performing helped introduce the Sustainable Ag Leadership award presented to Joel Salatin. Moyer attributes
Artists for Sustainable Agriculture, our newest PASA, is organized by much of the inspiration for his own successful pastured poultry business to the insights he’s
volunteers Louise Schorn Smith and John Lozier. gleaned from Salatin’s books and presentations over the years.
 PASA Executive Director Brian Snyder The charity auctions held during the conference are gaining in popularity, especially
enjoys addressing the crowd. the Bag and Silent Auctions held in Deans Hall, where hundreds participate. See
March/April Passages for a complete recap of this successful fundraiser.

Participants in the Equipment Maintenance and Repair pre-conference track

enjoyed a hands-on experience that included changing oil, filters, spark plugs and
belts.

Sharing the bounty of our regional foods is always a highlight at the conference,
be it at the social hour (pictured here), the special cheese tasting, or the featured
meals. A complete list of farms and businesses that participated in the food pro-
gram will be in the March/April Passages.

We were pleased to invite

Alan Bullock and wife
Susan, PASA lifetime
members from Back
Achers Farm, to the
awards banquet. Alan
expressed gratitude to
the PASA family for the
support shown this past
year, as he battled
illness with a
nourishing
organic
diet.

9
PASA is always honored to welcome Secretary of Agriculture Dennis The conference boasted 81 exhibitors this
Wolff to share a message from the State. year — offering a wonderful diversity to
peruse. Pictured here is conference speak-
er and exhibitor Jim Gerritsen of Wood
Prairie Farm, who had a very attractive
display of potatoes and seeds.

The Farmland Preservation Artists held a show of their food and Susan Beal was one of 30 volun-
farmland art during the conference, with a percentage of sales teers who pulled together
benefiting PASA. Pictured left is artist Susan Nicholas Gephart, the conference program,
explaining the artistry of plein air painting techniques. which featured over 100
workshops. For a full list
of volunteers who served
on the committee,
see page 5.

Kim Miller’s term as president comes to an end this spring, and in deference,
19 of his memorable quotes were hung in Presidents Hall of the conference
center, which was renamed “Kim Miller Hall” for the duration of the conference
10 by Penn State’s Dean of Agriculture, Robert Steele.

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.
Custom conference merchandise and books
authored by conference speakers are popu-
lar at the PASA booth. Special thanks goes
out to committee member Lisa Diefenbach
who organized onsite sales.

James Kunstler’s opening keynote was a sobering message about the changes that will
inevitably occur as supplies of cheap oil quickly diminish. However, the message was not
without hope and many participants came away with the feeling that the future of sus-
tainable agriculture looks brighter than ever. During an afternoon discussion group
Kunstler offered participants a chance to engage in a dialogue about a future without
cheap oil and following the riveting discussion, Kunstler hosted a book signing.

PASA wishes to
thank photographer
Pat Little for capturing our
conference so well.
11
PASA Fundraising

We did it! We met our PASA Welcomes

fundraising goal! Our Newest Lifetime Members
What an amazing 2006 year end for PASA! Linda & Eugene Aleci Thomas Littlefield Sandy & Gary Sojka
Lancaster, PA & Bruce Cappel Middleburg, PA
Wynnewood, PA
By Mena Hautau, Chair, PASA Fundraising Committee Sarah & Jason Ingle Helen Tangires &
Newtown Square, PA Heidi Secord Dennis McDaniel
Thank you to all who responded so generously! This includ- & Gary Bloss Washington DC
Kelli Lambert &
ed an end of the year direct mail campaign and personal visita- A.J. Bashore II
Saylorsburg, PA
tions to several donors by various members of our Board and Danville, PA
staff, which resulted in $52,666 being raised in the final quarter
of the year. This, along with our other activities throughout the PASA Welcomes
year has allowed our organization to achieve and exceed our goal Our Newest Business Members
for the year of $156,827. AT Sales Associates, Ltd. National Center for Appropriate
I wish to recognize and thank all our generous members and Oreland, PA Technology
dedicated staff who worked together with enthusiasm and com- Boehnlien & Associates Butte, MT
mitment this past year. Let us now plan for 2007 with a goal of Lewisburg, PA New York Sustainable Ag Working
Group, The Center for Popular
supporting our organization in many ways, including by con- Certified Naturally Grown
Research, Education and Policy
Stoneridge, NY
tinuing to build its financial health and wellbeing. Rochester, NY
Colchester Farm
Editor’s Note: We will kick off the 2007 Annual Fundraising
Campaign in the March/April issue. n
Georgetown, MD Organic Materials Review Institute
(OMRI)
Commission on Economic Eugene, OR
Opportunity
Wilkes-Barre, PA Pendle Hill
Wallington, PA
Our goal Cooking for Real
Coatesville, PA Pharmanex Independent
$150,000 — $156,827
Creekside Farm LLC
Distributor
DEC 31 Lykens, PA
Marysville, PA
Red Hill Farm CSA
— Farming Magazine: People, —Sisters of St. Francis
Land & Community Aston, PA
Fredericksburg, OH
— Frey’s Commissary/
Redmond Minerals
Redmond, UT
Meals on Wheels
Schafer’s Fish Fertilizer
— Montoursville, PA
Thomson, IL
Food Matrix
Shinglehouse, PA Seeds of Change
— The Green Chef’s Deli
Sante Fe, NM

Sewickley, PA Stone Barns Center

Pocantico Hills, NY
$100,000 — Hain Pure Protein Corp.
$104,529 Fredericksburg, PA University of Scranton
NOV. 3 $101,529 Small Business
High Street Pub
— SEPT. 25
Bellefonte, PA
Development Center
Scranton, PA
Indiana County Office of Warren County
— Planning & Development Conservation District
Indiana, PA Youngsville, PA
Keystone BioFuels Inc.
— Shiremanstown, PA
Willistown
Conservation Trust
Long Vue Club Newtown Square, PA
— Verona, PA Winrock International
$65,482 Mennonite Central Committee Arlington, VA
JULY 19
Akron, PA
$50,000 —
Mt. Lebanon Public Library
$51,940 Pittsburgh, PA
— MAY
MAY 16
$44, 772
MARCH
MARCH 17
!& PASA recently created a new category of PASA membership —
— Permanent Business Partner for those businesses wishing to make a
permanent contribution to PASA.
— PASA thanks our very first
Permanent Business Partner:
— Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Farmington, PA
0—
Illustration courtesy of Phyllis Kipp

12
Regional Marketing
BUSINESSES
Thanks to the 2006 Western Region Buy Fresh/Buy Local Partners McGinnis Sisters Specialty
Forty-one farms, farmers’ markets and businesses Food Stores
helped to spread the message of the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Paragon Monteverde
campaign throughout PASA’s Western Region. We would
Whole Foods Cooperative
like to recognize them for their dedication to the cam-
paign’s mission to gain consumer recognition of Western Grove City County Market
PA’s farm products.
If you are interested in being a part of the Buy Fresh, CONSUMERS
Buy Local effort, please contact David Eson at the Western Donald Bruckner
PASA office at 412-697-0411 or david@pasafarming.org.
Daniel & Lou Ann Collier
Phill Cornell
FARMS Laurel Vista, Inc. Wild Rose Farm Judy DeLowry
Allegheny East Specialty Leicher Family Farm Youngs Farm and Greenhouse Mark Forsythe
Produce Lengel Brothers Farm
FARMERS’ MARKETS Bobbie Hineline
Bedillion’s Route 18 M&M Robertson Farms
Farm and Fruit Market Johnstown 8th Ward Rose Hoberman
Morris Farm
C.T. Miller Vineyards Farmers’ Market Linda Humphreys & Deborah
Mung Dynasty
Cool Springs Organics Downtown Johnstown Swettenam
Next Life Farm Farmers’ Market
Dean Farms Megan Lindsey
Paradise Gardens and Farm Ligonier Country Market
Dillner Farms John & Peggy Porter
Ridgeview Acres Farm Oakland Farmers Market
Double J Galloway Farm Jenny Robie
Silver Wheel Farm
Farber Farms Washington Main Street
Soergel Orchards & Green- Market Jessica Swisher
Friendship Farms houses
Meadville Area Local Growers Martin Thomas
Grow Pittsburgh Sweet Soil, Inc
Mt Lebanon Partnership Nicole Totino
Harvest Valley Farms Toboggan Hill Farm Farmers’ Market Jane Trambley
Heilman Family Farm Townline Farm Poultry
Jamison Farm Reserve RESTAURANTS Carole Walsh
Lambert Mountain Acres Triple B Farms Levy Restaurants May Whitcomb

REGIONAL CONTACTS & DISCUSSION GROUP ADDRESSES

Discussion groups are open to PASA members only to join and discuss issues related to sustainable agriculture.
To join the group in your region, send an email to the appropriate address provided.
Western
PASAWestern-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
David Eson
NorthCentral/Eastern
412-697-0411 • david@pasafarming.org

Southeastern
PASAsoutheast-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Brian Moyer Western
610-944-9349 • brianm22@aol.com
Mena Hautau
610-378-1327 • mmh10@psu.edu Southeastern
Southcentral
Southcentral
PASAsouthcentral-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Julie Hurst:
717-734-2082 • royjulie@pa.net Out of State discussion group addresses:
NorthCentral/Eastern States North and East of Pennsylvania
PASAnorthcentralEast-subscribe@yahoogroups.com PASAOutofStateNortheast-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Leah Tewksbury States South and West of Pennsylvania
570-437-2620 • tewks1@aol.com PASASouthandWest-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

13

Weed the Soil, Not the Crop
A Whole-Farm Approach
to Weed Management
Discing down rye and vetch the third week of May in preparation for late vegetables planted
in July and August.
By Anne & Eric Nordell,
Beech Grove Farm
Many sustainable growers subscribe to
the philosophy of “feed the soil, not the
plant.” Our whole farm approach to
weed management follows the same line
of thinking — we call it “weed the soil,
not the crop.” Instead of relying on the
cultivator or hoe to save the crop from
the weeds we use cultural practices;
including cover cropping, bare fallow
periods, rotation and shallow tillage, to
reduce overall weed pressure in the soil.
One result of this proactive strategy is
we no longer depend on the cultivator or
the hoe to grow certified organic pro-
duce. “Weeding the soil” has also enabled
us to use reduced tillage and living
mulches without compromising weed
management.
Weed-free conditions did not happen
overnight. It took five years — and a
good bit of patience and observation —
to see a dramatic reduction in weed pres-
sure. Successfully weeding the soil also
required all of the following principles
and practices.
Discouraging certain
types of weeds from growing
This may sound far-fetched, but we
think there is a connection between soil
structure, nutrient levels, and weed pres-
sure. At least, we have often noticed that
certain weeds seem to flourish where the
soil is compacted or crusted or otherwise
in poor condition. It is almost as if nature
sends in the weeds to repair the damage
from overworking the soil.
Other types of weeds seem to domi-
nate where fertility levels are excessive or
imbalanced and nutrient release is high.
This situation often occurs where large
amounts of manure are applied year after
year. In this case, nature appears to be
using a flush of high-fertility weeds to
mop up the excess nutrients and prevent
them from polluting the environment.
These observations encourage us to
rely primarily on cover crops to maintain
soil structure and nutrient availability in
the market garden, and to use low rates of
slow-release rock minerals and well-com-
posted horse manure to replace the small
quantity of fertility exported from the
farm in vegetables.
To realize the full soil building poten-
tial of the cover crops, we devote a whole
fallow year to cover cropping before
planting each vegetable crop. The fallow
year provides enough time to grow two
manure annual cover crops, which can
generate a lot of free organic matter above
ground as well as an extensive network of
roots underground. In this way we can
use the cover crops to maintain good soil
quality, so the weeds do not have to per-
14
form this important role.
Reducing the weed seed
bank in the soil
We rely on a fallow year of cover crop-
ping before every vegetable crop to put
certain weeds out of a job. But to actual-
ly reduce the number of weed seeds in the
soil, we include a bare fallow period as
part of the fallow year management. The
bare fallow is an opportunity to use
tillage to intentionally stimulate weeds to
germinate and then kill them while they
are still small.
The timing and duration of the bare
fallow really depends on the most press-
ing weeds. For example, during the eight-
ies we used six — to eight-week bare
fallow periods in the middle of the fallow
year to target warm-season broadleaf
weeds such as lambs quarter and pig-
weed. Recently we have shifted the bare
fallow to the beginning of the fallow year
to focus on the small quantity of cool-
season weeds remaining in the seed bank.
Managing the bare fallow is similar to
planting small-seeded vegetables, in that
a firm, moist seedbed is necessary to get
the weed seeds to germinate. As soon as
the weeds sprout, we make a pass with
the spring tooth harrow or riding cultiva-
tor equipped with wide sweeps to shal-
lowly uproot and undercut the seedlings
and dry them out in the sun. Once we are
sure the seedlings have dried, we re-firm
the fallow field with a cultipacker or
roller to germinate another batch of
weeds. By repeating this procedure a few
times over the course of the bare fallow
period, we can flush several generations
of weed seeds out of the soil surface this
year before planting vegetables.
When preparing a seedbed for plant-
ing the market garden crops, it is critical
to limit tillage to the top two of three
inches of the soil. Otherwise, new weed
seeds will be brought to the surface to
germinate with the vegetables. In this
respect, the traditional use of the mold-
board plow, chisel plow or rotovator,
work against the weed-seed-depleting
progress made during the previous year’s
bare fallow period. Instead of using deep
tillage to loosen and aerate the soil before
planting produce, we shallowly till the
cover crops, relying on their extensive
root systems to provide good soil struc-
ture for the vegetables.
Rotational cover cropping
To facilitate shallow tillage of the
cover crops, we group the market garden
crops by planting dates; that is, whether
they are planted early or late. For exam-
ple, before late-planted vegetables, such
as frost-sensitive tomatoes and peppers
set out in late May or early June, or fall
crops of broccoli and kale transplanted in
July, we use an overwintering cover crop
of rye and hairy vetch. Shallowly plowed
in April (no more than 2–3 inches deep),
or disced several times in late May and
June, this winter-hardy cover crop mix Fall broccoli, kale and carrots planted in July following disced down rye and vetch
has plenty of time to break down before three components helps to discourage fallow, we planted a winterkilled cover of
these late-planted vegetables go in the many classes of weeds from growing peas in preparation for the 1992 crop of
ground. while reducing the weed seed bank in the early-planted onions. No hand weeding
In preparation for early crops, like soil. in the onion rows up to this point, the
spinach, peas and onions, we use a cover In 1991 we were beginning the third last week of June, although we did spend
crop of Canadian field peas, which die time through the four year rotation, an three hours in July to remove the few hid-
back over winter. A winterkilled cover example of what the cover crop rotation den weeds that threatened to go to seed
crop makes it possible to till the soil shal-
looked like across several fields included a in this half-acre field. Overseeding the
lowly and prepare a seedbed in time for field of late vegetables — tomatoes, pep- onions with sweet clover starts the next
planting the first market garden crops of pers, flowering kale, summer lettuce, zuc- cycle of the cover crop rotation.
the season. chini and corn seeded with winter “One Year’s Seeding,
Alternating the cash crops between squash. All of these crops were planted in Seven Year’s Weeding”
those planted early and late sets in motionlate May or early June after shallowly One of the advantages of small-scale
the four-year cover crop rotation illustrat-
plowing a cover crop of rye and vetch the vegetable production is that it is possible
ed in the Cover Crop Clock (see below). beginning of April. We cultivated these to do the little extras to “weed the soil.”
The clock shows how the rotation late vegetables a couple of times to pre- This includes mowing around the market
unfolds over time. It also “tells the time”serve soil moisture, but weeding or hoe- garden to prevent grasses and weeds from
the land is in cover crops, tillage and veg-
ing the rows was not necessary. going to seed and blowing in the veg-
etables. Note how the timing of these To the left of the late field of vegeta- etable fields. We also make a point of
bles was a fallow field in composting the small quantities of horse
This cover crop clock shows a new and improved rotation yellow sweet clover being
based on cannery peas. manure we apply to the market garden to
mowed for the second reduce the likelihood of introducing new
time before plowing it weed seeds in the manure and bedding.
down to begin the bare As mentioned above, we take the time
fallow period midsum- to walk to vegetable rows to remove any
mer. In August, we weeds that might set seed even if they are
replanted this fallow field not interfering with the growth of the
to rye and vetch to pre- crops. This proactive task becomes much
pare for the next year’s easier — even recreational — after reduc-
(1992) late-planted veg- ing weed pressure with the bare fallow
etables. period and rotational cover cropping. n
To the right was a fal-
low field where we had Editor’s Note: Anne & Eric Nordell’s
already incorporated a new weed management manual is available
cover crop of oats and ini- for $15 (includes S&H). Send check or
tiated the bare fallow money order to 3410 Rt. 184, Trout Run,
period the end of June. PA 17771
After the six-weeks bare

15
Farmer Profile

Berry Fields Farm

By Michele Gauger ed to set a goal for the farm to be financially sustainable and in
“It all started with a desire to eat healthy food,” according to order to do this they have added a new feature to the farm
Barbara Gerlach of Berry Fields Farm located in New Albany, each of the 6 years they have been there.
Pennsylvania (Bradford County). Barbara and her husband, The Gerlachs recently began offering farm vacations and
Charlie had relatively no farming experience,
except for a few raised beds in their garden at
their previous home in the York area.
But about 6 years ago, the Gerlachs decided to
sell their business (Charlie is an architect and Bar-
bara a design/build estimator) and move to Brad-
ford County, to a piece of land they had purchased
about 30 years ago for a hunting area. “We
became increasingly aware of how the quality of
food we were eating may affect our long term
health. So we wanted to begin growing what we
could for ourselves,” Barbara continued.
At Berry Field Farms, the Gerlachs at first only
grew produce and fruits for themselves.They soon
discovered that to be a self-sufficient farm they
needed quality compost for their gardens, so they
decided to purchase a few beef cows. But on their Barbara Gerlach helps one of their younger guests feed the goats.

mainly wooded land, they needed pasture areas cleared, so
they also bought a few goats to help clear a few areas on the
farm.“We soon discovered we enjoyed raising grass fed meats,
so we expanded to also include poultry and pigs,” said Barbara.
However the Gerlachs soon realized how much capital it
takes to produce food and income for themselves. They decid-
also meals at their farm. These ventures have been a great way
to teach guests about sustainable living, while also diversifying
revenue sources for the farm. Debbie Reeder, a frequent guest
at the Gerlachs’ on-farm dinners, said “I first met the Gerlachs at
a farmers’ market in Eagles Mere and go to their farm frequent-
ly for the dinners and for fresh produce.

Because we must be both producers, as house and dining room. The high eleva-
What do you see as some of the crit-
well as business and marketing managers, tion, short growing season, long distances
ical issues concerning agriculture today?
our skills and time is so diversified that to markets and supplies, and sloped ter-
Agriculture encompasses a wide spec-
we begin to feel overwhelmed. The sim- rain have added many challenges.
trum of businesses involved in food pro-
ple answer would appear to be to hire Diversity…we produce a small
duction. Each of those businesses has
some help, but our own financial analysis amount of many food products; grass-fed
their own critical issue to face, but in gen-
has shown that the income we now beef, all natural pork and goat meat,
eral the issue that affects everyone is the
receive could not be enhanced enough by organic eggs, chicken, duck, turkey, and
low quality of foods produced by conven-
additional labor and labor related costs. goose; garden fruit and vegetable pro-
tional corporate farms. How can we
The only benefit would be less work for duce; orchard fruits; organic baked goods
influence the corporate and political
us, but no financial gain. How can farm- such as cakes, pies, cookies, and sour
structure of all nations to value nutrition,
ers get help they need to survive and grow dough breads; value added jarred items
flavor, diversity, the environment, health
within an economic framework of labor such as jams, jellies and fruit butters.
and sustainability over their financial
related costs that make it very difficult? Marketing…we market everything
gain? If we can’t, how can we influence
the consumer to value quality food over What is unique about your farm? direct through six avenues — a farmers’
other choices? Location…we are two miles off a market, a farm store on our property, an
Personally, as small-scale producers, paved road, on the top of the mountain, e-mail list about items available, our
our most critical issues concern our own in a remote area of the state. We have a vacation rental guests, our dining room
knowledge and time management. view of about 40 miles from our guest- and our blueberry festival.

16
Left: Charlie Gerlach in the certified kitchen at Berry Fields Farm where he creates the delicious on-farm dinners. Right: In addition to the farm
stays and dinners offered at Berry Fields, the Gerlachs also have their Blueberry Store where they sell locally produced goods.
Educational opportunities…we have a
guesthouse on the farm that sleeps 10
adults. Our guests come from all corners
of our country and from many foreign
countries. During their stays we have
many opportunities to speak about sus-
tainable living. We find most of them
extremely receptive and we are thrilled to
have the opportunity to influence just a
small segment of the world’s population.
How has your operation evolved over
the years?
Our operation has evolved as our goals
have changed. Our first goal was to pro-
duce as many of our own foods as possi-
ble. We were concerned about how
conventionally produced foods might be
affecting our future health. As we become
more and more involved with food pro-
duction and the related costs such as
seed, equipment, fencing, etc. we
expanded our goals toward financial sus-
tainability.
With no obvious markets for our
products in our remote area, we knew we
would need to be creative. We didn’t have
the time or the resources to transport our
products to any existing farmers’ markets
so we organized a market in a nearby
resort town (Eagles Mere) and used that
exposure to lure residents hungry for
organic, fresh produce and naturally
raised meats to our farm. Some cus-
tomers were willing to come just for the
opportunity to purchase garden produce
and fruits that were freshly picked just for
them, but we knew we needed to add farm — vegetables, fruits, meats, breads,
more to make them want to return. desserts, jarred items, or meals – we know
Our first addition was a store that fea- it must be very high quality to make our
tured our products as well as other organ- customers travel so far out of their way.
ic and sustainable items such as raw milk When we started we thought no one
cheeses, wild Alaskan salmon, maple would come — but they do! Our motto
syrup, honey and many more. Next we “It is your responsibility to choose
began baking organic sour dough breads healthy foods, it is our responsibility to
and desserts with all organic ingredients provide healthy foods for you to choose.”
including our own farm fruits.
When we began to question what to Why did you join PASA?
do with leftovers, we decided to add a With no farming background or expe-
small dining room and feature any excess rience, we had a lot to learn. Our first
items on the menu. We now offer Satur- PASA field day exposed us to more than
day evening dinners and Sunday morning knowledge, as we learned the established
brunches by reservation only. We worked sustainable agriculture community was
with the Pennsylvania Department of very supportive. We joined soon after the
Agriculture through each step of our field day and after attending our first
transition to make sure we were in com- PASA conference, we were hooked. n
pliance with all
of their regula-
tions. The instal- ADVERTISEMENT
lation of the
commercial
kitchen was
Hungry Parasites,
much less expen-
sive or difficult
Predators on Patrol
than we antici- Use Biocontrol in the Field to Control:
pated and we Corn Borer, Mexican Bean Beetle, Manure Flies
now have the Use Biocontrol in the Greenhouse to Control:
added option to Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Thrips, Fungus Gnats
produce value
added products IPM Laboratories, Inc.
to sell in our www.ipmlabs.com • ipmlabs@baldcom.net
store year round. Phone: (315) 497-2063
Whatever we Healthy Beneficials Guaranteed
produce at our
17
Educational Outreach
What’s New with Penn State and
PASA’s On-Farm Research Program?
On-Farm Cover
Cropping Studies
By Michele Gauger & Ron Hoover
Visits with numerous farmers in
Pennsylvania have revealed there is
opportunity to increase management
intensity of many cover crop programs.
While many producers incorporate cover
crops into their cropping systems, there is
still important education and research to
be done concerning the management of
these valuable crops.
Some areas for improving cover crop
management include increasing seeding
rates, optimizing the time of seeding, and
selecting species to improve overall sys-
tem performance. Thicker stands of cover
crop should improve weed control
through increased shading of emerging
weeds. Increased stand density often
results in greater cover crop yields, which
should contribute to more rapid increas-
es in soil organic matter and improve-
ments in soil fertility.
Since 2004 PASA and Penn State have
been working with a few PASA members
to conduct cover crop research trials on
their farms. These trials were designed to
address one or more of the opportunities
outlined above. Along with measuring
the production of the cover crop, equal or
greater attention is given to the cash crop
that follows. In this and in future issues
of Passages we will profile many of these
studies, some have recently been com-
pleted and others are continuing. For
updates on our progress and further
information on Penn State and PASA’s
partnership with on-farm research, visit
www.pasafarming.org.
Research Profile:
Penn Valley Farms
Penn Valley Farms, operated by Bob
and Lois Keller, has been certified organ-
ic since 2000. The farm encompasses 115
acres producing alfalfa, corn, soybean,
wheat and some oats. Crop rotations
include three years of alfalfa to build a
nitrogen supply, then rotating to grain
corn (cover crop of cereal rye after corn is
removed), soybean, wheat, then seeded to
alfalfa (begin rotation) or to hairy vetch
which is followed by corn, shortcutting
the rotation. As are many farmers, Bob is
interested in producing more nitrogen
through better use of legume cover crops
on his farm.
The research trial on his farm was
designed to address an interest in growing
a heavier rye cover. Possible improve-
ments included an increased seeding rate
or a more efficient planting method to
get the desired thick stand of cover crop
to compete with winter annual weeds and
increase soil organic matter. The trial
focused on increasing the seeding rates of
cereal rye to increase cover crop biomass
for the above reasons and to possibly
increase yield of the following soybeans
through increased amounts of cover bio-
mass being tilled into the soil.
Cereal rye is one of the most popular
and easiest cover crops to grow. While it
provides ground cover that aids in mini-
mizing erosion, it gathers nutrients from
deeper in the soil profile and helps with
weed control through interplant compe-
tition for light. Also, it has been suggest-
ed that for late plantings of rye, higher
18
seeding rates should be used to achieve
increased biomass production.
The field used in this trial was previ-
ously in corn. To prepare the field for rye
drilling, two passes were made with a disc
harrow that loosened the soil surface. The
rye was drilled at two rates in early
November 2004 using a 10 foot wide
drill. The “normal” rate was 2.25
bushels/acre and the “higher” rate was
3.75 bushels/acre. The field plots were 50
feet wide (5 drill passes per plot) and var-
ied in length from 300 to 700 feet, the
length of the field. The two seeding rates
were replicated five times across the field.
In the spring of 2005 small samples of
cereal rye were sheared at the soil surface
and dried to determine aboveground bio-
mass yields. Then the entire field was
moldboard plowed, disc harrowed and
power harrowed prior to planting soy-
bean in April. The soybean crop was then
weeded and row cultivated twice to con-
trol weeds before harvest in late Septem-
ber. Soybean grain yields were collected
at this time.
Overall establishment of the cereal rye
cover crop was good. However, heavy
corn stover on the field surface after disk-
ing interfered somewhat with the ability
of the grain drill to consistently place
seed into soil. Where stover was heaviest,
rye plant density was reduced. Visual
observations of the crop in December
2004 and April 2005 indicated slight dif-
ferences in stand densities between the
two treatments. However, we were unable
to detect a significant difference between
the normal and high seeding rates for
aboveground biomass production.
The soybean crop following the rye
cover was observed during summer 2005.
The stand was very uniform across both
treatments, showing good growth vigor
and pod development. It was not surpris-
ing that soybean yields for the two treat-
ments were nearly identical. Average
yields for both the cereal rye cover crop
biomass and soybean grain are summa-
rized in Table 1.
Treatment Rye 1 Soybean 2
lbs/acre bu/acre
Normal seeding rate 3742.4 51.9
High seeding rate 3976.4 52.1
1. Rye aboveground biomass (4/ 20/05)
2. Soybean grain yields (9/27/05)
 The rapid growth associated with
cereal rye had only recently begun when
herbage biomass was sampled and the
cover moldboard plowed. Observed from
overhead, as much as 30–40% of the field
lacked foliar cover. Most of this space was
between the drilled rows; however, some
open area was seen nearer the row where
significant corn stover remained at the
surface. The corn stover residue served as
mulch and resisted being cut by the light-
weight grain drill equipped with single
disk openers, preventing seed from being
placed into the soil.
The greater limitation to improving
cover crop stands and increasing biomass
yields in this trial was the ability to cor-
rectly place seed into the soil so that ger-
mination and emergence are maximized.
Where seed was properly placed,
increased seeding rate likely did not
improve stands. While more complete
incorporation of residue into the soil
should have permitted the drill to do a
better job at planting, this is undesirable
as fewer residues on tilled fields only
worsens the potential for soil erosion and
nutrient losses. Use of a heavier drill that
is capable of slicing through residue and
placing seed at the appropriate depth in
the soil should have improved rye stands.
Further, use of a drill with openers that
are spaced closer than the 7 to 8 inches
utilized by most manufacturers could also
greatly improve stand density and cover
crop biomass sooner after cover crop
planting. A more rapidly and extensively
covered field will be less susceptible to the
damage inflicted by falling raindrops.
The benefits of incorporating cover
crops into crop rotations are not often
immediately observed. While no differ-
ence was observed in the amount of cere-
al rye being produced and subsequently
added back to the soil in this trial, grow-
ing larger quantities of cover crop should
result in several benefits. Among them is
that the cover crop will be better to com-
pete with and reduce weed density and
generate more organic matter that will
improve soil quality and health. Increases
in soil organic matter dramatically
increases the ability of soils to store more
water for following crops. n
19
APPRENTICE AND
INTERN LISTING
Good help is hard to find. If your
farm offers intern and apprenticeship
opportunities, let PASA help! We will
post your classified listing in our
newsletter and on our web-based
Intern Board. Last year, each farm post-
ing on PASA’s Intern Board received an
average of over 500 hits! Although
anyone can search the Intern Board,
posting services are free and limited
to members only.
When submitting your posting,
please use the following format:
• Farm Name, County, State
• Brief description of the position,
including time frame, compensation,
duties & other details.
• Your contact information
Submit your postings directly to
Heather House at heather@pasafarm-
ing.org or via surface mail at PASA
Intern Board, PO Box 419, Millheim,
PA 16854.
ADVERTISEMENT
PASA Opinion
NAIS — A Better Food System or a Shell Game?
By Brian Moyer,
PASA board member, Green Haven Farm
PASA’s stand on the National Animal
Identification System (NAIS) was
described early last year by Executive
Director Brian Snyder in a column in
Passages (issue no. 60) that was edited by
the full PASA board of directors. Since
then, I’ve heard from several people who
wonder why PASA is not devoting more
time to this issue. (For more information
on NAIS visit www.animalid.aphis.usda
.gov/nais/index. For opposing views, visit
www.nonais.org).
Those of you following this issue
closely know that NAIS has been a con-
fusing and ever changing issue to follow.
As with anything in government, your
best bet is to follow the money. The reg-
ulation is a product of the USDA, so as a
federal regulation it tends to limit indi-
vidual state power to oppose it. Further-
more, the USDA has given money to the
states to start implementing the first part
of NAIS, premise identification, which
isn’t even really a regulation yet.
Many people don’t seem to under-
stand that NAIS is in fact a proposed reg-
ulation, not a law. The USDA says that
since this is a regulation, they don’t need
a law passed by Congress. However, the
USDA needs Congress to fund this
expensive project. So, one thing you can
do to help is to contact your state and
federal representatives and tell them what
you think of this use of your tax dollars.
From the start, the USDA has been
vague at best regarding NAIS. This leads
to assumptions, speculation, conspiracy
theories and down right confusion. Some
states have already started to implement
this proposed regulation with USDA
funding. For example, Pennsylvania tried
to pass a bill (SB 865) that would make
premise ID mandatory. Thankfully,
though this bill passed the state Senate
almost unanimously, it died in the House
and therefore expired at the end of the
last legislative session. Now we are hear-
ing from USDA that the NAIS is an
entirely voluntary program, which has
left everyone, including the states
involved, even more confused.
PASA may not be “THE” voice on this issue, but we are an
important voice in an ever-growing chorus of discontent
with the status quo. We should work with each other to
build our voices even louder and add to the choir.
Just like most of you, I don’t want
NAIS. I feel it does nothing to protect
me, my livestock or my customers. As a
small farm I am open with my produc-
tion practices and my customers know
how I produce the food that they are buy-
ing. That being said, let’s look at where
NAIS might make sense. We just might
want some kind of tracking system for
big industrial farms.
The large centralized food system is in
the news almost every day. We are seeing
one micro organism from one area in one
state contaminating a food that shouldn’t
have this organism and infecting not one
store, not one restaurant, but entire
regions and in one case half the states in
the country. For this kind of system of
agriculture, we might want some kind of
traceability. For the most part, PASA
farmers already have traceability and
transparency that any of our customers
can follow.
I think the following comments from
an acquaintance and fellow farmer sum
up a lot of the feelings that surround this
issue:
I don’t need the USDA to manage dis-
ease on my property, that is what my vet
and I do. What I want from the USDA is
research into healing diseased animals, low-
ering the average age of the farmer by
encouraging more youth, improving the
way farmers are seen by society both for
their contribution and as a possible career,
programs that bring back the support small
farms need to compete and succeed (such as
helping bring back more small processors),
help for small farmers to bring product to
market, increase in the number of farms
and not the loss of farms, abolishment of
farm subsidies, and a requirement that the
agricultural colleges must use federal dollars
to research small scale and sustainable
21
farming instead of industrial farming.
Everyone should have a right to grow food
and to sell it, give it, share it with those who
are able to form a firsthand relationship —
that is food security and traceability.
For me, NAIS is just another in a long
list of items used to divide the farming
community. To keep us divided means
we cannot rise out of the corporate serf-
dom that currently exists. What the feds
didn’t count on was the grassroots rise of
new organizations that have become a
loud voice against NAIS. Organizations
like Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance,
Berks Citizens for Sustainable Farms and
others.
This is an opportunity for us to work
with these organizations so we can
become an even louder voice for not only
civil rights (which NAIS might violate)
but also for our healthy food rights, for
which PASA has long advocated. A num-
ber of these organizations weren’t familiar
with PASA. Now they are.
PASA may not be “THE” voice on
this issue, but we are an important voice
in an ever-growing chorus of discontent
with the status quo. We should work with
each other to build our voices even loud-
er and add to the choir.
We’ve seen it work before — it will
work again.
Is it reasonable for us to say “manda-
tory NAIS for factory farms, voluntary
for direct-market farms?” I don’t
know…that would probably be a consti-
tutional issue as well. What I do know is
that agriculture is moving in two differ-
ent directions, large factory and small
niche farms and government will eventu-
ally have to level the playing field. You
know PASA will be at the table for that.
Pass me the grass-fed beef please! n
 ADVERTISEMENT

Fertrell Company
P.O. Box 265 • Bainbridge, PA 17502
800-347-1566
www.fertrell.com
Dealer Inquiries Invited
“Where Quality Comes Naturally”

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Enhance Genetic Potential,
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“Do the Easy Thing First,

Use Fertrell Minerals”
— Joel Salatin
The Next Step…Going Organic
By Michele Gauger
Did you know the south central and
southeastern counties of Pennsylvania
include about 80% (23,996 acres) of the
state’s apple and pear acreage and approx-
imately 84% (7,774 acres) of the acreage
dedicated to stone fruits such as peaches,
nectarines, plums and cherries?
The Penn State Fruit Research and
Extension Center (FREC) in Biglerville
(Adams County) was created in 1918 to
investigate fruit problems in the region.
Undergoing alterations through the
years, the Center now encompasses 125
acres in the heart of the state’s major tree
fruit production area. The Center serves
as an important venue for research con-
sidering new production practices, which
are tested on similar soils and under com-
mon climatic conditions as a majority of
the regional fruit producers.
Today the FREC produces a variety of
apples, peaches and nectarines in addi-
tion to wine and table grapes. Dr. James
Travis, Extension Fruit Pathologist says
most of the growing practices used at the
research station utilize those associated
with integrated pest management (IPM)
The organic orchard is clearly marked to ensure no contamination from other research trials. An important part of the research being done at
the fruit research station is outreach to other producers. Dr. Jim Travis (inset), and his team have hosted several field days and tours.
and other “sustainable” fruit production
methods, including the use of biological
control agents, compost, compost tea and
alternative weed control practices. Travis
calls their methods “science-based IPM”
as the Center also tracks climatic factors
to learn how it influences production.
Recently the FREC took the “next
step,” as Travis calls it, to actually have
acreage under certified organic produc-
tion. The two acres of apple orchard now
certified organic by Pennsylvania Certi-
fied Organic (PCO) was planted in May
2004, inspected by PCO in June 2006
and officially certified in July 2006. The
organic orchard includes disease resistant
apple varieties, Enterprise and Goldrush.
Funding for organic certification came
via the State Horticultural Association of
Pennsylvania (SHAP), who formed a task
force called the Pennsylvania Organic
Fruit Industry Transition (PROFIT), cre-
ated to head the organic transition effort
in the state. To date, there are approxi-
mately 100 acres of commercial apple
orchards that are transitioning to organic
production in Pennsylvania as part of
PROFIT.
23
Travis hopes in the next few years to
also begin organic production/research
areas using stone fruits, such as peaches.
He says the main hurdle is identifying
control strategies for brown rot of stone
fruits.
Noemi Halbrendt, Research Associate
at the Center, has been working closely
with PCO during the certification
process and she said, “It has been inter-
esting working with PCO. Both organi-
zations seem to be learning together as
PCO hasn’t certified many orchards
before, so we are offering suggestions on
how they can revise their certification
forms for the tree fruit grower.”
Halbrendt also mentioned that there
was a lot of time invested upfront learn-
ing the regulations of organic certifica-
tion and then continual maintenance to
be sure there isn’t any contamination and
that organic guidelines are followed.
Everyone involved with the organic
certification felt going through the
process will help them better understand
what other growers in the region will face
as they begin to transition. The knowl-
edge the researchers have gained will
enable them to better answer potential
grower questions, such as “do the trees
you plant have to be certified organic?”
continued on page 24
Going Organic
continued from page 23
The answer is no, since there are no cer-
tified organic trees on the market, but
Travis points out that disease resistant
varieties are the best to plant in an organ-
ic orchard. He recommends that growers
plan at least 2 years ahead since the
demand for these tree varieties is so high.
A listing of disease resistant varieties is
available at the FREC website at
http://fpath.cas.psu.edu/, some species
include Enterprise, Goldrush, Topaz,
Crimson Crisp and Liberty.
For those growers who may be consid-
ering establishing an organic orchard,
Travis points out that if they are already
using various IPM methods (pheromone
traps, beneficial insects, etc.) they have
the skills to go organic.
The first full year of production has
been a “fruitful” one. FREC partnered
with Knouse Foods, a grower-owned
cooperative that is also a certified organic
processor, to buy the first organic apples
produced.
Travis reported the overall goal is to
have enough bushels of apples for local
apple processors to produce an organic
line of products using only Pennsylvania
fruit (the minimum need would be about
200,000 bushels per year.)
Travis and the research team are
already working with a few area growers
to make the transition to organic. He
points out, “Of the 22,000 acres of
apples in Adams County, most are run by
generational, family farmers. It has been
interesting working with family farmers
since they are looking towards the long-
term view versus working with financial
groups who are mainly interested in gains
in the next few years.”
As research continues at FREC the
knowledge gained testing different organ-
ic methods for their effectiveness, along
with other varieties of fruit, will enable
them to serve area growers with informa-
tion that will hopefully allow their organ-
ic fruit production to prosper. The
research team plans to have a guide pub-
lished by next fall detailing organic apple
production.
To learn more about the organic apple
production research at the Penn State
Fruit Research and Extension Center in
Biglerville, PA, contact Dr. Jim Travis at
717-677-6116 or jwt2@psu.edu. n
Editor’s Note: Dr. Jim Travis was recently
appointed to fill a partial term vacancy on
the PASA board of directors.

ADVERTISEMENT
PASA regrets the omission of this display ad that had been
submitted for the 2007 conference program book. Our
apologies to Louise Schorn Smith, and best wishes to your
company in the new year!

24
Editor’s Corner
The study is designed exclusively for

The Grapevine agriculture producers. Your responses are

by Michele Gauger
GOT WEEDS?
Before you dig them up, take a moment
to identify them. Weeds are opportunistic
species that thrive in conditions that are
inhospitable to others, which makes them
clues to what may be lacking or out of
whack in your soil.
If you have thistle, quackgrass, dande-
lion, bindweed or common plantain — the
problem is likely compacted soil. Incorpo-
ration of organic matter (compost, shred-
ded leaves, etc) or using a deep-rooted
cover crop (sudangrass or winter rye) will
help loosen the soil structure
If you have purslane, knapweed, lamb’s
quarters or pigweed — the problem is like-
ly excess nitrogen. Plant an annual cover
crop, such as buckwheat, to take the place
of opportunistic weeds, and incorporate it
into the soil when it flowers. Make ample
use of mulches to increase carbon activity
in the soil that will tie up the nitrogen.
If you have field horsetail, curly dock or
sheep sorrel — the problem is likely water-
logged or acidic soil. Test your soil and add
lime per the test’s recommendations. Or
take advantage of acidic conditions by
planting blueberries, azaleas or rhubarb.
Improve waterlogged conditions and add
organic matter.
If you have oxeye daisy, black medic or
mullein — the problem is likely poor soil
fertility. Have your soil tested and add
organic fertilizers and amendments to
remedy nutrient deficiencies.
ATTENTION FARMERS! —
INPUT NEEDED ON WEED
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
The Rodale Institute, in collaboration
with Pennsylvania State University and
USDA Sustainable Agriculture Program, is
conducting a farmer survey as part of a
biologically based weed management
initiative.
We invite you to take part in this weed
management research study by filling out
a short survey. We hope to learn more
about the weed management challenges
you face in your operations.With this infor-
mation, we hope to better serve farmers
through identifying their constraints so we
can implement improved approaches and
tools to better manage weeds.
crucial for getting valid information on this
topic so we can work with you in your on-
going management of weeds. Please take
a few moments (about 10 minutes) to fill
out the questionnaire.
We will be careful to maintain your con-
fidentiality. The collected data will be used
only for research purposes. Figures will be
reported only as the group responses,
respecting your privacy. Please visit the
link below to access the survey:
www.newfarm.org/weeds
Questions or concerns, call Stacy Duh,
Survey Administrator, The Rodale Institute,
stacy.duh@rodaleinst.org, 610-683-1400.
ORGANIC NO-TILL WEED MANAGE-
MENT WITH ROLLER-CRIMPERS
Until recently, organic no-till was prob-
lematic because of the difficulty of reliably
killing the cover crops. Several field trials
have demonstrated that mechanical roller-
crimpers can kill a cover crop just as effec-
tively as herbicides, opening the way for a
higher degree of ecological weed, crop
and soil management. An excellent review
of no-till techniques and research by
NCAT’s (National Center for Appropriate
Technology Transfer) Steve Diver is avail-
able at www.attra.ncat.org/calendar/ques-
tion.php/2006/05/08/p2221.

Resources for Weed Management

n Handbook on Prescribed Sheep and Goat Grazing for Vegetation Man-
agement offers details on grazing to manage invasive weeds on farms, range
and wildland. ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas) web-
page at http://attra.org/livestock.html.

n Steel in the Field: A Farmer’s Guide to Weed Management Tools looks

at how farmers across the country are managing weeds with cultural and
mechanical methods. Order at 301-374-9696 or at www.sare.org/publica-
tions/steel/index.htm.

n Weed ‘Em and Reap — Excellent DVDs show growers and researchers
explaining their innovative weeding systems as they use them in their
fields in the Northwest, Montana, Virginia, and North Carolina. From the
Oregon State University Department of Horticulture, Corvallis, Oregon.
541-737-3464, http://oregonstate.edu/ dept/hort/faculty/stone/WeedE-
mandReap /index.html

25
Classified Ads
FOR SALE
FOR SALE — Pickwick JS-2A picker, Ashley
scalder. Contact Dick & Jane Burlingame. 814-
757-8540, stoneycreek@kinzua.net.
FOR SALE — Rain Flo 345 plastic mulch layer.
Used 2 seasons. Contact Phil, 301-461-6574.
FOR SALE — Bostitch box stapler, floor model;
greenhouse fans w/shutters; 48” box fan; 24” fan;
hog scalding trough; galvanized water trough;
organically certified seed oats — 30 bushel.
Contact Village Acres, 717-436-9477, vil-
lageacres@pa.net.
FOR SALE — Cow/calf combo. 2.5 yr. old cow
with 1 yr. old heifer calf, Red Angus. Very tame.
We have restricted pasture & switching to
sheep.Trade for Kahtadin ewes considered. Con-
tact 814-632-8589.
FOR SALE — Holland transplanter, bed shaper.
Used only 2 times. Contact Heidi, 570-992-1159.
FOR SALE — Corn sheller, handcrank or PTO in
working condition. Contact 570-687-1287.
FOR SALE — Farm, farm house, bank barn with
good southern exposure. 65 acres, 40 tillable.
Venango Co. minutes away from I-80 Barkeyville
exit. Call 814-786-9628.
FOR SALE — Planet Jr. single-row seeder; 2-row
bare soil transplanter; Massey-Ferguson 1160,
Holland transplanter w/tank; pea sheller. Used
on certified organic farm. Call 724-226-3939.
FOR SALE — 4 Barbados sheep & 2 Kinder
goats. Call 724-224-8140
FOR SALE — Land, 6 acres with free natural gas
hook-up. Minutes to I-79 & Rt. 358 in Mercer Co.
Contact David, 724-253-2453.
FOR SALE — Goldoni Jolly Professional Diesel
HD 10 HP adjustable tiller, sickle bar mower, cart
with sulky — $2600. Contact Phil, 301-461-6574
or phil@houseinthewoods.com.
FOR SALE — Certified organic farm,Troy OH. 68-
acre Silver Creek Farm. Contact Jean Mackenzie,
440-729-9621.
FOR SALE — registered Scotch Highland
heifers. Around 8 months old. From grass-fed
herd. $1200 each.www.bighornmeats.com (go
to livestock sales page) or call Michael Wright
814-563-7348.
FOR SALE — Rotovator, 3PT, 50” width. Excellent
shape. Perfect for hoophouses. Ask for Mark.
Bucks County. 215-257-8491. $850.00. Also other
small vegetable growing equipment.
FOR SALE — 27 Black Angus cattle ready for
slaughter March 1 through May 30. Raised on
grass and finished on home grown forage, hay
and grain. No antibiotics, hormones or drugs.
Organically raised. Call Henry Martin, 570-538-
5471 between 7pm and 7:15pm Wednesday
evenings only.
FOR SALE — 2 Red Angus (1) 2yrs old, (1) 9
months old. Both grass fed, no hormones, no
steroids, no medication. Will only sell as pair,
$1400.00 for both. Contact Eric Noel, eden-
vieworganics@aol.com or (814) 632-8589
FOR SALE — Zagga Potato Digger. 3 point
hitch. 4 years old. Like new. Barn kept. Pick-up
only. $850.00. Call 724-493-8223.
FOR SALE — registered Scotch Highland
heifers. Around 8 months old. From grass-fed
herd. $1200 each. www.bighornmeats.com (go
to livestock sales page) or call Michael Wright
814-563-7348.
FOR SALE — 2 Red Angus (1) 2yrs old, (1) 9
months old. Both grass fed, no hormones, no
steroids, no medication. Will only sell as pair,
$1,800 for both. Contact Eric Noel, edenviewor-
ganics@aol.com or 814-632-8589
FARM FOR SALE — 76 acres in the scenic Ligo-
nier Valley of Westmoreland County, 60 miles
east of Pittsburgh. House, cottage & barn.
Approximately 65 acres tillable, 10 acres wood-
ed. Protected through a conservation easement.
$275,000. Contact Leslie Serenyi, Glenn Cook
Real Estate, 724-238-6881.
FOR SALE — two-year-old Rain-Flo Model 2550,
raised bed plastic mulch layers that shape the
bed & lay the mulch film in one pass. Adjustable
to lay a flat or raised bed from 1” to 6” high. Uses
3’ or 4’ wide plastic. Contact Andy King
andrew.king2@worldnet.att.net
LAND FOR SALE — 73 beautiful acres in Central
PA, near PSU in the State College Area School
District. Approximately half of the land is tillable,
half wooded. Spring-fed stream & several old
buildings (including one timber frame barn).
$599,000. Call Katrina at 814-574-8688.
FREE HORSE MANURE — approx 60 tons (bulk
load — it doesn’t weight that much) of well-rot-
ted horse manure. We used mostly sawdust and
there is some w/straw from foaling seasons.
Located just outside of Latrobe. Please email
Susie — glennedynmorgans@adelphia.net.
FOR SALE — Bison handling equipment for sale
in Juniata County near Mifflintown, PA: tub,
chute and head gate. $5,500. This is heavy-duty
equipment for buffalo. Call 907-543-5716
between 11 am and 11 pm and leave a message.
26
FOR SALE — 10 year old Reg Haflinger mare.
13h, big bodied and strong. Good on trails and
in the ring and has driven. Needs experienced
rider. Loves people and attention. $1800 Regina
610-831-9651.
FOR SALE — New Book: “Beginners Guide to
Starting Your Own Miniature Cattle Business,”by
Professor Richard Gradwohl. A practical hand-
book of a 24-part series of articles that answers
questions about getting started with miniature
cattle.Written for people interested in miniature
cattle but many readers have said it is a great
guide for starting any kind of business. A must
read for anyone & everyone interested in minia-
ture cattle or starting any business venture. Call
to order 253-631-1911. $24.95 + $5.00 S&H,
www.minicattle.com.
FOR SALE — Farm / land 50+ acres Greene
County, Pennsylvania, partially fenced, no bldgs.,
good springs. Will trade for land in Washington
County Pennsylvania. 724-745-6705 or email:
mr_trot@hotmail.com.
FOR SALE — Peanut/corn/soybean roaster, 75
lb. capacity, propane heated, portable — best
offer. Call Jeremy Jackson at 814-876-0282.
Agri-Chix® POULTRY SYSTEM — Better feed
conversion, reduced mortality, disease-free ani-
mals, more Grade A’s at slaughter and more lbs.
to market. Formulated for broilers, layers,
turkeys, ducks & wild game. Dairy system also
available. Exclusive Producer: Agricultural Sys-
tems Intl — John Albright — Salunga, PA — 1-
888-480-1987, envsysinc@aol.com.
GRASS-FED CATTLE (SOME WHITE GAL-
LOWAY & RED ANGUS) FOR SALE: PASA mem-
bers dispersing small, grass-fed cattle herd to
focus on sheep/goats; entire herd has been
grass-fed since. 1 Rare Registered White Gal-
loway Bull, 30 months old, very docile, good
breeder; 1 Rare Registered White Galloway Cow,
3.5 yrs. old, bred for Late Spring ‘07 calf; 1 Rare
White Galloway Heifer (Registerable), 5 months
old; 2 Registered Red Angus Cows, bred to White
Galloway bull for Late Spring ‘07 calves. Call for
prices; reasonable transportation can be provid-
ed; can email pictures if requested. Call 724-948-
3137, evenings.
WANTED
LAND WANTED — young couple seeks 2-5
acres farmland to buy. An hour or so from
Philadelphia or the Main Line, either in PA, NJ, or
DE. Want to start a diverse & sustainable veg-
etable, herb & flower operation. Ideally, house,
water & septic/sewer already available onsite.
Please contact Mira at 215-546-3563 or
mirameanslook@yahoo.com.
Classified Ads
WANTED — PASA member looking for some-
one to buy my Yorkshire breeding stock and
feeders. I have a boar, eight sows & 40 feeders of
various sizes (75 to 200 pounds). Bloodlines are
pure since 1973. Hogs have free-ranged, no hor-
mones or antibiotics. Prefer someone within 35-
40 miles of Annville, PA (about 8 miles northeast
of Hershey). Call Tom Maurer, 717-867-2874.
ALSO HAVE drum picker & scalder, ready to use.
Both for $250. Call for details.
WANTED — land/farm couple interested in
leasing land to begin a diversified Organic CSA.
Seeking a minimum of 12 tillable acres. Housing
on site is a plus but is not necessary.We are open
to different land acquisition arrangements. We
have a business plan and are excited to field
your questions. Contact Chris Babis and Amy
Brown at cbabis@riseup.net or 413-687-7786 for
more info.
LOOKING FOR LAND — 200-acre former dairy
farm in E Meredith, NY, seeks vegetable, berry
and/or fruit farmer looking for organic (unoffi-
cial) land. Animals might also be possible. Open
to discussing partnership, lease or rental
arrangement. Call Carl 718-788-5944.
FARM WANTED — Looking for a 150+ acre farm
in PA. Seclusion a plus. Needs to have a good
balance of pasture & tillable. We raise pastured
beef, pork and Poultry. Please contact Mary
at mbfarviewfarm@verizon.net or call 610-
562-4912. We also have pastured Heritage Pork
for sale.
WANTED — registered Scotch Highland bull 6
to 10 months old. Prefer grass only genetics. Pos-
sible trade for heifer? www.bighornmeats.com
or call Michael Wright 814-563-7348.
WANTED TO RENT — Greenhouse space, 50-80
greenhouse space for 25-40 flats to use from
mid-February — first week in June, within an
hour drive of Harrisburg. Contact Kristen, 717-
497-5578, joshuafarm@pa.net.
WANTED — Cheesemaker to start business in
Alaska. Contact Douglas Gunnink, 570-237-
5162.
WANTED — looking to purchase regional (100
mile radius of Philadelphia) wool, roving &
skeins/spun wool, good for weaving & felting
wearables. Would also be interested in flax,
hemp & angora. Contact Kelly, kcgarmentre-
search.org.
27
FARM SOUGHT — Looking for a 10–-200 acre
farm, mix of open & wooded land w/pond, to
relocate our New Hampshire grass-based, diver-
sified family farm. Interested in south-central PA
area. House & barns a plus. If you know of any-
one wishing to sell, we’d love to talk to you. (or if
you know someone looking for a NH farm near
Boston!). Caroline & David Owens, Pelham NH,
www.owensfarm.com, 603-635-8553,
daowens@erols.com.
WANTED — Farmers for Eagleview Farmers’
Market, Exton, PA. Contact Lindsey Weber, 610-
458-1155, www.eagleviewfarmersmarket.com
FARMERS WANTED — for land owned by Pick-
ering Creek Audubon Center, Easton, MD. All
types of agriculture welcome (animals, vegeta-
bles, fruits, etc.). Contact Martin Vito, 410-822-
4903 or mvito@pickeringcreek.org.
LAND / FARM SOUGHT — Family interested in
starting an organic vegetable farm. Looking to
purchase 20+ acre parcel or farm with or w/o
house & barn. Prefer to be within 30–90 min
from Pittsburgh. Please contact Cindy at 412-
882-2799, email cindytotino@yahoo.com.
Classified ads continue on page 28
Classified Ads
WANTED — registered Scotch Highland bull 6
to 10 months old. Prefer grass only genetics. Pos-
sible trade for heifer? Call Michael Wright 814-
563-7348.
WANTED — smaller ground-driven manure
spreader. We are 1 hr. east of Latrobe. I’m willing
to travel 3 hrs out. Please email Susie — glenne-
dynmorgans@adelphia.net.
EMPLOYMENT
FARMER/EDUCATOR — The Lands at Hillside
Farms. Position responsible for start-up & on-
going management of vegetable & crop opera-
tions, demonstration garden, greenhouses, 1-3
acre CSA, etc. Location is 5 miles from Wilkes-
Barre, PA. Contact Andy Check, 570-696-4500,
andy@thelandsathillsidefarms.org.
PERSON/COUPLE NEEDED — to learn success-
ful restaurant marketing. We are a 20 acre, 30 yr.
old organic farm in Bucks Co., PA. Contact Mark &
Judy Dornstreich, 267-664-6217.
FARMERS NEEDED — Vegetable farm opportu-
nity, to assume ownership of established, certi-
fied organic farm. No capital necessary, this is a
year-round, full time operation. Visit www.new-
morningfarm.net, jim@newmorningfarm.net,
814-448-3904.
DIRECTOR OF LAND MANAGEMENT — Villa
Maria seeks a Director of Land Management
whose primary responsibility is preserving the
heritage of Villa Maria Farm. Knowledge of nutri-
ent management, sustainable forestry & total
organics. Experience managing people and
working with budgets. Bachelor’s degree in
Agricultural / Environmental Sciences. Near New
Castle, PA. EOE. Contact 724-964-8920 x3262.
FARMER NEEDED — Acreage available for
organic/natural farming, northern York Co., PA.
Approx. 14 acres creek bottomland available
rent free. 2 previously farmed fields (8 & 10
acres), access to large barn. Willing to consider
ideas including crops, grazing, CSA, etc. Contact
Marcus & Gail Sheffer, 717-292-5324.
INTERNS — Star Hollow Farm, 814-448-3223,
randy@starhollowfarm.com.
APPRENTICES WANTED — Village Acres, 3-6
month assignment. Contact Roy Brubaker, 717-
436-9477, villageacres@pa.net.
INTERNSHIP — Available mid-May to mid-Sep-
tember. Learn haymaking with horses, grazing
management, and milking sheep. Couples wel-
come. Contact Donn Hewes, Northland Sheep
Dairy, 3501 Hoxie Gorge Rd. Marathon, NY.
13803; email: tripletree@frontiernet.net.
FARM POSITIONS — Thanksgiving Farm at the
Center for Discovery has two FT, seasonal posi-
tions available on our vegetable production
team. For further inquiry, please contact Greg
York, Head Farmer, Thanksgiving Farm, 845-794-
1400 ext. 2257, gyork@sdtc.org, www.thecenter-
fordiscovery.org.
FIELD MANAGER — at Wellspring, Inc. 40
hrs/wk garden work & management of a small
CSA (5-acre farm, 100 subscribers & 3 garden
interns). Wellspring Inc. serves the greater Mil-
waukee Wisconsin area. The garden is certified
organic, partially raised beds, using bio-inten-
sive & biodynamic methods with some tractor &
tiller use. Contact Mary Ann Ihm, 262-675-6755,
wellspring@hnet.net, www.wellspring.org.
INTERNS NEEDED — Genesis Farm, Blairstown,
NJ. Contact Judy vonHandorf, 908-362-7486.
INTERNS NEEDED — Quiet Creek Farm located
at the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA. Contact
610-285-4678, goodfarmers@enter.net.
INTERNS/APPRENTICESHIPS — Mountaindale
Farm, southern Pocono Mountains. Contact 570-
476-9757.
ASS’T GROWER — Heifer International, Over-
look Farm, Rutland, MA. Contact 508-886-2221,
overlook.farm@heifer.org.
INTERN — learn the skills of collecting, process-
ing, marketing maple syrup. On-site housing
available, Back Achers Farm, North Rome, PA.
Contact Susan, 570-247-2940.
FARM PARTNERS & INTERNS — Fiedler Farm, a
diverse farm in central PA 25 miles east of State
College. Contact Amy Talarico, 814-349-1256
APPRENTICES WANTED — Anchor Run CSA,
Wrightstown, PA. Contact Tali, 215-598-1519,
talyon@juno.com
INTERNS NEEDED — Maysie’s Farm Conserva-
tion Center/CSA, Glenmoore, PA. Contact Sam
Cantrell, 610-458-8129, sam@maysiesfarm.org.
INTERN/FARMER’S ASS’T — Fulton Farm at
Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, seeks 2nd-
year Intern/ Farmer’s Assistant for sustainable
vegetable production and marketing on 7 acres.
Over 50 vegetable crops, herbs & cut flowers
grown and marketed through 100-member CSA
program, local farmers’ market & college dining
hall. Assistant will work closely with Farm Man-
ager in all aspects of vegetable production and
marketing, as well as educational outreach. Visit
www.wilson.edu/fcsl for more information or
contact Mary Cottone, Farm Manager, mcot-
tone@wilson.edu, 717-709-1995.
28
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE — Spoutwood Farm
CSA, Glen Rock, PA. 4-6 positions (Mar–Nov
growing season). Couples welcome. The 26-acre
farm is located between Baltimore, MD and York,
PA. The CSA is part of the farm’s mission of
reconnecting people with nature and sustain-
able living. For info about the farm, visit
www.spoutwood@supernet.com, or www.
fairiefestival.net. Contact Rob Wood, 717-235-
6610, Spoutwood@supernet.com.
FARMER SOUGHT — for 3-acre organic CSA on
Long Island. Sophia Garden, thriving for 10
years, located in Suffolk County Long Island &
operates on land owned by the Dominican Sis-
ters of Amityville. 1.5 acres in cultivation, a
strong core group and manager. Position avail-
able for the 2007- growing season. Call 631-842-
6000 Ext.333 or email sophiagarden@aol.com.
HEALING GARDEN MANAGER — Thanksgiving
Farm at the Center for Discovery seeks manager
for newly established herbal healing garden.
Candidates should have several years experi-
ence in organic farming or gardening, a founda-
tion in Biodynamic agriculture, some
knowledge of western medicinal plants, man-
agement skills, an excellent work-ethic & a
strong desire to work with special needs adults.
Contact Greg York, Head Farmer, Thanksgiving
Farm at the Center for Discovery, P.O. Box 840
Harris, NY 12701; 845-794-1400, ext. 2257;
gyork@sdtc.org.
POSITION SOUGHT — Enthusiastic & experi-
enced farm manager seeks position in Philadel-
phia area. 2 years as intern on student-run CSA,
1 year as manager of small CSA. Experience with
all aspects of vegetable production, greenhouse
production of salad greens, heavy equipment
use, and sales at markets. Also have experience
teaching and leading employees and volun-
teers. Basic knowledge of Spanish. Contact Dave
at farmerd37@yahoo.com or 856-404-8714.
HELP WANTED — FT/PT on a diversified fruit
and vegetable farm in Chester County, PA.
We are a sustainable, successful and expanding
retail-only small farm, and are looking for anoth-
er good person to join our team! Visit:
www.northstarorchard.com.. Should have basic
horticultural skills & interest in selling at farmers’
markets. Email inquiries/resume to NorthStarOr-
chard@aol.com.
WORK/LIVING OPPORTUNITY — on a Water-
front Sustainable Farm. Learn/practice the
basics of sustainable market farming and pas-
tured poultry while working alongside full time
farm/market manager. 20 hours per week in
exchange for rent of on-site cottage on ten-acre
waterfront farm near St. Michaels, Maryland.
Contact ceyonkers@gmail.com.
Classified Ads
GREENHOUSE ASS’T MANAGER — Tait Farm,
Centre Hall, PA. Position begins March through
October. Additional opportunities for
holiday/winter employment in other areas of
the business. Contact Betsy Green, 814-466-
2386, taitfood@earthlink.net.
GROWER NEEDED — Cabbage Hill Farm, a non-
profit organization dedicated to the preserva-
tion of endangered breeds of historic farm
animals and to the practice of sustainable agri-
culture and aquaponics. For more information,
cabbagehillfarm@verizon.net, Randy Woodard,
914-241-2658, www.cabbagehillfarm.org.
FARMING OPPORTUNITY — Couple (or indi-
vidual) wanted to live in our carriage house in
exchange for caretaking responsibilities on a
historic 70-acre farm in northern Bucks County,
PA. There is also the potential to develop a mar-
ket garden for a CSA or retail market. Send
inquiries and information to Barbara via email
blindtner@aol.com.
ASS’T FARM MANAGER POSITION — Cabbage
Hill Farm Foundation, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to sustainable agriculture and the
preservation of endangered breeds of farm ani-
mals, is seeking an Assistant Farm Manager for
Cabbage Hill Farm located in Mt. Kisco, NY. Con-
tact bpetrucci@mindspring.com or visit
www.cabbagehillfarm.org.
PASTURED LIVESTOCK FARMER — Broadwa-
ter Farm (www.broadwaterfarm.org) is seeking
a farmer to continue developing & run a pas-
tured livestock operation begun in 2006. Broad-
water Farm is a 110-acre property located across
the street from Charlestown Farm, a successful
160 family CSA (see www.charlestownfarm.org).
Contact Bill Andersen at bill@charlestownfarm-
center.org.
FARM MANAGER — Sunnyside Farm, Washing-
ton, VA. Owners willing to consider various
arrangements including direct hiring & leasing,
profit-sharing or other incentives. Contact:
email: glapham1@verizon.net.
FARMER (S) WANTED — 15 acres in French-
town, NJ. Beautiful land, tourist area (PA border,
75 min. from NY or Philadelphia. Includes fields,
some woods, greenhouses & stream. Great
potential for farmstand, CSA and/or small ani-
mals. Call Michael, 215-627-6092/
ASS’T GROWER — specialty greens & herbs at
Cherry Valley Organics. Cherry Valley Organics is
a certified organic producer of specialty greens,
vegetables, herbs, and flowers, located in Cherry
Valley, Washington County, Pennsylvania
(approximately 20 miles southwest of down-
town Pittsburgh). Contact Cherry Valley Organ-
ics, 518 Joffre-Cherry Valley Road, Burgettstown,
PA 15021, info@cherryvalleyorganics.com.
29
ORGANIC FARM MANAGERS — Experienced
couple needed to operate certified organic farm
near Susquehanna in NE PA. Currently produce
& market a variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers
& eggs through on-farm, farmers’ markets,
restaurant & health food store sales & are explor-
ing a CSA & business expansion. Job entails car-
ing for horses, heritage chickens, & other
animals; maintaining grounds, buildings &
equipment. Salary, farmhouse, utilities & other
benefits to start with goal of possible land lease
& transferring the business to the next genera-
tion. Contact Shary and Gary Skoloff,
sskoloff@comcast.net.
FARM MARKET SUPERVISORS — Willow Creek
Orchards, a certified organic farm seeks several
highly motivated, personable, responsible &
hard working individuals to assist market man-
ager in our new retail market. This is a seasonal
position; the Market is open from April 2nd until
the end of December. A commitment for the
whole season is preferred. Located approx. 1 hr
NW of Philadelphia in Collegeville, PA. Contact
Jennifer Brodsky, 610-584-8202, jennb@willow-
creekorchards.com.
FULL LISTING NOW ONLINE
Check out PASA’s website: www.pasafarm-
ing.org for new features including classified
ads and employment opportunity listings.
Calendar
March
Mar 21–22 Pennsylvania Women in Agriculture
Workshop — Building Financial Sustainability:
A Plan for Continued Success, Victoria Inn &
Suites, Pittston, PA. Participants will have an
opportunity to undertake the business plan-
ning process, develop a written business plan,
and address key marketing and financial man-
agement issues within the context of their farm
business. Contact Ann Stone at 814-863-4489
or 717-582-3858.
presents the concept of conscious and mindful
living. Contact Ann Stone at 814-863-4489 or
717-582-3858 for more information.
May 11–12 5th Annual Pennsylvania Land
Conservation Conference, Penn Stater Confer-
ence Center Hotel, State College, The Pennsyl-
vania Land Conservation Conference is
Pennsylvania’s annual training, networking and
inspirational event for those involved with pri-
vate and public land conservation. Learn more
at http://conserveland.org/conferences/2007/.

Mar 25–27 SARE National Conference, Kansas

City, Missouri. Contact Sean McGovern, 614-
306-6422, www.sare.org.
Mar 31 “Graze-a-palooza,” a celebration of
healthy grass-based farming, food & families,
White Eagle Conference Center, Hamilton, NY.
June
Jun 2 The Role of Raised Beds in the Farm
Organism, 9-5pm, Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut
Ridge, NY. Contact info@pfeiffercenter.org; 845-
352-5020 x20.

Jun 18–Aug10 Ecovillage & Permaculture Cer-

April tificate Program, Lost Valley Educational Center,

Eugene, OR. Contact 541-937-3351x112 or
www.lostvalley.org/epcp.
Apr 11 PCO Spring Meeting, Midway Mennon-
ite Center, Lititz, PA. Sessions will focus on
organic weed management, compost, buffer
issues & requirements, and record-keeping sys- July
tems. Event will also feature an organic inspec-
Jul 11–14 The Second National Conference on
tor panel. Free admission for PCO members &
Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education,
includes lunch. For more information contact
Cornell University’s Alice Cook House, Ithaca,
the PCO office 814-364-1344.
NY. Contact Kathi Colen Peck, Conference Coor-
Apr 21 The Role of Raised Beds in the Farm dinator kscp@turbonet.com.
Organism, 9-5pm, Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut
Ridge, NY. Contact info@pfeiffercenter.org; 845-
352-5020 x20. August
Apr 27–28 Pfeiffer Center Organic Beekeeping
Aug 6–18 Permaculture Design Course, Three
Workshop, Chestnut Ridge, NY. Workshop pre-
Sisters Farm, Sandy Lake, PA. Contact Darrell
sented by Gunther Hauk for active beekeepers
Frey, 724-376-2797.
as well as beginners including a hands-on ses-
sion. Lots of practical advice & demonstrations.
Optional Beginner Session, Apr 27 — This will
provide a very basic introduction to the hive September
and the honeybee & is recommended for those
Sept 22–23 Mother Earth Harvest Fair, Spout-
with little practical experience in beekeeping.
wood Farm, Glen Rock, PA. Contact 717-235-
Email, beework@pfeiffercenter.org, call 845-352
6610, www.spoutwood@supernet.com.
5020 ext.20 or visit www.pfeiffercenter.org.

May November
Nov 8–11 Farm Education Symposium, Shel-
May 1–Jun 24 Organic Gardening course
burne Farms, Shelburne, VT. Visit www.farm-
offered by Cornell University, cost is $300. To
basededucation.org, Brooke Redmond,
learn more or to register, go to www.cce.cor-
617-306-0090.
nell.edu/hortdl. If you have any questions, con-
tact program coordinator, Marguerite Wells, at
Stay
mw38@cornell.edu or 607-255-9911.

May 4–5 Pennsylvania Women in Agriculture

February 2008 connected!
Workshop — Living in Balance: A Centered Feb 7–9 PASA’s 17th annual Farming for the
Visit PASA online at
Approach to a Farming Life, One World Environ- Future Conference, Penn Stater Conference
mental Camp, Spring Mills, PA. This workshop Center, State College, PA. Stay tuned! www.pasafarming.org

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

P
ASA is a nonprofit membership based organization working to enhance the positive social and economic impact of agriculture and food systems
in Pennsylvania. We work with farmers, consumers, and those concerned with the ecological well-being of our environment and natural
resources. PASA works to increase the number of farms and the economic viability of existing farms in Pennsylvania, maximize consumer aware-
ness and access to safe and healthy food that is locally grown, and develop a strong constituency for preserving farms, farmers, and a thriving agrarian
culture. Everyone is invited to be a member of PASA. We all have a stake in making sure agriculture has a healthy future — Be a part of PASA!
About You

PASA Memberships
Name $ 15
Student

Company/Farm Individual $ 45

Family/Farm Please complete field below $ 60

Address
Nonprofit Please complete field below $ 100
City State
Business Please complete field below $ 150

ZIP+4 County
SUBTOTAL $
Home Phone Work Phone
Family/Farm Membership
Please list all names for this Family/Farm membership. You may include
E-mail children between the ages of 14–22, and also multiple generations
directly involved in the farm.
Web Address

Are you farming: NO YES — how many acres: Nonprofit or Business Membership
Please list up to two additional people associated with your business to
How did you learn about PASA: receive individual membership privileges.
Donations

Payment

Consider lending extra support to these two PASA funds. The

Annual Fund supports PASA’s basic operations, and the Arias M. Check Make check payable to PASA Total amount due
Brownback Scholarship Fund helps those wishing to learn about Credit Card Complete below $
sustainable agriculture attend the annual conference regardless of
financial position. Card No.

Annual Fund Exp. Date

VISA MasterCard
One-time contribution
Cardholder Name
$ 50 $ 100 $ 250 $ 500 $ 1,000
Other $ ........................ Signature

On-going contribution by credit card

PASA, Please bill my credit card $ .................... Monthly
PASA, Please bill my credit card $ .................... Quarterly
You will receive a statement on each billing cycle.

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

PASA is a registered 501 (C) 3 organization and contributions are tax exempt.

GIFT MEMBERSHIP LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS

In addition to your own membership, you may give PASA membership PERMANENT BUSINESS PARTNERS
to a good friend, family member, business associate or other worthy
recipient on an annual or lifetime basis…a gift that keeps on giving! All of us at PASA are proud of the growing roster of lifetime members.
Student $ 15 Contributions for lifetime membership will be managed with care as
part of the PASA Founder’s Fund, sustaining both ongoing member-
special Individual $ 45
ship as well as the long-term future of PASA. There are few things a

extras Family/Farm
Lifetime Sustaining Member
$ 60
$ 900
member could do to symbolize their lifelong commitment to sustain-
ability than to place such confidence in the value and viability of PASA
itself.
TOTAl DUE $ Lifetime Member $ 900
Please complete the Family/Farm Membership field above
Name(s)

Address Permanent Business Partner $ 3,000

Please complete the Nonprofit/Business Membership field above
City

State ZIP+4
TOTAL DUE $

Telephone E-mail
 PASA Thanks All of the 2007 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

EPA Region III Pennsylvania

Strategic Agricultural Initiative Lady Moon Farms Certified Organic

Spiral Path Farm The Rodale Institute Whole Foods Market

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

Organic Valley/
Fertrell Company Horizon Organic Keystone BioFuels Inc. CROPP Cooperative

Pennsylvania State
Pennsylvania Dept. University, College of Watershed Agricultural West Virginia Univ.
Seeds of Change
of Agriculture Agricultural Sciences Council of New York Extension Service

GOLD KEY SPONSORS SILVER KEY SPONSORS BRONZE KEY SPONSORS

AgrAbility for Natural Science A T Sales Associates, Ltd Mennonite Central Albert’s Organics National Center for
Pennsylvanians Organics Committee Appropriate Technology
Agri-Service LLC American Farmland Trust
big Burrito Restaurant Nature’s Best OIC International Organic Materials
Bakewell Reproductive Animal Welfare Institute
Group Organic Feed Review Institute
Center LLC PennFuture BCS America LLC
Penn State AgMap
Dairyland Sales Organic Unlimited Inc. Earth Tools Inc.
Center for Rural Pharmanex Independent Pennsylvania Natural
and Service
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Distributor Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Living Association
Eberly Poultry Farms College of Technology Group
Chesapeake Bay Seedway LLC Professional Recyclers
Flint Hill Farm Pennsylvania Dept. Foundation Environmental Fund of Pennsylvania
Tait Farm Foods for Pennsylvania
of Environmental Sierra Club
Harvest Market Delaware Valley College
Protection This Land Is Your Land Greater Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Chapter
Lancaster Ag Products Farming Magazine: Community Food Bank
Restora-Life Tierra Farm Soil Secret Inc.
People, Land and Kencove Farm
McGeary Organics Inc. Minerals LLC Solair Energy Inc.
Community Tuscarora Organic Fence Supplies
Midlands Management Schafer’s Fisheries Inc. Growers Cooperative Sun Gro Horticulture
Johnny’s Selected Lakeview Organic Grain
Corporation
USDA SARE Seeds Waterkeeper Alliance Weston A. Price
LeRaysville
Moyer’s Chicks Inc. Foundation
White Dog Cafe Josephine Porter Wild for Salmon Cheese Factory
Natural Dairy Products Institute for Applied
Corp. Biodynamics

Non Profit Org.

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