Annual PASA Conference  

Five farm board members and staff attended the 20th annual PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) Conference in State College.  Here are recaps from three attendees.

Margot Bradley, Administrative Director 

Although we have attended each year, this year was exceptional. Highlights included a keynote speech by Wes Jackson from The Land Institute. Hoots & Hellmouth provided the entertainment...did you know Farmers Dennis and Andy can really boogie?
The atmosphere created by 2,000 sustainable farmers and their supporters is quite inspirational. The happiness was clouded by the stunning news that the USDA officially approved Genetically Modified sugar beets and alfalfa despite the huge outcry from the public. Read NY Times article here.

I attended several workshops about the issues of: who owns "organic", GMO's potential impact on sustainable agriculture as well as several on farm leases and CSA legal issues.

I want to encourage all of you to join PASA as consumers. They do an amazing job of supporting and advocating for agricultural policies protect local, sustainable food production. Personally, I will be joining the Cornucopia Institute and the Center for Food Safety who will be mounting legal cases that will delay or reverse the recent USDA decision. I hope you will join me in support of these organizations. 

Janice Blades, Vice President
Attending PASA during the bleak winter reminds me of what I miss about Pennypack in the off-season. The friendships and common interests that bring our farm community together are not unique. PASA's 2000+ attendees from around the US show that we are not alone in our purpose. The conference theme this year, 'Strength from Our Roots: Claiming our Food-System Future' reflects how powerful each voice can be when advocating for our farmers and our food, acting as a 'root' in a plant that is growing larger. I attended sessions on growing mushrooms, native bees, and school gardens. More importantly, I met farmers and eaters who are actively creating and expanding a food system that isn't reliant on big corporations to tell us what to eat. The PASA Conference is an invigorating and fun gathering of citizens who care about the health of our families, animals and soil, and the future of our food system. I hope to see more members of Pennypack at PASA next year!

Kristy Gregory, President 
This year marked my second pilgrimage to the annual Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture conference (PASA). During the opening remarks, 2000 conference attendees gathered to listen to empowering discussions about the challenges and successes that are faced by today's farmers and consumers. It's hard to describe how inspirational it is to spend the weekend with so many people who are committed to transforming our food systems and to improving the quality of land on which they are stewards. While I attended many terrific seminars, the most relevant focused on a new program that matches farmers who need land with people who have it to lease. As Pennypack Farm & Education Center continues to grow, we find ourselves in need of additional acreage to accommodate the demand for local, organically grown food. This program offered by PASA, is a resource that will help us to achieve our goal.
Being a member of a CSA means being part of a community-I would like to encourage all of you to check out PASA and to join the Pennypack community next February at the 21st annual conference!