Greg and I took a mini-vacation. It’s one we’ve taken almost every year since we’ve met (minus a couple years when the kids were wee babes).
The first week in February, there’s a sustainable farming conference, put on by PASA Farming (what used to be called Pennsylvania Asso. for Sustainable Agriculture). It used to be hosted in State College but now is in Lancaster (what a cute town!). There were more than 1000 participants and multiple sessions during the 3 day conference that covered topics from employee management, bio-gas, poultry, farm bill and policy, to soil health, permaculture, and pasture management.
This year, I (Jen) co-presented with 3 other women farmers and helped to facilitate a round-table discussion for women in Ag. We broke the room into smaller groups of participants, based on regions and we discussed the issues that we typically face in the ag industry.
These are just a few – but there was also a lot of discussion from the younger women farmers about land access, fair wages, mental health, and community support.
According to the USDA:
“In 2017, the United States had 1.2 million female producers, accounting for 36 percent of the country’s 3.4 million producers. Female producers are slightly younger, more likely to be a beginning farmer, and more likely to live on the farm they operate than male producers. More than half of all farms (56 percent) had a female producer. These female-operated farms accounted for 38 percent of U.S. agriculture sales and 43 percent of U.S. farmland.“
The workshop that we hosted this weekend reinforced the need to re-ignite the Pennsylvania Women in Agriculture Network and continue our goal to create a supportive environment where women can gain skills and knowledge in the ag sector.
Where to find us:
The Farm: Wednesday 3 – 7 pm. For pre-orders only. Park at the top of the hill, come to the patio at the house and you’ll see your order waiting for you. Check the white cooler for any meat orders.
DELIVERY TO CITY – MINIMUM ORDER OF $30, please.
Northside: Saturday 12 – 12:15 pm – meet up across the street from Mayfly Market(Arch St)
East End – Saturday 4 – 4:30 pm. Fireman Creative Office (the Engine House No 16 on Penn Ave.): pull onto sidewalk along Lang and look for “Police Officer Entrance” door and look in the red cooler.
Shop our Online Store for eggs – no limit!
This is the beginning of #CSAweek – Feb 20th to the 26th. We’ll post info on Facebook, in our Journal/Blog, and, on Instagram about our CSA, the benefits of eating local and organic, and the impact that getting weekly veggies can have on your lifestyle! You have the rest of Feb to join at 2022 prices – then we’ll raise our CSA membership prices for 2023.
