Special Thanks to our sponsors Lead
® Partner
Champion Environotics Unlimited · Harvest Market Natural Foods · Penn State University Extension · Rimol Greenhouse Systems · Seedway, LLC · Tend
Ally
Patron
Chatham University – Falk School of Sustainability & Center for Regional Agriculture, Food & Transformation · Chelsea Green Publishing · Chesapeake Bay Foundation · Laurel Valley Soils · Moyer's Chicks Inc. · Northeast SARE · Sierra Club PA Chapter · Wild For Salmon
Advocate The Center for Rural Pennsylvania · The Fertrell Company · Green Mountain Energy Company · Growing for Market · Kitchen Table Consultants · Nature Safe Natural & Organic Fertilizers · Nutiva · PA Farm Markets, LLC · Penn Valley Farms LLC · Pocono Organics · Rodale Institute · Southern Exposure Seed Exchange · Standard Solar · The Stockman Grass Farmer · Tilmor · Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative
Guardian
Backer
An employee-owned company
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay · Association of Warm Season Grass Producers · Barn2Door, Inc. · Blue River Organic Seed · Earth Tools, Inc. · A Greener World · Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT · Kreher Enterprise · Kult Kress LLC · Logan Labs · Longwood Gardens · Marrone Bio Innovations · McEnroe Organic Farm · Mid Atlantic Highland Association · Natural By Nature · Natural Hope Herbals · Organic Mechanics Soil Company LLC · PA Community Solar Coalition · Peace Tree Farm, LLC · Profeta Farms · Thorvin, Inc. · Vitalis Organic Seeds · The Weston A. Price Foundation
Our Media Partners FOR
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Director’s Note Dear friends, We’ll soon be gathering together after one of the most difficult growing seasons many of our farmers have faced in years. As global temperatures continue to climb, we are facing more frequent extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts, flash rains, and intense storms, that can threaten farmers’ livelihoods and impact the food supply. We’re also encountering new patterns of pests and disease as our ecosystems fluctuate more rapidly than before. The fact is, we’re in a new climate reality. We must respond swiftly to adapt as best we can, while we simultaneously work to impede its risks by developing a resilient, locally based food system with regenerative agriculture at its core. This means honing our production methods, staying current on available research, developing financially viable business models, training the next generation of farmers and land stewards, and calibrating our efforts with our peers. We should also remember that, while the stakes are indeed high, we can nonetheless march toward a new era of agriculture with the joy and strength that comes from being on this changemaking journey together. This is what our annual conference is all about. I hope to see you in Lancaster, where we will learn, share, and, as one conference attendee from last year remarked, be “a part of something extraordinary.” My very best to you,
Hannah Smith-Brubaker Executive Director
Contents 2
Conference at a glance
3
Wednesday programs
4
Thursday programs
5
Friday programs
7
Saturday programs
8
Collaborative programming
8
Annual meetings
9
Trade show
10
Special features
12
Future Farmers (K–8th grade)
13
Get support: Workshare & scholarships
13
Give support: Volunteer & donate
14
Registration
16
Lodging & travel 814.349.9856 | 1
Conference at a glance
Each February, thousands of farmers,
Our conference additionally features
homesteaders, educators, and agriculture
networking and social events, a mini-
and food system professionals gather for four
conference for kids, and an expansive trade
days of intensive learning on more than 160
show that includes approximately 100
sustainable food and farming topics.
vendors. People passionate about sustainable
Programs vary in length and depth, with full-
agriculture and healthy food systems from
and half-day sessions, workshops, panels, and
more than 30 states and six countries have
facilitated discussion groups. No matter your
gathered at our hallmark event since 1992,
experience level or agricultural interests, you’ll
leaving inspired and energized for the season
be able to pack your schedule with valuable
to come.
sessions that help you hone your craft and pursue your passions.
Schedule Overview Find a detailed list of educational programs on pages 3–7. Please note: This year’s conference starts on Wednesday and ends Saturday at 2:30pm, followed by PASA’s Annual Meeting.
Tuesday, February 5
6–8pm Registration desk open
Wednesday, February 6
7:30am Registration desk opens 9am–5pm Full-day intensives Lunch available for purchase, or on your own. Dinner on your own.
Thursday, February 7
7am Registration desk opens 8am Trade show opens 8:30am–12pm Morning programs Lunch available for purchase, or on your own. 1pm Plenary & keynote address by Michael P. Hoffmann 2:30–5:15pm Afternoon programs 4:30–6pm Reception 6pm Buffet dinner (ticketed) 6pm Trade show closes 7:30pm Music & dancing
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Friday, February 8
7am Registration desk opens 8am Trade show opens 8:30am–12pm Morning programs Lunch available for purchase, or on your own. 1pm Plenary & keynote address by Leah Lizarondo 2:30–5:15pm Afternoon programs 4:30–6pm Reception 6pm Buffet dinner (ticketed) 6pm Trade show closes 7:30pm PASAbilities Awards 8:30pm Movie screenings
Saturday, February 9
7am Registration desk opens 8am Trade show opens 8:30am–12pm Morning programs Lunch available for purchase, or on your own. 1pm Plenary & keynote address by Michael Rozyne 1pm Trade show closes 2:30pm PASA Annual Meeting & Regional Breakouts
Wednesday, February 6 Take a deep dive into one of these full-day intensives!
Intensives run 9am to 5pm. They are located at the Lancaster County Convention Center and cost the full-day registration rate (see page 14), unless otherwise noted.
Start Your Vegetable Farm Ellen Polishuk, Plant to Profit Do you dream of starting your own farm but wonder where to begin? Or do you own a farm but wish to become more sustainable to compete in today’s market? We’ll cover how to access education, land, and meet other needs with limited capital. We’ll also discuss how small farms fit into the sustainable agriculture landscape, and how you can move toward turning a profit. Farm Law 101: Cultivating Your Legally Resilient Farm Rachel Armstrong, Farm Commons; Marlene van Es, Trellis Legal LLC; Frank Kurylo, Kimberton CSA; Michael Kovach, Walnut Hill Farm Forming a farm business, writing a lease, negotiating sales contracts, hiring workers, filing taxes... The legal issues involved in farming can feel overwhelming. But there’s good news: Developing a legally resilient farm business is easier than you think. This fun and accessible workshop empowers farmers with legal knowledge and solutions they need. Biocontrols for Better Crops Steve Bogash, Marrone Bio Innovations; Alex Traven, Peace Tree Farm; Jim Harvey, Penn State Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies help you harness the power of natural systems to better control pests and disease on your farm. We’ll explain how to effectively employ biocontrols as part of an IPM program; describe biocontrols for high-value crops; show you how to control common pests; provide you with strategies for managing disease on leaves and roots; and review how to safely use biological products. Optimizing Dairy Operations, Optimizing Dairy Opportunities Dr. Greg Brickner & Amber Brown, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative; Ray Stoltzfus, Dutch Meadows Farm; Liz Reitzig, Nourishing Liberty; Mat Haan, Penn State Extension; Matt Bomgardner, Blue Mountain View Farm & PA Grazing Lands Coalition This intensive focuses on strategies dairy farmers—particularly those who manage
with a significant grazing component in their herd’s diet—can use to optimize milk quality, production, and marketing on their farms. We’ll also discuss current advocacy work for farm-direct sales and the economics of organic and grazing dairy operations. FSMA: Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training & Certification Jeff Stoltzfus, Penn State Extension; Lindsay Gilmour, Organic Planet; Gary Bloss, PA Farmers Union; Chelsea Matzen, National Farmers Union This is the only FDA-recognized curriculum that satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement. Even if your farm isn’t covered under FSMA, you’ll learn best practices for on-farm food safety. We’ll discuss microorganisms relevant to produce safety, and how to reduce associated risks. Farmers Union is covering the cost for each attendee to receive a workbook worth $50 and a lifetime certificate worth $35. Price: $50, includes lunch; on-site registration not available Location: Lancaster Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd, Lancaster, PA Making & Selling Value-Added Herbal Products Ella Usdin & Benjamin Weiss, Susquehanna Sustainable Enterprises LLC; Wilson Alvarez, Rebel Garden Tools See the workings of an operation that turns farm-grown and foraged herbs and mushrooms into dietary supplements and other value-added products, including tinctures, salves, essential oils, and more. We’ll cover manufacturing processes, equipment and infrastructure, permitting, marketing, budgeting, and strategies for integrating an apothecary into a farming operation. Price (member): $125 pre-registration, includes lunch; $150 on site* Price (non-member): $150 pre-registration, includes lunch; $175 on site* Price (student/apprentice/senior): $85 preregistration, includes lunch; $100 on site* Location: Susquehanna Apothecary @ Ananda Integration, 223B W Walnut St, Lancaster, PA *Lunch cannot be guaranteed if you do not preregister.
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Thursday, February 7 MORNING SESSIONS You can fit either one 3 hour program into your morning OR several 30–90 minute programs. THREE HOUR PROGRAMS The Cooperative Advantage: Legal, Financial & Organizational Strategies Peggy Fogarty & Lori Burge, KDC: Cooperative Solutions & Kurtis Groff, Simon Lever Soil Health Case Studies: Real Farms, Real Problems, Real Solutions Franklin Egan, PASA; Bob Schindelbeck, Cornell University Extension; Tom Paduano, Flying Plow Farm Pastured Poultry Forum Mike Badger, APPPA; Jeff Mattocks, Fertrell Company; Craig Haney, Carversville Farm High Tunnel Tomatoes Daniel Kemper, Rodale Institute & Chris Brittenberg, Who Cooks for You Farm How to Gather & Use Data to Increase Your Market Customers & Sales Nancy Staisey & Helaine Harris, Historic Lewes Farmers Market & Liz Comiskey, Farmers Market Coalition Build Your Labor Management Know-How Mary Peabody, University of Vermont; John Hendrickson, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems; Rachel Armstrong, Farm Commons; George Brittenberg & Ola Creston, Taproot Farm Adaptive Stewardship: Grazing in Synchrony with Your Ecosystem Allen Williams, Joyce Farms
30–90 MINUTE PROGRAMS Permaculture: Local Solutions for Large-Scale Environmental Challenges Andy Andrews, Gardens of Gratitude & Benjamin Friton, Forested No Till & Cover Crops Can Benefit All Crops & Management Systems Jim Hershey, Hershey Farms LLC & Leroy Bupp, Bupplyn Farm Growing Chestnuts in the Northeast Akiva Silver, Twisted Tree Farm Growing a Medicinal Herb Farm From Scratch Hillary Banachowski & Keir Knoll, Sacred Roots E-Commerce Websites: Take Your Market to the Cloud Nicole Shelly, Godshall Farm & Downtown Allentown Local Food Market Composting Part 1: Becoming a Master Composter Rick Carr, Rodale Institute The Ins & Outs of Content: Tell Your Story with Purpose & Strategy Angela Corrado, Kitchen Table Consultants Producing Fresh Unprocessed Raw Drinking Milk Joseph Heckman, Rutgers University & Edwin Shank, The Family Cow
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Organic Cropping & Weed Management with Humus-Based Soil Fertility Jonathan Keller, Penn Valley Farms Managing Downy Mildew, Early Blight & Late Blight Using BioControls Steve Bogash, Marrone Bio Innovations How Are You Using Agroforestry on Your Farm? Kate MacFarland, USDA National Agroforestry Center & Tracey Coulter, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Composting Part 2: Separating the “Feel Good" From the “Real Good” Rick Carr, Rodale Institute Transitioning to Organic: Produce Q&A Anaïs Beddard, Lady Moon Farms & others TBD Learning Circle: Weed Management in Intensive Veggie Production Nick Lubecki, Grow Pittsburgh Growing Figs in Cold Climates Lee Reich, Lee Reich LTD Transitioning to Organic: Livestock Q&A Roman Stoltzfus, SpringWood Farm & others TBD Learning Circle: Weed Management on Medium to Large Veggie Farms John Good, The Good Farm Creating Pollinator Habitat: USDA-NRCS Conservation Programs & Initiatives Kelly Gill, The Xerces Society & USDA NRCS & James Gillis, USDA NRCS Book Discussion: Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
THURSDAY KEYNOTE Climate Change & Our Global Food System: A Call to Action! Mike Hoffmann, Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions AFTERNOON SESSIONS You can fit two or more programs into your afternoon. 60–90 MINUTE PROGRAMS Pastured Cattle Fly IPM Matt Steiman, Dickinson College Farm & Dr. Jason Smith, Milton Hershey School Vegetable Farming Tools & Equipment Roundtable John Hendrickson, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems Trends in Social Media Sarah Cornelisse, Penn State Extension The People Are the Money: A Community-Centered Approach to Farmers Markets Dorothy Cross, Penn State Extension & Nykisha Madison-Keita, Urban Tree Connection Plasticulture for Small Farms Nick Lubecki, Grow Pittsburgh Managing High Tunnel Soil-Borne Diseases Steve Bogash, Marrone Bio Innovations
Friday, February 8 Let's Talk About Marketing Organic Animal Feed Kristy Borrelli, Penn State Extension; John Boney, Penn State University; Eric Steigman, Small Valley Milling; Spencer Miller, Boyd Station LLC Industrial Hemp: A Fascinating & Frustrating Crop of the Future Ross Duffield, Rodale Institute Hosting Safe, Legally Secure Farm Events Rachel Armstrong, Farm Commons; Marlene van Es, Trellis Legal LLC; Matt Lowe, Good Keeper Farm Highland Cattle: Naturally Sustainable Mark Smith, Richard Wurzbach, Jim Lindauer & Dwight Eisenhauer, Mid Atlantic Highland Association Fruit of the Rot: Diversify with Mushrooms Mark Jones, Sharondale Mushroom Farm Design Thinking: A Human-Centered Way to Reimagine Your Farm Business Marilyn Anthony, Temple University & Bill Kitsch, Ephrata Bank Agroforestry Opportunities: Buffers & Beyond Austin Unruh, Crow & Berry Land Management The Worker Protection Standard Regulation & Organics Jim Harvey, Penn State Extension Sustainable Food Systems: Thinking Local by Looking Abroad Kelly Allen, Sarah Kivert, Michael Nieves, Jamie Ratchford & Daniel Stevens, Northampton Community College Simple, Sustainable Beer Brewing Jereme Zimmerman, Brew Beer Like a Yeti & Make Mead Like a Viking author Science & Gardening: Theory & Practice of Nourishing Plants Organically Lee Reich, Lee Reich LTD
DROP-IN CLINICS Troubleshoot Your Soil Tests Bob Schindelbeck, Cornell University Extension Getting Your Product Ready for a Wholesale Market Kathleen Wood, Whole Foods Market Mid-Atlantic
Friday MORNING SESSIONS You can fit either one 3 hour program into your morning OR several 30–90 minute programs. THREE HOUR PROGRAMS This Is Not My Beautiful Cheese: Resolving Quality Problems Peter Dixon, Dairy Foods Consulting Reduced Tillage Toolbox for Organic Grain Production John Wallace, Ron Hoover & Mary Barbercheck, Penn State University; others TBD Pulled Pork: How We Clear Planting Beds Without a Tractor Homer Walden & Dru Peters, Sunnyside Farm On-Farm Composting: Discussions with Advanced Composters Rick Carr, Rodale Institute; Mike Brownback, Spiral Path Farm; Dan Landis, Landisdale Farm; Matt Steiman, Dickinson College Farm Framing for More Effective Communications Michael Rozyne, Red Tomato
Saving the Farm Long Term: Sustainability through Succession Planning Michelle Kirk, PA Farm Link & Phil Taylor, AgChoice Farm Credit
Can Farmers Make a Better Living Growing Direct-Market Vegetables? Franklin Egan, PASA & John Hendrickson, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
Queering the Food System: How Farming & Sexuality Intertwine Michaela Hoffelmeyer, Penn State University
30–90 MINUTE PROGRAMS
Organic Sweet Corn Production Jennifer Glenister, New Morning Farm Organic Grape Production: New Tools Make Mid-Atlantic Growing Possible Steve Bogash, Marrone Bio Innovations Nitrogen 301 Will Brownback, Spiral Path Farm Learning Circle: Grass-Fed Beef Production Allen Williams, Joyce Farms Korean Natural Farming Recipes Adrian Galbraith-Paul, Heritage Farm Building a Managed Market Liz Comiskey, Farmers Market Coalition Beyond the Numbers: Establishing Trends for Growth Hannah Masser, MidAtlantic Farm Credit
Cattle Not Chemicals: Grazing CREP Acreage to Control Canada Thistle Ted Barbour, farmer & Garry Ulmer, CREP participant 7 Ways to Spend Less Time Doing Bookkeeping Elaine Lemmon, Kitchen Table Consultants Learning Circle: Pastured Livestock Franklin Egan, PASA Let Your Voice Be Heard on the National Organic Standards Board Christie Badger, consultant Transitioning to Organic: Making the Production Leap Christie Badger, consultant; Liz Bosak, Penn State Extension; Heather Donald, PCO Soil Health & Climate Change: An Opportunity for Agriculture? Eric Sauder, Team Ag
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Friday, February 8 Sequential Planting of Cool Season Crops in a High Tunnel Pam Dawling, Twin Oaks Rural Market & Farm Stand Success Patty Neiner, PA WAgN; Linda Stewart, Clan Stewart Farm; Moses Hostetler, Lewistown Farmers Market Pastured Poultry Production in Floods & Droughts Jeff Mattocks, The Fertrell Company How Water Works: Getting Irrigation to Do What You Want It to Do David Giusti, Second Spring Farm Farm & Food Advocacy: Engage Effectively with Your Elected Officials Liz Reitzig, Nourishing Liberty Disease Identification Workshop Tim Elkner, Kathy Demchak & Kari Peter, Penn State Extension Bringing It All Together: A Case Study of An Urban Retail Food Hub Julia James & Dusty James, Radish & Rye Food Hub Adding Bees to Your Farm: Where to Start and What to Expect Bill Day, The Pfeiffer Center What's Going on With the Farm Bill? Juli Obudzinski, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition The Self-Sustaining Apiary Aaron Kolb, Poco Farm Honey & Apiary & Dave Owens, Owens Farm Next Level Market Sales with Technology, Skills & Special Programs Wadia Gardiner, Hunting Park United; Emanuel Stoltzfus, Mt Pleasant Produce; Erica Mines, The Food Trust; Denele Hughson, Grow Pittsburgh Multi-Species Grazing on a Family Farm—From Beginning to End Pete Burns & Tara Burns, Heritage Farm
AFTERNOON SESSIONS You can fit two or more programs into your afternoon. 60–90 MINUTES Honey Bee Health & Organic Beekeeping Management Practices Margarita Lopez-Uribe & Robyn Underwood, Penn State University Grow Your Market Sales Nancy Staisey & Helaine Harris, Historic Lewes Farmers Market Essential Elements: Salt & Cheesemaking Peter Dixon, Dairy Foods Consulting Reducing Tillage in Organic Vegetable Cropping Systems Andrew Smith & Gladis Zinati, Rodale Institute; Jennifer Halpin, Dickinson College Farm Produce Diseases Report & Discussion: Preparing for the 2019 Season Tim Elkner, Kathy Demchak & Kari Peter, Penn State Extension Pastured Pork Production Shelby Dukes, Rodale Institute Pastured Permaculture: Building Independent Farms with Pasture & Ruminants Shawn Dougherty & Beth Dougherty, The Sow's Ear Farm & Pottery Organizing for Land Access Policy Change in PA Karen Gardner & Adrienne Nelson, National Young Farmers Coalition Is Wholesale Marketing a Viable Strategy? Michael Rozyne, Red Tomato Integrated Crop Planning with Tend Robert Dubois, Tend
Growing Urban Agriculture in PA: From Local Zoning to Site & Soil Issues Jonathan Burgess, Allegheny County Conservation District
Farm to Food Bank: How to Work with Food Banks to Feed Your Neighbors Jane Clements-Smith, Feeding Pennsylvania; Rob Amsterdam, Feeding America; Central PA Food Bank
Engaging the Next Generation in Solving Critical Issues in Our Food System Dailah Mial, Sam Predmore, Elizabeth Lynch, Nic Adams, Heidi Witmer & Shane Kaplan, LEAF Project Inc
Exploring Cooperative Marketing Opportunities for Chestnuts & Taste Evaluation Tracey Coulter, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry & Erik Hagan, Windswept Farm
Energy Efficiency Measures in Agriculture Operations Dawn Snyder & Gerald "Jerry" Welshans, PA College of Technology, National Sustainable Structures Center
Discussion: Troubleshooting QuickBooks Julia Shanks, The Farmer's Office author
Creating a Forest Garden Lincoln Smith, Forested
FRIDAY KEYNOTE Waste Not: The Moral Disconnect Between Food Waste & Hunger Leah Lizarondo, 412 Food Rescue
Crop Successions on Small Farms Nick Lubecki, Grow Pittsburgh Climate Battery (Geothermal) Greenhouse: Construction & Early Results Tim Clymer, Threefold Farm Blueberries: Reliable, Easy to Grow, Healthful & Delicious Lee Reich, Lee Reich LTD Q&A: Organic Grain Production & Processing Speakers TBD For the Love of Longwools: British Rare Breed Sheep & Wool Jeri Robinson-Lawrence & Irina Lawrence, Flying Fibers
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Saturday, February 9 Book Discussion: Call of the Reed Warbler by Charles Massy
A Beginner’s Guide to Social Media Marketing Sarah Cornelisse, Penn State Extension
Vegetable Fermentation: Myriad Possibilities Jereme Zimmerman, Brew Beer Like a Yeti & Make Mead Like a Viking author
60–90 MINUTE PROGRAMS
The Community Nursery Mason Vollmer, Camphill Soltane & Nantmeal Nursery Sowing Change: Promoting Food Access Through Campus & Community Gardens Kyle Bray, Bucknell University; Pam Frontino & Derek Martin, Susquehanna University Smart Tools, Healthy Body Nazirahk Amen, Purple Mountain Organics Restoring Nature's Relationships Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware Mushroom Compost: Busting Myths Jacob Chalfin, Laurel Valley Soils Farming While Black: African Diasporic Wisdom for Farming Leah Penniman, Soul Fire Farm A Leg Up Report: Building Blocks for New Locally Focused Meat Processors Rachel deVitry, Kitchen Table Consultants & Brooks Miller, North Mountain Pastures A Discussion of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Jeff Stoltzfus, Penn State Extension; Lindsay Gilmour, Organic Planet; Chelsea Matzen, National Farmers Union; Gary Bloss, PA Farmers Union
DROP-IN CLINIC How to Run for Local Office Judy Chambers & Tanya Lamo, Penn State Extension
Saturday MORNING SESSIONS You can fit either one 3 hour program into your morning OR several 30–90 minute programs. THREE HOUR PROGRAMS Pollination Services in Fruits & Vegetables of the Mid-Atlantic Region Margarita Lopez-Uribe, Shelby Fleischer & David Biddinger, Penn State University; Kelly Gill, The Xerces Society & USDA NRCS Uprooting Racism: Becoming an Anti-Racist Accomplice in the Food System ari rosenberg, Nicole Sugerman, Marian Dalke & Bri Barton, Soil Generation Set Your Records Straight: Hands-on Farm Record Keeping Intensive Michael Stenta, farmOS / Farmier; Brooks Miller, North Mountain Pastures; Alex Smith, Squirrel Dance Farm
Navigating Chef to Farmer Restaurant Relationships Kate Hersl & Matt Lett, Troegs Brewing Company; Jordan Albert, Woo de La Kitchen; Michael Scheidel, Little Peace Farm Learning Circle: Raising Sheep Caroline Owens, Owens Farm Customizable CSA Shares to Increase Sales Joan Norman, One Straw Farm; John Eisenstein, Jade Family Farm; Neil Stauffer, Rivendale Farms; Simon Huntley, Small Farm Central Sales & Marketing for Wholesale Amy McCann, Local Food Marketplace, Inc Make Mead Like a Viking Jereme Zimmerman, Brew Beer Like a Yeti & Make Mead Like a Viking author Local Food in Pennsylvania Schools Brian Moyer, Penn State Extension & Kelsey Porter, The Food Trust Lettuce Year Round Pam Dawling, Twin Oaks Learning Circle: Fruit Marketing Ben Wenk, Three Springs Fruit Farm Hogs in Hedgerows Sarah McCarthy, Crooked Fence Farm Feeding the Farm From the Farm Shawn Dougherty & Beth Dougherty, The Sow's Ear Farm & Pottery Emerging Strategies for Adapting to Extreme Weather Alissa White, University of Vermont A Fun Approach to Accounting Systems Elaine Lemmon, Kitchen Table Consultants Making & Using Traditional Starters Rachel Schaal, Parish Hill Creamery Root Vegetable Production Chris Brittenberg, Who Cooks For You Farm Using Cost of Production to Understand Pricing Strategies Julia Shanks, The Farmer's Office author Succession Planting for Continuous Vegetable Harvests Pam Dawling, Twin Oaks Food Forest Parks: Creating Public Edible Ecosystems Lincoln Smith, Forested SATURDAY KEYNOTE An Unlikely Collaboration: Who Can We Trust? Michael Rozyne, Red Tomato
From Teff to Vetch: Cover Cropping Strategies for the Vegetable Farmer Kirstie Jones, Pennypack Farm; Jennifer Glenister, New Morning Farm; Dan Kemper, Rodale Institute
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Collaborative Programming Throughout our conference, you’ll find these special tracks of collaborative programming: • Best practices in organic farming (for organic, transitioning, and interested farmers):
We’re partnering with the committee who brought you the Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Conference to expand our offerings of organic-focused programming. In collaboration with Organic Valley, PA Dept. of Agriculture, PA FarmLink, PCO, Rodale Institute, Threefold Farm, and GMO Free PA.
• Improving farmers markets (for market managers and vendors): Gain skills for growing
and improving farmers markets or your presence at them by attending workshops organized by the committee who brought you Pennsylvania Farmers Market Managers Conference. In collaboration with and funded by PA Farm Markets, Penn State Extension, and USDA Risk Management Agency.
Annual Meetings Pennsylvania Farmers Union Annual Meeting & Farm-to-Table Dinner Wednesday, February 6 • 5–9pm • $20 Pennsylvania Farmers Union invites you to their annual meeting and farm-to-table dinner. Enjoy good food, learn about updates to federal farm policy, and hear from a panel of dairy farmers. You’ll also learn about the benefits of being a PA Farmers Union member. Open to all. Beginning Farmer Learning Network Annual Meeting:
Networking & Continuing Education for Farm Service Providers Mixer: Friday, February 8 • 7:30–9pm • Free Meeting: Saturday, February 9 • 7:30am–4pm • $75 (includes breakfast & lunch) This annual meeting is an opportunity for all farm service providers to learn from each other and discuss the successes and challenges they encounter as they support beginning farmers through their first 10 years of business. PASA Annual Meeting & Regional Breakouts Saturday, February 9th • 2:30–4:30pm • Free Join us for light food and beverages as we come together to reflect on PASA’s achievements over the last year and share our vision for the next. You’ll participate in breakout sessions with members in your region, hear from board candidates, catch up with longtime friends and meet new members, and have the chance to share your feedback on how we’re doing as an organization. Open to all. 8 | pasafarming.org/conference
Trade show Our expansive trade show features approximately 100 vendors offering an array of products and services that can support your work—from tools and equipment, to educational and consulting services. Trade show admission is included with full- and half-day conference registration, but you can also choose to register for the trade show only. Rates on page 14.
Trade Show Stage Learn what’s new and improved in the rapidly growing sustainable agriculture industry by dropping by our trade show stage, brought to you with support from Lancaster Farming.
Farm Innovations Receptions & Tastings
Check out the nifty tools, structures, and
Mix and mingle over light food and beverages
display. Submit your own innovations at
sourced from local farms at our receptions and tastings held in the exhibition hall on Thursday
equipment farmers in our network have designed and built at our farm innovations pasafarming.org/conference.
and Friday evenings.
Mercantile & Book Nook Support your favorite organization by stocking up on PASA merch, and drop by our Book Nook—a book worm’s favorite haunt, brought to you with support by Chelsea Green Publishing. We’ll also be hosting book signings throughout the conference featuring authors in attendance. 814.349.9856 | 9
Special Features
Our conference is special not only for its high-quality educational programs—it’s a space for connecting with people from all sectors of the food system who are passionate about moving the sustainability dial forward, and a place for discovering inspiration around every corner. • Mercantile & Book Nook
• Music & dancing
• Seed swap
• Movie screenings
• Community classifieds • Evening receptions
• Knitting circles • And more!
Mobile App
PASAbilities Awards
CrowdCompass, the mobile app for our
Join us Friday evening for the PASAbilities
attendees, lets you build your own
farmers and businesses who exemplify the
parking and food options. You’ll receive
conference, connects you with other
Leadership Awards, where we recognize
conference schedule, and locates nearby
spirit of sustainability in agriculture and food
instructions on how to use this handy
systems.
resource when you register.
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Special Features Book Club Calling all bookworms! Join us to discuss two books we’ve chosen just for you: Call of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth by Charles Massey, and Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown.
Movie Screenings Modified: A Food Lover’s Journey into GMOs The filmmaker and her mother embark on a personal and poignant investigative journey to find out why genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not labeled on food products in the U.S. and Canada. Evolution of Organic This documentary traces the counter-culture roots of the USDA organic label. You’ll hear from
Get a 35% discount when you order
back-to-landers who
Green Publishing (chelseagreen.com)
growth of organic, and
checkout.
of the label.
these books online with Chelsea
witnessed the explosive
by January 25th. Enter PASA19 at
look toward the future
Community Classifieds
Find and post job opportunities, equipment for sale, land for sale or lease, upcoming events, and more at our Community Classifieds.
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Future Farmers (K-8th Grade)
Our Future Farmers program is designed to educate and entertain your children while you attend the conference. Children from kindergarten to eighth grade will enjoy a wide range of activities developed to increase their understanding of farming, nutrition, and
sustainability. Kids are divided into three age groups: K–2nd, 3rd–5th, and 6th–8th. Students in 9th grade and up can register for the full conference at the student rate (see page 14). The Future Farmers program takes place Thursday–Saturday. Space is limited, so register your child(ren) early. Parents must pick up their kids during lunch. You may purchase lunch and dinner tickets for children participating in Future Farmers when you register them. Snacks will be provided by Whole Foods Market.
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Get support/ Give support Workshare & Scholarships We’re dedicated to keeping our conference accessible for all who wish to attend through
our scholarship and workshare opportunities. More details and application instructions at pasafarming.org/conference. Apply by January 22.
Workshare Participate in our workshare program—which starts in December and extends until after the conference in February—to reduce your conference registration costs in exchange for lending us a helping hand. Workshare participants trade between four and 12 hours of work to cover up to two days of registration costs. Participants may also
prevent you from accessing the valuable learning and networking opportunities it has to offer. Apply for a scholarship to cover up to two days of registration costs, or combine your scholarship with workshare to
cover even more. Scholarships are open to farmers of all experience levels. Funding
for beginning farmers provided by the Arias M. Brownback Memorial Scholarship Fund. Funding for urban farmers based in
apply for scholarship
western PA provided by the Heinz
support.
Endowments.
Scholarships for farmers We know this was a tough year for many in our farming community. We also know that continuing education is a critical component of building resilience as markets evolve and weather events become more extreme. If money is tight, we don’t want the cost of our conference to
Scholarships for farmers market representatives Farmers market managers and representatives can receive up to half off registration for Thursday and/or Friday. Market managers who are also farmers may apply to receive a farmer scholarship as well, and all managers may participate in workshare in addition to this support. This scholarship is offered by PA Farm Markets and Penn State Extension, with funding from USDA Risk Management Agency.
Volunteer & Donate Volunteer
losses. As a result, we anticipate a surge
If you have some time to give, but don’t
in requests for scholarship support. Please
need reduced registration rates, consider volunteering at the conference!
Sign up to become a volunteer online at pasafarming.org/conference.
Donate to the Arias M. Brownback Memorial Scholarship Fund After a season that brought incessant rain and a worsening dairy crisis, many in our farming
consider donating to the Arias M. Brownback Memorial Scholarship Fund to help ensure that all who wish to attend our conference can. You can donate to the fund on our
website at pasafarming.org, or when you register for the conference. Gifts of any
amount help. A gift of $200 is equivalent to covering two days of conference registration costs.
community have suffered significant financial
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Registration How to register ONLINE: Go to pasafarming.org/conference PHONE: Call 814.349.9856 If you will be attending the conference as a speaker, sponsor, scholarship recipient, or workshare participant, please wait to register until we send you customized registration instructions.
Registration Rates
Member
Non-member
Student/apprentice OR senior (65+)
Preregistration
On-site
Preregistration
On-site
Preregistration
On-site
Half day
$60
$85
$70
$95
$40
$55
Full day
$100
$125
$125
$150
$60
$75
Trade show only
$10
$30
$20
$40
$10
$30
Full-day registration is available Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Half-day registration (includes keynote address) is available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The AM half day includes morning programming through the keynote address. The PM half day includes the keynote address through the evening reception. Children under five can attend for free. You may purchase meals for children under five when you register.
Future Farmers Program (K–8th grade)
Pre-registration
On-site
$45 per day
$55 per day
Future Farmers registration is available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Snacks are included; meals are separate.
Meals We are proud to gather sustainably Adult and regionally sourced foods from our members and friends for our Child under 12 meals and receptions, which include vegan, vegetarian, and meat options. Buffet lunches are available all days; buffet dinners are available Thursday and Friday only.
14 | pasafarming.org/conference
Buffet lunch
Buffet dinner
$30
$45
$20
$30
registration (cont.) Dates to note! • DECEMBER 21: Get entered into early bird prize drawings when you register by this date! • JANUARY 22: Deadline to apply for scholarships & workshare
• JANUARY 29: Pre-registration closes. Must register on site after this date.
Payment
Registration must be paid in full by January 29. Otherwise, pre-registration will be cancelled and you will need to re-register on-site at the walk-in rate.
Cancellation policy • You’ll receive an 85% refund on cancellations of programming, meals, and t-shirts made by January 11. Cancelled meals will not be refunded after January 11.
• You’ll receive a 50% refund on cancellations of programming and t-shirts made between January 12–29.
• In the case of extreme weather or family emergencies, deviations from our cancellation policy will be made on a case-by-case basis. All requests for special consideration must be made in writing and will be reviewed after the conference.
Become a member Become a member or renew your membership today to save $25 per full day on your conference registration! Go to pasafarming.org or call 814.349.9856 for membership details and rates. Membership purchases must be made separately from conference registration.
2019 Conference T-shirts
Long sleeve Short sleeve
$20
$30
Pre-order t-shirts when you register to save $5 and guarantee your size. Shirts are 100% organic cotton and made in California with eco-friendly, water-based inks by Farm Fresh Clothing Co. Note: Final t-shirt design may vary slightly from what is shown here. 814.349.9856 | 15
Lodging & Travel Venue Our 2019 Conference will be held at the Lancaster County Convention Center, a historic hotel and convention center located in downtown Lancaster, PA.
Lodging On-site accommodations are available
between February 5–10 at the Lancaster
Marriott at Penn Square (25 S Queen St, Lancaster, PA) at a reduced rate of $117
plus taxes per night. Overnight parking for one vehicle is included. Book your room online by January 15 at pasafarming.org/conference.
You can also call 717.239.1600 to book. Let the hotel staff know you’re a “PASA attendee” to reserve a room in our conference block.
Parking On-site parking is available at the Penn
Square Garage (enter at 28 S Duke St).
The garage is attached to the hotel and conference center. • Parking for one vehicle per room is included for those staying on-site at the Lancaster Marriott. The front desk will validate your parking ticket for your full stay. • For all others, we will provide you
Travel The conference venue is conveniently located near several transportation hubs. More travel tips at pasafarming.org/
with a parking voucher that will reduce the cost of parking to $7 per day at any Lancaster City garage or lot. A map of the Lancaster City garages and lots can be found at pasafarming.org/conference.
conference.
• Train: One mile from the Lancaster
Amtrak train station and bus terminal.
• Plane: 20 minute drive from Lancaster Airport (LNS); 40 minute drive from Harrisburg International Airport
Ride & Room Share
(MDT). Round-trip flights from
If you’re interested in sharing travel or lodging
Pittsburgh or Baltimore to Lancaster
costs with fellow conference goers, visit
are available through Southern Airway Express from $50. 16 | pasafarming.org/conference
pasafarming.org/conference to join our ride & room share forum.
Explore Lancaster Our conference venue is walking distance to scores of locally owned restaurants, cafes, and shops. Take a stroll along Lancaster’s cobblestone streets and alleys to enjoy its historic architecture and discover its bustling food scene that pays homage to the many nearby farms.
Central Market—the country’s oldest, continuously operated farmers market—is located just across the street from our conference venue!
Cover art and layout by Halston Maierle of H6 Design Printed by Colonial Press
Thursday
Non Profit Org US Postage PAID State College, PA Permit # 21
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
MICHAEL P. HOFFMANN “Climate Change & Our Global Food System: A Call to Action!”
Friday
LEAH LIZARONDO “Waste Not: The Moral Disconnect Between Food Waste & Hunger”
MICHAEL ROZYNE “An Unlikely Collaboration: Who Can We Trust?
P.O. Box 419 Millheim, PA 16854
Saturday