Join us every Tuesday from late April to mid-November for our vibrant Farmers Market on Locust Lane, Downtown State College!

From 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM, discover amazing local vendors and their fresh, sustainable products. Interested in becoming a vendor?

Contact us at mikeandseamus@thepkfarms.com.

See you there!
#FarmersMarket #LocustLaneMarket #SupportLocal #FreshProduce #DowntownStateCollege #VendorOpportunity

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After hundreds of legislative visits, thousands of emails, and one march on the Capitol for climate action, we’re finally getting the opportunity to see Chairman Thompson’s vision for the Farm Bill. Evidence of our collective advocacy–like a preapproval pilot program for FSA farm ownership loans and increased funding for NRCS conservation programs–is dotted throughout the House version of the bill. Still, the draft largely neglects many of our most critical priorities. 

Climate resilience and land access received little support while commodity programs and crop insurance were granted billions of additional dollars. These increased subsidies to industrial agriculture come at the expense of future SNAP benefits and the millions of Americans who face food insecurity.

So, what do we do now? Adrienne Nelson and Lindsey Shapiro, organizers with the National Young Farmers Coalition and Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, will answer questions you may have about the bill and discuss opportunities to influence the draft as it enters the next stage of the process. Policy experts from the National Young Farmers Coalition will also be on hand to provide insights from inside the DC Beltway. This will be a casual space for conversation, reflection, and continued action.

Notes

• Recordings will be provided to registrants within one to two weeks of the live event.
• Questions? Contact events@pasafarming.org.

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Full schedule on website

Check Our Facebook Page & Website for Updates

8957 Hickory Rd., Felton, PA 17322
(closer to Stewartstown)
Regular Hours Mondays thru
Saturdays 9am-4pm,
Closed Sundays

717-993-5230

www.heartwoodnurseryinc.com

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Target audiences include Child Nutrition Program operators, K-12 and early childhood education educators, producer, distributors, and other farm to school/early childhood education stakeholder groups.

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Teacher Bio: Mike Biltonen has spent nearly 40 years in agriculture – working mostly with orchards, vineyards, and specialty veg and fruit crops. He specializes in all aspects of sustainable orchard production of apples, pears, and stone fruit. An early passion for sustainable agriculture evolved into a profound dedication to the principles and practices of ecologically-focused, biodynamically-driven farming. The last fifteen years Mike has worked as a consultant to novice and seasoned farmers and orchardists alike on all aspects of establishing and managing regenerative and integrated farmscapes. He co-owns Know Your Roots, a novel and innovative family-owned company, with his wife Debbie where they are synchronously using farming and herbalism practices to heal the Earth.

Accessibility: This workshop will be held at Awbury Arboretum’s Education Center and Food Forest (6336 Ardleigh Street). With the exception of handicap visitors- guests should park on the street and walk in. There is a 1/4 mile walk on paved walkways from the entrance to the education center, where the first portion of the workshop will take place. The entire building is wheelchair accessible and climate-controlled. The second portion of the workshop will take place within the Awbury Food Forest, a short sloped walk from the education center. The food forest is mostly shaded, with uneven woodchipped pathways. There are two private indoor bathrooms in the Education Center and Port-a-pottys on site.

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Managing your farm business is hard and the failure rate is high. Intentional business habits and intimacy with your numbers are essential to cultivating a business that can grow. During this webinar, Shelly Oswald will offer insider perspectives on doing your books–come prepared for a presentation and bring your questions!

Shelly Oswald is a Certified High-Performance Coach, seasoned farmer, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience owning successful businesses. In addition to producing and selling grass-fed beef directly to consumers on Shopify, Shelly is a management accountant with advanced certification in QuickBooks Online and dedicates part of her time to their bookkeeping cleanup department. Driven by a passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential, she utilizes her expertise to inspire and guide entrepreneurs toward achieving holistic success and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.

Notes

• Recordings will be provided to registrants within one to two weeks of the live event.
• Questions? Contact events@pasafarming.org.

The post How To Do Your Books & Get Good Results appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

Dwight Stoltzfoos of Springwood Organic Farm and Austin Unruh of Trees for Graziers will discuss how adding trees to pasture can help keep livestock cool during the hot summer months. You’ll see firsthand how the strategic combination of silvopasture and sustainable grazing practices can enhance your farm’s resilience and productivity. 

You’ll gain insights by exploring Dwight’s farm, learning how he manages his animals, and hearing why he chose to integrate trees into his dairy grazing operation. Austin will share his expertise on the intricacies of silvopasture, including system design, planting, and management. Join us to discover how these strategies can improve your farm operations and support animal health!

This event is co-organized by Pasa’s Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship and Agroforestry Training Program along with Trees for Graziers.

Notes

• This event will proceed regardless of weather, so please come prepared.
• Registration encouraged but not required.
• Biosecurity: The ongoing outbreak of HPAI or “Bird Flu” poses a risk to dairy farms. To ensure the safety of all attendees and their farms, we will provide boot covers and boot foot baths. Please always follow the best biosecurity practices when traveling between farms.
• Accessibility: This event includes a walk from the parking area to the field along a flat gravel drive, followed by some walking in the pastures. Please wear appropriate footwear. Limited transportation can be provided to those who need it. Please reach out to events@pasafarming.org in advance to discuss how we can accommodate you.
• COVID-19: Please review our safety protocols for in-person events.
• Questions? Check out our in-person event FAQs. If you still have a question, contact events@pasafarming.org.

The post Maximizing Your Farm Operation With Silvopasture appeared first on Pasa Sustainable Agriculture.

Founded in 2003, Pennypack Farm & Education Center is a 13-acre diversified vegetable farm co-managed by Kirstie and Steph Jones using organic practices to grow for CSA and a food donation program. In addition to looking at cover cropping, we will discuss Pennypack’s cultivation practices between and within rows to maximize crop production.

One of the primary components of Pennypack’s soil health program is the use of cover crops during all four seasons to build soil structure, prevent erosion, and manage weeds. Pennypack uses a wide variety of cover crops on the farm, including nitrogen-fixing legumes such as crimson clover, vetch, and peas, as well as grasses that provide organic matter, such as oats and Sudan grass. They also use innovative cover crops such as teff grass and winter wheat in the walkways between crop beds to prevent erosion and weed growth.  

Farm managers Kirstie and Steph will be sharing their experience with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which supports their farm in developing diverse cover crop mixes to meet their farm’s sustainability and soil health goals.

Don’t leave early! We will be enjoying locally made seasonal pie and ice cream to end our evening together.

Notes

• Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear for the tour at Pennypack Farm & Education Center. Closed-toe shoes recommended.
• Capacity: This event is limited to 25 registrants.
• COVID-19: Please review our safety protocols for in-person events.
• Questions? Check out our in-person event FAQs. If you still have a question, contact events@pasafarming.org.

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Pathways to Farming/Caminos a la Agricultura is a three day learning experience for people who are curious about a career in farming but are unsure of how to start. The goal of the retreat is to give participants an idea of what it would be like to commit themselves to farming as a full time career, with a combination of field work, discussion panels, and lectures. The retreat is meant to highlight the physicality of a career in farming. A significant portion of the retreat will be dedicated to hands-on field work. Participants will work on both livestock and vegetable operations. Retreat attendees should be prepared for an experience that may be physically challenging, uncomfortable, or repetitive and eager to experience some of the realities of day to day farming.

One of the unique features of this retreat is that it will be fully bilingual, with simultaneous interpretation (English/Spanish) provided throughout the entire duration by the language justice team. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in workshops, seminars, and field sessions in their preferred language, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all. This retreat is free to attend [transport, lodging and food provided].

Please take a moment to review the program details on our website!

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This workshop for aspiring or beginning flower farmers will start with a tour of The Seed Farm, followed by an informative and interactive bouquet arrangement workshop. With an emphasis on market bouquets, we will discuss different bouquet styles, tools and fixes, and other flower facts. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions on seed-starting techniques and field-growing environments.

About the host

Lizzy Beller is a flower farmer and the owner of Bubbly Hills Farm in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Lizzy graduated with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering at Penn State. She participated in the Rodale Institute’s Farmer Training (RIFT) program and fell in love with flower farming. After completing the RIFT program, Lizzy started farming on a half-acre plot at The Seed Farm Agricultural Business Incubator. She is an all-around adventurous individual and enjoys teaching people about flowers.

Notes

• This is a hands-on workshop. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Close-toed shoes recommended.
• Capacity: This event is limited to 12 registrants.
• COVID-19: Please review our safety protocols for in-person events.
• Questions? Check out our in-person event FAQs. If you still have a question, contact events@pasafarming.org.

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Co-owners Chris Brittenburg and Aeros Lillstrom will share their experiences with design, efficiency, and outgrowing their space in just a few short years. Following the tour will be a Q&A session and a melon tasting.

Who Cooks For You Farm is a first-generation family farm that supplies certified organic produce to farmers markets, CSAs, and restaurants in the greater Pittsburgh area. Their adoption of organic practices and crop rotations enrich, protect, and encourage healthy soil, yielding fresh and nutritious produce.

Notes

• This is a hands-on workshop. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Close-toed shoes recommended.
• Capacity: This event is limited to 25 registrants.
• COVID-19: Please review our safety protocols for in-person events.
• Questions? Check out our in-person event FAQs. If you still have a question, contact events@pasafarming.org.

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After decades of experience, Kate and Margie of Goose Creek Gardens will share their best practices for growing dahlias at this grower-to-grower tour and information session. We’ll take a tour of the 20,000+ plants and discuss flower and tuber production, harvest techniques, tuber storage, and sales outlets. The evening will wrap up with an ice cream social. Come with questions and be ready to discuss!

About the farm

Goose Creek Gardens is a 12-acre family-owned and operated cut-flower farm bringing high-quality florals to the Pittsburgh area. Growing over 200 varieties of flowers in fields, greenhouses, and high tunnels, they offer fresh flowers from April to November.

Notes

• Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear for the tour at Goose Creek Gardens. Closed-toe shoes recommended.
• Capacity: This event is limited to 25 registrants.
• COVID-19: Please review our safety protocols for in-person events.
• Questions? Check out our in-person event FAQs. If you still have a question, contact events@pasafarming.org.

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