Farm Council Discusses Food, Farm Future (Continued from Page A 1) able food and good nutrition in the Mid-Atlantic region. The organization works to in crease the availability of fresh foods and improve the connec tion between urban and agricul tural communities. The Trust operates 11 farm ers’ markets every week from June through November in the Mid-Atlantic region, besides conducting hands-on cooking and nutrition workshops at senior centers, high schools, and other community sites. Additionally, the Trust spon sors a two-day summit, Novem ber 29 and 30 this year, “Future of Our Food and Farms,” which promotes agriculture, features sessions teaching about trends in %/ LEE-MAR FARM / 2724 Conestoga Creek Rd \ V\ 610-286-9052 /Jf & Rentals °^c~rS^ Tractor with Loader Model 6018 L and 6020 L The only tractor with a lifetime hydraulic drive train warranty. Great standard features include power steering, two speed transaxle 4.7 cubic foot bucket with easy single lever control Standard hydraulic rear PTO and 3 pt. hitch allow for over 15 optional attachments DISTRIBUTORS, INC. 311 Willow St., Terre Hill, PA 17581 717-445-8431 food distribution, and ultimately finds ways to reduce hunger. The event combines the three major elements of food, farming, and hunger. At the summit, “there’s so many exciting and innovative sessions that go on,” said van Hekken. “The sessions address cutting edge, innovative issues in agri culture.” The summit provides a net working opportunity for collab oration between farmers, consumers, policymakers, and nonprofit organizations. Industry representatives will have the opportunity to share ideas about problems and solu tions affecting the farm and food system in the region. “We have some of the richest agricultural lands in the world in the region, and yet there are many people in the shadows who remain hungry,” said van Hekken. Inner city residents, she said, may struggle against not only low incomes but also LAWN CARE Genetic engineering, coopera tives, and supermarket produce were additional sessions at the summit. Attendance at the event is “very, very diverse,” said van Hekken. “We get farmers, food company executives, extension agents, local government offi cials, policymakers, and nutri tionists.” Ingersoll limited access to grocery stores which sell fresh produce. Food companies will be in at tendance at the summit, which last year had sessions highlight ing farmers using the computer and Internet to market, market ing ethnic produce, getting farm products into school cafeteria systems, marketing to the health-conscious consumer, in volving youth in the food system, and marketing natural beef. Art Brown, Secretary of Agri culture of New Jersey, will be the opening keynote speaker at this year’s conference. After the summit, the Trust plans to disseminate policy rec ommendations that grow out of discussions to leaders in the farm and food system through out the Mid-Atlantic region. Summit information can be found at http:/ www.ibiblio.org arming connection ffconf/. Council Meeting Highlights Members of the Council of Farm Organizations may possi bly help to organize sessions on how local farming groups can get involved in policy work. After Curtis Kratz, council president, called the meeting to order, council members dis cussed the nature of the organi zation. For instance members debated whether or not the or ganization should become more ✓ "• (H l»ON \ \L M) ON STOt K INIiS - \\llll I St /77 > / VS/.S visible and active in the amount of legislative activity. Because of the diverse inter ests represented on the council, however, taking an official stance may prove to be difficult, so members settled on continu ing to alert farm organizations about upcoming issues in legis lation. Traditionally, the organiza tion has not lobbied or sup ported particular legislation. Members agreed that the council is not a responder to legislation but advised agriculture organ izations about issues at hand. Comments on this year’s Cor nucopia were also part of the discussion. The well-received event received a $3,000 grant Environmental Education Grants Announced HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Just one day after Earth Day, Gov. Tom Ridge an nounced 37 environmental edu cation grants totaling nearly $300,000 to promote environ mental stewardship and aware ness across the commonwealth. “I am pleased to announce this investment in Pennsylva nia’s future our children,” Gov. Ridge said. “By supporting environmental education, we develop tomorrow’s environ mental stewards.” This year, the grants will help fund projects that cover teacher training on Pennsylvania’s new Academic Standards for Envi ronment and Ecology, land-use education, acid mine drainage education, watershed education, and general environmental edu cation. Loader Backhoe Designed and built from the ground up, this unit meets tough standards for easy operation. • Standard Power Steering • Single Lever Forward & Reverse • Single Lever Boom Control • Single Lever Crowd & Bucket • Quick Setting Stabilizer Pads • Low Weight Won’t Compact Turf • Model 60208 H s sso°° OFF Ingersoll 6018 L or 6020 L Tractor with Loader Ingersoll 60208 H Loader Backhoe Take to your nearest dealer or call Lawn Care Distributors, Inc. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 12,2001-A23 from the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Agriculture, according to reports. Members also noted that the positive responses and high attendence of new legisla tors attending the Cornucopia luncheon. In new business, nine mem bers of the council are on a com mittee to discuss the possibility of an “Ag Channel” on cable television in the future. The legislative update in cluded reports on House and senate Ag Committee activities. Water regulation, carbon sequestration, vehicle codes, in heritance taxes, horse transpor tation, and changes to the nutrient management act are policies on the table on the legis lative front. With this grant round, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will have awarded $3.1 million for the ex pansion and support of environ mental education since the creation of the Environmental Education Grants Program. Environmental education grants of up to $lO,OOO are made available to school districts, pri vate schools, intermediate units, colleges, county conservation districts and nonprofit groups with education and conservation missions. The program is funded by setting aside five percent of the fines and penalties collected by DEP. Applications for the 2002 En vironmental Education Grants will be available in June.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers