United Plant Savers Helps Kick Off PCO's Forest Grown Program with Forest Botanicals Workshops
Forest Botanicals: Working Together to Build a New Supply Chain was a “first of its kind” event that United Plant Savers held in November with support from PCO, Mountain Rose Herbs, Penn State and Virginia Tech.
How much longer can the ecosystem support the constant wild harvest of native woodland botanicals? Do we know who is harvesting and where are forest botanicals are being harvested? The new PCO forest grown verification program encourages "conservation through cultivation' as a solution of sustainability, quality and ethics. The new PCO program that allows woodland farmers of medicinal plants to be verified is perfectly synced with another new project “Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Program: Growing Opportunities Beneath the Canopy”. United Plant Savers is one of several collaborators that will be apart of a 3-year funded USDA program to train future forest farmer in how to become growers of native medicinal plants within the Appalachian region. If you are interested in knowing about future workshops/webinars and getting connected to the new network of forest farmers then please email your information to hollykc@vt.edu. For more details on the event including PDFs of the powerpoint workshop presentations, visit the United Plant Savers website.
Job Openings at PCO- Come Join Our Team!
Materials Program Manager
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) announces a job opening for Materials Program Manager. This position will oversee PCO’s material review program, including the publication of PCO Materials Lists, developing policies relevant to material review under the organic regulations, and will actively perform material review. The ideal candidate will have education and experience in the following areas: knowledge of materials used in organic production and processing, familiarity with regulatory compliance and organic certification, knowledge of organic standards. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania; telecommuting will be considered. The planned start date for this position is Dec 2015.
This is a full-time, exempt position.
Salary range: $45,000 – 55,000, depending on experience.
To view a job description, visit our website.
Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.
Position will remain open until filled. Please send resume and cover letter to lia@paorganic.org.
Certification Specialist
Pennsylvania Certified Organic announces a job opening for Certification Specialist. The ideal candidate will have education and / or experience in the following areas: familiarity with regulatory compliance and organic certification, knowledge of organic standards and food science/processing. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. Remote consideration will be given to applicants with previous certification experience.
This is a full-time, exempt position.
Salary range: $38,000 to $48,000, depending on experience.
To view a job description, visit our website.
Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.
Position will remain open until filled. Please send resume and cover letter to lia@paorganic.org.
FarmFest Coordinator
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is seeking a FarmFest Coordinator to serve in coordination with our Education and Outreach Team. The part time contracted position will be responsible for planning and management, with guidance from the PCO, of the Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest, held July 29-30, 2016 at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, PA.
FarmFest is a fun, free, community-building event that fosters knowledge of organic agriculture and sustainable living through educational opportunities, local foods, lively entertainment, and interactive family activities.
The successful contractor will possess strong organizational and time management skills with demonstrated work experience in event and volunteer management. We seek a highly competent individual with proficiency in soliciting/securing sponsors, vendors, and exhibitors. Successful candidate will also exhibit aptitude with databases, computer networks, volunteerism, and social media.
Contract Compensation and Schedule:
This contracted position is offered at $8000 plus a percentage of sponsorship sales. Regular communication during agreed-upon scheduled work hours is required. We expect the contracted position to fill approximately 10 hours per week, and all day Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and half a day Sunday during the week of the event. Additionally, some post event communications and evaluation is required. The planned start date for this position is February 1, 2016.
We will accept applications until the position is filled but encourage applicants to make their submission by December 31st to be included in the first round of reviews. To apply, please complete our Request for Proposals here.
For more information on the FarmFest Coordinator position please click here.
For more information about FarmFest please visit our website at farmfest.paorganic.org.
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Events
Keystone Farm Show
January 5-7
Pennsylvania Farm Show
Future Harvest CASA’s Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed Conference
January 14-16
PASA’s Farming for the Future Conference
February 3-6
PASA Webinar- Agricultural Marketing 101
Lancaster Ag Reall Health Conference
February 13, 8am-3pm
Ronks, PA
PASA Webinar - Finding New Markets: Wholesale, Cooperatives & Beyond
Feburay 17, 11am-1pm
For a full listing of events, visit the PCO online calendar.
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Classifieds
PCO Certified Organic Produce For Sale:
Several 1,000 lb. bins of red beets at $1.00/lb.
Several 1,000 lb. bins of russet and yukon gold potatoes at $0.75/lb.
Twelve 750 lb. bins of butternut squash at $500/bin
Twelve 750 lb. bins of gray kabocha squash at $500/bin
Looking for buyers to purchase certified organic product beginning Summer of 2016
Contact John S. Zook at 23 Zehners Rohrsburg Rd., Orangeville, PA 17859 - no phone.
Extension Educator Opening
The College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an individual to specialize in sustainable and organic vegetable and berry production training as part of the Penn State Extension Horticulture Team. He or she will work with commercial growers, organic growers and beginning growers. This individual will work as part of the State-wide Horticulture Team serving growers in Northampton, Lehigh Counties and collaborating with colleagues to serve Southeastern PA. Visit https://psu.jobs/job/59952 for details and to apply.
To see the complete classifieds listings or to post an ad, click here.
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Member News
A Warm Welcome to Our November New Members
Newly Certified
Ronald Bare
Andrew Barker
Marvin & Vickie Barron
Troy & Corrine Bishopp
Richard Bolze
Anthony Bradsher
Harold Bullock
Brian & justine Denison
Lynn Diller
Noah A. Fisher
Larry & Bonnie Flook
Jessica Grill
Dale & Linda Grove
Timothy Heckenluber
Daniel H. Heller
Wayne Hook
Alvin Jantzi
Terry Lehman
Webster Leid
John Miller
Keith Musser
Crist N. Peachey
Samuel T. Peachey
Molly & Jeffrey Peeters
Scott Shaffer
Kori G. Stay
Ira M. Stoltzfus
Ephraim D. Yoder
David B. Yoder
Kline's Hillside
Charles Farm, Inc.
Transitioning
Jeff & Rachel Bevard
Sam B. Byer
Daniel Renno
Byron Shaffer
Benjamin R. Stoltzfus
Sustainer
Joseph & Menno Zook
Susan Bruss and Timo Aro
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