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March 2016 Newsletter: Organic Crops Study Circle!


 
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If you are an experienced or transitioning organic field crop producer in southeast Pennsylvania, make a date to meet at the Shady Maple Conference Center. The study circle format allows growers to engage, discuss and exchange knowledge of organic field crop production.

The focus of the study circles is to provide support and learning to experienced and transitioning organic field crop producers. However, people with farms that are not certified organic are welcome to attend.

Lunch is provided for the first 30 growers. Additional guests can pay $16.80 per person at the door. Pre-registration is required to plan for lunch.

To register, go online to http://extension.psu.edu/events. In the search box, type Organic Field Crop Study Circles and click on the March 10 meeting. You can also call Lisa at the extension office to register, 610-378-1327.
 


See message below directly from GMO FREE PENNSYLVANIA
 The federal landscape about GMO labeling is rapidly changing as the clock ticks closer to Vermont's labeling law coming into effect!
 
Pennsylvanians stand in a key position:
- We coordinate action with the nation-wide labeling movement. 
- Our Senator, Bob Casey, sits on BOTH committees issuing labeling legislation.    
  
URGENT NEED to TAKE ACTION on 2 Senate Bills THIS WEEK! Please share this freely with others.

Call Senator Casey. Urge him to:
* vote against S.2609 (Roberts' bill) --->  
* vote for S.2621, Senator Jeff Merkley's (D, Oregon) bill, which most closely resembles our demands.
Sen. Bob Casey (202) 224-6324
Tell him: ONLY MANDATORY labeling, written in words on the food package, can provide consistent, accessible information about GMO content. 

Senator Jeff Merkley (D, Oregon) just introduced S.2621 on Friday. It requires mandatory labeling of GMO ingredients directly on food packages, as already done in 64 other countries. 

Our Senator Bob Casey, sits on the committee where this bill is NOW under consideration. We want it to promptly come out of committee and be approved by the full U.S. Senate.

Click here for video of Sen. Merkley explaining his bill.
 
Senate Republican leaders will  introduce the DARK Act, now called S.2609 (Sen. Roberts' bill), for a vote by the full Senate THIS WEEK; possibly as soon as Monday. THIS BILL WOULD OUTLAW MANDATORY GMO LABELING.
 
Call U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: (202) 224-2541
Tell him:  Do not bring S.2609, the DARK Act, to the Senate floor.  Please stand with the American people. Reject any attempts to preempt states' rights. We need mandatory GMO labeling for consistent, accessible information to know what we are eating and feeding our families. 

Be part of the national effort to light up McConnell's phones, generate thousands of emails, and unleash the power of the grassroots, each and every day until Senate leadership realizes this bill is a massive mistake. If phone lines are jammed,  please email: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/?p=ContactForm.  
 
The message above is directly from GMO FREE PENNSYLVANIA

 
Job Opening at PCO- Come Join Our Team!
 
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.
E-news Sponsors
             
To advertise/sponsor, contact april@paorganic.org or visit the advertising page of our website.



Events
 

Organic Field Crops Study Circle: Transitioning  & Seasoned Grower Exchange
March 10
Shady Maple
lmh17@psu.edu
http://extension.psu.edu/events
814-378-1327

Organic Crop Grower Network RoundTable Meeting
March 11, 10am-2pm
Bonanza Steakhouse
New Columbia, PA
570-988-3950
bat12@psu.edu

NOFA NY Organic Dairy and Crop Conference
March 16, 8am-5pm
Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool, NY
nofany.org

Farm to Table Local Food Conference
March 18 and 19
farmtotablepa.com/conference

Kings AgriSeeds Meeting
March 31st
Rebersburg, PA
More info to come!

SAVE THE DATE
PCO Member Day
July 29
Grange Fairgrounds
Centre Hall, PA

PA Organic FarmFest 2016
July 29 & 30
Grange Fairgrounds
Centre Hall, PA
farmfest.paorganic.org

 


For a full listing of events, visit the PCO online calendar.


Classifieds

For Sale
Dairy quality Organic baleage
, corn & Organic soybeans. OEFFA Certified. Forage test results available, we can do local deliveries. We custom dry and store Organic grain. Call 570-412-1392. Union County.
 
Organic Baleage for sale. Individually wrapped round bales. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cutting. Alfalfa and mixed hay. 717-471-9438. 1 Mile of I78 in northern Berks County. 
 
Organic Dry Hay, Baleage and Straw in 4x4 wrapped round bales.  High energy and digestibility, Priced based on forage test results.  Trucking available.  Organic grains and seed also available, call for availability.  Provident Farms, Dave Johnson 570-324-2285
 
Services
Manure management plans, Ag erosion and settlement plans, manure brokering, and nutrient management planning. Government certified. Contact Ned Fogleman 717-994-4630.
 
Ag plastic recycling- I can use black and white bunker covers, bale wrap, plastic twine, clear stretch film, greenhouse covers, flats, and pots. Call for details. 717-658-9660. Franklin County, PA.
 
Wanted
Organic Raw Milk ACF Organics, LLC, d/b/a Amish Country Farms located in Totowa, NJ is looking to procure certified organic raw milk from farmers in PA. Ken Tensen: 800-990-3447 x202.


To see the complete classifieds listings or to post an ad, click here

 


Member News

A Warm Welcome to Our February New Members

Newly Certified
Ron Bennick
Alina Corey
Christ L. King
Daniel R. King
Dwight Leaman
Dennis Nolt
Kevin Phelps
Marlin Wadel

Transitioning
Enos K Beiler
Ben Hertzler
David F. Hoover
Robin Houseknecht
Ron Moule
Kirby Nissley
Jacob H. Peachey
Alvin J. Peachey
James Rainville
Amos E. Stoltzfus
Philip Yutzy

Sustainer
Robert Eberly
Bob Vernon
Clarence Watt

Business
EnviroKure
 
Copyright © *2016* *E-News:Pennsylvania Certified Organic*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
106 School Street, Suite 201  
Spring Mills, PA 16875  
814-422-0251
www.paorganic.org
newsletter@paorganic.org
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