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November 2016 Newsletter
Don't Miss Growing PA's Organic Farms Conference- Register Today!
 
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Register Today for Upcoming Growing PA's Organic Farms Conference!

Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms educational conference focuses on organic production practices for beginning and transitional organic farmers. In-depth presentations on current organic farming issues are provided by speakers from universities and institutions with accomplished organic research programs, successful organic farmers, and farm industry representatives dedicated to organic production. Sessions at the 2016 conference will include topics on animal health, dairy, pastured livestock, fruits, vegetables, small (heritage) grain, soil health, and pest and weed control.  

Keynote Speaker - Gary Zimmer:   Known as the “father” of biological agriculture, Zimmer is an internationally known author, speaker, and consultant.  He owns Otter Creek Organic Farm, a family-operated, award-winning 1,000 acre farm near Lone Rock, WI, and has been on the board of Taliesin Preservation Inc. since 2011. 

Theme Speaker - Jim Gerritsen: Jim Gerritsen and his family have owned and operated Wood Prairie Family Farm as an isolated organic farm in Aroostook County, Maine for 40 years.  MOFGA-certified organic since 1982, the Gerritsens grow organic early-generation Maine Certified Seed Potatoes, seed crops, vegetables and grain.

Registration:  http://www.gpofconference.org/registration/
Location/Lodging: http://www.gpofconference.org/location/
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/GrowingPAOrganicFarms/   Please like the page and highlight it in your newsfeed.
Web site:  http://www.gpofconference.org/
Would like to be a sponsor/exhibitor at GPOF?  Please visit: http://www.gpofconference.org/exhibitors/
Contact:   Michele Brookins at 717-787-5319 or mbrookins@pa.gov if you need to register by phone or email.
 


The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is beginning its work to prepare for the 2018 Farm Bill and we want your input. Your suggestions for the 2018 Farm Bill are important now more than ever. Your feedback will be used to inform the first phase of OTA’s policy platform development. OTA will always welcome input from our members, but they encourage you to weigh-in early so that their foundation is as strong and representative as it can be.

Join OTA for A webinar on preliminary survey results

Monday, November 21 | 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern 

Join OTA for a brief webinar to hear a review of survey results to date and learn why your input in this planning process is critical. Presenters will include OTA's CEO Laura Batcha and Farm Policy Director Nate Lewis. Register now. 
 
Participate in the PCO 2017 Board Nominations!
Nominations due Nov. 15th


PCO Governance Committee is pleased to announce the call for nominations to serve on the PCO Advisory Board. Lend your leadership and vision to the PCO Community and contribute to defining its path forward! Please consider serving on the PCO Board or nominating a member. Thank you for your participation in this important task.
 
PCO values a diverse board that supports the mission of PCO and represents the membership by having a balance of interests. Areas of particular need identified by the board are below; however, nominations should not be limited to these areas:
• Processor/Handler producer
• Foundation fundraising
• Organic poultry producer
• Person with human resource experience • 2nd or 3rd generation organic farmer
• Organic vegetable producer

 To learn more about our current board members, visit www.paorganic.org/staffTo make a nomination click here. 
PCO Members: Participate in PCO Bylaws Vote!

From time to time, the board at PCO reviews the bylaws to see if they reflect the work of PCO and are limiting or vague. We have suggested a few minor changes that we are recommending to the membership. Bylaws cannot be changed without input from our members. We need your vote! Please refer to the full packet that was mailed or emailed earlier to you or click here for full details on the following:

Items 1: PCO Region
Item 2: Board Member Removal
Item 3: Board Member Vacancies

https://www.paorganic.org/2016boardballot_bylaws
 
Thank you for your participation in this important task!


Calling all Marketing Firms!
Request for Proposals: Comprehensive Marketing Plan

PCO seeks to contract with a marketing firm to increase its visibility and deliver key messages about organic education and certification to a diverse audience. We expect to accomplish this through development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing plan using a variety of resources and media, such as social media, website, direct marketing, trade shows and events.Qualified applicants will have experience in brand development and management; marketing; social media strategy, implementation, and management; website design and development; and market research.

Due Date: November 15, 2016. Proposals will be reviewed as they are submitted and interviews may occur prior to the due date. Applicants should apply as early as possible.

For more information or to submit a proposal, please visit our website.

Come Join the PCO Team! 
Want to work with people committed to ensuring the integrity of organic food production?
 
Director of Marketing and Development
This director will lead the Education and Outreach Team and oversee PCO’s resource development, education and outreach, marketing and public relations programs. The ideal candidate will have education and experience in the following areas: writing proposals and securing funding, conducting community education and outreach, and leading marketing initiatives. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team. This position is based in our Spring Mills, PA office.  Remote work locations will be considered.
 
This is a full-time, exempt position.
Salary: $55,000 - $65,000, depending on experience.
Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.
 
Staff Accountant
The ideal candidate will have education and / or experience in accounting functions including, but not limited to: accounts payable/receivable, generating financial reports, performing journal entries, etc. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania.
 
This is a full-time, exempt position.
Salary: $40,000 - $50,000, depending on experience.
Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.

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; telecommuting will be considered.

This is a full-time, exempt position.
Salary range: $40,000 to $50,000, depending on experience.
Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.
 
All above positions will remain open until filled. Full job descriptions are available at paorganic.org/jobs. To apply please send resume and cover letter to lia@paorganic.org.
  
 
E-news Sponsor Opportunities!

We can feature your full color 600 x 600 pixel display ad here with a live link to your website. Spread the word about your business while supporting PCO! To advertise/sponsor, contact april@paorganic.org or visit the advertising page of our website.



Events

Nov. 15-18
National Organic Standards Board Meeting
Chase Park Plaza Hotel
St. Louis, MO

Nov. 18-19
PA Botany Symposia
Penn Stater Conference Center
State College, PA

Nov. 30- Dec. 2
Acres USA Conference
The Art & Science of Modern Eco-Agriculture
Omaha, NE

December 6, 8:30am-5pm
PA WAgN Symposium
Sharing Idea Seeds Across the Rural/Urban Divide
State College, PA

December 13-14
Growing PA's Organic Farms Conference
Sheraton
Hershey, PA

January 10-12
Keystone Farm Show
York Fairgrounds
Your, PA

February 1-4
PASA's 26th Annual Farming for the Future Conference
Penn Stater Conference Center
State College, PA

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


Classifieds
 

For Sale

Organic Cover Crop Rye
Cleaned. In bags, totes or bulk. $15.00 bushel. Can deliver bags and totes. Contact Ned Fogleman at 717-994-4630
Mifflintown, PA
 
Cover Crop Seed & Straw
Rye, Triticale and Wheat with various blends of Hairy Vetch, grown and cleaned by Village Acres Farm. 50 lb bags at $23 and up, depending on blend of hairy vetch. Also, big round bales of straw at $175/ton. All certified by PCO. Contact debra@villagecresfarm.com or Roy at 717-513-8097. Mifflintown, PA
 
Rye Straw & Oat Straw Bales
Organic Rye Straw just baled recently and under cover. They are 3x3x7 in size. Purchaser of a distance will need to transport it to ones farm. Local people, we can transport. Also small square bales of oat straw recently baled and under a roof. Call for prices. Contact Randal Van Horn at 570-412-0899. 

Services
 
Manure management plans, Ag erosion and settlement plans, manure brokering, and nutrient management planning. Government certified. Contact Ned Fogleman 717-994-4630.

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

 


Member News

A Warm Welcome to Our October New Members

Newly Certified
4-Woods Poultry
Craig Frey
Dan & Ruth Schwartz
Doug Piskac
Elam Horning
Four Leaf Clover Farm
Green Grass Dairy
Henry S. Byler
James R. Slicer
JDM Family Farm
Joe Miller
Jonas E Raber
Leon J Zook
Meeks Farms and Sons
Mulberry Farm
Nature's Seeds
Preston Boop
Rcik Breneman Farm
Roundhouse Farm
Rudy Yoder
Schlabach Farm
Schwartz Farm
Therapy Lane
Winding Creek

New Grassfed Certified
Green Grass Dairy
James R Slicer
Raymond Beachey

Transitioning 
Adam Burrows
Benjamin Carrow

Advocate Member
Copyright © *2016* *E-News:PCO*, 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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PCO · 106 School Street, Suite 201 · Spring Mills, PA 16875 · USA

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