On February 8 and 9, I was among the over 1000 attendees at the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture held at Penn State University in State College. It was a terrific conference highlighted by an inspiring keynote address, very informative workshops, and incredible organic food meals. The following are summaries of four workshops that I attended.

CONVERTING YOUR LAWN TO NATURAL HABITAT was the title of an outstanding workshop led by Professor Margaret Brittingham of Penn State and Dale Hendricks of North Creek Nurseries. Professor Brittingham identified the needs of wildlife — food, water, cover, and space — and described how a lawn area can be transformed into habitat that will attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard by planting native species of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Plants that produce lots of berries and provide good ground cover were identified. A large island of vegetation should be planted rather than several small patches; vegetation should be of several heights to accommodate different birds and wildlife; water can be provided by a pond or birdbaths; turf should be minimized (it's an ecological desert); and bird feeders may also be installed for periods when berries and seeds are not usually available. The instructors also advised against using insecticides because some birds feed on insects. Mr. Hendricks described several native plants from his nurseries that can be used to create wildlife habitat.

The workshop entitled FOOD IS ELEMENTARY: WHY WE NEED FOOD LITERACY IN OUR SCHOOLS was led by Dr. Antonia Demas of the Food Studies Institute. Dr. Demas began by describing how the health of school students is declining and placed the blame largely on poor diet and inadequate exercise. She went on to explain that very few students know anything about their foods — where they come from, how they're prepared, what their nutritional status is — and suggested that the schools can do much to correct this situation.

Dr. Demas briefly reviewed the school lunch program and stated that the foods that are nutritionally best for the students are usually not served because the students won't eat them. She then described several projects she has implemented to teach middle school children to prepare and eat interesting and healthful foods. The students enjoyed these activities while learning a great deal about the foods and the nations from which they originated.

Dr. Demas also indicated how information about foods can be integrated into many other standard courses including history, geography, social studies, human ecology, health and personal hygiene, the several sciences, and even mathematics.

...support of independent farmers and ranchers, agricultural-based rural development, a safe and secure food supply, increased farm family income, greater market competition, promotion of organic food production and consumption, conservation of natural and genetic resources, and the recognition of farming as a dignified livelihood.

Professor Ray Weil of the University of Maryland led an outstanding workshop on SOIL QUALITY: ASKING THE DEEP QUESTIONS TO MAKE YOURS BETTER. After reviewing some basics about soils — their content and properties — he focused on the vital role that organic matter plays in soil health. Organic matter, which includes both decaying material and living organisms, plays a critical role in maintaining texture, porosity, and nutrients. In fact, most of the soil nutrients are derived from the decaying organic matter. Professor Weil stressed the importance of planting winter cover crops, and revealed that cultivation can cause soil compaction and rapid loss of organic matter. He judges the moldboard plow is the worst invention ever made. The main message that Weil conveyed was that organic matter is vital to soil health and that this can readily be managed to improve and maintain healthy, productive soils.

The Garden of Daily Living Author unknown Plant three rows of peas: 1. Peas of mind 2. Peas of heart 3. Peas of soul Plant four rows of squash: 1. Squash gossip 2. Squash indifference 3. Squash grumbling 4. Squash selfishness Plant four rows of lettuce: 1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce really love one another No garden is without turnips: 1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3. Turnip to help each other We must have thyme: 1. Thyme for each other 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow!

The final workshop I attended was called AGRICULTURE AND DEMOCRACY: FOOD AND FARM POLICY OF, BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE led by Kathy Lawrence of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. To a standing room only crowd, Ms. Lawrence identified the vision and priorities of the NCSA and then reviewed the status of the federal Farm Bill currently being drafted and debated in Congress. She pointed out that the budget of the USDA — United States Department of Agriculture — is second in size only to that of the Department of Defense. USDA programs cover everything from crop subsidies and soil conservation to forestry and rural development.

Among the priorities and recommendations of the NCSA are the support of independent farmers and ranchers, agricultural-based rural development, a safe and secure food supply, increased farm family income, greater market competition, promotion of organic food production and consumption, conservation of natural and genetic resources, and the recognition of farming as a dignified livelihood.

Noting that some of the recommendations of the NCSA have been incorporated into the Farm Bill while others have been ignored by legislators and opposed by the corporate farming lobby, Ms. Lawrence urged everyone to contact their Representatives and Senators to share their concerns. For further information about NCSA and its activities, go to www.sustainableagriculture.net.

In addition to the many workshops, there were at least 50 exhibits where information about products and programs and even samples of foods were available. I came away with a huge volume of literature that we can use in our NATURAL YARD and NATURAL FOOD campaigns.

The PASA Conference was truly an eye-opening experience for me. Sustainable agriculture is not some small visionary movement but has a huge nationwide following, one that can no longer be ignored by our government leaders. Corporate farming is feeling the pressure and is lobbying hard for its agenda, which is not necessarily the best for our nation. The support of all of us is needed to ensure the survival of the family farm that respects the land and environment while producing safe, high-quality foods.