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PASA 25th annual Farming for the Future kicks off today, continues through Saturday

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 02/03, 2016 at 09:57 AM

PASA 25th annual Farming for the Future kicks off today, continues through Saturday

The 25th Annual Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) Farming for the Future Conference is underway starting today and will run through Saturday at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. The event’s theme is “Farming in a Changing Climate”, and will feature climate expert Richard Alley and agricultural sustainability expert and author Laura Lengnick.

If you missed pre-event registration, no worries, as walk-in registration for one, two, or three days of the conference is available starting tomorrow. You can find rates for the event here.

The conference will include a wide variety of sessions and workshops, along with a trade show with variety of vendors showing off their wares and services. There is also a benefit auction, seed swap, live music, a sustainable movie screening, evening social events including a cheese tasting, and yoga classes. Continental breakfast is provided with the registration fee and other meals are available at a reasonable extra cost. On Saturday morning, the PASAbilities Awards will be given, including the Sustainable Ag Leadership Award and the Sustainable Ag Business Leadership Award.

As far as the climate change theme, Brian Synder, PASA executive director, said choosing that subject fits in with PASA’s overall mission:

“While we certainly will celebrate our successes from the past 25 years on this significant occasion, it is important that we stay focused on our mission to promote profitable farms that produce healthy food for all people while respecting the natural environment. Acknowledging that we will be Farming in a Changing Climate for many years to come is essential to meeting this mission and to establishing a sustainable future for our farms, our families and the world. The effects of a changing climate can be vast, including the potential for reduced crop yields, heat stress in farm animals, irrigation challenges and increasing pest and disease pressure, to name a few. PASA is committed to addressing this issue head-on through our farmer education programs, including the conference, and by more effectively connecting consumers with their local food sources.”

Attendees can download the PASA conference mobile app. The app enables attendees to get the full schedule, maps, exhibit booth lists and more on their phone, and connect with fellow attendees.

PASA thanks Opening Keynote Sponsor Lady Moon Farms and PASAbilities Sponsor Kimberton Whole Foods for their generous support of this annual event.

Tags: PASA | FarmingfortheFutureconference | climatechange |