Growing PA's Organic Farms

Learn successful organic practices at the 4th annual Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms 2017 Conference
December 12-13, 2017, Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, Harrisburg, PA

The GPOF Conference supports Northeast and Mid-Atlantic farmers by presenting information on the best organic farming practices currently available. Attendees include beginning and existing organic farmers, conventional farmers, and those transitioning from conventional farming practices to organic.

“It is often difficult for organic farmers to find reliable information on organic farming. They are interested in hearing about successful organic practices from experienced organic farmers, institutional research and leaders in organic businesses, and learning about the latest organic production and problem solving research from university scientists,” says Jim Travis, PA organic fruit grower and a Growing PA Organic farms conference supporter.

Featured this year are presentations by successful organic farmers, farm industry representatives dedicated to organic production, and speakers from universities and institutions with accomplished organic research programs. Sessions include a variety of organic topics ranging from grass dairy, poultry, juice and wine grapes, blueberries, vegetables and small (heritage) grains to pest and weed control.

With a keynote speaker straight from National Organic Program’s leadership, attendees will receive the latest information on organic regulations and standards. If you have questions regarding the origin of livestock, integrity of international imports and animal welfare rules as well as hydroponics, this is the conference for you. The NOP is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service that develops national standards for organically-produced ag products. For more information, to register or to become a sponsor, please visit our website: https://gpofconference.org/

The GPOF conference is a collaboration of private, public and government agencies including organic farmers, PA Dept. of Agriculture, Rodale Institute, PA Certified Organic (PCO), Organic Valley Dairy, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), GMO Free PA and PA Farm Link.

In conjunction with the Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Conference is the Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) Annual Meeting to be held December 12, 2017 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm. This meeting is open to the public. Join PCO members and staff for an educational evening that will include remarks by Cheryl Cook, the PA Department of Ag Deputy Secretary for Market Development and recipient of the 2017 Meritorious Service to Agriculture Award presented by the National Farmers Union. Attendees will also enjoy the Founding Farmer Awards, discussion circles, PCO’s business meeting and a delicious dinner! Additional registration is required for this meeting. Please register at: http://www.paorganic.org/membershipmeeting.

For more information, please contact:
GPOF Conference c/o Michelle Kirk
PA Farm Link
2301 N. Cameron Street, Room 310
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
(717) 705-2121