Membership
Who joins PASA?
We are a nonprofit body of individuals, families, businesses and organizations dedicated to the common cause of promoting sustainability through our food and energy systems.
We are the third-generation farmer instituting farming practices radically different than our forefathers in order to maintain profitability and ensure the next generation’s viability to continue farming.
We are beginning farmers with a great passion to farm who refuse to be intimidated by large-scale agricultural practices. We are large-scale commercial enterprises farming with environmentally sound and socially just practices.
We are people who believe that even in the heart of America’s inner cities, people have the ability to create healthy and safe food systems. We businesses who want to develop relationships far beyond a transaction with our customers.
We are individuals concerned with the state of our current food, water and energy resources and how they impact our health.
We are promoting a hopeful future by being mindful and responsible citizens today through striving to support sustainable lifestyles through our most basic needs.
As a PASA member, you’ll be plugged into a community of people working hard to ensure access to a safe and healthy local food system. Through your PASA membership, you can begin to part of the critical link between sustainable agriculture and a healthy rural economy & environment. Learn how your purchase of local, sustainably produced food and goods are vital to the local economy and your community.
What your PASA membership includes:
As a member you will receive:
- A subscription to our bimonthly, Passages newsletter
- Discounted admission to our annual conference, field day & intensive learning programs
- Invitations to other special events, such as membership potlucks & Harvest Celebration dinners
- Free classified ad and discounted display advertising in Passages
- Voting privileges for board of director elections & bylaws
- Membership networking opportunities regionally & via PASA discussion groups
- Annual membership in the Good Food Neighborhood™ program for consumers (separate online registration required)
- Discounts on Buy Fresh Buy Local® partner fees (coordinated through local chapters)
- Assistance with Food Alliance certification (if applicable)
- Act 48 credits are available for educational events
- Event promotion via our website & newsletter
- The satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to sustain agriculture in your region
Be part of the solution. Join PASA today. If you don't want to join online, download our brochure here.
Our Membership Options Include:
Student
This type of membership was created for students includes only individual member benefits as noted above. Many students join PASA for the first time to attend a field day or the annual conference. Both of these education opportunities offer invaluable information as they continue their education and look to begin a career in agriculture – or become a more informed consumer! Many student members are actively trying to reform their school food service programs, as PASA helps with locating farms to participate in local food dinners or events. Some are also looking to create student farms, begin sustainable ag curriculum, or just learn more about the food system and
Individual
This type of membership was created for just one individual to receive member benefits as noted above. This diverse category of membership includes anyone from backyard gardeners, to educators, business people – anyone concerned with the food system and learning more about it.
Family/Farm
Our most popular type of membership! All individuals directly related to the farm or business can be included on the membership and receive benefits as noted above. PASA member farms can also be listed on www.buylocalpa.org, an online local food guide.
Nonprofit or Business
PASA Nonprofit or Business Members play a key role in the foundations of our mission, showing a commitment to working with other progressive members of the business community in the struggle to protect and preserve farmers and farmland. These businesses know the crusade will not be won without our collective effort and the strength these companies contribute is deeply appreciated.
All Nonprofit or Business members can add up to three people associated with their business to receive PASA member benefits. Your business/nonprofit will also be added to the PASA website that will include a brief description of what you do and link to your website (if applicable). An annual published listing of our business/nonprofit members is also printed in the PASA newsletter. PASA members can also list their upcoming events to be promoted on our website and in the newsletter. Beyond the educational opportunities available, PASA offers assistance locating local food sources for retailers and restaurants, we can also aid in formation of farmers’ markets and cooperatives, business planning, marketing, event promotion and now Food Alliance certification.
Lifetime Membership (designed for individuals or families)
Join our growing list of over 180-plus lifetime members. These individuals and families have made a lifelong commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture. Member fees through this type of membership are placed in a special Founders Fund at PASA to support our ongoing programs and services.
Permanent Business Partner (designed for businesses or nonprofits)
Our newest category of membership! PASA recognized that is wasn’t just our individual and family/farm members who wanted to make a lifetime commitment to the organization, but also many of our business and nonprofit members. Hence we created our Permanent Business Partner membership to recognize their steadfast support. Funds from this type of membership are placed in a special Partnership Fund at PASA to support our ongoing programs and services.The same guidelines apply that up to three people associated with the organization are eligible for overall PASA benefits.
