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Author: Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Executive Director
Each year, we honor farmer, community, and business leaders who serve as examples for advancing sustainable agriculture through innovation and collaboration. In addition, this year we recognize two lifetime service awards.
I’m pleased to share this year’s award recipients.
Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania
Taproot Farm began as a rented plot on five of the 200 acres that make up the organic produce farm in Berks County, Pennsylvania, today. They have since become a staple source of delicious and trustworthy produce for its CSA and the Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market. The farm employs up to 20 people at the peak of the growing season, and over the years, members of this group of hardworking farmers have become their own community of long-time friends.
George and Ola see organic farming as vital to protecting the environment, and they are passionate about their work. They are thoughtful and engaged farmers who are invested in the collective wellbeing of the sustainable agriculture community.
Tionesta, Pennsylvania
The Wilson family owns and manages Wilson Land & Cattle Co., a 220-acre adaptive grazing system in northwest Pennsylvania, where livestock are pastured for over 300 days per year. With more than 40 years of practical experience in agriculture, Russ Wilson has learned how proper forage management and species diversity can yield benefits for livestock production and soil health, and he shares these skills as a grazing consultant. Russ adopts a low input and skillful management approach to ensure the farm is both profitable and an enjoyable place to work.
A frequent Pasa speaker, Russ’ clients are his number one priority, and he will go the extra mile to ensure they are completely satisfied. His services are designed to tackle even the most complex projects. Russ is not satisfied until he has figured out a solution that works for the person in their ecosystem with their available resources.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lisa Freeman started Freeman Family Farm & Greenhouse as a school and community garden in 2011. She will soon be celebrating the grand opening of her grocery store, Freeman Grocer, which will offer accessible fresh produce in her food desert community. This historic milestone is recognized as the first Black-owned grocery store built in a marginalized community in the city of Pittsburgh.
Lisa fights to combat food apartheid and provides precious green space in her community. She has traveled to D.C. with Pasa to meet with her legislators and served on the Pennsylvania USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. Lisa has been a mentor to many other young farmers and is a staple of her community.
Waymart, Pennsylvania
Brian Moyer is an educator with Penn State Extension, where he provides vital insights and resources for farmers and markets. Brian is a past Board member of Pasa and the founder and previous manager of the Skippack Farmers Market from 1999 to 2009. He is also the founder of PA Farm Markets, which provides education and resources for markets and retail farm markets.
Brian works tirelessly to support farmers and growers, ensuring that products get to consumers. He almost singlehandedly forwarded the needs of farmers markets across the region. If you are a farmer and you move products through a farmers market, or if you are a farmers market manager, Brian will be there for you. Brian is also a Lifetime Member of Pasa and previously served on our Board.
Halifax, Pennsylvania
Small Valley Milling started as a 200-acre family farm. Owners Joel and Elaine Steigman decided to transition to organic practices in 1999. They were motivated by a belief that avoiding chemical inputs would be better for the health of their land, family, and customers. They also wanted to find a more economically sustainable way to keep the family farm as larger conventional farms squeezed their profit margins. They mill close to 3 million pounds of flour each year, processed on their roller mill and stone hammermill.
This important part of the local supply chain will allow farmers without access to storage the ability to sell their crops for value-added organic consumption.
Do you know a farmer, community, or business leader growing new Pasabilites for our food system?
Nominate them to be recognized at next year’s conference.
