You don't have to buy acres of land to grow your own food in an environmentally conscious way. And now, non-farmers who want to know more about sustainable food production can check out courses on a variety of topics, scheduled to take place throughout the state.
For several years, non-farmers have asked the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture about how the average consumer can support and adopt habits similar to those practiced by farmers who belong to the organization. Hannah Smith, the association's community outreach coordinator, says that sparked the idea for Sustainability Schools that start Jan. 28.
Nearly 40 courses are scheduled so far this year. They are on subjects including home brewing, backyard beekeeping and making mittens and scarves out of old sweaters. The agriculture association is partnering with like-minded organizations to offer classes in the Carlisle, Philadelphia and State College areas. “It's really tailored to what the local community is looking for,” Smith says.
She adds that groups interested in partnering on Sustainability Schools are contacting the association regularly, so new classes are likely to be added. Plans are also in the works to expand the program to nearby states through an alliance with the Northeast Organic Farming Association.
Source: Hannah Smith, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen
