PA: ‘FARM-CITY WEEK’ KICK-OFF BRINGS AGRICULTURE TO CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA
News Date November 24, 2009
While visiting the heart of Pennsylvania’s largest city, acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today brought lessons on farming to Philadelphia while teaching residents how food makes its way from the farm to their tables.
Redding’s remarks at City Hall coincided with the state’s kickoff of National Farm-City Week, Nov. 20-26, a national effort to enhance the link between farm families and urban residents. Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed the seven-day period “Farm-City Week” in Pennsylvania.
With more people living in urban and suburban areas, Redding said today’s farmers bear a greater responsibility for feeding the world, noting that just one Pennsylvania farmer provides food and fiber for 155 people.
“Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry provides a safe and abundant food supply for the state’s 12.5 million citizens in urban, suburban and rural communities,” said Redding.
“Farm-City Day provides the chance to highlight the essential relationship between producers and consumers, showing where food comes from and the integral role agriculture plays in everyone’s lives.”
Redding was joined at the kickoff event by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis and local legislators in showcasing Pennsylvania’s number one industry, agriculture, to those on hand.
“By hosting this first-ever event in Center City Philadelphia, we are able to bring Pennsylvania farmers and consumers together to build a lasting relationship that will benefit our entire state.”
After spending the week at the city’s West Oak Lane Charter School, the Friends of Agriculture Foundation’s Mobile Ag Education Science Lab was moved to City Hall to provide consumers an interactive look at production agriculture. The 32-foot mobile trailer contains work stations where students can complete hands-on experiments relating to science and agriculture.
The Agriculture Department invited additional industry partners – both agricultural and urban – to help visitors learn first-hand about Pennsylvania’s dairy, beef, pork and poultry industries, horticulture and the veterinary industry. Visitors also had the opportunity to share one-on-one conversations with farmers at the event.
“This event also provides the chance to thank our farmers for their tireless commitment to producing the food and fiber that contribute to a better quality of life for countless citizens,” Redding said. “Today was a shining example of how the agriculture industry can and does work together to tell our story, and how we are all doing our part to keep Pennsylvania growing,” Redding said.
Redding added one of the best ways consumers can support Pennsylvania agriculture is through the PA Preferred branding program. Created in 2004 by Governor Rendell, PA Preferred helps consumers know they are purchasing products grown or processed in the commonwealth. To find a list of PA Preferred members or products, visit www.papreferred.com. For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us. (Contact: Jean Kummer, 717-787-5085)