Home page:
Remove “The” from in front of Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association” in the main banner.
Also, in the main banner, could we try making the red banner extend to include the PVGA logo – if you
need to put a white halo or cloud around it to make it look right, that would be fine.
Change main description from:
The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA) currently has about 986 members across the
Commonwealth and beyond. The Association publishes its own monthly newsletter and co-sponsors the MidAtlantic Fruit and Convention as well as Field Days, Field Tours and Twilight Meetings. Further information about
these and other PVGA’s activities are detailed elsewhere on the website.
to:
The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association is the voluntary trade association for commercial
vegetable, potato and berry growers in Pennsylvania with over 965 members across the Commonwealth
and beyond. The Association publishes its own monthly newsletter and co-sponsors the Mid-Atlantic
Fruit and Vegetable Convention as well as twilight meetings, field/market tours, field days, and regional
grower meetings. Besides providing these grower educational opportunities, the Association funds
vegetable and berry research, represents growers interest in the public arena and helps promote growers
products as detailed elsewhere on this website.
Move the above main description to the bottom right corner replacing “The Association is governed, etc.
In place of the main description above, in larger type put:
Don’t Miss these Summer Educational Opportunities Coming Soon.
Link this to the Twilight Meetings, Tours and Field Days page under the Educational tab.
Also in that main description add the line:
Plan now to attend the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention on January 27 to 29, 2015.
Link this to www.mafvc.org.
On the main menu,
Put the “Members Only Access” at the bottom of the main menu (my thought is that at the top it implied to
me that all the menu tabs below that were “Member Only” tabs.
On main menu, right after home, add “Coming Events” and leave the others the same.
I will also attach a picture for the home page – if the resolution is okay. It may not be.
Education tab
Changes for Connections page:
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture – link is still valid but description should be just “departmental
home page”
Add link for “Pesticide Recertification Courses – database of meetings where pesticide credits can be
earned” at https://www.paplants.state.pa.us/PesticideApplicator/MeetingSearch.aspx
Add link for “PA Preferred Program – state agricultural products promotion program” with link to
www.papreferred.com
Change Penn State Department of Horticulture to “Penn State Department of Plant Science” at
http://plantscience.psu.edu/
Change Vegetable and Small Fruit Gazette to “Penn State Vegetable, Small Fruit and Mushroom
Production Information” and link to http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetable-fruit”
Cornell University link – change to http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/cals/nysaes/extension/index.cfm
Change Ohio State VegNet link to http://vegnet.osu.edu/
Change PLU Numbers link to http://www.plucodes.com/.
Remove the following links as they are no longer valid:
Michigan Crop Advisory
Northeast Pestwatch
Potato Health
Spudman
Change the text on the “Twilight Meetings, Tours and Field Days” to the following:
Don’t Miss These PVGA Sponsored Summer Educational Events
The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association is sponsoring a series of educational events for
growers across the state as part of our effort to keep growers updated on the latest methods in profitable
vegetable and small fruit production. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities to get off your
farm for a day or an evening to see how other growers are meeting production challenges. You also
have the chance to visit with fellow growers and share ideas, problems and solutions.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Twilight Tour at Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative & New Morning Farm
This twilight meeting will feature a tour of the Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative (TOG) and
New Morning Farm. TOG is focused on small scale organic wholesale distribution from New Morning
Farm as well as others from surrounding farms in the region. This program will feature a behind the
scenes farm tour of both facilities and a discussion on small-scale wholesale success strategies for area
growers.
TOG is a grower owned cooperative featuring over 1,200 produce items annually that coordinates
with over 50 farms resulting in over $3 million in sales annually. New Morning Farm is a 95-acre certified
organic vegetable farm focused on retail sales outlets through year-round growing technology. The farm
features heated greenhouses, extensive irrigation systems, two high tunnel cold frames and a 300 freerange laying hen operation.
The twilight meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and go to 8:00 p.m. at Tuscarora Organic Growers
Cooperative, 22263 Anderson Hollow Road in Hustontown. Since GPS units don’t always give reliable
directions to the location, use the following directions: From I-76 (PA Turnpike) - Take exit 180 for US 522
and go north (right) one mile on US 522 towards Ft. Littleton and Mt. Union. Turn left onto Sinoquipe Rd.
and go 5.2 miles (until it stops at a T). Turn left onto PA-475 S. and go 0.6 miles. Turn right onto
Anderson Hollow Rd and go to the end
There is no fee to attend this event. However, pre-registration by noon on July 15 is requested.
To register, contact Carla Snyder at 717-334-6271 or snyder.carla@psu.edu
OR
visit
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/events/twilight-tour-tuscarora-organic-growerscooperative-new-morning-farm-1.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Central Susquehanna Summer Vegetable Meeting
Topics for this summer’s twilight include a vegetable disease update, vegetable insect update, and a
water quality discussion. Our speakers will be Plant Pathologist Dr. Beth Gugino, Entomologist Dr.
Shelby Fleischer, Water Specialist Bryan Swistock, and Educator Amy Galford. We will also have a
walking tour to look at current pest problems and discuss potential pest problems.
The meeting will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Linus Martin, Jr. farm three miles south of
Mifflinburg at 736 Hess Road. Take PA 304 south to Wild Road. Turn right onto Wild Road and go one
mile. Turn left onto Hess Road. The farm is at the end of the road - if you drive into Penn’s Creek, you
went too far!
Linus Martin Jr. grows 14 acres of vegetables and 57 acres of grains. Linus grows eight acres of
pumpkins, four acres of cantaloupe, one acre of watermelon, and a half acre of tomatoes. He uses
Penn’s Creek for irrigation. All of his produce is marketed through the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction.
A representative of the Penn State Extension Water Team will be on hand to help you process a
sample of your irrigation water for pH, alkalinity, and EC. We will also be discussing bacterial
contamination of water and methods of treatment as it relates to GAP, FSMA and general food safety.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a sample of your irrigation water to be tested on-site for pH,
alkalinity, and electrical conductivity (dissolved solids). To collect a sample of your water, follow these
directions:
Water Sample Collection Instructions - Open and empty a new bottled water container (at least 12
oz.). Triple rinse the container with your irrigation water, then fill the container to the top and seal with the
cap. Be careful not to touch the bottle lip or inside the cap with your fingers, or to let the cap or lip touch
the ground. Collect the sample as close to the program time as possible and keep it cool and covered or
in the dark.
No pre-registration necessary. For questions contact John Esslinger at 570-784-6660 or
cje2@psu.edu.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Northwest Pennsylvania GAPs Mock Audit
This mock GAPs audit will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. at Troyer Land Resources, 724 Route 97
in Waterford. Join a PDA auditor as he walks through a local farm discussing how an audit is conducted
and what to expect. The walking mock audit will be proceeded by an introduction to GAPs and PDA’s
cost-share program. A question-and-answer period will follow. There is no registration cost and light
refreshments will be provided. For further information contact Hannah Grose at hbg11@psu.edu or 717334-6271 Ex 325/ To register, go to http://extension.psu.edu/tree-fruit/events or call Ms. Grose.
July 30, 2014
Berks Summer Vegetable Twilight Meeting
This annual grower gathering will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Kutztown Produce Auction at
209 Oak Haven Road in Fleetwood. Topics for this summer’s twilight include pollinators, vegetable insect
update, and water quality. Dr Shelby Fleisher, Penn State Entomologist will discuss recent research on
squash bees, bumble bees, other native bees, how to improve nutrition of pollinators and build up
populations of native bees. He will also review vegetable insect problems so far this season. Steve Fink
from Meadow View Bees and the Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Assoc. will give a hands-on honey bee
demo. A representative of the Penn State Extension Water Team will be on hand to help growers process
a sample of their irrigation water for pH, alkalinity, and electrical conductivity (dissolved solids). (See
sample collection instructions under the Central Susquehanna meeting information above.) The Water
Team will also be discussing bacterial contamination of water and methods of treatment as it relates to
GAP, FSMA and general food safety. A core credit will be offered
No pre-registration is necessary. Registration will be $10.00 at the door and includes supper. For
further information contact Tanner Delvalle at tcd125@psu.edu or 570-622-4225.
August 13, 2014
At-Market Twilight Meeting
This marketing twilight meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Produce Crib at Juniperdale
Farm, 1015 Browntown Road in Nazareth. Join us at Fulmer’s diverse produce farm and market for an
evening of education. We will be discussing the science and art of profitable pricing as well as exploring
the many design variations of appropriate signage. We will have time to include our observations on this
season’s production challenges. There will also be seasonal refreshments for all!
For further information and registration, contact John Berry at johnberry@psu.edu or 610-391-9840.
There is no registration fee.
August 5, September 2 and October 7, 2014
Urban Farming Twilight Discussion Series
This is a series of educational evening meetings for the benefit of the growing audience of urban
vegetable farmers in and near Philadelphia. See the schedule below for details.
August 5 – High Tunnels – Saul High School
Dr. William Lamont and Thomas McCann will be covering growing seedlings plus planting, cultivating,
harvesting, washing, drying and storing produce.
September 2 – Intensive Growing Methods and Equipment for Small Farms – Heritage Farm
Carla Snyder and others will be discussing the use the raised beds, SPIN, and small farm equipment.
October 7 – Soil Health Evaluation – Aubury
Richard Steyhouer and Patrick Drohan will discuss the biology of soils and compost. Soil samples
will be microscopically examined.
For more detailed information on any of these sessions, contact PhiladelphiaExt@psu.edu or 215471-2200. There are no registration fees.
Another event being offered by Penn State Extension but not sponsored by PVGA is:
August 12, 2014
New Grower Cut Flower School
Ever want to diversify your production or start a cut flower business? Attendees of this workshop will
have the opportunity to learn about starting a cut flower operation from Kate Sparks, owner of Lilies and
Lavender. We will also discuss weed, disease and pest management strategies with Steve Bogash,
Extension Educator.
The objective of this course is to introduce farmers to growing cut flowers and observe and discuss
different management strategies. Farmers interested in starting a cut flower operation or wanting to learn
different management techniques should attend. We will take a tour of Lilies and Lavender cut flower
farm, discuss plant selection for beginning growers, harvest and post-harvest handling, and weed,
disease and pest management.
The school will be held at Lilies and Lavender Farm, 729 Limekiln Road in Doylestown, from 3:00 to 6:00
p.m. There is a $25 registration fee. To register see http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetablefruit/events or call 610-743-1970. For further information contact Andrew Puglia at ajp5168@psu.edu or
610-743-1970.
Under the Research tab, change the text to the following updated information:
PVGA Funds a New Record Amount of Research in
2014
The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association is contributing $66,200 to help support 18
vegetable and small fruit research projects. This year’s contributions put PVGA's funding for research
over the past 26 years at over $783,000.
The research funding has been made possible solely through the profits earned at the Association's
food booths at the Farm Show and Ag Progress Days. While the Association earned less than $66,200
at the Farm Show and Ag Progress Days booths, this amount of research grants would not be possible
without these food booth profits. Surplus income from the Mid-Atlantic Convention and General Fund
reserves are helping to fund the 2014 research grants. This year, PVGA will contribute $56,000 towards
vegetable research and $10,200 for small fruit research. While $14,000 was budgeted for small fruit
research, the proposals funded will only require $10,200.
The following vegetable projects are being funded in conjunction with the Vegetable Marketing and
Research Program which will contribute another $20,000 for a total $76,000 for vegetable research. The
projects approved for funding are listed below. In addition, the Association’s Simply Sweet Onion
Committee will contribute an additional $6,500 toward two onion research projects.
Breeding Tomatoes for Early Blight and Late Blight Resistance and Other Desirable Horticultural
Characteristics for Production in Pennsylvania
Majid R. Foolad, Penn State Univ.
$12,000
- Develop tomatoes with disease resistance and other desirable horticultural characteristics suitable for
production in Pennsylvania
Efficacy of Biochemical and Microbial Biofungicides for the Management of Late Blight on Tomatoes
Beth K. Gugino, Penn State Univ.
$3,280
- Identify the products that are of most interest to Pennsylvania growers and how they are currently being
used to manage late blight.
- Evaluate the use these products alone and in fungicide programs for managing late blight, calculate the
input costs of each program and disseminate the information at grower meetings, in newsletters and
in the plant disease management reports, a central publication portal for sharing this type of data with
the broader research community.
Plum / Roma Tomato Variety Trial 2014
Steven Bogash, Penn State Extension
$4,919
- Identify tomato cultivars that have promise as successful market varieties.
- Identify those cultivars that are both resistant and susceptible to yellow shoulders based on an
intensive tissue testing program.
- Identify cultivars that are considered superior in flavor and appearance.
- Produce saleable yield data (size, avg. weight, etc.) for the cultivars in this program in order to allow
growers to select varieties that meet their marketing criteria.
-Increase local market share for fresh market tomatoes by local growers by assisting them in the selection
of tomato cultivars that are considered superior by tasting panels.
-Determine the maximum potential yield and packout for selected varieties through intensive tissue
analysis and subsequent nutrient application.
Western Flower Thrips Management in Field Staked Tomatoes
Steven Bogash, Penn State Extension
$5,874
- Evaluate current insect control material and tactics for their ability to manage WFT infestations.
- Evaluate newer ‘biological’ pest materials for their ability to control WFT’s as compared to current BMP’s
for control.
- Measure WFT levels in the field for 2014 in order to establish a baseline for future work.
Development of Insect Resistant Sweet Corn Cultivars
Surinder Chopra and Shelby Fleischer, Penn State Univ.
$4,500
- Develop sweet corn lines which will produce insecticidal compounds in the silks and leaves to provide
resistance/tolerance against silk feeding corn earworm and stalk feeding European corn borer using a
genetic approach and molecular markers.
Keeping Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Profitable: Statewide Broccoli Cultivar Trials
Elsa Sánchez, Timothy Elkner, Thomas Butzler, Steven Bogash, Lee Stivers, Robert Pollock, and
William Lamont, Penn State Univ. and Extension
$10,548
- To evaluate up to 24 cultivars of broccoli for spring and fall production at three locations in a
conventional production system. (western Pennsylvania, Rock Springs, and Landisville)
Striped Cucumber Beetle (SCB) Management with Plant and Microbial Metabolites
Shelby J. Fleischer and Timothy Elkner, Penn State Univ. and Extension
$4,500
- Establish whether the addition of cucurbitacin induces compulsive SCB feeding of spinosad droplets.
- Evaluate whether increased rates of spinosad application in combination with Cidetrak will improve its
efficiency against SCB in a field setting, which we plan to conduct at the Southeast Research and
Extension Center, in Landisville.
Disease Resistant Pumpkin Variety Evaluation
Timothy Elkner, Penn State Extension
$4,000
- Evaluate disease resistance, yield and fruit quality varieties by commercially available pumpkin varieties
in a replicated trial in southeast Pennsylvania. Powdery mildew tolerant/resistant varieties,
conventional selections as well as any available varieties with other desirable traits (virus resistance,
etc.) will be grown.
High Tunnel Trellised Cucumber Variety Trial, Year 2
Steven Bogash, Penn State Extension
$2,786
- Identify parthenocarpic slicing cucumber cultivars that have promise as successful market varieties.
- Rate cultivars as to their resistance and susceptibility to powdery and downy mildew in a standard
disease management program.
- Identify cultivars that are considered superior in flavor and appearance.
- Produce saleable yield data (size, avg. weight, etc.) for cultivars in this program in order to allow
growers to select varieties that meet their marketing criteria.
Colored Bell Pepper High Tunnel Economics Trial; Year 2
Steven Bogash and Timothy Elkner, Penn State Extension
$4,390
- Evaluate the economics of growing colored bell peppers in high tunnels where the peppers are
harvested green as early as possible and then later allowed to fully ripen once field green peppers
show up in the local market.
- Evaluate the economics of growing colored bell peppers in high tunnels where the peppers are only
harvested when fully colored.
Evaluating Potential Herbicides for Row-Middles with Plasticulture
Mark VanGessel, Univ. of Delaware and Dwight Lingenfelter, Penn State Univ.
$5,000
- Evaluate effectiveness of various herbicides for weed control in row middles for plasticulture.
- Evaluate potential herbicides for use in plasticulture
- Evaluate crop safety of various crops for herbicides that could be registered in Pennsylvania.
Developing Data to Support New Herbicide Registrations for Snap Beans
Robin Bellinder, Cornell Univ.
$ 6,000
- Facilitate herbicide registration (IR-4, federal) for Pennsylvania and New York growers.
- Identify new herbicides with reduced environmental impacts.
- Determine the effective use patterns and tank-mix partners for new herbicides.
- Determine effective control measures for problem weeds in snap beans.
Survey of Soilborne Snap Bean Pathogens in Pennsylvania and Establishment of a Research Plot
Dedicated to Snap Bean Root Pathogen Research
Beth Gugino, Penn State Univ.
$2,923
- Establish a snap bean “disease field” at the Russell E. Larson Research and Education Center with
populations of soilborne fungal pathogens to facilitate the evaluation of management strategies in
future replicated field trials.
- Conduct a survey of snap bean fields to identify the predominant soilborne fungal pathogens and
establish a collection of pathogen isolates for use in future research.
Survey of the Survival of E. coli from Manure under Field Conditions
Jeffrey LeJeune, Ohio State Univ.
$2,500
- Determine with laboratory and field studies whether increasing the interval between manure application
and harvest of vegetable crops from 120 to 270 significantly improves food safety under field
conditions.
Continued Evaluation of the Effects of Inoculum Pressure and Onion Maturity at Harvest on Harvest and
Post-Harvest Losses Due to Bacterial Diseases
Beth K. Gugino and Emily E. Pfeufer, Penn State Univ.
$6,779
- Evaluate the effects of inoculums pressure and onion maturity at harvest on losses due to bacterial
disease.
The Simply Sweet Onion Committee will provide an additional $4,000 for the above onion project
and will also fund an onion variety trial conducted by Michael Orzolek at Penn State Univ. with a grant of
$2,500.
The three small fruit research projects funded are:
Evaluation of Low Tunnels for Day-Neutral Strawberry Production
Kathleen Demchak and Richard Marini, Penn State Univ.; and Kim Lewers, USDA
$2,800
- Evaluate various plastics for low tunnel use, including ones that reduce temperature through two
different mechanisms (infra-red radiation blockage and light diffusion).
- Evaluate different cultivars under the various test plastics as individual cultivars may respond differently
to different plastics.
- Evaluate day-nuetral cultivars for differences in susceptibility to spotted wing drosophila.
Evaluation of Strawberry Cultivars and Selections for Plasticulture and Matted-Row Production
Kathleen Demchak and Richard Marini, Penn State Univ. and Timothy Elkner, Penn State Extension
$6,300
- Evaluate new varieties and advanced selections for productivity, quality, and disease and insect
susceptibility in the plasticulture system.
- Evaluate new varieties and advanced selections for productivity, quality, and disease and insect
susceptibility in matted row production.
Effect of Irrigation Water Treatment on Strawberry Production
Kathleen Demchak, Luke Laborde and Richard Marini, Penn State University
$1,100
- Evaluate effects of different disinfectants at various concentrations on blossoms, green fruit and ripe
fruit in the greenhouse.
- Evaluate effects of disinfectants at target concentrations likely to be used in the field on field-grown
strawberries.
- Evaluate effectiveness of disinfectants in preventing fruit contamination by bacteria.
On the Representation tab, change the text to read:
“PVGA is the organized and common voice of the Pennsylvania vegetable, potato and berry industries
that seeks to represent the interests of growers to government officials, Penn State University
administrators and general public.
Each year the Board of Directors, with input from membership surveys, identifies key policy issues that
are of concern to the Association. In addition, the Members vote each year at their Annual Meeting on
Policy Resolutions that set forth the official position of the Association on various issues.
Throughout the year, the Association’s newsletter and email updates keep members informed about
current issues so the members can contact their legislators about issues of concern to the industry.”
Also on the Representation tab put the following updated information under a link titled “State Legislative
Priorities” (put this in place of the current link “Legislative Priorities”:
State Legislative Priorities for 2014
Food Safety
Good Agricultural Practices – We support safe food production systems, but these
mandates should not be so burdensome so as to prevent our small growers from
competing in the marketplace for negligible improvement in food safety. While we
oppose state food safety regulations that duplicate federal regulations, we do support
the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture being the primary enforcement agency for
federal food safety regulations in Pennsylvania.
Labor
Immigration and Farm Labor Reform – Our members regularly list immigration reform
and labor availability as a major legislative concern. Our growers need affordable and
dependable labor to stay in business. We recognize that immigration is a federal issue
and we feel it should remain a federal issue – that is, we do not need state and local
laws governing immigration issues. Specifically a state E-verify act would be
devastating to the state’s agriculture without a new workable federal agricultural labor
program in place first.
Employee Regulations – The Association stands opposed to additional employee
regulations (mandated sick leave, mandated breaks, annual minimum wage increases,
and optional overtime) that jeopardize the ability of our growers to be competitive.
Appropriations
Penn State Agricultural Extension and Research - Funding for Penn State Extension
and Research is critical to maintain agriculture’s cutting edge. The vegetable and berry
industries have given over $1.2 million to research in the past 25 years, but we need the
extension and research infrastructure that is supported by state appropriations which
have not kept with increased costs.
Department of Agriculture Research Funds - The Department of Agriculture’s
Agricultural Research Program is another important source of research funding.
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program - Both the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) and
low-income senior citizens coupons have greatly increased farm market sales while
providing nutrition to needy Pennsylvanians.
Crop Insurance Premium Subsidies - More than half of Pennsylvania farmers now
use crop insurance for risk management because the program is now compatible with
Pennsylvania agriculture and more importantly affordable.
Health Care Costs
Health Insurance - Most of our members are self-employed and/or small employers.
Spiraling health insurance costs threaten their ability to expand or even maintain their
operations.
Taxes
Property Tax Reform – The agricultural community needs real property tax relief that
significantly reduces or eliminates school property taxes on farmsteads, farmland,
forestland and open space. We support increased personal income and/or sales taxes
if the increased revenue is exclusively designated for the reduction of property taxes.
General
Sunday Hunting - Our growers are not in favor of allowing hunting on Sundays in order
to preserve one day a week without hunters on their properties.
Also on the Representation tab, add link “Federal Legislative Priorities” with the following information.
Federal Legislative Priorities for 2014
Food Safety
Good Agricultural Practices, Produce Traceability – We support safe food production
systems, but the Food Safety Moderization Act rules must not be so burdensome so as to
prevent our small growers from competing in the marketplace for negligible improvements in
food safety.
Labor Issues
Immigration and Farm Labor Reform – Our members regularly list immigration reform and
labor availability as one of their main legislative concerns. Our growers need an affordable and
dependable labor supply to stay in business. We need immigration reform that creates a legal
labor force with reasonable verification requirements. A mandatory E-verify bill without a
workable agricultural labor program would be disastrous for American agriculture.
Card Check – We are opposed to the elimination of the secret ballot for employees in deciding
on union representation and to mandatory arbitration to resolve failed union and employer
contract negotiations.
Appropriations
Specialty Crop Funding – The Specialty Crop Block Grants created under the last Farm Bill
have been a major source of funding for our industry’s promotion and research activities. These
funds need to be maintained.
Land Grant Agricultural Research and Extension Funding – Federal funding of these key
agricultural support programs has continued to dwindle. Farmers depend on the research and
extension activities of their land grant institutions.
Nutrition Funding - The Farmers ’ Market Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, Children
clients and senior citizens is of great benefit to both of these groups and to our growers.
Health Care Costs
Health Insurance - Most of our members are self-employed and/or small employers. Spiraling
health insurance costs threaten their ability to expand or even maintain their operations. We
need effective health care reform.
Taxes
Inheritance Tax – This tax should be eliminated as it can cripple a family farm business upon
the death of the principal owner.
Also on the Representation tab, add a new link entitled “New Policy Resolutions for 2014”
New Policy Resolutions
The following policy resolutions were adopted by the General Membership at the Annual Meeting of the
Association on January 29, 2014, to set forth the position of the Association on various issues that impact the
vegetable, potato and berry industries of the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania State University
Supporting the current practice of six trustees being elected by the agricultural societies.
Supporting an option for agricultural trustee election delegates to vote online from the Extension Offices.
Local Government
Supporting legislation that exempts landowners from requirements for septic service or septic fees on tracts that have
no septic systems on the property.
CRP/CREP
Supporting the limitation of the CREP Program to highly erodible land of 6% or more slope and/or Class III or higher
soils, not to exceed 50% of the cultivated farm acres of the farm and include all environmentally sensitive
areas.
Transportation
Supporting legislation to prohibit local municipalities from exceeding PennDOT regulations and arbitrarily lowering
road weight limits to prevent the establishment of agricultural operations that have entered into a verifiable
planning process.
Supporting changes to the vehicle code that would authorize issuance of annual over-width permit for farmers and
agricultural custom operators which would exceed the current width allowed by law to transport farm
equipment on highways.
Supporting provisions to allow farmers and agricultural custom operators to move implements of husbandry 14 to 18
feet wide on public roads during daylight hours without a permit if escorted.
Supporting changes to the vehicle code that would authorize issuance of annual excessive weight permits for
vehicles hauling all crops during harvest.
Supporting requirements that the corridor of travel be clear of limbs and branches for 25 feet from the center of the
road.
Supporting proportional reductions in Liquid Fuel Tax reimbursements to local municipalities for each road that local
authorities reduce the weight limit below 80,000 pounds for agricultural use.
Supporting increasing the current cap on taxable value of fuel subject to the Oil Company Franchise Tax to $1.75 per
gallon, provided that additional revenues generated through an increase in taxable value above the current
level be used exclusively for road and bridge repair and improvement.
Public Utilities
Supporting requirements that a minimum of 15 feet height of all utility lines be required.
Supporting requirements that any above-ground gas/utility structures on agricultural lands be marked at a minimum
height of six feet and be a visible reflective color.
Supporting requirements that all new permanent land survey markers be buried four feet deep and be GPS activated
and all temporary markers be at least six feet tall and reflective.
Uniform Construction Code
Supporting changes to the Uniform Construction Code (Section 403121) that would exempt small business structures
which are less than 2,500 square feet and do not exceed an average of 25 vehicles per day.
Conservation Districts
Supporting requirements that when ag structure plans are submitted to the conservation district there should be a
time limit no longer than 45 days for a decision.
Supporting requirements that Conservation Districts be required to inform landowners who inquire if their properties
potentially contain wetlands.
Supporting the ability of all conservation districts to opt in or out of their compliant policy (DEP Agricultural
Enforcement) with the State Conservation Commission every three years.
Solid Waste Management
Supporting the development of a recycling program for ag plastics by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Taxes
Supporting the exemption of high tunnels from real estate and sales taxes.
Supporting a prohibition for counties to change the assessment value of any individual parcel of real estate, solely on
the basis of sale or conveyance of the parcel.
Supporting the expansion of the farming exemption from inheritance tax provided under Act 85 of 2012 to include
transfers by will of any farm being commercially operated at the time of death that will continue to be operated
under ownership or lease of the succeeding owner for a period of seven years after transfer.
Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices
Supporting the following provisions in the rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act:
- a 120-day interval between the application of raw manure if incorporated and the harvest of a crop unless there is
scientific evidence show the need for a longer interval;
- involving state departments of agriculture in the enforcements of the Act;
- provisions to allow farm packing houses to pack produce from other farms if their main purpose is to pack their
own produce without registering as a food packing facility subject to the Preventative Controls rules;
- using the only the sales of covered produce to determine whether a farm is exempt from the Produce and
Preventative Controls rules;
- traceability alternatives that are feasible for small growers;
- exemption of produce auctions from being registered facilities subject to the Preventative Control rules;
- development of agricultural water quality standards that are science-based and are feasible for growers with
multiple sources of water;
- reasonable allowances for wild animal intrusions;
- clarification of how variances and alternatives to the rules can be obtained;
- resources for the development and testing of variances and alternatives specific to regions or classes of growers;
- flexibility in the rules to allow for advances in knowledge and technology;
- exemption of retail farm markets from registration as a facility and the Preventative Controls rules; and
- requirements that imported produce meet all the same food safety standards that domestic produce is required to
meet.
Supporting the publishing of a second draft of the Produce and Preventative Controls rules for the Food Safety
Modernization Act that would be open for further public review and comment.
Also, under the Representation tab, link the attached file “g ga policy resolutions 14” to the “Policy
Resolutions” link.