PATH to Organic Farming In PA

A Berks County state lawmaker has introduced an organic farming transition program in Pennsylvania. The voluntary program includes $500,000 in state funding to help 15 farms of various types become certified organic. That means no pesticides, no chemicals and no synthetic fertilizers for at least three years. State Representative David Kessler says he worked with the Department of Agriculture, PennEnvironment and the Rodale Institute which has been researching organic farming for 27 years. Kessler says "PATH to Organic" will make farming more profitable and help the environment. He says in the first 2 to 4 years, farmers who switch typically see lower yields, but as the soil returns to more natural state, yields are the same as before or better. Kessler says that organic farming eliminates the use of pesticides and other chemicals and that means cleaner water and that organic foods are healthier and that means healthier people. Applications will be available from the Department of Agriculture March 30 for grants up to $7,500 annually for 4 years to make the conversion.