(Editor's note: New Era Correspondent Wendy S. Caldwell is completing a co-op in applied anthropology at Millersville University. The program is aimed at understanding sustainable agriculture in Lancaster County. She is contributing stories related to the project throughout the summer.)

A small group of Amish and Mennonite farmers, who believed they were being paid too little for their produce, livestock and dairy products, met in spring 2006 to discuss how to keep their farms viable.

Out of those meetings grew Lancaster Farm Fresh, a farming co-operative that now boasts 30 organic farmers, mostly Amish and Mennonite.

Casey Spacht, Lancaster Farm Fresh general manager, oversees the cooperative, which links the farming community to nearly 300 customers, such as restaurants, cafes and natural food stores, both locally and out of state.

He said the cooperative is a successful example of sustainable agriculture at work.

"Produce grown in (our) rich soil is full of nutrients and minerals, and when it is organic, there are no pesticides," Spacht said. "Our customers, whether they are in New York City, Philadelphia or Washington, know they can't get the same kind of quality anywhere but from Lancaster County."

According to Web sites for both the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Pennsylvania Certified Organic, "An organic producer, processor, or handler must develop an operation that involves the building and enhancing of the soil naturally, protection of the environment, humane treatment of animals, and avoidance of toxic synthetic substances."

The reputation for quality translates into greater viability for farmers, Spacht said. The Lancaster Farm Fresh member list also includes farmers who are making the transition from traditional farming to organic methods.

Spacht emphasized that it is important for consumers to know where their fresh food is coming from. A cooperative such as Lancaster Farm Fresh, he said, helps the customer get to know the farmer.

"We have a saying, 'Don't buy food from strangers,'" Spacht said. "The best food is locally grown, and we want countians to understand that."

Spacht, along with Amy Bruning, operates the Lancaster Farm Fresh office and warehouse at 101 S. Lime St., Quarryville. Each week, customers place orders for fresh produce and dairy items. The orders are then taken by truck directly to the customer, by either Spacht or a volunteer farmer.

"Customers order from a price list, and then I communicate that order to the farmers who ship only what's needed, so that there is less waste," Spacht said.

The co-op is beginning a busy time, with an abundance of the year's first fresh local produce.

"That includes strawberries, sugar peas, asparagus, radishes, romaine lettuce and baby greens," Spacht said, adding that eating the fresh produce is a healthy choice, not just for the body, but also for the environment.

"People need to remember that pesticides don't stop once they are on the crop. It gets into the soil and causes a lot of soil and water contamination."

For Spacht, 32, sustainable agriculture is a personal mission, as well. A native of Terre Hill, he said he first met with the concerned farmers last summer, after they had begun Lancaster Farm Fresh. He has since become friends with the farmers in the cooperative.

"We will actually hang out to discuss farming, and how we can improve the market for sustainably grown agriculture," he said. "Local farmers want Lancaster County residents to eat local food, and that will help to sustain their business." blog comments powered by Disqus