Posted: | April 24, 2019 08:10 AM |
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From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | PA Farm Bill - PA Preferred Organic Program |
Shortly I will be introducing legislation that is part of Governor Wolf’s proposed PA Farm Bill. My legislation would assist the agriculture community by increasing market opportunities. Under my legislation, the Pennsylvania Preferred Organic Program would be established in addition to the Pennsylvania Preferred Program. Pennsylvania is currently number two in the nation for organic sales, due to increases in organic livestock, poultry, and egg production, in addition to other agricultural commodities. Consumers continue to demand local products, including organic products. This new program would be voluntary for organic producers and those producers interested in transitioning to organic production. This program would not compete with other Pennsylvania producers but would instead further enhance Pennsylvania’s brand recognition and ensure the PA Preferred trademark is leveraged fairly across all production methods. The PA Department of Agriculture would administer the program, which would encourage producers of Pennsylvania-produced organic agricultural commodities to meet or exceed USDA National Organic Program standards. I hope you will join me in supporting this legislation. |
Introduced as SB623