Penn State have created a video series on consumers’ use of social media to connect with food businesses. Below are just some of the upcoming video titles:
-”Who’s Posting and Following Ads on Facebook?”
-”Who’s Sharing Facebook Content?”
-“Who’s Blogging or Tweeting?”
-“Why Connect With a Food Business?”
-“Consumers’ Expectations of a Food Business”
We hope that you find these videos informative. Videos are released every Tuesday and Thursday. Please email farmbusiness@psu.edu to get reminders when new videos are released or subscribe to our Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/PSUFoodandFarmBiz/videos.
Posted 1 week, 3 days ago at 1:14 pm. Add a comment
Pennsylvania Community Forestry Lunchtime Webinar
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 – 12:00pm
TreeVitalize: Helping Communities Increase Tree Canopy Cover
Christine Ticehurst, TreeVitalize Program Administrator, DCNR Bureau of Forestry
In recent years, studies have shown that built communities across Pennsylvania have lost tree canopy cover. Community losses are not just in numbers of trees. It translates into reductions in benefits such as improved air and water quality, energy conservation, economic vitality, and quality of life. Learn how the TreeVitalize program works to reverse those losses and helps revitalize communities across the Commonwealth by planting 1 Million trees. This tree planting initiative has expanded from its first reach in the Philadelphia Region in 2004 to currently 14 metropolitan regions across the Commonwealth. Find out more about the grants program that provides financial assistance to municipalities and the Tree Tender program that has trained thousands of volunteers to plant and care for their community trees.
This first Pennsylvania Community Forestry Lunchtime Webinar is part of a growing series to expand training and outreach opportunities on urban and community forestry topics.
This webinar was developed through a partnership of Penn State Extension, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and Pennsylvania Community Forests.
Topic: TreeVitalize: Helping Communities Increase Tree Canopy Cover.
Presented by Christine Ticehurst, TreeVitalize Program Administrator, DCNR Bureau of Forestry.
Date: February 7, 2012
Time: Noon to 1 pm EST
Webinar URL: https://meeting.psu.edu/pacommunityforestry (click on this link or copy and paste it into your browser window). Login in by registering as a guest (type your name).
- The site is active and you can test the link now. Join as a guest using your first and last name. There is no login or password for participants.
- You will need speakers or a headset to hear the webinar audio, but you will not need a microphone.
- It is HIGHLY recommended that you join the meeting early so that we can troubleshoot any audio or video technical difficulties. A host will be available at the meeting site at 11 am that morning to assist you.
- You may be prompted to download an Adobe Connect add-on when you first enter the meeting room. You may choose to do this or not; you should be able to participate in the webinar either way.
Posted 1 week, 3 days ago at 12:48 pm. Add a comment
‘Penn State’s Local Food Showcase event to be held March 20, 2012 at Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, PA’
What: Penn State Extension is proud to announce the third annual “Local Food Showcase to be held at Shadyside Academy located in Fox Chapel, PA. This event will bring together Western Pennsylvania food producers with consumers and food industry professionals. If you grow, cook, or eat food, this event is for you!
The heart of the event is a dynamic, expo-style networking session. Local farmers and value added producers will be on hand representing their products and businesses. These producers will have information on their products, availability and businesses. This is a great opportunity to source locally made and distributed products for retail, restaurant, CSA (community supported agriculture), wholesale and home use.
In addition to the networking session there will be demonstrations, tastings and educational programs. Morning workshops will be held on Marcellus Shale and Agriculture and Using Social Media to promote your business.
Pennsylvania agriculture yields an amazing variety of food. The full spectrum of locally produced foods will be represented including fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese, baked goods, sauces and salsas.
The goal of the “Local Food Showcase: a Grower / Buyer Event” is to foster economic development through business relationships between farmers and chefs, retailers, wholesalers, institutions, for the upcoming 2012 growing season and beyond.
Where: Shadyside Academy, 423 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
When: March 20, 2012
Morning educational workshops 9:30 – 11:30am – Hillman Center for the Performing Arts
Choose from the following topics:
• Marcellus Shale and PA Agriculture; Speaker: Jon Laughner, Beaver County Extension
• Using Social Media to Promote Your Business; Sarah Cornelise, Senior Extension Associate, Penn State Extension
Afternoon Local Food Showcase Expo from 1-4pm
Cost: $60 for the full day, $50 for the morning workshops and $10 for the afternoon expo
For more information:
PSU Contact: Heather Mikulas
Phone: (412) 473-2540
Email: hem12@psu.edu
Posted 4 weeks, 1 day ago at 2:56 pm. Add a comment
Penn State Extension to Offer Farm Business Planning Class
The New Year provides a good opportunity to look ahead and see what needs to change on the farm. The first step in making changes is to create a plan – to be used as a feasibility test for new agricultural ventures, as a management guide for established farms, and to apply for loans to expand or change what is being produced. Penn State Extension will be offering Your Future in Focus, a 5 session business planning class for Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural business owners. The course will focus on business plan development for established and start-up agricultural businesses, taking participants step by step through the information that bankers and other lenders want to know.
By breaking the business plan into easily understood segments, Your Future in Focus provides class members with the information and skills to start or re-invent their farm. Basic planning, performing marketing research, and financial management are a few of the concrete tools taught by experienced instructors and guest speakers.. Anyone who wants to develop the skills to be innovative and visionary in their business – to grow their farm – will enjoy and benefit from this course. If you’re thinking about beginning an agricultural business and searching for innovative ideas about how to get your enterprise off the ground, this program is for you!
A highlight of Your Future in Focus is the integration of Pennsylvania MarketMaker. Pennsylvania MarketMaker (PAMarketMaker.com) is a tool designed to help businesses from farm to fork connect with other producers and market their products and services. MarketMaker allows you to:
- Create a business listing so customers can find you through searches
- Explore market research including census data about potential customers in Pennsylvania
- Use the Buy & Sell Forum to list specific products/services you are selling or ones you are hoping to purchase
- Check out what produce is in season
- Find fact sheets and publications about marketing and managing your food or farm business.
Students will use the Pennsylvania MarketMaker website to do research on their target markets, marketing plans, and managing their food or farm venture.
Your Future in Focus will be offered at Penn State Extension offices in Allegheny, Clinton, Lebanon, Mercer, and Monroe Counties, for five sessions on January 3, 17; February 7, 21, and March 6. All sessions will meet from 9am to 4pm., at a tuition cost of $225 per person. A second individual from the family or business may attend at a cost of an additional $75. Penn State is committed to affirmative action and diversity of its workforce.
Registration has been extended till noon on December 21 – to sign up, please visit http://www.cvent.com/d/tcqmbr or call toll-free 877-489-1398.
Posted 1 month ago at 10:54 am. Add a comment
The Urban Agriculture Social Event of the Year!
Artwork by Lauren Golembiewski
What: 2nd Annual Harvest After Party
When: Sunday, December 11th, 2011 7:00pm
Where: Brillobox 4104 Penn Ave.
Cost: $10 (all proceeds benefit PGE!)
Join fellow Pittsburghers with a love for Urban Agriculture in an evening of great music provided by SleepyV (http://sleepyv.bandcamp.com/), delicious local hors d’oeuvres, and excellent raffle prizes!
This event will be a fun, end of season get together for the urban farming community in Pittsburgh. So come join and meet even more people involved in gardening and farming in the area!
Admission is $10 and includes one raffle ticket. All proceeds will help support current and future Pittsburgh Garden Experiment projects.
Brillobox offers a Starving Artist Veggie Dinner Special for $6 from 4pm – 11pm so make a full night of it if you want.
Special Thanks to our sponsors and raffle contributors: Octopus Organics, The Green Building Alliance, Venture Outdoors, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, I Made It Market, The Pittsburgh Public Market, Allegro Hearth Bakery, Olio Fresca, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, the Ujamaa Collective, Lauren Golembiewski, and Brillobox.
Posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago at 12:02 pm. Add a comment
Mark Bittman, curtesy of flickr user Bread For the World
“Tickets: $25, Reserved Seating
$15, 2nd Balcony General Admission
Monday, November 7, 2011
Carnegie Music Hall, 7:30 pm
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
FOOD MATTERS
Mark Bittman is America’s favorite food pundit. He’s known for his simple recipes for great meals as The Minimalist on the New York Times Food page. Now he’s covering food policy and food politics on the Op-Ed page. He brings his ideas about why food matters, along with his award-winning cookbooks, just in time for holiday giving.
For more information, call Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures
412.622.8866″
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:08 pm. Add a comment
Penn State Extension, Allegheny County is pleased to announce a two-part class called, “What is the dirt on urban soils?”
November 11th
The Physical Side of Urban Soils – Class I
This session will examine the physical properties of soils in undisturbed, natural environments vs. soils in the urban/suburban environment. We will discuss physical properties of soils and how they affect site stability, stormwater management, erosion control, soil mechanics, the soil’s ability to support vegetation, and human health. We will also cover how to conduct a site assessment for an urban soil assessment.
Speaker: Patrick Drohan, Ph.D.
Patrick is a Professor of Soils Science with Penn State University. He teaches Soils 404: Urban Soils and is also responsible for training the Penn State Soil Judging Team.
November 17th
The Chemical Side of Urban Soils – Class II
Soil quality is a function of its physical, chemical and biological properties which interact to affect important soil processes including water infiltration, percolation, retention and storage, aeration, nutrient storage, retention and cycling, contaminant absorption, availability and decomposition. This session will emphasize the chemical properties of soils with discussion on soil testing, soil fertility, and dealing with high levels of heavy metals.
Speaker: Rick Stehouwer, Ph.D. Rick is a Professor of Environmental Soils Science with Penn State University. His Extension programs include soil-based recycling of agricultural, municipal, industrial and by-product materials, composting and compost utilization, mined land reclamation, brownfield restoration and remediation of contaminated soils.
Class is limited to the first 60 registrants
Deadline: November 7, 2011
$20 per session
or
$30 for (2) sessions
For More Information
& to Register
(412) 473-2540 or
E-mail: alleghenyext@psu.edu
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 3:14 pm. Add a comment
Today is the day! Food Day! Read more about the cause here and then join others for a great event tonight to talk about all things good food:
What: Screening of the documentary “The Garden” by Scott Hamilton Kennedy. It tells the story of an underserved neighborhood in South LA that turned a 14-acre wasteland into a bountiful Eden, that provided food, beauty, and relaxation for the neighborhood and follows the legal battle that ensues when the city decides to sell the land to a developer. The screening will be followed by discussion and Q & A.
Where: Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at Kaufmann Center, 1825 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
When: Monday, October 24th, 6:30 pm
Eat Real, America!
Posted 3 months ago at 3:43 pm. Add a comment
Our friends at the Pittsburgh Garden Experiment are hosting this neat-looking event this Wednesday.
Come on out to this FREE class and learn about some great snacks and meals that will boost brainpower and cognitive function!
Details here.
Posted 3 months, 1 week ago at 12:28 pm. Add a comment
Pittsburgh, PA (October 13, 2011) – The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council will host a regional Food Policy Council Symposium Thursday, December 8 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Lecture Hall of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, entitled “Working Together to Strengthen Our Food Systems”.
Participants will share their experiences and goals in a day of learning through peer education and explore aspects of forming, defining, and creating outreach activities that are effective in addressing local food system concerns.
The event is highlighted by the presence of three experienced Food Policy Councils (FPCs) as they share their organization histories, challenges, and activities. There will also be a networking lunch, a panel discussion Q&A, and breakout discussion groups.
Keynote speakers will share successes from the Toronto Youth Food Policy Council, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga (OH) Food Policy Coalition, and the Adams County (PA) Food Policy Council.
“This is a great chance for those already involved with Food Policy Councils to learn from their peers as well as an excellent opportunity for those wanting to learn more about the unique challenges and solutions our region offers in regards to food policy, “ posited Heather Mikulas, the Chair of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and Penn State Extension, Allegheny County program manager.
Registration is $35 and includes lunch. To register call Tawnesha Anderson at 412-473-2540. For more information regarding the symposium contact Heather Mikulas at 412-473-2758 or Ann DeSanctis at 412-473-2754.
This event is generously supported by a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education grant, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and Penn State Extension of Allegheny County.
# # #
About the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council
“Reinvigorated in 2009, the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) envisions a food system that benefits our community, our economy and our environment, in ways that are equitable and sustainable. The council serves as a collaborative advisory organization, bringing together stakeholders from diverse food-related sectors to examine, develop and improve Pittsburgh’s food system. It is committed to working with City officials and residents of Pittsburgh to develop food and urban agriculture policy. The council provides technical assistance, education, momentum and support on issues related to food production, food access, food distribution, health/nutrition education and urban planning.”
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)
University of Pittsburgh: Katz Graduate School of Business
Ujamaa Collective
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
The Enrico Biscotti Company
Lutheran Service Society: Springboard Kitchens
Office of City Councilman Patrick Dowd
University of Pittsburgh: Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Parkhurst Dining Services
Grow Pittsburgh
Just Harvest
Pittsburgh Public Market
Garfield Community Farm
Citiparks: City of Pittsburgh
Office of State Senator Jim Ferlo
Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance
East End Food Co-op
Chatham University
Clarion River Organics
Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago at 1:47 pm. Add a comment
