February 6, 2008
Dear Representative Kessler,
On behalf of PennEnvironment’s citizen members, I am writing to support your legislation to promote organic agricultural practices in
Pennsylvania.
As we’ve seen in study after study, organic farming offers numerous benefits for our health and environment. This includes reducing the use of chemicals and fertilizers; healthier food products for consumers; promoting more energy-efficient agricultural practices which reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions; and reducing g through no-till practices.
PennEnvironment believes that protecting and promoting the Commonwealth’s longstanding history of working family farms is also critical to preserving our environment and natural heritage. This includes PennEnvironment’s work to increase funding for agricultural preservation programs, advancing clean biofuels and supporting the increase in wind and solar energy production in
Pennsylvania.
At the same time, PennEnvironment believes that it is essential to promote agricultural practices that will go even further to protect our environment and public health.
It is for this reason that we support your legislation to offer more opportunities for
Pennsylvania’s farmers who are interested in organic farming and who want to transition into these practices.
Not only are these practices good for public health and our environment, they are often economically beneficial to a farmer’s bottom line. The organic food market is the fastest growing sector of the agricultural economy, allowing farmers to get top-dollar for their product. And by reducing pesticide, chemical and fuel use our farmers can see a direct economic benefit.
For these reasons, PennEnvironment supports your legislation to assist family farmers in
Pennsylvania who would like to convert to organic farming but face the potential short-term economic hurdle that comes with moving from conventional to organic farming during the required thirty-six month organic certification period.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have about this or other issues on which PennEnvironment is working. I can be reached either by phone (215-732-5897) or by email (DMasur@PennEnvironment.org). I look forward to continuing our work together to protect
Pennsylvania’s environment and natural heritage.
Sincerely,
David Masur, Director
PennEnvironment
