Pike County sets local food focus

Community gardens seen as key

By SANDY LONG

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — “Our long-term survival is based on community,” Stephen Washington, chief of staff for Pennsylvania State Representative John Siptroth told participants at the “Buying Local Food in Pike County” program conducted recently at the Delaware Township Municipal Building in Dingmans Ferry. A fourth-generation Victory Gardener, Washington outlined the many threats to the country’s petroleum-dependent food supply chain, and said that backyard and community gardens are an important part of a strategy to bring local food and purchasing power back to local communities.

Organized through the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) and the Pike County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, the conversation targeted Pike consumers to discuss the importance of practicing and supporting local agriculture to promote a healthier community overall.

Based on the discussion, a follow-up session targeting farmers, food producers, restaurants and markets in Pike County is being scheduled. “By combining input from consumers and producers, we hope to encourage local food production and increase opportunities to buy locally,” said Julia Horrocks, DHC land protection coordinator. “As we gradually shift to a more local food system, our community will reap the benefits of a healthier, sustainable society.”

One upcoming initiative is the establishment of a public farmers’ market at nearby Camp Akenac. Both volunteers and shoppers are sought for this new local food opportunity. For more information contact Delaware Township at dtbos@ptd.net.

“The most important way to support local farmers and keep our precious farmland intact is to stay informed about local food options and show producers with your pocketbook that local food is highly valued,” said Horrocks. For more information on Pike’s Buying Local Food initiative contact Horrocks at 570/226-3164.

The program also featured a tour of the Smith-Harker Community Garden led by Carol Padalino, a master gardener from the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Established in 2001 in cooperation with the Penn State Cooperative Extension, the garden is located on Wilson Hill Road across from the township building on land originally purchased by Isaac and Mary Smith in 1879 and farmed until 1966, when it was sold to the township.

Plots are available to township residents at no charge. Padalino said that no experience is necessary, and ample help is available to first-time gardeners. “It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors while working the land and producing something edible from a single seed,” said Padalino. “There’s great value in growing your own food without pesticides, knowing what you’re eating, becoming somewhat self-sufficient, getting to know your neighbors and getting some good exercise.”

Amanda Subjin and Geoff Greulich, residents of Delaware Township, currently have small garden plots in their fenced backyard in Dingmans Ferry, but are plagued by an abundance of shade and rocky soil. By joining the community garden they plan to expand their supply of herbs, zucchini, pole beans, tomatoes and salad greens with sun-loving plants such as heirloom Brandywine tomatoes.

“We aim to grow enough to eat through the summer, share with friends and trade with others in the community garden, and to preserve, either by freezing or canning, for use through the winter months,” said Subjin. “We hope the yields between both gardens will allow us to eat locally through this growing season and long into the next.”

The couple values the opportunity provided by the community garden for several reasons. “Besides providing a fenced space in an open field on soil historically used for agriculture, it’s provided a sense of place and community connection for Geoff and me,” said Subjin. “We’ve already met some amazing people there and are looking forward to seeing these folks all summer and sharing in a harvest potluck at the end of the growing season.”

For more information on the community garden contact carolpadalino@aol.com or 570/828-7268.