Food and Agriculture Team

Crops in a field

Image by Jan Kpriva on Unsplash

The Food & Agriculture Team focuses on ways that Pennsylvania's food producers and consumers can be more sustainable and healthier.

Jump to a section on this page:

  Team Mission
 

  Current Priorities
 

  Contact Us & Attend Team Meetings

  USDA Letter

 

  Free Food
 

  Webinar Recordings
 

  Team Compiled Links - The Big Board

  PA Legislation

Mission

To monitor and advise on state policies that will encourage sustainable and carbon-neutral agriculture and food production. Engage with the Agriculture industry in PA about the impacts of climate change. Encourage a diversity of locally grown food choices. Reduce the impacts of pesticides and fertilizers on our ecosystems. 

Develop materials that educate our members about sustainable and climate-sensitive food purchasing practices and at-home or community gardens. Work with the Water Quality Team on a consistent mission of sustainable food production and healthy ecosystems downstream. Support Group teams working in this space.

Current Priorities

  • Researching and sharing news about the climate impacts of animal farming
  • Exploring the opportunities for alternative farming (other than mainstream dairy and corn in PA)
  • Promoting Urban Agriculture

Join Us - Meetings and Events

We are always looking for new people and ideas.  Please join our next team meeting and the Food & Ag email list!

Conservation Team Mtg Calendar            Join Our Email List

Defending the USDA

In October, 2025, the Sierra Club PA Chapter Food and Agriculture Team sent a letter to US Congressman Glenn Thompson regarding the proposed reorganization of the US Department of Agriculture. See the full letter here:

thompson letter

We'll keep you posted if there is any response.

Webinar Recordings

webinars banner

PFAS In Things You Aren't Thinking About - Feb 22, 2023

Speakers: Darree Sicher, Tamela Trussell
Host: Food & Ag Team and Move Beyond Plastics

pfas food webinar

PFAS link between our foods and farms and the use of sewage sludge/biosolids marketed as a “fertilizer”

Fawn Grove Test Report
Milk Longacres Test Report
UDS Level 2 Test Report

Localization and Hemp: Strategies for Addressing the Climate Crisis - June 23, 2022 


Speaker:  Judy Wicks, All Together Now
Hosted by: Food & Ag Team 

Judy Wicks Hemp

 

YouTube video

Pennsylvania is an agriculture-state and was once a center for hemp production used for food, fiber and fuel. Then came a foolhardy 80 year ban, which ended with the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing the regulated cultivation of hemp.  Judy Wicks talks about addressing climate challenges by building resilient local economies where hemp will once again be an essential part of Pennsylvania's farming heritage, producing a versatile crop that fulfills multiple basic needs, while contributing to our low-carbon future.

My journey to starting an urban farming non-profit in Pennsylvania
 

Speaker:  Hawa Lassanah, Backyard Farming Coop
Date: July 15, 2021
Hosted by: Food & Ag Team 

backyard gardening

 

YouTube video

Follow Hawa and her team as they establish an urban farming business for the benefit of the Lancaster County community. After a short video presentation, Hawa will be available to answer questions from those interested in following in her footsteps across Pennsylvania.

PA Legislation

Legislation

For the latest info on PA Legislation that the Sierra Club is tracking, go to the PA Legislative Tracker and The Briefing video series.

Food Insecurity Resources

Food & Ag Resource Contributions from the F&A Team

 

Resources - Team Suggestions

Food & Ag Resource Contributions from the F&A Team