Berks Agricultural Resource Network

Let than a week to get in your submission for the Ag Day Video Contest! Act fast! We want to feature some of the best and brightest Junior Ag advocates from across the County! Thanks to Stephanie Younker for the great example of a HS submission! https://youtu.be/JQRjhKSBmXc More info and enter here: https://www.berksag.net/essay-421927.html

National Ag Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, people across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture. This year Berks Agricultural Resource Network (B.A.R.N) with the help of some of our partners is hosting an Ag Video Contest. A big thank you to the contest sponsors, Friends for Judy Schwank and Commissioner Christian Leinbach. To celebrate Ag Day in Berks County we are inviting students (...in grades 3 -12) to share their thoughts about farming in the form of a short video submission. The videos are meant to help teach the students and their audience where their food comes from and the important role agriculture plays in our everyday lives. Videos will be grouped into three categories based on the students’ grade. A first place winner from each grade group will be awarded a $50 prize from BARN, to be announced at the National Ag Day Celebration on Tuesday, March 23rd, and be published in the March 24th Berks Country section of the Reading Eagle and at readingeagle.com. Please help spread the word about the contest. Share with all the students and teachers in your life! Deadline for Entry Form submissions and Video uploads is 7 pm Wednesday, March 17th. Visit berksag.net for full contest rules and instructions!

Have you taken a good look at your energy bill lately? You may be able so save some money...

Looking for a more energy efficient farm operation in 2021? DEP Announces Webinar Series & New Energy Assistance Program for PA Farmers DEP, in partnership with Penn State Extension, is pleased to announce a new energy assistance program for agriculture producers in Pennsylvania. Utility bill analyses will be provided free of charge upon request. A utility bill analysis involves review of 12-months of utility bills to determine simple ways for saving energy, to ensure taxes and fees are correct, and to help you make sense of the charges on your bills. Farmers, take advantage of this free service now by contacting Ed Johnstonbaugh, Penn State Extension, at [email protected].

Do you still have a few people left on your lost to shop for? Give the gift of local food! Check out our guide for some creative (and delicious) ideas. Many of the businesses featured put together lovely, personalized gift boxes. You can fill them full of all your loved ones' favorites. Phone numbers are listed. Give them a call!

Did you catch this article in Today's paper? Two B.A.R.N. Members, ACEC Farm and The Berry Farm are featured! https://www.readingeagle.com//article_a15ef112-3e35-11eb-9

There is still time to register for today's Lunch 'n Learn Farmer to Farmer Webinar! This event is being offered at no charge to participants. Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar. Registrants will also receive access to the webinar recording.... This virtual event is being put on by Penn State Extension and GRCA. During the Farmer to Farmer: Consumer Trends and COVID-19 webinar Penn State Extension will partner with local food producers, local farmers, the County of Berks, and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to discuss the challenges as well as the new opportunities in the food supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the sector has been responding. Then, most importantly, discuss ideas, innovations, and new technological advances for local producers to adapt in order to help strengthen and prepare them for the way forward as part of the Rebuild Berks effort. www.bit.ly/farmertofarmer Featured B.A.R.N. Members will be Stacey Mullen from The Berry Farm & Orchard and Alice Kamp from ACEC Farm.

Less than an hour til our Live Holiday Food & Gift Guide Event! Hope you can tune in to meet some of our hard-working members and for some great ideas for shopping and eating locally for the Holidays! Click the zoom link at 1 pm to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88685753402

$pend your Holiday close to home this Season. Discover some of our wonderful members and where you can SHOP LOCAL for your meals and even some great ideas to feature the bounty of Berks under the tree! Browse our Holiday Food & Gift Guide! Now more than ever, our Agricultural Sector plays a critical and essential role in our community and economy. Be part of the movement. Support your local farmers and makers! Please share this post with all your #eatlocal #locavore #sm...allbusiness friends! http://www.berksag.net/holiday-guide.html

On this #GivingTuesday make a pledge to Support Berks County farmers and producers. Did you know B.A.R.N. is a nonprofit? That's right, we are a charitable organization. Consider joining as an individual member -$25 for the year - or donating any amount you'd like. Funds will go directly to fulfilling our mission (to collaborate, celebrate, and educate to strengthen agriculture in Berks County and Southeastern PA) & vision (cultivate opportunities for farmers, businesses, ...and consumers to grow everyone’s prosperity). Join the Local Ag movement today! Visit our website to contribute: http://www.berksag.net/join-or-support-barn.html

ACT NOW! Last chance to place your order for out of this world baked goods for your Thanksgiving meal! Save yourself some time AND support a local baker. It won't be a lie if you tell everyone it's homemade!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?