Although Berks Agricultural Resource Network was unable to have their annual Bountiful Berks Banquet this year, the same spirit and celebration of local agriculture was definitely present Sunday afternoon at Leesport Farmers Market. Elected officials, county representatives, and guests from across Berks County attended.
You can view the recording of the Facebook Live stream HERE
- Welcome and Thank You’s by B.A.R.N. President, Mark Weber of Allegheny Valley Farms
- 2:00 – Berks County Commodity Representatives: Berks County Fair Queen Olivia Lesher, Berks County Dairy Princess and Alternate PA State Dairy Princess Kristin Johns, Berks County Alternate Dairy Princess Katelyn Bare
- 4:45 – Guest Speaker, Timi Bauscher, co-owner of The Nesting Box in Albany Township shares her incredible story of farmers supporting farmers during the pandemic, and the heroic, volunteer-driven project that saved 80,000 laying hens and fed a community in need.
- 17:00 – Award Presentations by Senator Judy Schwank
Congratulations to all of this year’s awardees:
2020 Bountiful Berks Award: This award is meant to recognize a unique project that has distinguished itself in Berks County. Among several criteria, applicants were judged based on their promotion of locally grown items and their advocacy for the agricultural industry. Hope Rescue Mission’s Greenhouse Project, Chef Ron Nolen – This project brought fresh food into the city of Reading, specifically to those living at Hope Rescue Mission. We all know fresh food can help us all live healthier lives and this effort is one I hope to see duplicated in shelters around the Commonwealth.
2020 Agriculture Journalism Award: for excellence in newspaper articles, blog posts, podcasts or television spots. Kourtney Love, Lancaster Farming – This winner grew up in Berks County with a true passion for agriculture. She’s made a name for herself in this industry and won for her work to bring Farm Show, specialty breeding, and tech in ag to the attention of Lancaster Farming’s readers.
2020 Agriculture Communications Award: designed to recognize excellence in educating the public about agriculture. In communications, this is via newsletters, social media posts, or, other means. Wild Fox Farm, Ben and Karah Davies – This year’s award goes to a farm in Barto who is active, friendly, and definitively “pro-ag” on Facebook and additionally represented Pennsylvania agriculture well when they testified before a Senate policy hearing regarding COVID-19’s effect on the food supply chain.
2020 Tressie S. Caton Women in Agriculture Award: named after Ms. Caton, a tireless and vibrant member of Pennsylvania’s Agri-Women organization, to recognize excellence in agriculture-related fields like science, economics, farming, veterinary work, philanthropy, and more. Lucine Sihelnik – Our winner was the first woman to serve as president of BARN. She’s a Reading City Councilwoman who started the Victory Garden Task Force and created the Berks Farm Bucks fresh food currency. She also founded Gayatri Wellness to promote sustainable agriculture, established the Regional Reading Food Policy Council, and has been instrumental in revitalizing the Penn Street Market.
A big thank you to BARN sponsors for their contributions and support:
- Gold Sponsor: Fulton Bank
- Silver Sponsors: Berks County Department of Agriculture, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, The Nesting Box Farm and Creamery
- Bronze Sponsors: Bernard C. Morrissey Insurance, Inc., Gauker Farms, Oley Fair
- Supporter Sponsors: F. M. Brown’s Sons, Inc., Senator Judy Schwank, Berks Southeast Cattlemen’s Association
- Cake & Icecream Reception Sponsors: Kim’s Bakery and Way-Har Farms
Thank you to all the committee members and everyone else that made this event a success!
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