Manheim Township MAY 31, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Family Farm Days will celebrate agriculture BY JEFF FALK
roduce doesn’t come from a market. Milk and eggs don’t come from a grocery store. They all come from farms. That’s the message that the organizers of Family Farm Days are trying to convey. Farms always have been, and will likely continue to be, the most important producer of food in Lancaster County. This year’s edition of Family Farm Days will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, at Oregon Dairy, 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz. The annual event, which offers free admission, is being sponsored by Lancaster County Agriculture Council and Oregon Dairy. “If we wouldn’t have farms, we wouldn’t have food,” said Maria Forry, a partner at Oregon Dairy. “It’s that simple. If every single person had their own garden, farms wouldn’t be as important. But that’s not very realistic.” While the purpose of Family Farm Days is to serve as an educational tool, there’s certainly a celebratory piece to the event as well. Family Farm Days will feature tractor and wagon rides, animal petting, short presentations at the Barnyard Theater, Farm Show milkshakes, free samples of Oregon Dairy milk and ice cream, hot dogs and barbecue. The event will also include vendors, farm exhibits and information from agricultural organizations like the Lancaster County 4-H Club, the Lancaster County Conservation District and the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation. “It’s an opportunity for people to come onto a working farm and learn about agriculture and make the connection between farms and the food they eat,” said Forry. “What
BY JEFF FALK
Church, 500 E. Roseville Road, Lancaster. There will not be a concert on July 6. “We have people tell us how much they like our concerts,” said Sharon Neal, secretary of the Lancaster Lemonade Concert Series board of directors. “They tell us they look forward to the next one. People come out again and again. They’re all entertaining. It’s not an ‘everyone falls asleep’ concert. It’s a rousing event.” This year’s series includes Auscultation Brass on June 8; Silver, Wood & Ivory on June 15; Wheatland String Trio on June 22; Brenten Megee with See Lemonade Concerts pg 4
The Lancaster Lemonade Concert Series has gained a reputation for its musical energy. There’s plenty to do for younger visitors to Family Farm Days.
we want people to know is that farmers care about their land and their animals. If we don’t care about our land, it’s not a sustainable business. We’re consumers too.” Forry said that across the nation, 2% of the population is involved in production farming and that what that group produces helps sustain the other 98%. Crowds between 12,000 and 15,000 people are expected over the three days of this year’s Family Farm Days. To pull it off, the event requires hundreds of volunteers. “They’re our neighbors,” said Forry. “A lot of them are Lancaster County residents, but they also come from neighboring counties. They come from all over Lancaster County. It’s a lot of parents and younger kids or grandparents with
grandkids. It’s a good come-and-go flow.” Family Farm Days began in the mid-1980s as sort of an open house at a farm. But the event really took off in the 1990s when the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce’s Agriculture Committee became involved. “It has obviously grown,” said Forry. “Now, there are definitely more activities for kids to do and more exhibits. For an event to be free to the public, sponsorships are needed to offset expenses. We get huge support from our local agriculture businesses.” “It’s something we want to continue to offer every year,” added Forry. “ We want to have more learning, but we’re not looking to grow this to 20,000 or 30,000 people. It takes a tremendous amount of people to make this happen.”
Ready, Set,
Lasagna Love delivers kindness BY CATHY MOLITORIS
There’s something comforting about a lasagna. That’s the message behind Lasagna Love, an international organization that began in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, recruiting volunteers to make and deliver lasagnas to people in need. Sandi Mauer, coordinator of Lasagna Love for Lancaster County, said the organization is looking for volunteers, as well as people who would like to receive a lasagna. “We are here to help anyone in need, and there’s no judgment whatsoever,” Mauer stated. “The goal of the program is to feed families,
spread kindness and strengthen communities.” Mauer began volunteering with Lasagna Love last summer, and she soon found out that the county coordinator for the program didn’t live locally. She stepped up to organize efforts in the area, and lasagnas are currently delivered throughout Lancaster County by Lasagna Love volunteers. “People can sign up for a lasagna if they have any need,” Mauer explained, adding that people can sign up at https://lasagnalove.org/request. “It could be a financial need or a health issue or an emotional need, or anyone who just needs a break from See Lasagna pg 3
RUN!
See our Ad on Pg. 3!
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
1659 Lititz Pike, Lancaster POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER MAY 31, 2023
Postal Patron
MTM
Concert series to quench local thirst for music Half a century of entertaining the community. Five decades of supporting local musicians. Fifty years of lemonade. The Lancaster Lemonade Concert Series is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with the same style and grace that has become its calling card. This summer season’s performances, by bands and artists with a distinct Lancaster County flavor, will be presented every Thursday at 7 p.m. between June 8 and Aug. 3 at Highland Presbyterian
P
VOL XXXIX • NO 1
R095679
townlively.com