Willow Wisp Organic Farm
Tannis Kowalchuk and Greg Swartz
PA
The Farm
Willow Wisp Organic Farm is located in Damascus, PA along the Delaware River, where we grow a diverse mix of vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers on our 25 acres. Greg Swartz and Tannis Kowalchuk are the farmer-owners. Tannis runs Farm Arts Collective on the farm, an Agri-Cultural Center dedicated to programs in farming, art, food, and ecology. We were named Farmers of the Year in 2023 by Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. We sell our produce at 2 local farmers markets, at Union Square NYC and Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, to local and city restaurants and to Wayne County Food Pantry.
The Project Funded
Farm Arts Collective is proposing a collaborative educational project with Gael Roots Farm. 2 workshops--- one at Willow Wisp Organic Farm, and one at the Gael Roots Farm--two unique farm communities.
The workshops address the education needs of consumers in our greater region. After receiving questions from some community members, we found that there is a lot of interest from people wanting to better understand agriculture certification labels and what they mean. We plan to collaborate with several local farms and organizations to help consumers understand definitions and certifications that they see regularly in stores and at the farmers market.
Project Impact
This workshop will focus on critical topics such as the differences between USDA Organic and Real Organic certifications, empowering attendees to make informed choices as consumers. Understanding these distinctions not only fosters better purchasing decisions but also highlights the importance of supporting local farmers who prioritize sustainable practices.
The workshop/talk and Q & A will focus on defining common buzz words, certifications, and terminology and hearing from farmers. What are the differences between labels like USDA organic, NOFA-NY Organic, Real Organic, Regenerative, Free-range, Non-GMO, Grass-fed? What certifications allow hydroponics to be considered organic? What’s the Difference Between Free-Range, Cage-Free, and Pasture-Raised Eggs? Why do farmers choose to be certified or not? What requirements do farmers have to follow? How does the new soil bill (Senate Bill S4722A) that recently passed in NY state impact farmers and incentivise them to care about soil health, thus impacting consumers? Many farms have different relationships with certifications, some farms choose to be certified beyond USDA standards, while others choose to forgo certification due to costs or labor.
This workshop would include dialog around understanding farmers perspectives and certification requirements so consumers know what certain labels actually mean. For example when purchasing from a farm with the Real Organic certification they know that the farms are evaluated on their fair and equitable employees practices not just on soil practices. And participants can hear from farmers on why they might choose local raised over certified organic. Over the years there have been many farmers working to strengthen humane conditions and organic certifications and the panelists we propose to invite have been a part of many important agriculture, community, and policy efforts.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions, gaining a deeper understanding of practices and the significance of supporting local agriculture. By the end of the workshop, attendees will walk away with valuable knowledge on how to be informed consumers, fostering a stronger connection between the community and its small farms.
By the end of the workshop, participants will walk away with practical knowledge that promotes informed consumption. This in turn strengthens the bond between community members and local farmers, leading to a more resilient local food system. Supporting our small farms enriches our community, improves food security, and enhances the quality of life for all residents.
