For More Information, Contact:
Kathy Joyce, 570-268-5055

For Immediate Release
June 20, 2008

Celebrate Local Heritage With 4th Annual Ag Heritage Day

Agriculture. It is the industry that has shaped our local culture and economy for the past 100 years or more. From the butter and milk once shipped from Bradford County to the Naval Academy in Annapolis to Bradford County's current standing as 2nd (only to Lancaster County) in dairy production for the Commonwealth.

Join us Tuesday, July 1 from 1 pm to 5 pm as we celebrate our farm heritage and so many other aspects of agriculture in our communities - dairy, fruits, vegetables, beef animals, eggs, cheeses, and the farm-based crafts that often accompany the farms (spinning, weaving, baskets, soaps). Demonstrations and performances will occur in and around Washington Street Station throughout the afternoon.

The Endless Mtns. Visitors Bureau will present information about wineries in our region and the Endless Mtns. Heritage Region will present their work and the Susquehanna River Trail maps and markers they have developed. Representatives will explain the Northern Tier Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter and offer an opportunity to join. Penn State Cooperative Extension will be on hand with displays relating to gardening and/or home economics.

The Bradford County Farm Museum will have a display of old-time farm items. Spinning will be demonstrated by the women of 'Glenfiddich Wool' - Kathleen England, Barbara Condon & Cynthia Hawk. Deb Schildt will demonstrate loom weaving. In her weaving, Deb specializes in scarves. She likes to blend old and new, often starting with an old pattern like log cabin, but then making it her own by using new brighter colors for a new look. The Home Textile Museum will have a display and the Cats Cradle Spinning Guild will be demonstrating spinning and other fiber arts from an earlier era updated by today’s members.

An old-time fiddler is rumored to be planning to come and play for visitors on July 1 if his schedule allows. Other surprises are in store for the day, so don’t miss it!

In addition to Ag Heritage Day demonstrations and displays, visitors can enjoy tasting and purchasing local foods at the Towanda Farmer's Market at the south end of the Station. To promote the Northern Tier Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter, vendors will be offering samples of some of their wares. The Market is a "Grower-only" market. Beyond wonderful local produce, meats, eggs, dairy products, flowers and more, the Market offers consumers an opportunity to "put a face on your food" by getting to know local farmers and talk with them about their agricultural practices.

Vendors at the 2008 Towanda Farmers Market include:

• Sue Bullock, Back Achers Farm, North Rome, with maple products, a full range of fresh vegetables, eggs, chicken, pork products, beef and more.
• Mike Driesch, Red House Bakery, Stevensville, with European breads and sweets along with foccacias and dog biscuits
• Sylvia Ellis, Hawk Hill Farm, Standing Stone, with hand made goat milk soaps.
• Bernard Jurkowski of Inn to the Seasons, Canton, with goat milk ricotta products including cheesecakes, fudge, manicotti and pierogies, plus his own pork products and baked goods.
• Diane and Phil Fiorentino, The Herb Corner, Gillett, with fresh produce, herbs and flowers and dried herbs.

Ag Heritage Day, organized by the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance is a continuation of the organization's efforts to increase the awareness and appreciation of the economic, aesthetic and cultural importance of agriculture as a viable industry in our region. The event is sponsored by NTCA and the Towanda Farmers Market.

An added feature this year will be a filmmaker documenting the event for a “2008: Year of the Barn” DVD. Local and retired farmers are encouraged to come to Washington St. Station on July 1 to pick up or drop off barn surveys and talk about your barn and memories of farming for the film. Filming is supported by a grant from the PA Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance (NTCA) was formed in 1995 by volunteers who had been engaged in a cultural inventory of the area as part of a 1992 Pennsylvania Heritage Commission project. NTCA is a private, non-profit organization that works to promote knowledge of the history and culture - particularly the folk culture - of north central Pennsylvania over a nine-county service area.

For more information on NTCA and its programs, visit www.ntculturalalliance.org or call the office at 570-265-7455. For further information about the July 6 Ag Heritage Day, contact Kathy Joyce at the PA North Country Artisan Center and Store at 570-268-5055.

###