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

For Immediate Release
June 23, 2010

6th Annual Agriculture Heritage Day Celebrates Farm Arts

Friday, July 2nd from 10:30am to 3pm, the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance in Towanda will host the 6th Annual Agricultural Heritage Day. Held at Washington Street Station, 1Washington St. (along the Merrill Parkway in Towanda behind the Keystone Theater) visitors can see displays and demonstrations of farm-based crafts that often accompanied farm life. Work by various artisans will also be available for purchase as they demonstrate their skills.

Several additional artisans will be on hand for the first time at this year’s celebration. Award winning Gourd artist Gloria Riegel is from Sayre. Believing Mother Nature to be the best artist, she uses found objects from antlers to tree roots in her work while utilizing gourds of all sizes. Animals and patterns from nature inspire designs on gourd surfaces including the mold patterns that occur when the gourd dries.

Master Gardener and Columnist Duane Campbell will answer gardening questions and have copies of his new book Best of Green Space: 30 Years of Composted Columns available for purchase. He will be happy to autograph a copy for you.

Madame Smudge's Royal Court Theater will give a free performance of "The Tomato Plant Girl" at 1pm in the upstairs room at the Weigh Station Café. The sharp dialogue, physical action and high energy conflict in this powerful exploration of friendship is sure to delight young audiences. The play is recommended for children of all ages above the age of 5.

Following the play, from 2pm to 3pm, Maria Noble, the 2010 Bradford County Dairy Princess will be on hand to meet the public and offer some free ice cream as a gift from the Bradford County Dairy Promotion Board.

Michelle Kaleta from Ulster, noted for her hand spun Shetland Shawls will demonstrate spinning. Using Alpaca, angora, sheep's wool, and even denim roving, Michelle works magic with all of it! Deb Schildt from Lawrenceville in Tioga County will have her loom on hand to demonstrate loom weaving. Deb specializes in woven 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 . Traditional basket maker Patty Dillman from Sabinsville near Wellsboro will demonstrate willow basket making. Dillman grows the willow herself and uses patterns learned from old baskets found in the Northern Tier region. Robin Tacka of Splat Cat Crafts in Blossburg, will have an assortment of her hand made goat milk soaps for sale.

Information about area wineries - as well as other fun things to see and do in the region - will be available from The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau.

Local pastry chef, Susan Lamb of Delectable Desserts uses natural ingredients and makes everything from scratch for her pies, tarts and pastries from traditional favorites to unique dessert creations. She will have a delectable assortment available for purchase.

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance will have copies of its’ DVD, “The Barns and Agriculture of Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier: A Portrait” for sale. This hour long documentary film focuses on our regional barns – their architecture, uses and history. Also available will be the newly printed guide to barn styles in the Northern Tier region of Pennsylvania.

The Northern Tier Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter will have information about the program and offer an opportunity to join. Memberships and donations will help support printing an updated Northern Tier Local Food Guide later this year.

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 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 art, history and culture - particularly the folk culture - of north central Pennsylvania over a ten-county service area.

For further information about the July 2 Ag Heritage Day, contact Kathy Joyce at the PA North Country Artisan Center and Store at 570-268-5055.

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