Getting Outside and the Importance of Family Farms

Animal Welfare and Agricultural Buzzwords such as organic foods, regenerative soil, and greenwashing vs practice from a farmer's perspective.

Mike and Liz Krug, Fullers Overlook Farm (Waverly, PA) describe how the distribution of food from small farms helps communities. What does animal welfare and organic food mean? The different agricultural buzzwords and how they are practiced.

The Effects of Fracking in Local Communities

Scott Cannon (Plymouth, PA) An anti-fracking advisor for Action Together NEPA discusses: the problems with local-fracking and how it has taken over the Wyoming Valley over the past 10 years; despite the area's still visible pollution from anthracite coal mining that went on for almost 200 years. Also legislative issues regarding natural gas and renewable energy, and how he's looking to change that using his own commercial & corporate video production background.

Tyson Foods and Sustainable Chicken Practices

Karen Christensen, Senior Director of Animal Welfare at Tyson Foods is well versed with a strong passion for chickens and animal welfare. Holding multiple degrees in animal science, animal welfare, and a PhD in Poultry Physiology is always wanting to learn more to benefit the birds and apply that knowledge to the poultry industry. She explains how the Tyson chicken you buy at the grocery store has gone through great lengths to make sure the chickens are raised sustainably and happy in their environment. Asking the birds what they like in terms of enrichment, lighting, bedding, food, then back that up with science by monitoring their behavior in a variety of ways.

Protecting the land

Ellen Feretti, Northbranch Landtrust (Dallas, PA) Explains what is a land trust? Why they are important for land conservation: animals, fauna, and agricultural soil. How this impacts us and why someone would want to put their property in one.

Getting Outside and the Importance of Family Farms

Tom Venesky is a nationally-recognized, award winning writer who has for decades covered Pennsylvania's great outdoor opportunities including fishing, hunting, and farming. Tom is a beef farmer in Luzerne County, PA and takes pride in involving his children in the incredible life of agriculture. The importance of the Outdoors: how it develops the imagination, growth, and fascination with nature connects people.  https://veneskyoutdoors.com