Whether or not the cold and snow are lingering, warm up to Keep Farming First at the Octorara Area High School (OAHS) on Route 41, Aglen, PA. In the heart is in Chester County's concentration of preserved farms, KFF '10offers programs that support farmers and work to improve the farm economy.

   The program begins with breakfast at 8, through lunch and a reception at 2:45 p.m. The new Chester County Market Place will provide local foods and farm products. Meet farmers who are making agriculture work in changing times. Also, the Octorara Area High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter students will lead tours of their new agricultural classrooms from 8:30 2 p.m. -- and offer samples of their homemade ice cream at lunch.

   Getting to know the region's farmers and making new friends is a wonderful KFF bonus. The partners - Chester County 2020, Chester County Economic Development Council, Penn State Cooperative Extension-Chester County, and Chester County Agricultural Development Council celebrate farming with them.

   The Chester County Commissioners Carol Aichele, Terence Farrell and Kathi Cozzone will preside as Honorary Co-chairs. Senator Michael Brubaker will congratulate OAHS on the completion of its new agricultural classrooms, and comment on this years keynote theme. Also, KFF will recognize the Century and Bicentennial Farmers.

   The keynote speaker, Dr. Tim Kelsey, professor and State Program Leader for Economic and Community Development, with Penn State Cooperative Extension will talk about Agriculture in the Community: Its Value to the Local Economy.Dr. Kelsey will then moderate a panel with Mike Brown, Honey BrookTownship, who will discuss the local impact of agriculture from the municipal perspective re taxes, lower cost of community services; Glenn Cote, Laurel Valley Farms, the economic history of Chester County re mushroom growing and its supply chain; and Lowell Fry, Fulton Bank, re the relationship of agriculture with the service and supply infrastructure.

   The presenters and panelists include working farmers, professional consultants and instructors, providers of agricultural loan programs, and farm technology experts. The key players at the summit continue to be the farmers themselves, but the number of consumers grows steadily, too - the other half of the equation necessary for a healthy farm economy. Over the years, increasing numbers of non-farmers and aspiring farmers have joined the mix of participants. Consumers have gained greater appreciation for food from local sources, knowing that locally grown foods don

   Registration is $25/person. Keep Farming First, c/o 217 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Questions? 610-925-0900 or Fax: 610-925-0902

   You can also click on the link below to go to the online registration page: fill in your contact and payment information, and key "KFF" into the "Comments" field.