9 minute read
Faith, Family, Farming
March 22, 2022
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Faith, Family, Farming
BY WENDY ROYAL
With the average farm in Lancaster County being 77 acres, Glory Be Farm in Manheim is considered small. Duane and Tina Sauder purchased the farm, where they raise Berkshire pigs, 23 years ago. Still, it wasn’t until January 2020 that they took the crucial first steps to make their small business dreams a reality. Just before the pandemic hit, the Sauders launched their pork snack line. Fast forward two years, and the business continues to grow. In addition to online sales, several Glory Be Farm products bearing the PA Preferred label can be purchased at locations in Manheim, Mount Joy, Lititz, Ephrata, and Elizabethtown.
While selling their products is vital to the farm’s success, it’s the lifestyle that makes it meaningful for the Sauders. Like many local farmers, Duane and Tina come from multigenerational farms. The ninth generation of Tina’s family is currently working the Elizabethtown farm where she grew up. For the Sauders’ two daughters, helping out on the farm is part of their normal day. From assisting with the births of piglets to muck-
Morgan (left) and Riley preparing to show their Berkshire pigs at the PA Farm Show The Sauder family consists of Tina, Duane, Morgan and Riley.
ing out the stalls, 16-year-old Riley and 13-year-old Morgan share the responsibilities of the family farm. Both girls are involved in 4-H and show pigs, beef, and goats. Passing a farm on to the next generation is often a challenge as children grow up and have interests apart from farming. “We’re blessed to be able to raise them in this lifestyle and culture. … It’s a passion and a lifestyle that you don’t clock out from,” explained Tina.
A florist by trade, Tina had to cut back her hours to focus more time on the farm. When talking about launching the pork snack line just before the pandemic hit, Tina said, “People were (focusing on) getting back to their roots, shopping local. So, while the world was turning upside down, it was a good time to start the business, but we didn’t know that.”
The Sauders share their farm life with followers on social media. With the popularity of farmhouse style, Tina says, many people think farming is a peaceful way of life, and they romanticize it. Using social media allows her to connect with people to share the culture and dispel myths associated with farming. “We love our livestock, and we always say that they have one bad day. …We give them the best life we can (before that day),” she noted. The Sauders’ other goal is to raise awareness. “We’re looking to bridge the gap. … Americans are at least three generations removed from the farm. … It’s our job not only to provide but to educate,” said Tina. Though Glory Be Farm may be small, Duane and Tina’s passion for farming is vast. “It’s so important for us to inspire others to go after their dreams because there were times in our lives that were hardships, and the dream seemed unattainable. One time my husband and I were talking about it, and my husband said, ‘Well, if that ever happens, glory be to God,’ and that’s where the name (of the farm) came from,” Tina said. When asked if she had an advice for those considering farming or achieving any goal, Tina responded, “You have to take that first step of faith, because you can’t steer a parked car very well.”
4-H Horse Club Plans Meeting
The River Riders 4-H Horse Club will host an organizational meeting on Saturday, March 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave., Lititz, for youths ages 8 to 18. There will be a presentation and craft during the meeting.
Future monthly meetings will be held at Flying M Stable, 400 Shreiner Road, Leola. Horse ownership is not required. 4-H horse clubs provide educational opportunities, but do not provide horses or riding lessons. A Cloverbud program will also be offered for children ages 5 to 7.
Youths need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to the organizational meeting. Contact Sue Irwin at irwin.sue4@gmail.com for more information about the River Riders 4-H Horse Club.
For more information on joining 4-H, contact Lori Little, Extension educator at the Lancaster County Extension office, at 717-394-6851 or lancasterext@psu.edu.
March 22, 2022
Alleviating World Hunger With FMSC
BY COURTNEY MENGEL
According to Lora Mangus Wenger, chairperson of the Lancaster County Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack event, approximately 6,200 children around the world die each day from hunger and malnutritionrelated causes.
Founded in 1987, FMSC is a nonprofit organization that aims to alleviate world hunger by hosting MobilePack events, where volunteers hand-pack nutritious meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition. Every day, FMSC meals are distributed to schools, orphanages, clinics, and feeding programs around the world to help break the cycle of poverty. Since the organization was established, FMSC has distributed more than 2 billion meals in nearly 70 countries.
The seventh annual threeday FMSC MobilePack event will take place at Willow Street Mennonite Church (WSMC), 399 E. Penn Grant Road, Willow Street, from Friday, March 25, to Sunday, March 27. One thousand volunteers are needed to work during two-hour shifts to provide 300,000 meals in three days.
In order to pack meals safely, volunteers will be screened with questions prior to admission and will be encouraged to wear a mask throughout the event. Hand-washing stations will be implemented this year, and increased disinfecting practices between shifts per COVID-19 protocols will be in place. All volunteers will need to preregister online. Walkins will not be accepted due to shift limits of volunteers, which is necessary for social distancing. Those who sign up for a packing shift are encouraged to donate a minimum of $52. At the price of less than 25 cents a meal, the donation will cover the cost of one box of packed meals, equaling 216 meals, which is the average number a single volunteer packs in a two-hour period. There will be a variety of tasks at the packing event, and people of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate. Some jobs will require lifting, while others may be done while seated. To reserve a time slot, visit https://give.fmsc.org /willowstreet.
For the second year, FMSC will collect food for the Lancaster County Food Hub in response to local food insecurity. The first year this initiative was implemented, FMSC was able to donate 18 bags of food to the Food Hub. Requested items include peanut butter, canned meats, white or brown rice, pouch meals such as Hamburger Helper, whole grain pasta, and boxed macaroni and cheese.
“I am excited about FMSC because each year it is amazing to know that our community is taking little steps to make big, positive, life-saving changes in children’s lives all around the world,” commented Wenger. She added, “One outgrowth of our event is that a church from Berks County was inspired to host their own event after having participated in our event. That is exactly what we have been hoping will occur: more MobilePack events taking place, resulting in more people being fed around the world.”
For more information about the FMSC MobilePack event at WSMC, readers may email Wenger at lmw4fmsc@gmail.com or call WSMC at 717-464-2422.
Lancaster County Agriculture Overview Statewide County
Number of farms 53,157
Number of farms 5,108
Total Acreage 7,278,668
Total Acreage 393,949
Average Size of Farm 137
acres
Family-Owned Farms 97%
Average Size of Farm 77
acres
Family-Owned Farms 99%
Organic Farms 1,055
Organic Farms 255
Market Value of Products Sold $7,758,884,000
Market Value of Products Sold $1,507,207,000
Dance frompg 5 8:30 a.m.,2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Shot and Bottle at 12:30 and 7 p.m.; The Taproom at 12:30 and 6 p.m.; Thistle Finch Distillery at 1 and 7:15 p.m.; Spring House Brewing Company at 1:15 and 6:45 p.m.; Meduseld Meadery at 6 p.m.; and American Bar & Grill at 9 p.m.
Performances on Friday, March 18, will take place at Meduseld Meadery at 5 p.m., Shot and Bottle at 5:30 p.m., Tellus360 at 6 p.m., Annie Bailey’s at 6:30 p.m., Stubby’s at 7 p.m.; and American Bar & Grill at 8 p.m.
On March 19, performances will be held at Spring House Brewing Company at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Annie Bailey’s at noon and 6 p.m.; Thistle Finch Distillery at noon and 5:30 p.m.; The Taproom at 12:30 and 5 p.m.; Shot and Bottle at 1 and 5:30 p.m.; Tellus360 at 1:30 and 7 p.m.; Yorgos at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Musser Park from 2 to 2:30 p.m.; Stubby’s at 6:30 p.m.; Meduseld Meadery at 7:30 p.m.; and American Bar & Grill at 8:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to help at the seventh annual Lancaster County Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event.
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