Posted:
11/21/2023
| by Tori
Traveling Sustainably to Lancaster County, PA
Lancaster County businesses are doing their part to ensure your visit is great and green.
Getting involved in the Lancaster, PA community
Not only can supporting small sustainable businesses provide you with a way to support the local community, but it also is imperative to sustainable travel.
Lancaster Compost Co-op
Composting can be hard to do if you don't have open green space, such as living in an apartment or in an urban area and Lancaster Composting Co-op recognized this. In April 2021, Lancaster Composting Co-Ops launched a volunteer-led community initiative that enables Lancaster residents to participate in reducing landfill waste by creating high quality compost.
Composting is the act of turning organic materials into dirt! This dirt is nutrient rich which then can be used for plants and crops. Lots of farmers add compost to their soil to help their crops grow by soaking up the nutrients. Composting has many benefits, some of which are rejuvenating soils, reducing climate change, cleaning waterways, creating jobs and fostering a stronger community.
Lancaster Conservancy
Lancaster Conservancy has revived over 10,000 acres of land in Lancaster & York County. They have worked to protect these ecosystems and landscapes which are vital "for food, clean water, clean air, economic and public health, and the restoration of the soul and spirit." Currently the conservancy manages 50 nature preserves and over 70 conservation easements, totaling over 8,000 acres.
Lancaster Farm Sanctuary
Lancaster Farm Sanctuary is on a mission to rescue farmed animals and provide them with a sanctuary; inspiring humans to live with compassion and respect. While not for everyone, reducing or eliminating the amount of animal products that you consume can greatly reduce its impact on our earth. You can read about the farm animals that they have saved and why on their Instagram page.
Lancaster Farmland Trust
Founded in 1988, the goal was to united farmers, plain and not, in preserving our agriculture. Since then, Lancaster Farmland Trust has been able to preserve 565 farms and 34,692 acres of farmland. Today Lancaster Farmland Trust is working towards the preservation and conversation of the agriculture and the water shed in Lancaster County and the Chesapeake Bay, to continue to preserve more farmland and acres.
Community supported agriculture
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a great way to join the sustainable movement because of its reduced carbon footprint. Not only is it reducing your carbon footprint by not having to deliver produce miles away, it is also a great way to connect with your community. And really what’s better than eating fresh produce that was grown right in your backyard, or even a few miles down the street?
Homefield Farms
Homefield Farms is a great example of a CSA farm that also gives those of varying abilities a home. Located on a 19-acre farm, Homefield Farms has welcomed hundreds of people with a disability or other barriers to traditional employment, to engage with their Care Farm which grows organic produce for community shareholders.
Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op
Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op set out with a goal "to support local farms in an industry eclipsed by large agribusiness" and has reached that goal by today working alongside over 100 Farmers. In addition to working with local farmers, Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op also makes sure that these Farmers are giving their small herds and flocks the space and safety to roam free and forge in Lancaster County grasses; as well as being certified USDA Organic.
