Secord Profile

Dear Friend,

Between now and September 9th we're profiling the eleven amazing women from Northeastern PA who we're celebrating this year with our Seventh Annual Women in Conservation Awards. Today is our tenth inspiring profile.

WIC is only 14 days away - buy your tickets now!

Meet Heidi Secord,
Woman of Lifetime Achievement in Conservation

Heidi Secord owns and operates the 48-acre Josie Porter Farm with her husband Gary Bloss in Northeastern PA in Monroe County. The Farm’s mission is to connect people to the earth through agriculture, education and community. The farm grows natural, chemical free vegetables on 6 acres and practices Biodynamic growing methods. The farm has grown from 45 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares in 2007 to 180 CSA shares today. Josie Porter Farm is a farmer led community-based food hub that supports other local and regional farmers and provides fresh, local and chemical free produce to the community through their farm stand and CSA program. They believe that everyone should have access to healthy and nutritionally dense food and accepts EBT (Food stamps) for both CSA and farm stand purchases.

Secord has over 26 years of farming and regenerative agriculture experience and a degree in Business Management from the University of Rhode Island. After University, she joined the Peace Corps and served for 3 years in Mali, West Africa working with subsistence farmers and women’s cooperatives. From her Peace Corps experience, Secord developed a deep passion and has become a strong advocate for food and social justice issues. As if farming is not enough, she also serves as the State President for the Pennsylvania Farmers Union, advocating on the State and National level for Pennsylvania’s Independent and Family Farmers. As State President she sits on the National Farmers Union Board of Directors. She is actively engaged in agricultural policy committee work with All Together Now, an organization led by community organizer and restauranteur Judy Wicks. This year Secord took on another leadership role and will serve as a Farmer member on the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, a Governor appointed position.

Secord has represented Oxfam America as a “Sister on the Planet”; represented farmers through interviews and press events at Farm Aid concerts; served on the board of PASA Sustainable Agriculture, the steering committee of PA Women in Agriculture Network, and a farmer board member of the Monroe County Conservation District.

Congratulations, Heidi!

A complete list of all 2021 honorees is available here.

Tickets for the WIC event are on sale now!

PennFuture's 2021 Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards

Thursday, Sept. 9th, 2021 - 6pm

Purchase Your WIC Ticket Today

This will be a virtual/live hybrid online event. Your ticket gives you access to the live Zoom broadcast of the award ceremony!

TICKET OPTIONS
ALL TICKETS INCLUDE A PENNFUTURE
"GO OUT AND EXPLORE" SWAG BAG!

$40 Login Ticket for Zoom Access:
Includes a PennFuture "Go Out and Explore" Swag Bag with: a PennFuture Cotton Draw String Bag, a PennFuture Cooling Bandana, a PennFuture Cranberry Walnut Trail Mix, and a "Tick Twister" mailed to you. Ticket also includes a $25 donation to PennFuture, which makes you a member of PennFuture!

$65 Login Ticket + Honor Your Favorite Nominee!!
Pick one of the 11 Women to make a special donation in their name. You'll be recognized for this special gift during the event! Includes Login Ticket, PennFuture Swag Bag, and a $50 donation to honor the woman of your choice! This also makes you a member of PennFuture!

NOTE: With either ticket you get one Zoom Login which can not be shared. However, you are welcome to have a gathering with your family and friends to watch the event from your home. Sorry that we can't supply the food or beverages we normally would for an event like this, but you are welcome to bring your own! It is a "Celebration" after all!

Can't make it on the 9th? No problem! A recording of the event will be made available to all ticket holders. You can also purchase a ticket as a "gift" for a friend - just let us know who you want to invite!

WIC Tickets Available Here!

Special Opportunity for Small Businesses & Organizations:
Be an Award Sponsor!
Eleven Award Sponsorships are available:
one for each woman - for only $150 each.
In addition to a Login Ticket and the PennFuture Swag Bag, we'll include your logo in all future promotional materials as well as provide special recognition during the event.

If you would like information about being an Award Sponsor, please contact Susanne Whitehead at whitehead@pennfuture.org.