Resilience on the vines: A Farm to Table Gala
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BELLEVILLE -- With its scenic backdrop of the rolling countryside dotted with horse-drawn buggies and farms, Brookmere Winery and Vineyard Inn in Belleville played not just host for a legislative tour and Farm to Table Gala organized by the Mifflin County Farm Bureau Women's Leadership and Young Ag Professionals Committees, but served as an educational classroom for agricultural leaders, advocates and elected officials on Aug. 20.
Nineteen years ago, Cheryl and Ed Glick assumed ownership of the winery, one of the oldest in the commonwealth. The Glick's had been longtime dairy farmers in the valley when they purchased the winery.
Their story was shared with members of the Farm Bureau, Rebecca Countess with U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, Lori Comp with state Sen. Judy Ward and special guests Heidi Cooper and Steve Breeding from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The story included pressures currently facing vineyards and the creativity they've utilized to keep their agricultural business growing. Among the issues they have encountered in 2026 alone are the late April freeze that affected the first two buddings on their vines and a tornado that decimated their vines.
The Glicks noted they typically grow approximately 40% of the grapes they need to cover their annual needs. The remainder of what is needed and processed by Brookmere is typically purchased from fellow fruit and grape growers located around the state.
The weather fluctuations will also likely result in a delayed harvest, the Glick's said, which may not now get under way for a month. In spite of the trials and tribulations, the Glick's are counting down the days until the harvest, which is a joyous, fun time with plenty of shared fellowship across the vines.
In addition to weather, the tour highlighted insect pressure, especially the spotted lanternfly, which seems to have a stronger presence in neighboring Juniata County so far this year. Participants heard how the invasive pest can feed on grapevines, weaken plants, and create added management costs for growers already balancing narrow margins and uncertain harvests.
The day's focus on agriculture continued well beyond the wine sampling and tour with a Farm to Table Gala that drew in a crowd of around 60. AFBF Promotion and Engagement Committee Chair Heidi Cooper from Massachusetts and Vice Chair Steve Breeding from Delaware served as keynote speakers, bringing a national perspective to a local celebration of farming, food and rural entrepreneurship.
"Whatever the commodity is, it's important we get off the farm and talk to people," Breeding reminded attendees.
"We are consumers on a daily basis as well as farmers," Cooper added. "I don't know how the coffee gets in my cup in the morning. It's about learning what other farmers do and not demonizing one another."
Breeding and Cooper went on to talk about the three pillars of what promotion and engagement looks like on the national level through communication, collaboration and influence.
"Advocacy means having real conversations, and consumers and farmers can't survive without one another," they said.
The gala meal and décor showcased locally sourced ingredients and products from area growers and businesses.