Upcoming Events

This listing of events provides advance notice of Penn State educational programs for the Green Industry in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Five webinars at the Berks County Agricultural Center for your viewing and convenience in obtaining pesticide credits.

Learn how soils work. Gain soil test interpretation skills. Learn management practices to address issues identified in your soil test and build soil health. Who Should Attend: New and aspiring farmers who wish to delve into the relationship between soil properties and crop productivity and new farmers who wish to develop a plan to optimize their soil management. February 8, 15, 29, 2012

with Rich Hawk and Penn State Master Gardeners of Berks County

You are invited to participate in the 4-H Day with the Lady Lions on Sunday, February 26, 2012. The Lady Lions will be hosting the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Time 2pm

Designed for dairy producers and their dairy employees and milkers.

This course addresses production management issues that are typical for traditional crop and livestock producers. The course has an intense focus on production planning. Successful completion of this course meets the production training requirements for Farm Service Agency borrowers.

Join some of the world’s leading bioenergy scientists and researchers as we explore the emerging discoveries and new trends that are likely to shape the bioeconomy in the coming years. The emerging Short Rotation Woody Crops and Perennial Grasses bioenergy sector will be the focus of this one-day event, and attendees will have opportunities to interact with students and professors in a wide range of relevant subjects.

An education opportunity for dairy producers and their employees

Join us for a series of informal conference calls to hear researchers share information and to discuss strategies for improving your dairy farm profits from the comfort and convenience of your home or office.

Objectives: To give prospective and beginning small-scale meat and egg producers a general understanding of what it takes to have poultry. Who should attend? New poultry owners, aspiring poultry owners, or those interested in exploring a new venture. Also, those interested in producing food for your family or for income from your property.

2 core and 2 category (10, 18, 23, private) pesticide credits for this class. See the brochure for location details, registration information and cost.

Objectives of this program are: to help producers develop comprehensive grazing plans for their own farms; and to promote pasture management as a tool for achieving high-forage quality and yields, and profitable milk and animal production. Who should attend? Dairy and livestock producers who are developing or considering a grazing system.

Designed for dairy producers and their dairy employees and milkers.

4-H Camp Shehaqua Counselor Training

The 2012 Woodland Owners Conference will provide information to woodland owners to learn about and gain practical skills they can use in caring for their woodlots. Topics for this year’s conference include: Wildlife Habitat Improvement: Providing Cover, Small Woodlot Forestry, Communicating With Neighboring Woodland Owners to Accomplish Objectives, Mitigating Creek Damage: Steps to Stay Out of Trouble, and Forest Health Update 2012

Welcome to the 2012 Professional Pest Manager’s School. With 30 category and 10 core credit offerings, we believe the school will help you keep up with changes in regulations and product information. Credit for MD applicators is being sought.

The Strawberry / Bramble School 2012 covers everything you wanted to know about strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry production in one intensive day. The school features growers who will share their experiences in plasticulture and day-neutral strawberry production.

This eight-part webinar course is designed to create a foundation of beekeeping knowledge in order to confidently help beginners manage honeybees.

2 core and 2 category (10, 18, 23, private) pesticide credits for this class. See the brochure for location details, registration information and cost.

Pruning requires some good basic instruction and practice. . Every vine is different, and you need to know how to shape and mold each vine to its ideal form. That presumes you understand what that form should be. While vines are very forgiving, over time, if pruned incorrectly, their shape can be lost and they will become more disease prone and less productive. In high quality viticulture, it may be the single most important thing you do in your vineyard during the year. We will focus on balanced pruning as a technique to achieve vine balance and a properly regulated crop yield.

Designed for dairy producers and their dairy employees and milkers.

Living On A Few Acres is an introduction to small-scale agricultural production for those considering starting a business in farming. Penn State Extension experts provide instruction in fruit, vegetable and meat production.

Living On A Few Acres is an introduction to small-scale agricultural production for those considering starting a business in farming. Penn State Extension experts provide instruction in fruit, vegetable and meat production.

Today, homeowners and agencies understand the best tree care comes from trained and knowledgeable arborists. The green industry has responded to this demand for trained professionals by creating certification programs. Presently the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certifies thousands of arborists and Landscape & Nurserymen Associations certify horticulturalists. These numbers grow each year.

Join us for a series of informal conference calls to hear researchers share information and to discuss strategies for improving your dairy farm profits from the comfort and convenience of your home or office.

This workshop gives participants the information they need to start a small food-based business, including finding the contacts and resources needed to make their business dream a reality.

Pesticide Credits: 2 Core & 2 Category 1

Living On A Few Acres is an introduction to small-scale agricultural production for those considering starting a farming business. Penn State Extension educators provide instruction in fruit, vegetable and meat production.

Join us for a series of informal conference calls to hear researchers share information and to discuss strategies for improving your dairy farm profits from the comfort and convenience of your home or office.

The Penn State Extension Crop Management Team is holding an online webinar series focusing on pest management principles and practices. Each one-hour webinar in the series will cover two topics and offer 1 core pesticide recertificaiton credit and 1 category credit. The webinar series will be held each Monday, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., starting March 19 through April 9.

Central Susquehanna Turf & Ornamental is being provided to promote horticultural improvement, professionalism, and camaraderie in Central Pennsylvania. It is hoped that this conference is just one small step in encouraging the further study of horticulture, arboriculture, and turf science within the industry.

Bioenergy is arguably the premier renewable, sustainable energy source in the world today. However, concerns about air quality from biomass and biofuels emissions makes this a controversial subject, especially for densely populated areas. How much is known about bioenergy emissions and their health impacts? Join us for this one day short course as experts discuss the current status of the science, and its implications for policy and economic development.

Penn State Crop Management Team will provide a training session that is designed for entry level scouts (i.e., non-CCAs with limited or no crop scouting experience, or as a refresher) who will be working for crop consultants, industry agronomists, or ag service providers throughout Pennsylvania or neighboring states. This school will provide crop scouts with an overview of the fundamentals necessary for scouting in corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and small grains. Some sessions will be hands-on. Each participant receives an Agronomy Scout handbook and a magnifying hand lens.

Dates and locations for county HHW collection programs are listed.

The National 4-H Conference is the premier youth development event for youth 4-H members (15-19 yrs.) who are actively engaged in 4-H programs across the U.S. and its territories. March 24-29, 2012

Operation: Military Kids will be holding its 4th Annual Family Fun Fair in recognition of April’s Month of the Military Child. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, March 25th at Penn State’s Snider Ag. Arena. Event time is 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. This free event is a kick-off celebration in recognition of April’s Month of the Military Child and is open to military families and the general public. We are inviting community organizations to be a part of this celebration. Last year we had over 400 people attend and hope to have number grow even higher this year!

This one-day workshop is designed specifically (but not exclusively) for smaller landscapes. These small lots are a big deal, for the vast majority of Pennsylvania’s landowners have less than 10 acres. This land, wooded or not, can provide benefits.

This one-day workshop is designed specifically (but not exclusively) for smaller landscapes. These small lots are a big deal, for the vast majority of Pennsylvania’s landowners have less than 10 acres. This land, wooded or not, can provide benefits.

Pennsylvania Pork Producer Skillathon Contest Lebanon Expo Center 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon PA 17042 Saturday, April 7, 2012

This course is designed to help participants answer the question “Is starting an agricultural business right for me?”

This course is designed to help participants answer the question “Is starting an agricultural business right for me?”

How toos of production for new and aspiring organic vegetable farmers.

Where Gardeners Gather is a day of gardening inspiration, learning from top regional gardening experts, and an opportunity to meet with fellow gardeners. The day is hosted by the Master Gardeners of Delaware County at the Penn State Great Valley Campus in Malvern, PA. In addition to learning, there is great shopping at the Marketplace for plants, shrubs, special favorites of our speakers, as well as objects d’art for your garden.

A "Field Day" for learning and fun on Saturday, April 21, 2012, (9:30 AM - 3:00 PM) at Rock Springs (Ag Progress Days Site) near Penn State. This state event is open to all 4-H'ers (ages 7 -18) interested in or currently taking 4-H wildlife or forestry projects. 4-H adult volunteers and parents are also welcome to attend. Three program options offered concurrently at the event.

4-H Capital Days is a program designed to educate youth about the political process and enhance their citizenship and leadership skills.

The idea for the County Council Awards program was conceived in 2006 by the 4-H State Council. In an effort to get Pennsylvania counties involved and persuade more of them to develop or enhance existing county programs, it was decided that there would be cash prizes awarded to the top three County Councils. Awards would be given based on standards set by state level faculty and staff in leadership development with 3rd place receiving $200.00, 2nd place receiving $300.00 and 1st place receiving $500.00. County Councils provide cohesion on the county level among the clubs and offer strong programming for the teen youth on all levels of the leadership ladder.

This day-long course is designed for retail farm and farmers' market employees, and provides basic knowledge in the science of produce and the art of produce marketing.

This is your opportunity to learn aspects of natural resource management by using tools such as the PMPC and local ordinances. Ask the experts your burning questions!

This annual event, held on the University Park campus, provides an opportunity for Pennsylvania 4-H'ers to demonstrate knowledge they've gained through participation in the 4-H program. (For 4-H members, ages 13-18)

SAVE the DATE Join with other 4-H Volunteers in your community to learn cutting edge information that will help you work with your 4-H members. Session topics include Dealing with Difficult People/Conflict Resolution, Behavior Management in Positive Youth Development Settings, and Working with Multi-Aged Youth in Club Settings. More information about the location and additional details will be announced soon! Stay current by liking the Facebook page - 2012 Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer e-Forum. Part of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents

SAVE the DATE Join with other 4-H Volunteers in your community to learn cutting edge information that will help you work with your 4-H members. Session topics include Dealing with Difficult People/Conflict Resolution, Behavior Management in Positive Youth Development Settings, and Working with Multi-Aged Youth in Club Settings. More information about the location and additional details will be announced soon! Stay current by liking the Facebook page - 2012 Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer e-Forum. Part of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents

SAVE the DATE Join with other 4-H Volunteers in your community to learn cutting edge information that will help you work with your 4-H members. Session topics include Dealing with Difficult People/Conflict Resolution, Behavior Management in Positive Youth Development Settings, and Working with Multi-Aged Youth in Club Settings. More information about the location and additional details will be announced soon! Stay current by liking the Facebook page - 2012 Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer e-Forum. Part of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents

Save the Date

The PA 4-H State Leadership Conference provides a state level educational experience for Pennsylvania 4-H members that builds and enhances skills used throughout their 4-H careers and beyond.