2012

Penn State Extension announces results from recent project to help aspiring farmers Start Farming. December 2, 2012: With five times as many farmers over 55 than under 35 and more than a thousand farmers planning to retire in Pennsylvania in the next ten years; we need new farmers to feed the world local food. In 2009 Penn State Extension launched the Start Farming Program, responding to the need for new farmers and an overwhelming interest in farm start-up from community members. After three years, thirteen hundred participants in fifty three Penn State Extension Start Farming programs have learned tools for success.
One Method to Manage Risk November 30, 2012: There is an affordable way to guarantee income flow from your farm operation. The key is to be certain your farm has a recognized record keeping system in place. Historical farm performance is the basis for your guarantee.
Sheep Shearing Videos Now Available November 18, 2012: Two new videos are available. One explaining the tools needed to shear sheep and preparing and caring for the shears, and one explaining the six positions to shear a sheep.
Understanding Whole-Farm Insurance for Specialized, Diversified, and Organic Farms November 18, 2012: November 29 webinar will discuss AGR-Lite and other options.
Vegetable Equipment Considerations for New Organic Farmers: Tillage November 18, 2012: Equipment is expensive but often can pay for itself quickly if you get the right piece for your farm. We would like to share a few considerations and tips we have learned through a recent equipment demonstration at the Seed Farm New Farmer Training and Incubator Program in Emmaus, PA as well as from our wonderful farmer neighbors and a few good resources. This is the second of three articles.
Women in Agriculture Conference November 18, 2012: Woman to Woman: Pay it Forward December 7, 2012 State College, PA
Consider Growing Tomatillos for your Market October 26, 2012: Tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa) are in the solanaceae family which includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers.
Penn State Extension fact sheets help new farmers get started October 12, 2012: Beginning farmers who need to enhance their knowledge about organic vegetable production, ecological plant-disease management and soil basics will find useful information in a new series of fact sheets offered by Penn State Extension.
Four New Equipment Videos Available October 12, 2012: The Seed Farm launches four new vegetable equipment how-to videos designed to help vegetable farmers choose appropriate equipment and use new equipment successfully.
Record keeping - OH, MY! October 2, 2012: Farm record keeping is usually not the reason we became farmers. However, there is much value to be had when we establish a system that not only meets our legal obligations, but also allows us to study and explore how we can become what we want to be.
Marketing Tips for Farm Markets from Eagle Point Farm September 17, 2012: Last month Gayle Ganser, co-owner of Eagle Point Farm, shared tips to farm market success from good signage to managing customer flow at a meeting for farm apprentices hosted by the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) in collaboration with Penn State Extension, Start Farming.
Equipment Demonstrations -- The Seed Farm September 16, 2012
Don’t Delay Planting Cover Crops September 5, 2012: Cover crops can help improve soil quality, save manure nitrogen or fix nitrogen for the following crop, supply rescue forage and can lead to improved ground and surface water quality.
Small Farmers: Register Now for Fall, Winter and Spring Online Courses August 23, 2012: Whether you are a seasoned, new, or aspiring farmer, there’s something for you in the 2012-2013 line-up of online courses presented by the Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension. View all 12 courses at http://nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses.
Use Disease Resistant Vegetable Varieties in Your IPM Program August 22, 2012: One of the best management tools in an integrated pest management program is using resistant varieties.
Vegetable Equipment Considerations for New Organic Farmers: Cultivation August 21, 2012: Equipment is expensive. But often it can pay for itself quickly if you get the right piece for your farm. We would like to share a few considerations and tips we have learned through a recent equipment demonstration at The Seed Farm New Farmer Training and Incubator Program in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, as well as from our wonderful farmer neighbors and a few good resources.
Incubator Farm Program Set to Debut in Hillsborough, NJ August 21, 2012: A new program designed to provide a helping hand for beginning farmers is set to debut in the coming year.
Farmer Training Program Accepting Applicants, Emmaus, PA August 21, 2012: The New Farmer Training Program and Agricultural Incubator at The Seed Farm in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, is now accepting applications for the 2013 season.
NOFA - CT Announces Summer/Fall Opportunities August 20, 2012: The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut has a number of workshops coming up for farmers, foodies, landscapers and gardeners. Please visit ctnofa.org for more information and registration. For the Organic Land Care events (the last two) please visit www.organiclandcare.net.
Build Your Business Management Skills with AgBiz Masters August 3, 2012: We’ve all heard that “education doesn’t end in the classroom,” and that statement could not be closer to the truth. We know how important education is and how it can help you land better jobs, increase your income, and reach your goals
Seed Farm Hosts Equipment Field Day August 1, 2012: Ever wish you could try a piece of equipment or a new hand tool before you made the purchase? Participants of the Equipment Field Day held on July 25 at the Seed Farm in Emmaus had an opportunity to do just that!
Get Ready for Cover Crop Seeding July 24, 2012: Cover crops have a host of benefits but there isn’t a single species that does it all. You need to determine what your goal is for your field and select a cover crop species that will do that. Secondly you need to plant it at the appropriate time so it has sufficient time to do what it is supposed to do. Cover crops are just like cash crops, they respond well to moderate to high fertility; a field that has low fertility will have a marginal cover crop growth as well. Fields with a manure history are excellent for cover crops.
PA Farm Link Unveils New Website July 23, 2012: Finding the right farm property can be a daunting task for a beginning farmer. Landowners looking for someone to lease or purchase their property are also looking for the correct person to take over the land. That’s why Pennsylvania Farm Link has unveiled a new website at www.pafarmlink.org that allows people to enter the Farm Link database online.
Cornell Releases New On-Farm Poultry Slaughter Guide July 23, 2012: The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce a new " On-Farm Poultry Slaughter Guide". Designed to complement a hands-on training in how to properly kill and prepare a poultry carcass for sale, this guide focuses on the critical points for producing a product that is safe to eat. While the publication is written for those in New York, much of the information is applicable in Pennsylvania.
Are you watering enough? July 5, 2012: In dry weather like this it is important to irrigate sufficiently if you can. Vegetable crops need an inch to an inch and a half of water per week. So how much is an inch of water? One acre inch of water is 27,154 gallons!
Fall Management for Pastures: Renovate or Restore? July 2, 2012: Late summer and early fall is an excellent time to renovate and restore pastures. Often people think a pasture must be totally renovated or made “new” to be productive, when actually they can use restoration techniques. This article addresses the differences between the two management approaches to ultimately have good productive pastures for animals.
So, you want to keep honey bees? July 2, 2012: Honey bees are in the news almost every week. A condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has drawn attention to honey bees like never before. The public has been reminded of the importance of honey bees in the production of everything from apples and almonds to onions and alfalfa. (It is the onion/alfalfa seed they help with). And, the bee’s plight has struck a sympathetic nerve with many folks. Maybe you’re one of them.
Grazing Basics and Animal Behavior Discussed at First Grazing Roundtable July 2, 2012: Dr. Kathy Soder, animal scientist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service also known as the Pasture Lab located on Penn State’s campus, joined livestock grazers and aspiring grazers from the Lehigh Valley at the first grazers roundtable. Dr. Soder introduced why grazers opt for the low input system, and ways to be more efficient. Overall, grazers succeed by decreasing input and stored feeds, and increasing forage quality.
Pest and Plant Disease Prediction Tools June 27, 2012: Do you know what pests and diseases are a problem in your area? There are several online tools to help you monitor and keep up to date on the proximity and likelihood for pests and plant diseases. If you grow vegetables take a look to make sure you are receiving current information.
Modify your Backpack Sprayer – Better Coverage, Reduced Costs June 27, 2012: If you rely on a backpack sprayer, whether using organic products such as copper or synthetics it is important to choose the right sprayer, calibrate, measure correctly and use the right nozzles. Rutgers has a new set of online videos to help you with this process.
Raising Pastured Pigs – A Video Series for Beginning Farmers June 22, 2012: Kingbird Farm is a diversified organic livestock, storage crop, and herb farm in New York State. Managed by Karma Glos and her husband, the 80 acre farm has about 20 acres of pasture. The couple raises about 300 broilers, 300 laying hens, 50 turkeys, a herd of Scottish Highland cattle producing 5-6 steers per year for freezer beef, 6 horses, and registered Tamworth pigs. Four production videos are available from the Cornell Small Farms Program outlining their farm practices and how they grew their farm to the success it is today.
Beginning Farmer Track at NOFA Summer Conference June 22, 2012: Two keynote speakers; 200+ Workshops; 100+ Exhibitors and Vendors; a Children's Conference, a Teen Conference, Saturday Country Fair, Live Entertainment, Teacup Raffle, an ALL-LOCAL dinner. Stay on campus in the dorms or camp in a tent under the stars.
Colorado Potato Beetles and Cucumber Beetles June 19, 2012: Insects are out in full force. Make sure you are scouting for Colorado Potato beetles in potatoes and eggplant and cucumber beetles in cumbers and squash.
Growing Grapes in the Northeast June 18, 2012: Forty aspiring grape growers filled the room at this week’s intensive new grape grower workshop. Read on for tips and start-up realities from Penn State Extension’s Mark Chien and Texas Agrilife Extension’s Fritz Westover.
Are you registered for the 2012 Ag Census? Make sure your voice is heard! June 14, 2012: July 1 is the sign-up deadline for farms to voluntarily register. This is very important to get farms included that were not the 2007 survey.
Why Benchmark? June 12, 2012: Do you ever wonder what your peers are doing better than you? Are they controlling their input costs better than you? Do they have greater outputs per unit? How do their gross margins compare?
Start Scouting your Potato Fields June 3, 2012: During recent visits to area potato fields I am starting to see leaf hoppers, Colorado potato beetles and flea beetles. The wet weather has also created favorable conditions for early and late blight. If you have not started already, it is time for at least weekly walks of your potato fields. Here are some things to look for.
PA Farm Egg Quality Assurance Training and Study Participation June 1, 2012: An Egg Safety and Quality Assurance Training is being offered in Lancaster County on Thursday, June 7 to educate egg producers on the new "Egg Safety Rule" requirements the FDA is implementing on July 9, 2012 for producers with more than 3,000 laying hens. Small egg producers are also encouraged to attend. Also, small (less than 3,000 hens) and medium (3,000 - 50,000 hens) farms are encouraged to participate in a USDA study which will identify Salmonella risk factors on farms.
Farm Hack – A Community for Farm Innovation May 30, 2012: For centuries, farmers have been developing innovative ways to solve problems or inconveniences within their operations. Farm Hack is an opportunity to put inventive minds to work providing sustainable solutions to on-farm problems.
Bean Leaf Beetle is Active May 29, 2012: One of our new vegetable growers brought this insect to the Lehigh County Extension office this week. A large population of adult beetles ate about 50 % or more of the foliage of his young blue lake green beans. This is the first year the field has been in vegetable production; previously it was a hay field.
Small Scale Poultry Production Class Success in Lehigh Valley May 10, 2012: Whether it’s a few backyard chickens for eggs or raising meat birds for profit on your farm, interest in raising poultry continues to grow in popularity. To help folks understand what it takes to raise healthy and productive birds, Penn State Extension’s Start Farming program offers an intensive four week course in small scale poultry production
Courses in Farming Practices Draw Crowds May 8, 2012: Check out this news clip to learn more about our Exploring the Small Farm Dream course offered through the Start Farming program!
Beat the June 30 Deadline for 2012 NRCS Financial Assistance Initiatives May 4, 2012: The On-Farm Energy, Organic and Seasonal High Tunnel initiatives are available in all 50 states, the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Basin. Also, the Air Quality Initiative is available in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (as well as other Western States).
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) Encourages a New Generation of Farmers May 4, 2012: Hillsborough, N.J. - A new program designed to provide a helping hand for beginning farmers is set to debut in the coming year. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) is launching an incubator farm on Duke Farms in Hillsborough that will create a network of solutions to a complex issue – too few beginning farmers and not enough access to farmland. The goal is to once again make small-scale farming a viable profession in New Jersey.
Resources on Land, Capital and Equipment from Breaking the Barriers May 1, 2012: Twenty six aspiring and beginning farmers gathered in West Chester on Saturday, April 21 for the Breaking the Barriers: Access to Land, Capital, and Equipment workshop co-presented by Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania Farm Link. Our gracious presenters shared their presentations for those who were not able to attend the workshop.
Farm Lease Connection: A New Kind of Online Relationship May 1, 2012: PASA's Land Leasing Program Debuts New Website - Reprinted with permission from the PASA Passages Newsletter Number 95, March/April 2012 Edition. By Ann McGinnis, Eastern Region Program Assistant
Row Cover to Speed up Spring Vegetable Growth May 1, 2012: Row cover, a spun fabric-like material can be used to protect from the frost, and keep bugs out. It also speeds up spring plant growth.
Agricultural Incubators Provide Access to Land, Equipment, Infrastructure for Farm Start-Up April 26, 2012: At a recent Breaking the Barriers: Access to Land, Equipment and Capital workshop sponsored by Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania Farm Link, Good Work Farm owners Sarah Edmonds and Anton Shannon described how The Seed Farm, an agricultural business incubator in Lehigh County, has helped them start their new farm business.
Prepare for Earlier Hay Harvest this Year April 26, 2012: The above normal temperatures this spring has sped up the maturity of the hay fields. Unfortunately the dry weather has stressed them as well and limited their height. Although the crop appears short and not near harvest stage, some forage species are nearing heading, we are beginning to see heads emerge from orchard grass as of April 24th. Alfalfa is also approaching bud stage, which is an indicator of mowing to achieve the best quality forage.
Spring has sprung! What have my customers brung? April 18, 2012: Favorable weather and anxious customers spurs many growers into fevered efforts at production. It may be worth some of our time to keep a sharp focus on our marketing challenges, also. Remember, the customer may not always be right - but they are the customer.
Calling farm apprentices! New Farmer Training Network April 17, 2012: In the tradition of SAITA in PA, and CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) programs throughout the US, Greener Partners is excited to announce the creation of the new Tri-State CRAFT chapter. Tri-State CRAFT offers a vibrant mentor network of established farmers dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities for apprentices and new farmers in our region.
The Community Supported Farm April 13, 2012: Beginning and experienced farmers alike are becoming more and more creative in the ways they finance their farms. Many farmers throughout New England are engaging their family, friends, and neighbors to support their local food source through community supported farms. Capital acquired through these agreements can be used for needed land and equipment purchases or everyday farm expenses which may not otherwise be possible.
Farmland ConneCTions Outlines Farm Lease Options April 13, 2012: Acquiring land is one of the top three barriers for beginning farmers. Leasing may be the best option for farmers looking to expand their operation and do not have the capital to purchase land.
Encouraging Beneficial Insects on Your Farm April 11, 2012: Beneficial insects do a lot of pest management naturally, with little help from us. Many people are interested in having populations of beneficial insects inhabit their fields, high tunnels and greenhouses.
Grazing School Helps Landowners Make Decisions, Transition to Grass-Based Systems April 6, 2012: Fifteen participants from Southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey attended the three-class workshop on grazing in Berks County. The program, which helps farmers transition their farm to a grazing operation, has been offered in Berks County since the early 1990s.
Do your transplants have enough fertility? April 1, 2012: A good potting media holds water, has plenty of space for air and has enough nutrients for transplants to develop. If your transplants are not taking off they might not have enough nutrients.
Food Entrepreneurs Gain Business Insight at Lehigh University Workshop March 30, 2012: Ever dream about taking that prized family recipe and selling the finished product for a profit? Like the idea of owning your own food business – creating your own schedule and working hard creating something you enjoy?
Want to Raise Livestock? Only Do It If You Love It! March 20, 2012: Just starting in the new “Extension Educator for Start Farming” role, I knew I had to go out and talk with some farmers I will serve in Southeastern PA. Why do they farm? What keeps them going, and what advice would they give to beginning or diversifying farmers? 14 farms later, I received a “glimpse” into the motivations, successes and daily challenges beginning farmers face when making their farm dream their farm life.
Did You Plow Yet? March 20, 2012: How many times have you heard that from friends and neighbors this spring? I think to myself, “Do I really want to explain what no-till is and how we don’t plow anymore?” I usually say something like, “we don’t do tillage. We plant our crops in the corn stalks or cover crop from the previous year.”
Know the Cost Per Pound of Nutrients in Organic Fertilizers March 14, 2012: A recent article by Vernon Grubinger, Vermont Extension, made me think to remind folks to price compare their organic nutrients. Below are a couple of thoughts from Dr. Grubinger and some of price per pound comparisons from sources I know of locally. There are many more sources out there. The point is -- Price it Out!
Taking a Good Soil Sample this Spring March 14, 2012: I had the benefit of hearing Dr. Doug Beegle from Penn State speak recently about soil testing and interpretation at the Mid Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference. If you did not take a soil test last fall and are gearing up to test this spring, you might be interested in the following tips.
A Four-Step Plan to Marketing March 13, 2012: At the core of any successful business is a solid marketing plan. This holds true for any agriculture business, from a traditional cash grain operation to a small-scale produce operation, and everything in between. While the specific strategies of farms may be significantly different - some direct marketing to consumers and others selling a commodity product - all producers need to understand how sound marketing decisions are made. Below is a basic four-step plan that is applicable to any farm business:
Intro to Soils a Big Success in Berks County March 8, 2012: For the third year in a row the Penn State Extension Start Farming Team filled the Intro to Soils workshop to capacity. For three evenings in February, beginning farmers got their hands dirty and were eager to learn about soil management.
3 Tips for Getting Financing February 28, 2012: We’ve heard more than once that it’s impossible to start farming now—even if you can find a great property, you won’t be able to find a lender who wants to talk to you. That is just not true. Not if you have done your homework.
Two designs for low cost “hot beds” for small scale transplant production February 24, 2012: For small scale vegetable growers just getting started, these two hot bed systems are a step up from growing under lights or in your kitchen window without all the costs of heating an entire greenhouse. Hot beds provide enough bottom heat to transplants enhancing germination, stimulating root growth and keeping transplants above freezing on cold nights. I have been using both systems for three years and thought I would share some pluses and minuses as well as step-by-step instructions on how to build them.
Access to Land, Capital, Equipment Barriers to Farm Entry February 24, 2012: TJ Costa and Chris Henwood Costa knew they wanted to expand their vegetable farm to include a CSA (community supported agriculture) and an educational program for youth, they knew they needed more land. The couple shared their personal story during a breakout session at the annual Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) conference held in State College February 1-4.
Land Contract Program Supports Land Owners Selling to New Farmers February 13, 2012: Did you know the USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers a land contract program? This program provides an incentive to land owners who plan to sell their farm to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer. A land contract is a tool which can be used in transferring land to the next generation farmer as well.
Organic Insecticides February 8, 2012: In late January I was fortunate enough to hear Dr. Galen Dively of the University of Maryland give an overview of organic insecticides at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s Conference. Did you miss it? I’ll try to provide a recap.
In Market February 8, 2012: In my great-grandfather’s diary of his farming activities, you will find entries for most Saturdays that say “In market”. One can imagine what it took in the late 1800’s to get ready to be “in market”. It might be a bit easier to get to market today but anyone who sells at a four-hour-once-a-week farmer’s market can tell you, the preparation takes much longer. Winter is usually the time for planning the growing season. But, as we all know, growing it means we also need to sell it so winter is also a good time for planning for our market season.
Customer Service: Are we where our customers want us to be? January 30, 2012: The choices most consumers face for their food and fiber purchasing are many. Why do they shop with us? I expect they are comfortable with our brand of customer service delivery. However, we have some time yet before spring work to consider how we might best enhance the buying experience for our current and future customers.
Organic Tranpslant Production Time January 18, 2012: Onion seeding is just around the corner. If you are a new organic grower there are a lot of things to consider. As you plan for success in 2012 here are a few things to consider for healthy transplants.
Cornell Spring 2012 Online Courses for Beginning Farmers Open for Registration! January 18, 2012: If you can't make it to in-person courses or want to compliment your hands on experience Cornell online courses may be a great option for you.
Funding Opportunities: Conservation Innovation Grants – Pre-proposal due January 31, 2012 January 18, 2012: The Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering Conservation Innovation Grants to stimulate development and implementation of innovative conservation technologies.
Funding Opportunity: Conservation Stewardship Program – Due January 27, 2012 January 18, 2012: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers for implementing and maintaining high standards of resource conservation and environmental stewardship.
Potato Seed will cost more and is in short supply for 2012 January 10, 2012: Farmers who have not yet ordered their certified potato seed for 2012 might be in for a surprise. Wet soils from excessive rain and flooding impacted the availability of high quality potato seed for the 2012 growing season. Most of the certified potato seed used in Pennsylvania is grown and certified in Maine or New York.

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