Start Farming Blog
So you want to grow hay, either to feed animals or sell to the hay market? Hay has the “cool” factor to some people but it is hard work and needs lots of inputs. However, it is an excellent crop for the land, as it protects the soil, traps carbon in the soil, acts as a holder of water to allow percolation into the soil and is a haven for all kinds of wildlife and beneficial organisms.
Late Blight Alert - Yesterday late blight was confirmed on commercial potatoes in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. All potato farmers who have not yet applied a protectant fungicide should apply one now.
Consumer interest in garlic and garlic consumption has grown over the past several decades and it remains strong. Gourmet food interest and healthy diet trends are probably a factor. Regardless of the reason, this presents marketing opportunities for growers.
Would you like to know more about how to improve pasture quality by incorporating rotational grazing systems and mob grazing strategies into your pasture management program? Would you like to learn more about how to identify and manage weeds and toxic plants on your farm? Then don’t miss the Pasture Management Workshops being held in Northampton County in July and August.
Plant, weed, hoe, cultivate, water, plant, fertilize, water. . . .No time to stop and take a close look for pests and diseases? Take a few minutes. It could save your crop.
Considering Sustainable Field Crop Production? Friday’s ‘Triad Field Day’ featured 3 Penn State research projects and showcased an array of sustainable practices.
‘Introduction to Organic Vegetable Production’ students gathered at The Seed Farm this past Saturday to learn common weeds and how to exploit aspects of the weeds’ ecology to manage the weeds organically. Representatives from Green Heron Tools, LLC, explained the body mechanics and ergonomics necessary to get the job done without breaking your back.
When it comes to growing field crops, the “airwaves” are full of myths regarding the right and wrong way to farm the land. If we want to farm for the “long run”, certain principles are key.
20 Beginning farmers learned how to remove greenhouse plastic and many other details of Teena Bailey's passive solar set-up at Red Cat Farm. Wendy Gloffke, Penn State Extension Master Gardener, shares some of the day's highlights in this blog from the Mcall.com.
20 Beginning, diversifying, and prospective farmers learned how to start farming organic vegetables on Saturday May 28 at The Seed Farm in Lehigh County.
The direct-to-consumer farm marketing season is upon us – the potential target audience for our production was identified many months ago, we planned and grew to meet the target audience demands, and now it’s time to actually present our farm products to this buying (hopefully) public and see what happens.
Through a Sheep Shearing School offered by Penn State Extension's Start Farming, 13 people learned to shear sheep at Delaware Valley College in Bucks County.
Do you know what temperature is best for seed germination and maintaining healthy seedlings? I find that these and other tidbits about seed and seedling biology are extremely helpful for growing healthy seedlings in the greenhouse. By now, many of your seedlings are out in the field, but it's a good time to look back over what went right, and what went less than perfect in the greenhouse and make some notes for next year.
Five new beekeepers from this year’s ABCs of Beekeeping and 2 veterans from last year’s session joined long-time beekeeper and Penn State Extension Educator, Scott Guiser, to open his hives and learn what to look for last week at the Penn-Vermont Fruit Farm in Bucks County.
It's shearing season! Mike Fournier, Penn State Extension director in Bucks county, shares some tips for marketing wool on the East Coast.
This material describes some of the features and challenges of the many marketing outlets available to farmers on the east coast.
On Saturday, April 16, 58 aspiring and beginning farmers from Virginia, Maryland, and across Pennsylvania flocked to “Breaking the Barriers”, a full-day Pennsylvania Farm Link and Penn State Extension co-hosted event at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown.
NFU offers a new farmer training program 'to develop and encourage agricultural leaders from all backgrounds.' The application deadline is April 30!
Okay, so you’re thinking about raising livestock for direct-to-consumer sales. You’ve figured out what kind of livestock you want to raise, what kind of infrastructure you will need, soil tested your pastures, the works. One question remains; how much should you charge your customers?
Penn State Extension Educator Mena Hautau shares what you should consider before growing hay, small grains, corn or soybeans.
