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Extension » Cumberland County » News » 2011

2011

Growing Lettuce & Spinach April 19, 2012: Lettuce and spinach are cool-weather crops that can be the first veggies to plant and the first to harvest in the springtime. Here are some tips for growing them in the garden.
Cash Rent With Bonus December 27, 2011: Calls from landowners with questions about land rental rates come to the Extension office quite frequently. As you might expect the pace picks up when crop prices are high and there are rumors about someone in the neighborhood offering to pay abnormally high land rent. In most cases the landowner is happy with their current farmer tenant but since “the rent has been $x for a number of years” they think, “maybe they should be getting more”.
Valuing Pennsylvania’s Forests December 27, 2011: Pennsylvania's nearly 17 million acres of forest provide an array of values including clean air and water, recreation opportunities, wood products and habitat for thousands of plants and animals. On Thursday, January 12th at the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association meeting, Dr. James Finley, Penn State Professor of Forest Resources, will speak on the social, economical and ecological aspects of our forests and the benefits they provide.
Berried Treasures in the Winter Garden December 21, 2011: Winter need not be confined to a dull palette of brown, gray, and dirty white. With some planning, evergreen foliage, bark, stems, seeds, berries, grasses, and even flowers can bring color and life to the fourth season in the garden. So put on your boots and slog through the snow, ice, and cold to find the berried treasures that await in the winter garden.
EXERCISE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS December 16, 2011: Holiday time is a difficult time when it comes to maintaining our weight and preventing that dreaded weight gain. Between the holiday gatherings and home-baked goodies, we really have to work hard to squeeze that exercise and physical activity into our busy days.
Extension Home Study Courses December 16, 2011: Are you looking for more information to help make your livestock enterprise more profitable? Penn State Extension will be offering three Extension Home Study Courses this winter, beginning February 1, 2012. The purpose of the courses is to teach producers about production principles for beef, sheep or meat goats that will help their operations become more profitable.
Growing Houseplants December 8, 2011: As gardeners, we often receive plants or give plants for the holidays. Poinsettias, cyclamen, and Christmas cactus are among the most popular plants given, however, other houseplants are easy to find this time of year. Here are some tips to growing your holiday plants and keeping them alive well after the packages and decorations have been put away.
Christmas Tree Care December 6, 2011: Once you’ve purchased your fresh tree for the holiday season, you need to maintain its freshness. Here are some tips to keep your cut Christmas tree fresh and safe throughout the holidays:
Holiday Eating December 6, 2011: Holiday time is here again. And so are the joys and challenges of healthy holiday eating. When I attend a holiday gathering, I often find myself standing right beside the food table to be close to the goodies. I end up eating more than I need and thus am uncomfortable later in the evening.
Professional Pest Management School November 29, 2011: Welcome to the 2011 Professional Pest Manager’s School. With 40 category and 10 core credit offerings we believe the school will help you keep up with changes in regulations and product information.
Holiday Décor with Boxwood & More November 29, 2011: One of the most enjoyable winter holiday traditions is decorating with fresh greenery. Evergreens, such as cedar, ivy, pine, holly, and boxwood, add a natural look and fresh fragrance to our homes. Traditionally, because evergreens retain their green foliage throughout the cold winter months, they represented life everlasting and the coming renewal of spring.
Holiday Tree Selection November 28, 2011: It’s time to choose the perfect fresh Christmas tree for the holidays. Penn State experts recommend checking the tree carefully before purchasing and taking good care of it after you get it home.
Dry basements November 22, 2011: Suppose you are thinking about buying a house with a basement, how can you tell if it might have water problems?
Pantry Pests November 22, 2011: On occasion, you may find tiny bugs flying or crawling on a windowsill, or small moths fluttering about the house, even in the middle of winter. Where could these insects be coming from?
Cumberland County 4-H Sends Member to National 4-H Congress November 15, 2011: Cumberland County 4-H member, Ben Jackson, will be representing Pennsylvania 4-H at this year’s National 4-H Congress in November in Atlanta, Georgia.
FLOOD, SNOW, FOG.... November 14, 2011: The old mariner was right, “water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” This article is not about headlines or poetry, it is about consequences, a possible consequence of too much water.
Gardening November 9, 2011: Even though it is cold outside and we are still thinking about what we should have gotten done in the yard this fall, let me remind you that in a few months you will be ordering seeds and wishing you had built that cold frame or greenhouse that has been on your to-do list for the past few years.
4-H Achievement Banquet November 7, 2011: The red carpet was rolled out for our annual 4-H Achievement Banquet that was held on Saturday, October 22 at the New Kingstown Fire Hall.
Trial & Idea Garden End-of-Season Report November 7, 2011: This definitely was a summer testing the survival skills of the fittest at the Penn State Master Gardener Trial & Idea Garden, located at the corner of Army Heritage Drive and Claremont Road on the grounds of Claremont Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
2011 Annual Extension Meeting & Banquet November 2, 2011: Please join us for an evening to celebrate our 2011 accomplishments, dinner & fellowship. Registration forms & payment must be received in our office by October 27th.
Bloom to Host Cumberland County Agriculture Summit November 2, 2011: CARLISLE— Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) invites all constituents involved with or interested in the 199th Legislative District’s agricultural community to his first annual Cumberland County Agriculture Summit, which will be held on Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Penn Township Fire Hall, located at 1750 Pine Road, Newville.
Keeping Bacteria Loads on the Farm to a Minimum October 26, 2011: There has been quite a bit written in the news regarding bacterial contamination in our foods. When we read these articles, we are reminded of the fact that we in agriculture play a key part in keeping our food safe.
4-H Lock-In -- Fun for All October 26, 2011: Cumberland County 4-H is preparing for its annual 4-H Overnight Lock-In, scheduled for November 4-5! The Lock-In will be held at Big Spring High School in Newville. Registration Deadline has been extended until October 28th!
Fall Garden Q&A October 21, 2011: Are brown marmorated stink bugs massing outside your home, ready to come inside for the winter? Mike Raupp, the “Bug Guy” at University of Maryland Extension, has created a short video on the best methods of excluding and executing stink bugs. Visit http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/brownstinkbug.cfm and click on the link to his new YouTube video.
Controlling Erosion Damage on Streambanks October 18, 2011: The storms and floods we have experienced this past summer have damaged many properties across Pennsylvania. As a private land owner, your storm damage management should involve a quick assessment to determine the extent of the damage and what management efforts are needed to restore your land.
A Celebration of PA Agriculture and the Diversity of its Farm Products October 17, 2011: Mark your calendars for the 96th Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, an agricultural tradition for all generations. A ten day event held from January 7 through the 17th, 2012, this Farm Show will not disappoint.
Fall Forage Planning October 13, 2011: There is an outstanding farm organization that anyone who grows or feeds forages should belong to and that is the PA Forage and Grassland Council.
Changing Thoughts on Turf Grass October 13, 2011: Want to reduce mowing? Try planting one of our native grasses in a small area of your yard and see how you like it!
Garden at Carlisle facility gets a facelift October 4, 2011: For Master Gardeners in Cumberland County, especially those in the current class at Penn State Ag Extension, the idea of dull, boring gardens with nothing to look at in the winter was untenable.
Woolly Bears On the Move September 30, 2011: “Brown and furry, caterpillar in a hurry….” Why does the woolly bear cross the road? To get to the other side! Woolly bear caterpillars are a familiar and friendly sight in autumn, as they cross roads and sidewalks on sunny days, searching for that perfect spot under bark or in a log or rock cavity to hibernate for winter.
Time to get ready to plant garlic & shallots September 27, 2011: The summer growing season is rapidly winding down, so it’s time to begin planning for the 2012 garlic & shallot crop. The best time to plant garlic and shallots is mid-October throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic region.
Free Farm Tours September 27, 2011: Come and see three farms. One dairy, one teaching, and one beef farm are inviting you to visit.
Fall Foliage Season September 22, 2011: Autumn is a favorite time of year for many who enjoy the blaze of bright foliage against the backdrop of crisp blue skies. The eastern United States is one of the best places in the world for autumn color. But do you know why this region is prime fall foliage territory?
Grafting and Propagation of Fruit Trees September 22, 2011: Home tree fruit production can be a rewarding venture. Since most fruit trees do not come true from seed, vegetative propagation by either grafting or budding methods are used. Knowing which methods of propagation to use with which plant is what makes it all work.
StrongWomen Strength Training Program Offered! September 13, 2011: Saint Katharine Drexel Parish in Mechanicsburg and Penn State Cooperative Extension will be teaming up to offer the StrongWomen Program this fall. This is an eight week program geared for middle-aged to older women and is based upon years of research on how strength training and proper nutrition can improve the health of women of all ages.
StrongWomen Strength Training Program Offered! September 13, 2011: Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg and Penn State Cooperative Extension will be teaming up to offer the StrongWomen Program this fall. This is a six week program geared for middle-aged to older women and is based upon years of research on how strength training and proper nutrition improve the health of women of all ages.
Cumberland County 4-H Members Attend Pennsylvania 4-H State Achievement Days September 6, 2011: UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- More than 675 teenagers from across Pennsylvania participated in competitive events and community service at the annual 4-H State Achievement Days held recently at Penn State's University Park campus.
Fall Gardens September 6, 2011: Fall is right around the corner, and many plants will come to life through fall color. Fall is the second best time to plant, so why not design a fall garden? Many garden centers will receive fresh stock in the fall months of the year, so you’ll have a great selection to choose from. Consider mixing plants that have fall interest with the plants that you enjoy in the spring and summer. Here are some native plants you may want to try.
Some Ideas for Fall Planning and No Tilling Next Spring August 30, 2011: If you have been no tilling for some time here are some considerations that may improve your no till system. Starting right in the fall as harvest comes into view might mean better jump on next seasons crop.
Taking Stock in the Garden August 30, 2011: A Love - Hate Relationship
The Way I See it: A Student’s Take on the Broadband Issue August 26, 2011: As a college student I spend a significant number of my waking hours online. You might be thinking that all my peers and I are capable doing online is browsing Facebook and other social networking sites. But you’d be wrong. Yes, social networking is a part of my life, but Internet use plays a significant role in my work environment and my life as a Penn State student as well.
Keeping Farms and Farmers Safe August 23, 2011: LOCAL 4-H CLUBS COMPETE AT AG PROGRESS DAYS QUIZ BOWL
StrongWomen Strength Training Program Offered! August 16, 2011: The Third Street Gallery in New Cumberland and Penn State Cooperative Extension will be teaming up to offer the StrongWomen Program this fall.
Fall Vegetable Gardening August 15, 2011: Come the dog days of August, the vegetable garden may resemble a bedraggled mutt. The lettuce bolted weeks ago, the peas are finished, the potatoes are dying down, and the weeds may be flourishing like fleas on a dog. Your gardening spirit may be equally flagging; what’s a gardener to do?
Food for Profit August 15, 2011: Have you ever been told that your favorite homemade bread, or salsa, is “good enough to sell?” Do you have additional fruit or vegetables from your farm or home garden that you would like to make into a commercial product?
Rosemarie Peiffer 4-H Scholarship Awarded to Cumberland County 4-H Member August 9, 2011: Carlisle, PA – The Cumberland County Extension Board of Directors awarded the 2011 Rosemarie Peiffer 4-H Scholarship to Hannah Jackson at their August 2, 2011 meeting.
Penn State Extension Launches Mobile App to Connect Consumers to Farms August 9, 2011: Penn State Extension - Lehigh County has released the Farm Fresh mobile app that makes it easy for Pennsylvanians to find the abundant local food sources that surround them.
What’s Fair About Taxes? August 3, 2011: Of all the issues in local government, taxation is the most controversial – and often the least well understood.
Summer Good, Summer Bad July 29, 2011: Summer may bring bountiful harvests of beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other produce, but it also brings its share of problems for the home vegetable gardener. The problems are not new, but a very wet spring followed by hot and droughty summer weather has presented some new challenges in the home garden this growing season.
Killer Comeback July 28, 2011: Cicada killer wasps, also called giant cicada killers or sand hornets, are back.
Dealing with Raccoons July 26, 2011: Have you noticed partially eaten ears of sweet corn with the husks pulled back in your garden this year? Have you heard the sound of banging garbage can lids in the middle of the night?
Cumberland Ag Expo July 21, 2011: We invite you to come out and support the activity this year. We have reduced the exhibits because of the reduction in state funding. Our pockets are not deep enough to continue the Expo as in the past. We will host the Hershey’s baking contest, the Angel food contest and the Apple pie contest. The winners will qualify for the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show. We will also accept donations for the bake sale. Please attend to enjoy the food and fellowship. Help in our fund raising effort so that we can support all the exhibits again. Visit our schedule page. See you there!
2011 Photo Contest July 18, 2011: Penn State Extension of Cumberland County is sponsoring its first-ever Photo Contest. The photo contest is open to any non-professional Cumberland County resident.
Wineberries July 15, 2011: People sometimes bring berries or plants that they have found growing out in the wild into the Extension office. What is it, and is it edible, are the questions I am asked.
After all that Rain, How can it be Dry? July 11, 2011: Remember earlier this spring when you weren’t dressed until your umbrella was in hand? Now you almost need earplugs to quiet the noise of crunching grass. How long does it take to move from flood to drought anyway?
Protecting Your Farm from Theft July 7, 2011: Recently a farmer in Dauphin County commented that he had an unfortunate experience where a chain saw, a toolbox and some other equipment “disappeared” from his shop area. Regrettably theft from farmsteads is a real threat.
Nature’s Quiet Fireworks June 30, 2011: Fourth of July fireworks are spectacular…and loud…but nature produces a quiet summer spectacle of its own in the light show of fireflies. Poet James Whitcomb Riley described fireflies as “golden seeds…sown about the night,” and Robert Frost wrote “here come real stars to fill the upper skies, and here on earth come emulating flies.”
Marcellus Shale Natural Gas: What the ‘Gold Rush’ Means for Us June 27, 2011: The Marcellus Shale natural gas boom that is affecting so much of Pennsylvania isn’t coming to our area. You won’t see well-drilling rigs or tanker trucks full of water on our highways, or pick-up trucks with Texas and Oklahoma license plates in our parking lots. Why not? There’s no Marcellus in south-central and southeast Pennsylvania. And who is Marcellus, anyway? Marcellus is the name of a geologic formation – shale that underlies a good portion of northern and western PA and that is full of natural gas.
"Gimme a Bee” – Celebrate National Pollinator Week June 17, 2011: This week, June 20 to 26, marks National Pollinator Week for 2011. (Visit http://www.pollinator.org for more information.)
Some Like it Hot, but Saving Energy is Cool This Summer June 14, 2011: A couple of months ago, I visited a local fruit grower’s operation with some colleagues to conduct an energy efficiency assessment. The grower pointed out numerous changes he made to cold storage facilities, greenhouses and buildings to make them more energy efficient. Many local farmers are very aware of energy costs because they cut into their bottom line. As residential consumers, some of us are less aware of how our energy is being used.
Roses: The Queen of Flowers June 13, 2011: Roses have a reputation as fussy divas in the garden, but that all depends on what kind of rose you’re talking about.
Community Strength Training Program for Women! May 31, 2011: Penn State Cooperative Extension will be offering the StrongWomen strength training program in Carlisle in June and July.
StrongWomen Strength Training Program Offered! May 18, 2011: First United Methodist Church and Penn State Cooperative Extension will be teaming up again to offer the StrongWomen Program this summer.
4-H Camp Turns Agricultural Science into Hands-on Fun May 17, 2011: Cumberland County 4-H is gearing up for its annual 4-H Ag Science Day Camp, scheduled for June 28 and 29. The camp is held at local working farms and offers children hands-on activities to discover cows, crops, and more.
Phenology: the Art of Reading Nature & Climate May 17, 2011: Have you ever heard a gardener say to plant peas when the forsythia and daffodils begin to bloom, or to plant beets, potatoes, and carrots when dandelions begin to bloom?
Youth Summer Garden Camp May 10, 2011: Would you like to find out about seeds you eat, try lasagna gardening, pound a flower, create garden art, look for insects, eat pizza, and grow sunflowers and vegetables in your own garden?
Crop Rotation May 3, 2011: “We’ve been raising sweet corn on our lot for three years now. We started out with good harvests, but this year the cornstalks are spindly and not producing well. Plus, we’re seeing more insect damage. What do you think is happening?” The questioners, now in their fourth year of growing the same crop on the same plot, were learning the hard way about the importance of crop rotation.
Basil May 3, 2011: If you are like me, I start gardening at the dinner table. Today I’m thinking of homemade Italian spaghetti sauce, gourmet herbal vinegar, fresh garden salad, and Italian pesto. Why, you may be asking, because I’m getting ready to sow the basil seeds, one of the world’s most delightful herbs.
Insect Pests to Watch Out For In Field Crops in 2011 April 25, 2011: There are always plenty of different kinds of insect pests that will attack field crops in any growing season. Some are seen every year, some seem to come in cycles and every so often a new pest finds its way into our area that we have not been familiar with before.
The Easter Lily April 25, 2011: The pure white flared trumpets of Easter lily flowers are a time-honored symbol of the hope, purity and innocence embodied in the Easter tradition.
4-H County Socks of Love April 15, 2011: Help us show our community that we care. Cumberland County 4-H is conducting a "County Socks For Love" campaign as a Community Project. All donated socks should be new and dropped off at the Cumberland County Extension Office at 310 Allen Road, Carlisle by June 18, 2011. The goal is to have 1000 pairs of socks to distribute to local shelters.
Water Testing & Interpretation April 13, 2011: What purpose does water testing serve? Drinking water standards have been established for public water supplies. These standards were set to protect human health and avoid nuisance problems such as iron staining. Periodic testing by the public supplier insures that the water supply is safe for human use at all times. The only way to insure that a private water supply meets the drinking water standards is to test it. One way of justifying the cost of testing is to compare it with the price of a visit to the doctor. If testing can prevent a doctor’s visit, it will be cost effective not to mention the benefit derived from not getting sick.When water testing is decided upon, what tests should be done? This question can be difficult to answer. There are three basic ways of looking at the question.
The Alphabet Soup of Nutrient Management April 6, 2011: Recently there has been a lot of talk about EPA, the Chesapeake Bay, the TMDL, WIP’s, NMP, etc. How does one really know what is going on? All these terms and acronyms can be confusing. Listing some common acronyms and defining some common terms are the purpose of this article.
New Energy Assistance Resources Available for Agricultural Producers March 30, 2011: Two new energy assistance resources are now available for agricultural producers in Pennsylvania.
Native Plants Tour March 29, 2011: Tour "Spring Haven Nurseries" with explanation of how to protect native plant communities and how to practice responsible landscaping.
Spring Strong Women Class Being Offered February 24, 2011: This is a six week program geared for middle-aged to older women and is based upon years of research on how strength training and proper nutrition improve the health of women of all ages.
Penn State Extension Office offers plans for dairy housing February 3, 2011: Penn State Extension Office offers plans for dairy housing
Plant Fest February 3, 2011: Save the Date!
Cumberland County Strawberry Sale February 3, 2011: Bundles are 25 plants each

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