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Farm fresh retailers of Dauphin County will have a new way to attract customers this summer. Penn State Extension of Dauphin County is seeking information from agricultural and local food producers who sell direct to the consumer through on-farm and centralized markets, pick-your-own farms, and roadside stands, to create online and print Farm Fresh Directories that will be freely available to the public in July 2013.
Once again, Dauphin County 4-H will converge on the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex for our 4-H Fair. The 4-H Fair will be held July 31, through August 3, 2013.
Penn State Extension of Dauphin County conducts a strength training and nutrition program called Strong Women, Strong Bones in Middle Paxton Township. A free informational session is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at the Dauphin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Building, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin, PA 17018.
The days are getting longer, temperatures warmer, and everything is starting to bloom. Insects and many other creatures are also appearing more frequently as the temperature rises. Often these creatures don’t bother us, but sometimes they can become pests. Use IPM to keep pest problems from getting out of control. Below are some general tips for preventing pests and a few helpful hints to manage some common pests this time of year.
Even though we are well into the lawn mowing season it is worthwhile to review the hazards associated lawn mowers and their safe operation. Each year thousands of injuries are caused by power lawn mowers. Many of these accidents involve children under the age of five years old, and usually result in grotesque injury and/or the loss of fingers, toes, limbs, or eyes.
Save the date of Saturday, May 18, 2013, for great plants at the Penn State Extension Cumberland County Master Gardeners’ Ninth Annual Plant Fest. The plant sale runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, on the grounds of Claremont Nursing & Rehab Center, 1000 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA. Look for the big tents at the corner of Claremont Road and Army Heritage Drive.
Late winter and the promise of spring brings with it the beginning of new growth. That includes bugs and rodents on the farm. Depending on how well you ventilated during the winter, conditions could be right for a bug bloom of epic proportions that may not be seen until you pull manure or litter out of your housing. The method of integrated pest management or IPM can help reduce the impact of the first few weeks of spring and certainly prior to manure movement from the farm.
Save the date of Saturday, May 18, 2013, for great plants at the Penn State Extension Cumberland County Master Gardeners’ Ninth Annual Plant Fest. The plant sale runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, on the grounds of Claremont Nursing & Rehab Center, 1000 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA. Look for the big tents at the corner of Claremont Road and Army Heritage Drive.
The Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network (PA-WAgN) is launching a women farmer mentoring program to connect established farmers with new and beginning farmers, aspiring farmers, and seasoned farmers. The mentor program will encourage women farmers to support each other through shared learning and exchange of experiences in workshops and online forums focused on five topic areas: fruit and vegetable cultivation, dairy and cheese production, urban agriculture and nutrition, on-farm education and value-added products, and livestock production.
Most farmers would probably say no to that question, let alone become excited or optimistic about such a prospect. In fact, the thought of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration paying a visit leaves a lot of farmers with a dreadful sensation in their gut.
Spring is a key time for disease control. This is especially true for many leaf, needle, and flower diseases, regardless of the type of plant involved.
Penn State Master Gardeners in Cumberland County are hosting a workshop for youth on Saturday, May 4, 2013, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon at the Penn State Extension office, 310 Allen Road, Carlisle. At this workshop, youth can make and take home a colorful container of flowers and herbs for Mom on Mother’s Day, which is Sunday, May 12. The Master Gardeners will also help youngsters leaf-print a card to add a special message to Mom and make a decoration to brighten the container.
Penn State Extension is offering its interactive, informative, and low-cost series of classes on diabetes, beginning in late April. “Dining with Diabetes: A Program for Adults with Diabetes and their Families,” is designed to teach those with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes how to manage their condition. The set of 6 classes are offered in a social and interactive setting. A new attraction of the classes is that the series is offered without charge for Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries. For others, the total cost for the first 6 classes is $40.00 for an individual or $55.00 for a family of two. The fee includes all educational materials, lab tests and foods served, with scholarships available, based on financial need.
It is that time of year again when homeowners and farmers are getting ready to plant their gardens or numerous acres of crop land. Even though planting is still a couple of weeks away, it is important to keep in mind that what you do to the soil now could affect your entire growing season. This is why it is important to maintain your soil’s fertility, which is its health or quality.
The American Horticultural Society, in its most recent issue of The American Gardener, warned its members to “beware weedy aquatic plants.” Some introduced aquatic plants, such as crested floating heart, have become highly invasive, spreading rapidly in U.S. waterways. Established colonies of these plants can choke out water supplies, hydropower production, native vegetation, and recreational activities; and herbicides and mechanical control measures have had little effect.
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. Lilies grow each year from scaly bulbs deep in the earth, a resurrection if you will, to form majestic plants with sturdy dense green foliage and radiant white flowers touched with sweet fragrance.
Cover crop walks are planned at 10 locations this spring across Pennsylvania.
How would you like to learn how to graft Black and English Walnut, Pecan, Hickory, and other nut trees? Well, there are two trainings available two Saturdays only. On June 15, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at Lester Martin's, 19698 Swalies Road, Willow Hill, PA 17271, phone number: 717-349-7114 and June 22, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at Don Jackson's, 9006 Camp Road, Red Lion, PA 17356, phone number: 717-244-1834. These trainings are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Nut Growers Association. Some carpool space is available from the Harrisburg Area.
“Ready, Set, Grow!” If you are anxious to get outside and start digging in the garden, then don’t miss this informative workshop offered by the Penn State Master Gardeners in Cumberland County. Scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the Cumberland County Extension office, 310 Allen Road, Carlisle, “Ready, Set, Grow!” covers vegetable gardening tips and organic gardening techniques to help you have a healthy and productive vegetable garden. This year, the same program will be presented twice during the day, with a morning session from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m., and an afternoon session from 12:45 to 4:00 p.m.
The Penn State Extension Office in Dauphin County has openings for college students to be employed as summer interns in the 4-H Program serving the youth of Dauphin County.
