Upcoming Events

Strong Women/ Strong Seniors classes are starting up for the Winter! Make a commitment to becoming healthier and feeling better about yourself!  Join the StrongWomen™ program sponsored by Penn State Extension!  It is a safe, motivating, highly effective weight-bearing physical activity program that includes food, health and nutrition education information. Cost is $50 for 6 week session a total of 12 classes.

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

Designed for dairy producers and their dairy employees and milkers.

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

Penn State Extension’s Food for Profit workshop takes you step-by-step through the information necessary to start and run a small food-product business, especially directed to individuals who will be making and packing their products for resale (through grocery stores, farm markets, or restaurants). The Food for Profit workshop consists of seven hours that provide an overview of how to start and successfully operate a small food-product business.

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.

Dining with Diabetes is a program supported by Summit Endowment in Franklin County. It is for adults with diabetes and pre-diabetes and their families and will increase knowledge of healthy food choices and diabetes management. The classes offer healthy meal planning, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on food preparation, class discussions, and new physical activity choices.

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.

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.

Dining with Diabetes is a program supported by Summit Endowment in Franklin County. It is for adults with diabetes and pre-diabetes and their families and will increase knowledge of healthy food choices and diabetes management. The classes offer healthy meal planning, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on food preparation, class discussions, and new physical activity choices.

Please call the Extension Office at 717-263-9226 to Register.

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

Elmer Greey, Franklin County Master Gardener, will discuss pruning considerations, including equipment and "Hands-on" practice throughout Elmer's Garden.

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.

Join George Hurd, Extension Educator, and Master Gardeners for this introductory class on backyard storm water management.

The Franklin County Beekeepers' Association is conducting a five session shortcourse on beginning beekeeping for any interested beekeepers.

Whether it’s growing and drying herbs, making jams or jellies, baking bread and cakes, or packaging gourmet dinners for one, food-related businesses are becoming increasingly popular as a way to earn a living (or to supplement your income). The cook’s creative flair may be combined with business practicality in a way that other enterprises may lack.

Attend a series of Saturday workshops sponsored by Franklin County Master Gardeners, teaching techniques for selecting, growing, and maintaining fruit-bearing plants in the home landscape.

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.

Create a cash flow and determine your dairy's income over feed cost at this one-day workshop!

Join Master Gardeners in a four part series of classes for the home vegetable grower designed for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Learn about starting the garden, soil analysis, the best vegetable varieties, time and spacing for direct seed sowing, and growing everyone’s favorite, tomatoes.

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.

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.

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!

Master Gardener Bob Hyatt teaches the best way to have a healthy lawn regardless of what mother nature throws your way.

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.

Integrating the Early Learning Standards into Curriculum and Assessment

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.

Sharing Your Observations with Parents, Team, or School-Age Children

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

Connecting With Children- Positive Guidance Strategies

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

Child Abuse and Neglect-Mandated Reporter Training

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.

A season-long, highly rated, weekly vegetable garden growing experience.

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

Successful Inclusion in the Early Childhood Classroom

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.

Family Child Care Home Providers Round Table-Spring Session

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.

SPRING BUS TRIP - Temple University Ambler and Meadowbrook Farm

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.