2012

Yellow Striped Armyworm Management December 2, 2012: Tomato growers reported a new insect pest this season, the Yellow Striped Armyworm.
Harlequin Bugs – A Growing Problem in Pennsylvania? December 2, 2012: The harlequin bug is an important insect pest of cabbage and related crops in the southern half of the United States. Recently it has been reported more frequently in southeastern Pennsylvania. Penn State Extension entomologist Shelby Fleischer and colleagues would like to learn from growers if it and other related true bug species are a problem in your fields.
2012 Broccoli Variety Trial December 2, 2012
2012 Bell Pepper Variety Trial December 2, 2012
Woman to Woman: Pay It Forward December 2, 2012: December 7, 2012, the Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network at Penn State University (PA-WAgN) hosts a one-day networking symposium at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA (Centre County) for new and beginning farmers, potential farmers, and seasoned farmers interested in diversifying their farm operations.
USDA Releases Results of the 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey December 2, 2012: WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2012 –U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic growers in the United States sold more than $3.5 billion organically grown agricultural commodities in 2011, according to the results of the 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey, released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS conducted the survey for USDA’s Risk Management Agency to help refine federal crop insurance products for organic producers.
Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success Webinar Series Registration Now Open! December 2, 2012: The Farmers Market Federation of NY and the NY Farm Viability Institute have partnered with USDA Northeast SARE to present a series of webinars on marketing, “Marketing for Profits: Tools for Success”.
More Information on the Use of Sodium (Chilean) Nitrate for Organic Growers November 7, 2012: The sunset date for sodium nitrate passed as of October 21, 2012.
5 Post-Sandy Cleanup Tips November 1, 2012: Penn State's Bill Lamont provides tips for working fields and handling crops after the storm that passed in this Growing Produce article.
Changing Status of Sodium (Chilean) Nitrate for Organic Production October 8, 2012: The use of sodium nitrate will soon be prohibited entirely in organic production.
Storage Tips for Winter Vegetables October 3, 2012: The demand for locally grown produce continues to rise in Pennsylvania, providing excellent opportunities for producers to extend their marketing season into the fall and winter. Proper storage management in vegetables such as winter squash, onions and carrots will result in less decay, fewer losses and more high quality product to sell to eager consumers during the cold months.
Social Media Boot Camp for Ag Business October 3, 2012: Social media have become an exciting way to enhance your farm business's marketing activities, allowing you, the owner, or manager, to connect directly with your audience. While a social media presence is almost expected of many businesses, many owners struggle with how to use the various tools to connect.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) as of Oct. 3, 2012 and Your Winter Plans October 3, 2012: It’s getting a little late in the season to do much about SWD for this year, but here are some observations that you might want to consider as you make plans for next year.
3rd Annual Winter Wednesday Lunch Series: Vegetable Production Webinars October 3, 2012: Penn State’s Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit Program Team presents a series of webinars to keep you informed on critical production issues. The series provides convenient access to timely updates in commercial vegetable and small fruit production for extension educators, producers and industry representatives in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
I Can’t Believe We Are Continuing to Waste Tons of Plastics When We Could be Recycling and Recovering the Energy Stored in Used Plastics October 3, 2012
W PA Vegetable and Berry Growers Seminar October 2, 2012: Registration is now open for participants and for trade show exhibitors for the 2012 Western Pennsylvania Vegetable and Berry Growers Seminar, November 13th, in Butler, PA.
High Tunnel School October 1, 2012: Join us Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13 & 14 at the Penn State Lancaster Center and Lancaster Farm and Home Center Building.
Organic Twilight Highlights September 16, 2012: Last week I attended the organic vegetable twilight meeting at the Long Island Research Center for Cornell Cooperative Extension. Dr. Meg McGrath is a key researcher for organic plant disease management in the Northeast and I wanted to see the sites “in vivo.”
Organic Certification + Short Application = Certification Cost Reimbursements September 13, 2012: The deadline for applying for funds from the Organic Certification Cost Share Program is quickly approaching. An article from the United States Department of Agriculture explains how you can apply.
Pest Watch September 5, 2012
Supposedly Inert Agrochemicals Impair Learning in HoneyBees September 5, 2012: UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- Honeybees exposed to agrochemicals used on farms may develop learning impairments that prevent them from being able to forage or even find their way back to the hive, say researchers at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Farmer Training Program Accepting Applicants, Emmaus, PA September 5, 2012: The New Farmer Training Program and Agricultural Incubator at The Seed Farm in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, is now accepting applications for the 2013 season.
NRCS Accepting Applications for Conservation Programs September 5, 2012
Hot Year Means More Blossom End Rot September 5, 2012: Blossom end rot (BER) is showing up again this year in peppers and tomatoes.
NOP Adds Materials to the National List September 5, 2012: The National Organic Program (NOP) has recently published a final rule to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, effective August 3, 2012.
Organic Farming and Research Foundation (OFRF) Builds New Website for Organic Farmers September 5, 2012
Sourcing Organic Seed Will Get Easier this October September 5, 2012: The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) has developed the Organic Seed Finder, a Web-based database to link growers seeking organic seed with suppliers.
Tips on Potato Storage Management September 5, 2012: Placing problem potatoes into storage can't make them better, but properly managed storage can help maintain quality and minimize deterioration of good quality potatoes.
Downy Mildew Now Confirmed on Many Different Types of Cucurbits in Pennsylvania August 29, 2012: With the favorable cucurbit downy mildew weather over the past few weeks, downy mildew is being reported on many different types of cucurbits not just cucumbers and cantaloupes!
Phytopthora Crown and Fruit Rots of Cucurbits and Peppers August 29, 2012: Heavy rains have lead to an increase in the number of reports of Phytophthora blight in cucurbit and pepper fields in Pennsylvania.
Late Blight Continues to Spread Across Pennsylvania August 29, 2012: With the cooler night temperatures, extended dew periods and recent rains moving across Pennsylvania, late blight is continuing to spread both in commercial fields as well as home gardens.
Fusarium Fruit Rot of Muskmelon August 29, 2012: In the past several weeks Fusarium fruit rot has been confirmed in several commercial muskmelon fields in Pennsylvania.
Finish Strong August 27, 2012: It’s been a tough year for a lot of growers. It started with a wet spring followed by many areas of the state experiencing drought from late June through mid-July. Then when the rains returned the stressed plants were susceptible to disease. I’ve heard several growers say recently they are looking forward to this year being over. Before you mentally put 2012 behind you be sure to finish strong.
Earworm Spikes plus Stink Bug Complicate Management August 14, 2012: The dramatic increase in corn earworm intensifies, and management options get complicated by stink bugs.
Rapid Rise in Corn Earworm Population August 8, 2012: DRAMATIC and RAPID increases in corn earworm captures are occurring. Spikes were detected in Blair, Bucks, Centre, Lancaster, Montgomery, Washington, Westmoreland, and York counties.
Phytophthora Crown and Fruit Rot in Pumpkins August 8, 2012: Pumpkin growers throughout Pennsylvania have carefully monitored their crop for signs of powdery mildew and other diseases, but the recent heavy rainfall in some areas may spark an outbreak of Phytophthora crown and fruit rot in some of the poorer draining fields.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Fact Sheets Completed and Online August 8, 2012
Potato Leafhoppers and Berries in 2012 August 8, 2012: Potato leafhoppers cause varying levels of damage to small fruit crops in different years, and this year we are seeing a fair amount of leafhopper damage to both strawberries and raspberries.
PestWatch Update August 8, 2012
Produce Food Safety -- Good Agricultural Practices Mock Audit Twilight Meetings August 8, 2012: Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) are hosting three Mock Farm Food Safety Audits. These events, to be held on working farms, are designed to help small-scale produce farmers gain a better understanding of what to expect from a third party Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit.
High Tunnel Production Workshop August 8, 2012: Capital Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Council is sponsoring a high tunnel production workshop at the Penn State Horticulture Research Center, Rock Springs, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, September 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rob the Bank August 8, 2012: Seed-bank, that is. The weed seed-bank. Right now, across Pennsylvania, huge deposits of weed seed are being accepted by soil. Stop it now and this will pay dividends later.
Downy Mildew on Cantaloupe August 7, 2012: Yesterday, downy mildew was confirmed on cantaloupe in our downy mildew sentinel plot in Lancaster Co.
Tomato/ Potato Early Blight Update August 7, 2012: Early blight is showing up in commercial tomato fields as well as in home gardens.
Phytophthora Crown and Fruit Rot in Cucurbits and Peppers August 7, 2012: Phytophthora capsici causes a wide array of diseases ranging from seedling damping-off, leaf spots, foliar blight, root and crown rot, stem lesions to fruit rot on numerous vegetables including pepper, tomato, eggplant and most cucurbits.
Unsettled weather = Additional reports of late blight August 4, 2012: In the past week or so late blight has been confirmed in three additional counties in Pennsylvania.
Update on cucurbit downy mildew August 4, 2012: Downy mildew is widespread on cucumbers across Pennsylvania.
Sweet Corn Insect Update August 2, 2012: Sweet Corn Growers… I have seen my corn ear worm trap numbers climb in the past 3 nights, averaging about 12 a night. That suggests a 4 day spray interval.
Late blight...despite the heat it is still important to remain vigilant July 18, 2012: The growing season is not over yet and neither is late blight!
Be prepared for cucurbit powdery mildew July 18, 2012: In-season cucurbit powdery mildew management is most effective when initiated early (one powdery mildew colony per 50 leaves).
More reports of downy mildew on cucumber in Pennsylvania July 18, 2012: In this past week, additional outbreaks of downy mildew on cucumber have been reported in Mifflin, Union and Lancaster Counties. It is also suspected in Snyder and Montgomery Counties.
Dry Weather and Weed Control July 13, 2012: With much of the region in drought, there is some concern about the success in trying to control certain weeds under these dry conditions.
Mite outbreaks in hot weather July 11, 2012: Hot dry weather has been favorable for mite outbreaks. Generation turnover increases dramatically.
PestWatch Update July 5, 2012: Welcome to PestWatch, on June 27, 2012. Mapped output is at < www.pestwatch.psu.edu >.
Heat-Related Illnesses and Agricultural Producers July 5, 2012: Farmers and ranchers perform job responsibilities in all types of weather conditions including excessive heat and humidity. It is important for agricultural producers to understand risks associated with working in high heat work environments, potential heat-related illnesses, precautionary steps, and appropriate medical responses.
Rooting Strawberry "Tips" to Create Plugs July 5, 2012
Spotted Wing Drosophila Update July 5, 2012: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is present on a number of farms in southeastern Pennsylvania and central Maryland. Larvae have been detected in cherries at the tail end of harvest and summer raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and primocane-fruiting raspberries where lateral canes emerged from pruning stubs.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) Management July 5, 2012: Utilizing all means of management for SWD -- including cultural and chemical options -- is recommended. The most suitable strategies for any farm will vary with the crop and circumstances.
Entrust SC Label - OMRI Listed July 5, 2012: This new pesticide label at http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldALN000.pdf might be helpful, especially to organic growers.
Fertigation of Vegetable Crops July 5, 2012: Total fertility requirements in plasticulture are not different than those in conventional open-soil culture. With a drip irrigation system, however, application can be much more precise and timed with crop development.
Dr. Randy Gardner Continues to Breed Late Blight Resistance Tomatoes June 25, 2012: Dr. Randy Gardner, Professor Emertus, North Carolina State University, has recently released three tomato hybrids with late blight resistance.
Downy mildew confirmed on cucumber in Pennsylvania June 22, 2012: This is the first confirmed report of downy mildew on cucurbits in Pennsylvania.
Late blight is now confirmed in 9 counties in Pennsylvania June 22, 2012: This week late blight was confirmed in several additional counties in both commercial production fields as well as home gardens on both tomatoes and potatoes.
What Should You Do With Fruit and Vegetables After Pesticide Drift? June 20, 2012: In this post, Dr. John Masiunas from the University of Illinois addresses the issue of what to do when vegetable or fruit crops are injured from pesticide drift.
Armyworms: True and Fall June 18, 2012: Sweet corn growers usually deal with fall armyworms. This year we are also seeing problems of another species, true armyworm.
Additional Late Blight Outbreaks Continue to be Confirmed in PA June 15, 2012: Late blight has now been confirmed in Blair, Franklin, Mifflin, Lancaster and Schuylkill Counties in Pennsylvania.
Herbicide Injury as a result of Cool, Wet Weather Conditions June 14, 2012: The cool, wet weather conditions we've been experiencing can result in herbicide injury to sweet corn. This post covers herbicide injury symptoms, how the weather can lead to herbicide injury and what to do if herbicide injury is a problem.
Late Blight Confirmed on Tomato in Lancaster Co., PA June 13, 2012: To-date late blight has been confirmed on five farms in four counties and more unconfirmed outbreaks are suspected.
Update: Late blight now confirmed on tomato and potato in Mifflin Co., PA June 8, 2012: This past week late blight was confirmed on potato and/or tomato in Blair, Franklin and now Mifflin Co., PA.
Late blight confirmed on tomato and potato in Pennsylvania June 4, 2012: Today late blight was confirmed on tomato and/or potato in Franklin and Blair County, PA.
Spring Immigrant Insects June 3, 2012: Many species that overwinter in Pennsylvania apparently have done so with high survival rates. For example, we’ve seen very strong populations of several species of maggots, cucumber beetles, and asparagus beetle in April and May. However, many of our pests tend not to overwinter, but arrive as long distant migrants. We can now confirm that the long-distant migrants listed below have also been reported in May.
Cucumber Beetle Control in Greenhouse and High Tunnels June 3, 2012: The cucumber beetle has turned up this week in scouting of local greenhouse cucumber crops.
Grafting Eggplant for Verticillium Resistance June 3, 2012: In 2007, fifty eggplant scions were grafted onto tomato rootstock that was resistant to Verticillium Wilt.
Twilight Day-Neutral Strawberry Meeting in Southeastern Pennsylvania June 3, 2012: You are invited to see more than 4 acres of production, including 3 acres of the variety Seascape established in the spring of 2012.
Maintaining Drip Irrigation Systems June 3, 2012: This article should help you understand how to maintain drip irrigation systems.
Statewide Sweet Corn Trial June 3, 2012: This year, with funding from the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, we are starting a 2-year study to evaluate synergistic sweet corn cultivars across Pennsylvania.
Downy mildew confirmed on cucumber in New Jersey May 30, 2012: This is the first report of cucurbit downy mildew in the Mid-Atlantic region in 2012! Know the signs and symptoms so you can be vigilant when scouting your crops!
Late Blight Confirmed on Potato in Central New Jersey May 23, 2012: This is the first confirmed report of late blight in the region this season.
Canada thistle in strawberry plantings. May 8, 2012: Got Canada thistle? In strawberries? It’s not unusual. Canada thistle is one of Pennsylvania’s worst perennial weeds and often infests strawberry plantings.
Determining How Long to Run Drip Irrigation Systems for Vegetables May 4, 2012: As a general rule, vegetable crops require 1 - 1.5 acre-inches of water per week. Penn State's Elsa Sanchez and Bill Lamont explain how to determine how long to run your drip irrigation system to meet this need.
Stewart's Wilt could be back in Sweet Corn in 2012 May 3, 2012: Stewart's wilt of sweet corn can cause significant damage. The extent is directly correlated to winter temperatures. What can we expect in 2012?
Spring Weather and Row Covers May 3, 2012: This past summer, fall, winter and now this spring - have been unusual. One item that can help growers deal with the weather changes, at least for plants that are close to the ground, is a floating row cover. There are many different types from which to choose.
Encouraging Beneficial Insects on your Farm May 3, 2012: Beneficial insects do a lot of pest management naturally, with little help from us.
Summary of Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops and Processing) May 3, 2012: The National Organic Program has recently published a final rule: Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops and Processing). A brief summary of the final rule is included below.
Safe and Effective Pesticide Use May 3, 2012: What do you think of when you hear the term "Pesticide Use?" You probably only think about pesticide application. However, there is much more to SAFE and effective pesticide use than just the application process.
Hands on Specialized Equipment for Vegetable Production Workshop in July May 3, 2012: Equipment! Which piece do I buy? What works best? The Seed Farm will showcase soil and weed management equipment and techniques for small- to medium-scale vegetable producers.
Guide to Financing the Community Supported Farm May 3, 2012: The complete guide or individual chapters from the publication Guide to Financing the Community Supported Farm are now available.
Greenhouse samples - A common theme May 1, 2012: Over the last 3 weeks, the Plant Disease Clinic has received many greenhouse samples with root problems from a wide variety of plant material.
Cabbage, onion or seed corn maggot? April 19, 2012: With the warm weather insects are early this spring. Growers have seen damage from onion, seed corn and possibly cabbage maggot. Onion maggot damage of 10-20% has been confirmed in two fields in the Shippensburg area. Bean seed maggot was confirmed in Northampton County yesterday.
Research Underway at Penn State's Horticulture Farm April 16, 2012: Warm season vegetable crops still have several weeks of waiting to be planted in central Pennsylvania fields but Penn State researchers are still busy with field work.
Early Start to Bugs vs Man April 12, 2012: While most people think that vegetable pests are a major problem during the middle of the growing season (during the summer), there are insects that are ready to go as soon as a crop is planted - even in early spring!
Kabocha/ Buttercup Squash Cultivar Evaluations April 2, 2012: Take a look at the results of our 2010-11 kabocha and buttercup squash cultivar trials.
Frost Protection for Berries April 2, 2012: Given the growth stage of berry crops and the current weather, frost protection is on everyone’s mind. I thought this might be a good time for a re-run of a portion of a frost-related article, and some frost-related “Berry Good Questions” from past years paraphrased and condensed, plus a couple of new ones thrown in.
Avipel Receives 24(c) Label in Pennsylvania March 27, 2012: A Special Local Needs 24(c) label has been issued for the use of the bird repellant Avipel on field and sweet corn. The label allows for hopper-box application only.
Planning Starts for 2013 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference March 15, 2012: The Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference is a huge undertaking and one that requires a lot of planning. Event organizers are already meeting to create another great conference for January 29-31, 2013.
Managing Bacterial Pathogens in Vegetable Seed with Hot-Water Treatment March 14, 2012: Hot water seed treatment is one way to reduce bacterial disease on your farm. See why and how toos from Dr Meg McGrath, Cornell University.
New Plant Hardiness Zone Map March 14, 2012: The United States Department of Agriculture recently released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Butternut Squash Cultivar Evaluation March 13, 2012: To provide growers with information for successful, region-specific cultivar selection, in 2010-11 we evaluated several types of squash cultivars in a conventional system across the state.
Some Thoughts on Common Potato Scab March 13, 2012: I have often said to growers and potato breeders that I believed common scab was a serious problem in potatoes, because like it or not, potatoes are in a beauty contest at the local supermarket. Yes, we know you can peel off the skin with the scab on it and you are fine and your mash potatoes look beautiful. It is just that scab ruins the outward appearance of a beautiful, bright round white potato.
Talking Tomatoes March 13, 2012: Tomato growing can be a tricky business. Several years ago late blight wiped out many home garden tomatoes, while commercial growers had to be extra vigilant in their crop protection programs in order to reach harvest. Every year is different and Mother Nature threw its weight around last summer. That greatly affected the commercial growers this time, more than home gardeners.

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