2011

Call for Seed Farm Apprentices November 23, 2011: The Seed Farm is a new farmer training program and agricultural business incubator project supported by the County of Lehigh in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The mission of the Seed Farm is to start and grow new sustainable farms and farmers in the Lehigh Valley and to support the growth of our local food system.
Penn State Extension Hosts Fall Cover Crop Field Days November 23, 2011: Considering the interest in cover crops by farmers, the general public, and others, the Crop Management Team at Penn State Cooperative Extension established cover crop trials on dairy farms across Pennsylvania since 2009. At eight recent field days across the state we reviewed results from the first year of the study, observed the performance of the cover crops this fall and interacted with peers and specialists during these events to learn more about cover crops and their potentials.
Weed Management on a Budget November 20, 2011: If you are looking to scale up your organic farm next year, you may be dreaming about using a tractor mounted cultivator. A wet year like this one, where the weeds got out of control, is a good reminder of how important it is to have a weed management plan, and the tools to execute it.
Do I Know My Customer Base? November 17, 2011: A few key concepts in understanding the customers we currently have and how to focus efforts as we change to meet their needs.
Singles, Twins, and Triplets – You Are a Factor in Your Lambing Rate October 20, 2011: Your management over your sheep flock does impact the number of lambs your ewe produces each season. What can you do to ensure your ewes lamb twins this breeding season? Read on to find out more.
Take a Closer Look: Visually Evaluating Hay for Quality October 17, 2011: Do you purchase hay for your livestock or produce your own hay? Learn to visually identify some quality indicators in hay.
Penn State Start Farming Program Wins National Award October 14, 2011: A Penn State Extension program that is helping novice farmers to start and maintain successful farm businesses has been recognized for its efforts. Extension's Start Farming program received the Search for Excellence in Beginning Farmer Programming award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. A collaboration with Pennsylvania Farm Link and The Seed Farm, an agricultural incubator project in Lehigh County, the Start Farming program offers education and hands-on training to help farmers get started, become profitable and keep going.
Pricing your Poultry Two October 5, 2011: At this time of year, a lot of small poultry producers who market their products directly to the consumer are in the middle of raising turkeys for the Thanksgiving market. One thing producers are struggling with is the ever increasing prices of inputs particularly the cost of feed.
Recycle Your Ag Plastic October 2, 2011: Looking for a place to take your used ag plastics for recycling? Here is a list from Penn State, which compiles a lot of contacts for companies that might accept them.
Fall Cover Crop Options September 21, 2011: Maybe the extremely wet September has delayed your planting of cover crops. If so don’t be alarmed, there is still time to plant cover crops, but you may need to switch from what you had planned on planting to a crop that can tolerate being planted in late September or October.
Soil Test Before the Ground Freezes September 21, 2011: If you are new to farming or thinking of starting your farm next year, soil testing is probably the last thing on your mind. But come winter, when you are doing your planning for next year, you will want to have that soil test in hand. You will need the results to calculate what nutrients to apply and how much you need so you can complete your orders and have your crop plan ready. Fertile soil is the basis for healthy crops, don’t leave it as an after-thought.
Weed Management Notes from Quiet Creek CSA September 12, 2011: At a recent Penn State Extension Start Farming Program for farm apprentices, John Good from Quiet Creek CSA shared his experience and expertise. After a tour of John and Aimee’s eight acre organic farm which serves 200 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions, John focused on weed management. Like John says, “As an organic vegetable farmer, managing weeds is a lot of what you will be doing. So you better learn to be good at it and enjoy it.” After seeing the excellent weed control at Quiet Creek, I plan to use three things I learned from John: buckwheat to out compete weeds; row markers; and seven-inch sweeps to cultivate paths between plastic.
Fruit Short Course Coming Up August 31, 2011: A four day course in commercial fruit production will be conducted by Penn State Extension this fall.
How is it going this season? August 12, 2011: Running a business is often challenging. Running a business that depends heavily on the weather can add to this challenge. Later, if we do get time to actually spend a significant amount of management effort on analyzing how our year went – we are much better equipped to make informed and meaningful decisions if we have taken a few moments now to think, analyze and record “how’s it going this season?”
Viewing the Charms of Nature, City Style August 1, 2011: Summertime is in full swing; a great time to view what is growing. I took a day to visit farms and friends in Philadelphia and am thrilled how they are thriving. There are many urban farms models; some are non-profits with a mission to educate and serve the hungry, others are more of a business model intending to provide a source of income for an entrepreneur, others are a combination. On this unbearably hot July day, I saw all three versions.
So you want to make hay? July 28, 2011: 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.
Potato Pest Update July 11, 2011: 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.
Growing Great Garlic July 1, 2011: 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.
Don’t Miss the Northampton County Mob Grazing and Pasture Weed Management Workshops June 30, 2011: 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.
Time to Scout your Fields June 22, 2011: 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.
From RAMP to ROSE, Penn State Field Crop Research Pioneers Sustainability June 20, 2011: Considering Sustainable Field Crop Production? Friday’s ‘Triad Field Day’ featured 3 Penn State research projects and showcased an array of sustainable practices.
Managing Weeds Ecologically, while NOT Breaking your Back June 20, 2011: ‘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.
Now Available: Updated Farmer's Guide to Processing and Selling Meat or Poultry June 15, 2011: Updated with new clarifications on the regulations for processing poultry, this 20-page guide is a must-read for any farmer interested in processing and selling meat or poultry.
What does a sustainable cropping system look like? June 8, 2011: 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.
Un-Raising the Roof June 6, 2011: 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.
2011 Multi-Organization Beginning Farmer Event Listing June 3, 2011: Penn State Extension, PASA, Capital Resource Conservation and Development, PA WAgN and other organizations are offering educational opportunities for beginning farmers. Look at them all in one place with this calendar listing.
Organic Vegetable Production Students Learn Seeding and Transplanting June 3, 2011: 20 Beginning, diversifying, and prospective farmers learned how to start farming organic vegetables on Saturday May 28 at The Seed Farm in Lehigh County.
Everything I Ever Knew About a Farmers’ Market Stand June 1, 2011: 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.
Sheep Shearing School Success May 20, 2011: 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.
New Greenhouse Management Information May 18, 2011: 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.
Beginner Beekeepers Learn how to Handle Bees at Penn-Vermont Fruit Farm May 11, 2011: 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.
Marketing your Wool May 11, 2011: It's shearing season! Mike Fournier, Penn State Extension director in Bucks county, shares some tips for marketing wool on the East Coast.
Which market is right for me? May 3, 2011: This material describes some of the features and challenges of the many marketing outlets available to farmers on the east coast.
Fledgling Farmers Learn How to ‘Break the Barriers’ to Farm Entry April 28, 2011: 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.
National Farmers Union (NFU) offers Beginning Farmer Institute April 21, 2011: NFU offers a new farmer training program 'to develop and encourage agricultural leaders from all backgrounds.' The application deadline is April 30!
How much should you charge? Pricing your meat cuts April 20, 2011: 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?
So, you want to grow field crops? April 18, 2011: Penn State Extension Educator Mena Hautau shares what you should consider before growing hay, small grains, corn or soybeans.
Don’t Be Too Eager to Work That Soil! April 7, 2011: Working soil that is too wet results in soil compaction. Learn how to test your soil to see whether it is too wet to till or plant.
April 2 Lancaster Farming article spotlights March 23 'Food for Profit' workshop April 6, 2011: Lancaster Farming's Chris Torres joined 54 aspiring and beginning food business owners for an education in business basics at Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl. Get the scoop from last weekend's article!
Leasing - A Viable Option for New Farmers March 30, 2011: It is no surprise that the four main barriers to entry for new farmers are access to land, finance, technical information, and markets. In the Northeast, access to land for new farmers can be a huge hurdle. Land prices here are ten times the national average. New farmer Anton Shannon from Good Work Farm puts it plainly, “The big three are: land, capital, and equipment.” In response there is a growing trend toward renting land. Currently, 45% of farmland is rented. Still, many new farmers want to own land motivated by a cultural heritage rooted in the ideal of private property. However, land preservation organizations and other organizations are challenging the idea that property ownership is the best or only option for beginning and established farmers.
Pollinator-Friendly Farming: Principles and Practices March 30, 2011: Pollinators – bees, moths, flies and other insects – are an essential piece in profitable production puzzle. Penn State Extension entomologist, Karen Bernhard, encouraged 60 farmers at Lehigh County’s pesticide update meeting that in addition to a plan for proper soil fertility or a good crop planting succession, they also needed to solid plan for protecting and supporting pollinators. Here are the key principles and practices of pollinator-friendly farming.
Pigs on Pasture March 17, 2011: Mike Yezzi from Flying Pigs Farm shared his pastured pig production system at this year’s Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) conference. Pastured pigs fit well into Mike's hilly, wooded 170-acre farm, a challenging environment for many farm enterprises.
New Rules for Farmers Market Vendors– What you need to know March 15, 2011: More farmers will need a license to sell their goods at farmers markets in 2011. With 87 farmers’ markets just in Southeast PA and 240 statewide, according to Buy Fresh Buy Local, farmers markets are a source of food for more and more Pennsylvanians. The PA Department of Ag (PDA) recognizes farmers’ market vendors as important partners in the process of “bringing food safely from farm to fork.” So, through Act 106, PDA has put more uniform, statewide requirements for licensing in place for 2011. Will you need a license?
Top Seven Ingredients for Your Lease March 13, 2011: Currently 45% of farmland is rented. For new farmers, leasing can be a viable way to get started without sinking all of your capital into land. Short term leases can be simple. They need only four key ingredients to be an official contract. The lease must identify the parties, the lease term, the fee and have signatures. If you do decide to go the direction of a lease, make sure it contains these seven important elements based on a presentation by George Elser of Elser Law in Wayne, PA at the PASA conference in a workshop on the FarmFutures leasing program.
Time to Think About Shearing Your Sheep March 10, 2011: Finally, March has rolled around and old man winter has loosened his death grip on us. The days are getting longer and warmer, the daffodils and crocuses are starting to bloom and newborn lambs are frolicking around the barnyard. These wonderful signs of impending Spring should signal all shepherds that March is also the unofficial start of the sheep shearing season.
Compost: How to make it and how much to use February 25, 2011: Composting and compost provide numerous opportunities for farmers to improve their production systems. Potential income either directly from tipping fees or selling surplus compost, or indirectly from increased production supported by compost-improved soil. Here we share the benefits and drawbacks of 4 compost production methods, as well as 6 straightforward tips for using compost.
Price for Profits, Market for Sales February 23, 2011: Dave Hodge shared his wisdom on pricing for profits with farmers who market directly to consumers at Penn State Extension's Grow Your Market conference in Lancaster last Monday.
Thinking of building a website for your farm? February 23, 2011: Simon Huntley, from Small Farm Central, shared a few tips for successful websites at the “Websites for Farmers” workshop sponsored by the PA Women in Ag Network last week.
SIMPLE ways to Increase Direct Sales February 22, 2011: Do you market directly to consumers through farmers markets or a market on your own farm? Lela Reichart and Kathy Glahn presented SIMPLE – Sales, Interest, Motivation, Purchases, Location, and Evaluation - ways to capture consumers’ interest and dollars in these common direct marketing settings.
Consumer Behavior and Decision Making February 10, 2011: Do you know what drives customer choices? The American Restaurant Association has identified the top 10 food trends driving customer choices in 2011. Uncover these motivating trends as well as the 6 types of perceived risk that may be holding your customers back in this article from Ag Marketing expert and Penn State Extension Educator, John Berry.
ABCs of Beekeeping Begins Making 30 New Beekeepers February 8, 2011: Do you want to keep bees? Do you think honey is delicious and want to produce and sell more of your own? Can you tell a worker from a drone? Do you know if queens are born or made? Students in the ABCs of Beekeeping had fun learning the answers to all these questions and more in their first night of class.
Crop Planning for CSAs February 8, 2011: If you have not done it yet, now is the time to finish up your crop plan for next year. Soon it will be time to start seedlings and the whirlwind will begin. At a recent CSA day organized by Lehigh County Extension’s Brian Moyer, I shared some tips for crop planning. What follows is a teaser, just the first few steps of the crop planning procedure I put together based on the great crop planning information Josh Volk from Slow Hand Farm recently shared with us. For the full procedure and example spreadsheets visit http://extension.psu.edu/start-farming.
A Guide to Farming in Pennsylvania January 25, 2011: Penn State’s Small Farm Project launched a new web site entitled “A Guide to Farming in Pennsylvania.” The site contains links to farm management and business information useful to a wide range of people, from those just starting an agribusiness to retiring farmers concerned about passing the farm on to the next generation.
Want to "grow your own"? Penn State can help. January 21, 2011: It seems that interest in growing more of your own food continues to gain steam. It’s hard to say what is fueling this phenomenon. Concerns about food quality? Trying to save a buck or two? Fretting over the environment? I don’t know. There must be a survey out there somewhere that sheds light on this.
Lambing Season – Don’t forget “Clip, Dip & Strip” January 21, 2011: January is the traditional start to the winter lambing season. Lamb mortality is highest in the first few weeks of life with starvation and hypothermia the leading causes of loss. To see that your lambs get off to a good start, be sure you incorporate “clip, dip & strip” in the lambing jug.
So, you want to grow fruit.... January 5, 2011: For prospective fruit growers a good question is…. so what? Does anyone else care? Maybe that is a blunt way of introducing the idea of marketing considerations. But, unless you just want to grow fruit as hobby, a marketing plan for the fruit you intend to grow needs to be at the top of your list.

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