News

This is the week 3 newsletter for the spring 2026 Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania program - week of April 20, 2026. The program is an 8-week, biannual virtual program.

Penn State Faculty and Students discuss the future at the Penn State Biorenewables Symposium.

This week's contributors: Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension; Don deMackiewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension, Jim Fogarty, Halabura Tree Farms;

The spring orchard meetings for 2026 are open for pre-registration. This is a handy schedule to plan your event selection.

Storms late Tuesday triggered fire blight infection. Conditions continue to be favorable today. This includes at least Adams County and the counties east. Control is a must today.

Gray garden slugs are starting to appear across the state.

The southeastern section of Pennsylvania, most intensively used for agriculture, has received less precipitation than normal.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

A summer-like pattern will continue for much of the week before cooling down later in the weekend.

Has your pesticide license lapsed or expired and what is the difference? The following are simplified instructions for reinstating your lapsed or expired pesticide license.

Bloom is expected to occur quickly this week. Fire blight risk is high for April 14–18 in blooming orchards. If rain occurs during this time, fire blight will develop. Protect open blossoms this week as a precaution.

This is the week 2 newsletter for the spring 2026 Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania Program - week of April 13, 2026. The program is an 8-week virtual biannual program.

A newly revamped lineup of trainings designed to better support today's conservation professionals.

Weekly scouting report compiled by Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension, Schuylkill County. This week's scouting data contributors: Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension; Don deMackiewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension

The jointing stage marks the beginning of the application window for Palisade EC and other products aimed at reducing plant height to minimize the risk of lodging.

Alfalfa weevil larvae are becoming active, particularly in southern counties and south-facing fields. Scout your fields to detect their damage but recognize that some fields in eastern counties have resistant populations

Scout in now for mites in your timothy fields. Mites are easily overlooked, but can cost significant yield and quality.

Populations of this pest species, which are becoming more common in Pennsylvania, can grow in fields planted annually with small grains.

No rain is currently forecasted for April 7–15. These are excellent conditions for powdery mildew in both apple and peaches. If apples are at tight cluster and peaches are at petal fall, control must start now.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

This is the week 1 newsletter for the spring 2026 Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania Program - week of April 6, 2026. The program is an 8-week virtual biannual program.

Weekly scouting report compiled by Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension, Schuylkill County. This week's scouting data contributors: Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension; Don deMackiewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension

Most erosion occurs prior to canopy closure in the months of April, May, and June, so this is a good time to inspect fields and take action if excessive erosion is observed.

Here we go again. The fuel price, in addition to all other escalated costs, will impact the bottom line for your farm. Take time to understand and evaluate all your costs with each crop you grow.

Resilience Coordinated Agricultural Project (RCAP) is currently recruiting a spring cohort. This university-managed program seeks farm management strategies in exchange for soil test analysis and monetary stipends.