Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 12:08pm.
 Centre County Man
Comes from Long Line of Farmers David Yeats-Thomas
Mid-Atlantic Horse HARRISBURG, Pa. — Jesse M. Darlington, whose family has farmed in Pennsylvania since his great-great-great-great grandfather was granted a farm in Delaware County by William Penn in 1683, was inducted into the Pennsylvania Livestock Hall of Fame this week. The announcement took him “absolutely by surprise” considering there are so many “well-qualified men and women in the wings,” Darlington said in an interview at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg where he had just emerged from the Equine Arena after another long day as ringmaster. For the last quarter of a century, Darlington’s tall and slender figure has become a hallmark of draft and Quarter horse show rings, as judge or ringmaster. When he is not in the show ring or active in community and livestock groups, Darlington works on his 190-acre farm in Tusseyville in Centre County.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:47am.
 Farmers Diversify Income by Meeting Growing Consumer Demand for Fresh, Local Produce Andrew Jenner
Virginia Correspondent DAYTON, Va. — By mid-morning on market days, business is brisk at the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction, where whatever is in season – July tomatoes have now given way to September pumpkins – rolls in by the tractor load.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:45am.
 Maegan Crandall
Central N.Y. Correspondent ITHACA, N.Y. — Although the sky was grey with storm clouds, and there was a constant, misty drizzle, it didn’t stop enthusiastic crowds of people from enjoying the annual apple harvest festival last Sunday in Ithica, New York
The main focus, of course, was everything apples.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:38am.
NASS Numbers Show Decline in
Rockingham Co. Poultry Production Andrew Jenner
Virginia Correspondent ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. — Though Rockingham County is still the undisputed king when it comes to broiler chicken production in Virginia, the latest numbers from the NASS Census of Agriculture suggest King Rockingham is getting old. The county’s 2007 total of $78.9 million in broiler chicken sales accounted for 31.7 percent of the statewide sales that year, according to NASS figures.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:33am.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Youth awards were presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 53rd Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) on Thursday at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Selected from a field of candidates submitted by county extension personnel and vocational agriculture teachers throughout the state, awards are presented to outstanding 4-H and FFA youth.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:21am.
 Retired Farmer Shares Story at Meeting Hosted by Congressman Pitts Charlene M. Shupp
Espenshade
Special Sections Editor LANCASTER, Pa. — High drama and tension dominated Monday evening’s town hall meeting on healthcare reform at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:18am.
 Dick Wanner
Lancaster Farming Staff PORT TREVERTON, Pa. — About 75 people turned out Sept. 30 for a no-till/alternative energy/spreader calibration field day sponsored by the Snyder County Conservation District. The field day was held on an 85-acre crop and turkey farm owned by the Mack Curtis family, who also operates a mostly ag-based truck and trailer repair facility at their Wind View Farm. Curtis is no stranger to no-till.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:12am.
The World Dairy Expo began on Tuesday in Madison, Wis. In three of the shows hosted as of presstime, Luther Hillegass, Keith and Donnette Fisher and Roger Greeno earned the champion award in several shows. International Junior
Holstein Show
The International Junior Holstein Show was held on Tuesday.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:06am.
 Vineyard Owners Hold Out Hope After Difficult Growing Season Chris Torres
Staff Writer It’s been a difficult growing season for wine grapes. “It’s unprecedented. Harvest is still not going. No one has really started yet,” said Mark Chien, Penn State viticulturalist, on Tuesday, referring especially to red grape varieties. A late frost in May combined with a rainy summer has created challenging conditions for wine grape growers. Now cooler weather combined with a lack of sunlight is delaying harvest.
“It’s been a hard, difficult vintage so far,” he said. September can be a crucial time for growing grapes. That extra late summer sunlight enables the development of sugars which Chien said add balance and texture to grapes, along with alcohol. Red wine grapes, particularly late harvest varieties, are being particularly effected by the recent weather conditions. “There are drastically reduced crops out there, very uneven ripening due to cool conditions,” he said. At Stargazers Vineyard in Chester County, much of the vineyard’s grapes still hang on the vine, waiting for some sun and slightly warmer weather. “We’re in kind of a holding pattern at this point,” said co-owner Alice Weygandt.
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/02/2009 - 11:04am.
 Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
Special Sections Editor LANCASTER, Pa. — What does smart growth have to do with agriculture? Everything, according to Karen Martynick of the Lancaster Farmland Trust. And the choices made by government boards, school districts and others, while they might seem small at the time, can have profound impact. "As much as we would like to preserve everything, we can't," Martynick said.
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