The Cheese Guild held its annual meeting as a working dinner Nov. 4 at the cheesemaking and food service facility of Caputo Brothers Creamery in York County.
Searching for that usable and affordable Christmas gift can be hard, but finding a gift that is also sustainable is vital for some, too. Purchasing a gift that can get laundry done quicker and is kind to the planet could be great for either the new homeowner or a mom looking to cut using che… Read more
Longhorn skulls, a Western decoration trend that Kelsea Dresch wanted in her home without the expensive aftertaste so the 24-year-old decided to do it herself. Read more
The ever-popular casserole began losing its appeal during the 1970s, when working women looked for cooking shortcuts. At the same time, processed foods became favorites and the casserole trended toward becoming an outdated relic. Read more
NESCOPECK, Pa. — As a hunter with bird dogs, Jeremy Chapin felt limited. Read more
Even as the recognitions, awards and exciting experiences of the 2019 National FFA Convention continue to shine bright in the forefront of many students’ memories, both junior and senior members from FFA chapters across the region converged on Appomattox Community Park on Nov. 13 to participate in the Southeast Area Forestry Career Development Event. Read more
In the fall, the wild apple trees are easily spotted along country roads throughout the state, said Severine von Tscharner Fleming, the founder and director of Greenhorns, which held a do-it-yourself, cider-pressing “camp” earlier this fall. Read more
Two hay growing workshops will cover the challenges producers faced last season and provide instruction on ways to consistently produce a high-quality product. Read more
Many parents and caregivers may not realize the importance of social and emotional development in young children. The term “social emotional development” refers to the ability of a child from birth to age 5 to form close and secure relationships with adults and peers. Read more
The newest grape tomato — Moonbeam — has joined a constellation of tasty, small, heirloom-style tomatoes in the 2020 High Mowing Organic Seeds catalog, released earlier this month to home gardeners and commercial growers. Read more
Pennsylvania producers have many tools available to minimize nutrient contamination of our surface waters. I imagine that everyone has some low-lying fruit on their farm that could be easily changed and would help improve issues related to nutrient loads, nuisances, manure storage or application. Read more
Sadness tugged at me, because the growing season for all things tender was finished. At the same time, I’m filled with gratitude for the bounty that the season produced. Read more
The Wild Farm Alliance, based in Watsonville, California, recently presented a webinar on the subject, “Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds,” featuring information from Jo Ann Baumgartner, executive director of the Wild Farm Alliance; ornithologist Dr. Sacha Heath of the Living Earth Collaborative; and Columbia University’s Dr. Sara Kross. Read more
Boasting an annual attendance of approximately 70,000 attendees, the majority of which are students from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo, held from Oct. 30-Nov. 2, filled the downtown center of Indianapolis. Read more
The owners of the first Tricentennial farm in Pennsylvania are in no hurry to leave their ancestral home, even though it's surrounded on all sides by the urban sprawl of Lancaster City in the heart of Lancaster County. Read more
Ohio native Carrie Stufft moved to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, more than three decades ago, and agriculture has had a huge impact on her career as an elementary school teacher. Read more
Sale of development rights at John Hand’s 425-acre produce farm allowed him to install money-saving solar power and state-of-the-art irrigation. Read more
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — The U.S. arguably has the world’s safest food supply, but an estimated 48 million Americans annually are still impacted by foodborne illness from biological, chemical and physical hazards. Read more
Sometimes it seems that, no matter how carefully you plot out intentions and strategies to deal with some new enterprise or challenge, something will throw the proverbial “monkey wrench” into the midst of whatever activity you are about to undertake. Read more
Overnight there had been a rare serenade of noisy mooing coming from our pasture. It was so loud, even Dennis was awakened, and I could only imagine what the neighbors might be thinking. Read more
A packed audience chuckled, joked and bid quickly enough on Wednesday night to raise funds to preserve two Lancaster County farms and part of a third. Read more
The seasons have changed and there is no doubt that as you approach Metrick’s Harvest View Farm & Market in Butler, you will find fresh cider available when you reach their market at the top of a hill. Read more
MOUNT JOY, Pa. — Veterinarians and professionals who care for the animals we eat are in high demand. Read more
Gabi Vencak has been hunting for two years and is still waiting to harvest her first deer. While she has yet to fill a tag, she possesses something that can rival even the most experienced hunters: a passion for the sport. Read more
Major health organizations and leading nutrition researchers have long recommended limiting red and processed meat consumption to reduce risk of these diseases. Why the controversy? Let’s assess how the new study was conducted and see where the differences arise. Read more
A gigantic, fuzzy, fake spider — a long-ago gift from a dear friend, who cringes at the eight-legged spinners — hangs on our front porch, designed to scare anyone with the slightest trepidation about spiders. Read more
Managing field crops — corn, soybeans, wheat and barley — by deploying the right nutrient, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place can boost yields without adding costs. Read more
Mackenzie Fish walks into her bait shop and appreciates the sound of the aeration system bubbling away in a nearby minnow tank.
For the 19-year-old Columbia County resident, the sound is a daily reminder of a growing business that began as an FFA project. Read more
With plenty of non-stick cookware options and microwave ovens out there these days, perhaps you feel the idea of cooking with cast iron is too demanding, but cooking instructor Debbie Hartman, makes a good case for bringing your cast iron out of storage and putting it to use on your range. Read more
More than 7,000 creatively carved pumpkins comprise an amazing display called The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at historic Van Cortlandt Manor, a Colonial stone and brick house built prior to 1732 that’s been declared a National Historic Landmark. Read more
The answer to this question is: “It’s complicated!” When serving food to guests, family or even preparing food for yourself, it is important to make sure that the food will not make anyone sick. One easy thing that can be done to prevent illness is to store food at the proper temperature. Read more
Master gardeners Lawrence, Boltz and Fry all emphasized the same message — start saving money and keep your family safer from unnecessary harsh chemicals by making your own herbal cleaning products to get the job done around your home. Read more
The state has made several moves to develop the ag workforce, including approving three apprenticeship programs, creating the Commission on Agricultural Education Excellence, and offering a half million dollars in ag and youth grants. Read more
A Lancaster County farm community has rallied to raise $40,000 for a local FFA member who has bone cancer. Tobias Leaman, a senior at Lampeter-Strasburg High School, received about $22,000 during the Sept. 27 livestock sale at the West Lampeter Fair. Raw video provided by Melissa Herr. Read more
CSF Ramsey Teva’s Mercy Me ET, exhibited by Ray Ramsey of Greenfield, Indiana, earned grand champion female honors in the National Hereford Show on Oct. 4 at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition. Read more
The Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) brought not only visitors to the multi-day event — Sept. 27 through Oct. 6 — but also drew competitors from 27 states and Canada. Read more
Heidi Barkley of Manns Choice, Pennsylvania, won supreme champion ram in the junior breeding sheep competition at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition. Read more
Glacial Till Farm’s growing beds are 30 inches wide by 100 feet long, on 4-foot centers with 18-inch walkways between them, so that equipment can easily go through the beds. Read more
A new breed of redheads debuted at this year’s Keystone International Livestock Exposition. Red Devon USA held its national show at the Harrisburg event for the first time last week. Read more
Mickinzi Ferguson of Walkersville, Maryland, took champion barrow on-foot in the Oct. 6 Barrow On-Foot Swine Show at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition in Harrisburg. Read more
Delaware Valley University's Organic Farming Certificate Program provides a unique opportunity for students to earn 36 college credits plus a certificate in organic farming in just one year. Read more
Rodger Bankert has been showing his Chester White and Duroc breeding stock at the Keystone International Livestock Expositionsince 1959, the show’s second year of existence. Read more
PEARL is located on the Patuxent River, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Research conducted at the state-of-the art facility is designed to increase the understanding of coastal ecosystems so that they may be properly managed and protected. Read more
Dreary skies from the previous day, which had brought a welcome quarter-inch of moisture, had cleared, and heavy dew on the grass sparkled in the bright sunshine. Read more
Children are experiential learners; they learn about their world using all of their senses. The more often they are exposed to foods in a calm, low-pressure environment, the more likely they are to try and enjoy them. Read more
For the past four years, we’ve invited the neighbors surrounding our cattle pasture, as well as others involved with our beef operation, to join us at the farm for a “Pasture Pals Party.” Read more
A new partnership between Delaware Valley University and Forrester Farm Equipment will provide new, more modern farm equipment for the university and expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Read more
September is National Hunger Action Month. In Pennsylvania, approximately 1.53 million residents experience chronic hunger and food insecurity every day. Read more
The world’s top dairy cattle were in Wisconsin’s capital city last week for the World Dairy Expo, and a family from Quarryville, Pennsylvania, was among them. Read more
The source of the plopping sounds was obvious: fat, black walnuts were dropping all over. Another “plop” sounded toward the little creek, and then a “plink” rang out, when one of the plentiful nuts plummeted onto a piece of equipment parked at the edge of the trees. Read more
