Don’t Miss These PVGA Sponsored Summer Educational Events
The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association is sponsoring a series of educational events for growers across the state as part of our effort to keep growers updated on the latest methods in profitable vegetable and small fruit production. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities to get off your farm for a day or an evening to see how other growers are meeting production challenges. You also have the chance to visit with fellow growers and share ideas, problems and solutions.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Twilight Tour at Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative & New Morning Farm
This twilight meeting will feature a tour of the Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative (TOG) and New Morning Farm. TOG is focused on small scale organic wholesale distribution from New Morning Farm as well as others from surrounding farms in the region. This program will feature a behind the scenes farm tour of both facilities and a discussion on small-scale wholesale success strategies for area growers.
TOG is a grower owned cooperative featuring over 1,200 produce items annually that coordinates with over 50 farms resulting in over $3 million in sales annually. New Morning Farm is a 95-acre certified organic vegetable farm focused on retail sales outlets through year-round growing technology. The farm features heated greenhouses, extensive irrigation systems, two high tunnel cold frames and a 300 free-range laying hen operation.
The twilight meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and go to 8:00 p.m. at Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative, 22263 Anderson Hollow Road in Hustontown. Since GPS units don’t always give reliable directions to the location, use the following directions: From I-76 (PA Turnpike) – Take exit 180 for US 522 and go north (right) one mile on US 522 towards Ft. Littleton and Mt. Union. Turn left onto Sinoquipe Rd. and go 5.2 miles (until it stops at a T). Turn left onto PA-475 S. and go 0.6 miles. Turn right onto Anderson Hollow Rd and go to the end
There is no fee to attend this event. However, pre-registration by noon on July 15 is requested.
To register, contact Carla Snyder at 717-334-6271 or snyder.carla@psu.edu
OR visit http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/events/twilight-tour-tuscarora-organic-growers-cooperative-new-morning-farm-1.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Central Susquehanna Summer Vegetable Meeting
Topics for this summer’s twilight include a vegetable disease update, vegetable insect update, and a water quality discussion. Our speakers will be Plant Pathologist Dr. Beth Gugino, Entomologist Dr. Shelby Fleischer, Water Specialist Bryan Swistock, and Educator Amy Galford. We will also have a walking tour to look at current pest problems and discuss potential pest problems.
The meeting will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Linus Martin, Jr. farm three miles south of Mifflinburg at 736 Hess Road. Take PA 304 south to Wild Road. Turn right onto Wild Road and go one mile. Turn left onto Hess Road. The farm is at the end of the road – if you drive into Penn’s Creek, you went too far!
Linus Martin Jr. grows 14 acres of vegetables and 57 acres of grains. Linus grows eight acres of pumpkins, four acres of cantaloupe, one acre of watermelon, and a half acre of tomatoes. He uses Penn’s Creek for irrigation. All of his produce is marketed through the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction.
A representative of the Penn State Extension Water Team will be on hand to help you process a sample of your irrigation water for pH, alkalinity, and EC. We will also be discussing bacterial contamination of water and methods of treatment as it relates to GAP, FSMA and general food safety.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a sample of your irrigation water to be tested on-site for pH, alkalinity, and electrical conductivity (dissolved solids). To collect a sample of your water, follow these directions:
Water Sample Collection Instructions – Open and empty a new bottled water container (at least 12 oz.). Triple rinse the container with your irrigation water, then fill the container to the top and seal with the cap. Be careful not to touch the bottle lip or inside the cap with your fingers, or to let the cap or lip touch the ground. Collect the sample as close to the program time as possible and keep it cool and covered or in the dark.
No pre-registration necessary. For questions contact John Esslinger at 570-784-6660 or cje2@psu.edu.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Northwest Pennsylvania GAPs Mock Audit
This mock GAPs audit will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. at Troyer Land Resources, 724 Route 97 in Waterford. Join a PDA auditor as he walks through a local farm discussing how an audit is conducted and what to expect. The walking mock audit will be proceeded by an introduction to GAPs and PDA’s cost-share program. A question-and-answer period will follow. There is no registration cost and light refreshments will be provided. For further information contact Hannah Grose at hbg11@psu.edu or 717-334-6271 Ex 325/ To register, go to http://extension.psu.edu/tree-fruit/events or call Ms. Grose.
July 30, 2014
Berks Summer Vegetable Twilight Meeting
This annual grower gathering will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Kutztown Produce Auction at 209 Oak Haven Road in Fleetwood. Topics for this summer’s twilight include pollinators, vegetable insect update, and water quality. Dr Shelby Fleisher, Penn State Entomologist will discuss recent research on squash bees, bumble bees, other native bees, how to improve nutrition of pollinators and build up populations of native bees. He will also review vegetable insect problems so far this season. Steve Fink from Meadow View Bees and the Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Assoc. will give a hands-on honey bee demo. A representative of the Penn State Extension Water Team will be on hand to help growers process a sample of their irrigation water for pH, alkalinity, and electrical conductivity (dissolved solids). (See sample collection instructions under the Central Susquehanna meeting information above.) The Water Team will also be discussing bacterial contamination of water and methods of treatment as it relates to GAP, FSMA and general food safety. A core credit will be offered
No pre-registration is necessary. Registration will be $10.00 at the door and includes supper. For further information contact Tanner Delvalle at tcd125@psu.edu or 570-622-4225.
August 13, 2014
At-Market Twilight Meeting
This marketing twilight meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Produce Crib at Juniperdale Farm, 1015 Browntown Road in Nazareth. Join us at Fulmer’s diverse produce farm and market for an evening of education. We will be discussing the science and art of profitable pricing as well as exploring the many design variations of appropriate signage. We will have time to include our observations on this season’s production challenges. There will also be seasonal refreshments for all!
For further information and registration, contact John Berry at johnberry@psu.edu or 610-391-9840. There is no registration fee.
August 5, September 2 and October 7, 2014
Urban Farming Twilight Discussion Series
This is a series of educational evening meetings for the benefit of the growing audience of urban vegetable farmers in and near Philadelphia. See the schedule below for details.
August 5 – High Tunnels – Saul High School
Dr. William Lamont and Thomas McCann will be covering growing seedlings plus planting, cultivating, harvesting, washing, drying and storing produce.
September 2 – Intensive Growing Methods and Equipment for Small Farms – Heritage Farm
Carla Snyder and others will be discussing the use the raised beds, SPIN, and small farm equipment.
October 7 – Soil Health Evaluation – Aubury
Richard Steyhouer and Patrick Drohan will discuss the biology of soils and compost. Soil samples will be microscopically examined.
For more detailed information on any of these sessions, contact PhiladelphiaExt@psu.edu or 215-471-2200. There are no registration fees.
Another event being offered by Penn State Extension but not sponsored by PVGA is:
August 12, 2014
New Grower Cut Flower School
Ever want to diversify your production or start a cut flower business? Attendees of this workshop will have the opportunity to learn about starting a cut flower operation from Kate Sparks, owner of Lilies and Lavender. We will also discuss weed, disease and pest management strategies with Steve Bogash, Extension Educator.
The objective of this course is to introduce farmers to growing cut flowers and observe and discuss different management strategies. Farmers interested in starting a cut flower operation or wanting to learn different management techniques should attend. We will take a tour of Lilies and Lavender cut flower farm, discuss plant selection for beginning growers, harvest and post-harvest handling, and weed, disease and pest management.
The school will be held at Lilies and Lavender Farm, 729 Limekiln Road in Doylestown, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee. To register see http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetable-fruit/events or call 610-743-1970. For further information contact Andrew Puglia at ajp5168@psu.edu or 610-743-1970.