2016 Summer Educational Events
The following events were sponsored at least partially by PVGA. They are designed to give you as a grower opportunities to get off your farm for a day or an evening to see how other growers are meeting production challenges. They also give you chance to visit with fellow growers and share ideas, problems and solutions. Below is the description of the event used to publicize it.
July 19, 2016
Central Susquehanna Summer Vegetable Meeting
This twilight meeting will be held at the Linus Martin, Sr., farm at 557 South 4th Street in Mifflinburg, Union County., from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. To get to the farm, from PA Route 45, take PA Route 304 south for one-half mile. The farm is on the left.
The evening will start with grower Leonard Burger sharing his experience in using beneficial insects to control worms in peppers. Penn State Extension educator John Esslinger will review local insect pest issues and demonstrate sprayer calibration techniques. Dr. Beth Gugino, Penn State Extension vegetable pathologist, will cover the biology and management of vegetable diseases.
There is no registration or fee for this event. Contact John Esslinger at 570-316-6516 or cje2@psu.edu.
July 20, 2016
Chester Co. At-Market Workshop
The direct-marketing workshop will be held at Down To Earth Harvest Farm at 1585 Winfield Drive in Downington, Chester Co., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Down to Earth Harvest CSA strives to offer its customers products that are first in quality, value and flavor. Products are grown with great care for both each other and the tended land. It is owned and operated by Robert Todd and his wife Amy.
Down to Earth Harvest is a CSA farm that has been in business six years. It primarily serves the people of the southern Chester County area. In fall of 2015, Robert and Amy welcomed their daughter Ruth into the world and Down to Earth Harvest CSA Farm quickly became a family owned & operated farm. Down To Earth passionately believes in a soil driven plant positive approach that creates stronger healthier plants (better equip to defending themselves from pests and diseases) and produces the highest quality and best tasting product possible.
The discussion topics for the evening will be production related to markets, and marketing. Robert Todd will lead a discussion about his farms CSA’s alternative distribution model and he will share his experiences as a small-scale intensive vegetable producer. Also, conversations will revolve around managing and promoting a CSA. We will have group discussions regarding harvesting & transporting product off farm i.e. going to market(s).
There is no registration fee and light refreshments will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome but you can also register with John Wodehouse at 610-696-3500 or jpw20@psu.edu.
July 27, 2016
Berks Summer Twilight Meeting
This annual family event will be held at the Kutztown Produce Auction at 209 Oak Haven Road in Fleetwood, Berks Co., from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. A supper featuring local produce will be included.
Insect Pest Control Updates, Allium Leafminer, Sweet Corn Production, Sprayer Calibration, and Drift Management will be covered by Dr. Shelby Fleischer, Penn State Extension vegetable entomologist and Penn State Extension educators John Esslinger and William Riden.
There is no pre-registration but there will be a $10 registration fee collected at the door. Contract Tanner Delvalle at 570-622-4225 or tcd125@psu.edu.
August 3, 2016
Northampton Co. At-Market Workshop
This direct marketing workshop will be held at Twin Maple Farms at 7486 School Road in Bath, Northampton Co. from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The farm is located one mile south of Bath on School Road off Route 512.
Twin Maple Farms is a third and fourth generation potato, vegetable, and grain farm owned and operated by the Hunsicker family. Their tag line is “Providing prize-winning produce from our farm to your family since 1939.”
Garry, his wife Kathleen, and sons Joey and Steven currently operate the 250 acre Twin Maple Farms. They have a farm stand that is open daily from July through March along with stands at three local farmers’ markets and wholesale accounts. They sell potatoes, sweet corn, and seasonal vegetables including; tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, beans, lettuce, onions, radishes, flowers, and more. Garry and his family take pride in selling only what they grow. Twin Maple Farms is one of only three remaining commercial potato producers in Northampton County. They also raise grain corn, soybeans, and wheat.
The program focus for this twilight event is marketing. In addition to learning from the outstanding produce presentation and displays at this business, the Hunsicker’s will lead a discussion on “small wholesale” from their experiences with Buy Fresh. Buy Local, Redner store direct delivery, and specialty restaurants. We will also discuss the challenges and rewards of managing both a roadside market and three farmers’ market stands.
There is no registration fee and light refreshments will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome but you can also register with Christi Graver at 610-746-1970 or cug137@psu.edu.
August 18, 2016
Mock Harmonized GAP Audit Twilight Meeting
This mock Harmonized GAP Audit will be held at the Fulton Center for Sustainability Living at Wilson College at 1015 Philadelphia Avenue in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Growers will be able to observe what GAP auditors are looking for in their visits so they can be better prepared for an audit of their own operations and meet the new FSMA regulations. There is no cost to attend but please RSVP to Jeff Stoltzfus at 717-394-6851 at jhs3@psu.edu.