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On February 24, 2018

Prospective students and their families are invited to explore the 17 academic majors and 22 minors of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences during a spring open house on Monday, April 16, at the University Park campus.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students and their families to see what our college has to offer, meet our faculty and staff, and tour the facilities,” said Jean Lonie, director of student recruitment and activities. “We are always excited to host prospective students so they can get a sense of what to expect as Nittany Lions.”

Penn State was founded in 1855 as The Farmers High School. As the first institution in the nation to grant baccalaureate degrees in agriculture, Penn State blends a strong tradition of excellence in the agricultural sciences with its status as a leading innovator in the industry, according to Lonie.

During the open house, attendees will have the chance to learn more about the college and hear firsthand experiences from current students. Time is also dedicated for students to speak with advisers from the wide variety of majors offered in the college so that they can better understand the academic requirements, potential career pathways and engaged learning opportunities that are available.

Afternoon tours will highlight research labs, food science facilities, livestock barns, the student farm, greenhouses and other locations connected to the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Through the open house, prospective students and their parents can get a sense of what it is like to be a part of the agricultural sciences family at Penn State.

“With the wide variety of options that Penn State offers, choosing the right thing can seem overwhelming,” Lonie notes. “Our goal is to give prospective students and their family members the chance to dig into our majors and better understand the amazing opportunities that exist for agricultural sciences graduates.”

To register or learn more about majors and minors contact contact Debbie Heeman at dah54@psu.edu<mailto:dah54@psu.edu>.

To Apply For The Dairy Of Distinction Award

Pennsylvania dairy producers are invited to apply for the Dairy of Distinction award from the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction Program. Applications must be submitted by April 15.

The award is based on the concept that attractive farmsteads enhance consumer confidence in the wholesomeness of milk and stimulate milk sales and public support for the industry. Dairies receiving the highest scores in each of 10 Pennsylvania districts will be awarded an 18-inch-by-24-inch Dairy of Distinction sign to display in front of their farm.

“This program is conducted by volunteers and recognizes the hard work and dedication of dairy producers who promote a positive image for the dairy industry,” said Mike O’Connor, secretary of the Pennsylvania Dairy of Distinction program and professor emeritus of dairy science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Roadside judging will take place in May and June, and farms will be evaluated on factors that can be controlled by the dairy producer. Judges will look for clean and attractively finished buildings; neat landscaping, ditches, roads and lanes; and well-maintained fences. They also will take into account other aspects of the farm, such as manure management and cleanliness of animals, the barnyard and feed areas.

To obtain an application for dairies in Pennsylvania, call O’Connor at 814-574-9219<tel:814-574-9219> or visit the program’s website: http://www.dairyofdistinction.com . Since 1987, Pennsylvania’s Dairy of Distinction program has recognized more than 875 dairy farms. The Pennsylvania program is part of the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program, which also includes New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Dairy producers in these states can obtain an application from the program secretary in their state as listed on the website.

To Learn About The 2017 Herbicide Evaluation Studies

Each year the weed science group conducts herbicide evaluation field studies that compares many different herbicide products and programs in field crops. This report is a summary of the 2017 herbicide evaluation studies. The purpose of this report is to inform colleagues, industry cooperators, and other interested persons of our field research results. Final copies of commercial advertisements that will contain data from these results are subject to the authors’ approval before publication. The information within this report does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any product or rate. Apology is expressed for any inadvertent errors which may be found. Specific weed control recommendations are available through Penn State Extension.

The report can be viewed or downloaded at:

https://extension.psu.edu/2017-penn-state-agronomy-herbicide-trial-report

To Earn Pesticide Credits

Penn State Extension and the SOLANCO Young Farmer program have reserved the Hoffman Building, Quarryville fairgrounds for two independent pesticide education opportunities on February 27th, 2018. Both meetings will have “2 + 2” pesticide points with a morning session (9:30 AM -12:00 PM) and an evening session (7:00 – 9:00 PM) offered.

The morning pesticide training will feature Leon Ressler, PSU Agronomy Educator, Jeff Graybill, CCA, PSU Agronomy Educator, and Kay Moyer, RN Farm Safety Coordinator, each with the Lancaster Co.  Office.  Presentations will include: “Top 10 Hard to Control Weeds”, “Xtend Soybeans and Dicamba: What Went Wrong in 2017”, and “ Pesticide Safety on Farms, and for Farm Families.”

The evening program will feature the same speakers plus Dennis Eby, Lancaster Co. Conservation District. Topics for the evening session will include: “What’s in Your Spray Tank Matters”, “Farm Pesticide Safety Review”, and “Review of Important Diseases and Insects in Field Crops for 2017.”

Both Sessions will include a short presentation on the PDA Quarantine of the Spotted Lantern Fly, a newly invasive pest in Lancaster County. Updates to PA’s nutrient management law and how it will affect local farms will also be discussed.

Representatives and sponsors from local agricultural businesses will be on hand to support the meeting, greet customers and answer questions.  A charge of $5.00 will be collected at the door to cover expenses and handouts- reservations are not required.  Morning and evening session will have separate meeting numbers.

Questions? Contact:  Jeff Graybill at Lancaster Extension: 717-394-6851<tel:717-394-6851>.

To Plan To Attend The Groundwater Symposium On May 8

In celebration of National Drinking Water Week, Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection along with numerous other sponsors invite you to attend the 2018 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium at the Ramada Inn Conference Center in State College, PA.

The Symposium theme, Groundwater Science and Fiction, will provide a forum for researchers, students, professionals and educators working in the groundwater field to exchange information and promote protection of groundwater resources throughout the state.

The day-long symposium will begin at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 with opening remarks by Russell Redding, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  The morning plenary session will be highlighted by a keynote presentation on What We Know, What We Think We Know, and What We Pretend to Know About Groundwater by Dr. Donald Siegel from Syracuse University. Additional morning and afternoon plenary and concurrent session speakers will address numerous important groundwater issues in Pennsylvania. Registrants can also receive continuing education credits for attending all sessions.

A nominal registration fee of $42.00 for the symposium is made possible thanks to generous funding support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Ground Water Association and the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center.  Discounted registration is also available for certified Penn State Master Well Owner volunteers. Registration will be opened in mid-February and will be limited to the first 260 registrants or May 4, 2018 – whichever comes first.  Your registration fee pays for morning and afternoon break food and a buffet lunch. There will be no walk-in registration on the day of the Symposium. To Register go to: http://www.cvent.com/events/pennsylvania-groundwater-symposium/event-summary-16741fa88f624b68a101547a32f9ff54.aspx. One can also register by calling (814) 865-8301<tel:(814)%20865-8301>.

We hope you can join us for this event showcasing Pennsylvania’s valuable groundwater resource!

New for 2018 – this year we have added an optional field trip on Monday, May 7 starting at 1:00 PM at the Ramada Inn parking lot and ending by 6:00 PM.  The field trip will be taught by Dave Yoxtheimer and will visit numerous locations near State College of hydrogeologic interest.  The field trip will be limited to 40 registrants and pre-registration is required to reserve your spot.  See the “Optional Field Trip” tab for more information on the registration site.

Quote Of The Week: “”Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” Doug Larson