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UNIVERSITY PARK -- Interested in starting a farm, diversifying an existing farm or beginning an agritourism business? To help participants explore new business and production practices, Penn State Extension will hold the "Starting and Improving Farms" conference Sept. 19-20 at Toftrees Golf Resort, 1 Country Club Ln. in State College.
The event is designed for anyone who is considering starting a farm, those who began farming within the past five years, existing farms considering diversification, team members on existing farms, women farmers, providers who support farmers, and producers focused on agritourism, livestock or horticulture.
The two-day conference is aimed at helping attendees build and expand networks and identify new ideas and opportunities. Organizers emphasized the significance of a robust business network for essential support, solutions to challenges and beneficial opportunities. The conference will include presentations, tours, exhibits, workshops and networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
On the first day, attendees will connect with new and existing farmers as they tour small regional farms. Attendees also will visit Penn State research facilities to network with researchers who can address their farming questions. In the evening, participants will hear about the challenges and successes one young couple experienced as they started a new operation a few years ago.
Day two will address business best practices for startups and expansion. Attendees can choose from among various production workshops that address the needs of their farming operation. These sessions will allow attendees to participate in industry-specific discussions with farmers and extension personnel.
The conference will include:
• Business and production techniques from farmers, researchers, extension educators and extension associates.
• Insights on how existing farmers started their businesses and the hurdles they overcame.
• Opportunities for networking with peers, lenders and educators willing to assist with start-up or diversification plans.
• Various breakout sessions on a wide range of topics to allow participants to tailor their learning experience to address specific farming goals.
Participants can register through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 10. The $50 registration fee covers tour transportation, continental breakfast on day two, lunch on both days and attendance at the conference banquet.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/startingandimprovingfarms.
Learn about robotic dairy milking in
upcoming workshop
UNIVERSITY PARK -- An upcoming Penn State Extension workshop will give participants a chance to tour a dairy farm and learn about robotic milking systems. The "Robotic Dairy Twilight Tour" will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 25, at Hemsarth Dairy, 112 Hemsarth Rd. in Millville.
The farm is owned and operated by Greg and Cheryl Hemsarth, who currently milk about 220 Holsteins using Lely robots. Participants can walk the farm and learn about the cows, robotic dairy milking and aspects of dairy farm management. The event is open to all ages and will include an ice cream social.
Penn State Extension offers this workshop free of charge, but organizers ask that participants register by 7 p.m. July 25.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/robotictour.
PSU Extension to offer 'Turf and
Ornamentals
Field Day'
UNIVERSITY PARK -- An upcoming Penn State Extension workshop will showcase the results of turfgrass research, offer tours, hands-on demonstrations and informational sessions, and provide opportunities to earn pesticide education credits.
The "Turf and Ornamentals Field Day" will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at The Arboretum at Penn State.
This workshop is designed for golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, lawn care operators, landscapers, nursery operators and others interested in ornamental horticulture.
The day will begin with a core pesticide education program, followed by morning breakout sessions. In the afternoon, attendees can participate in lawn and sport turf or golf turf tracks at the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center. As an alternative, breakout sessions will cover weeds and other pests, plant diseases, perennials, and tours of the Arboretum, pollinator and bird garden, and a virtual tour of landscape design.
Participants can earn core and category pesticide credits from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and education points from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
Attendees should park at the Katz Law Building parking lot and can obtain a parking pass upon arrival.
The registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. July 26, and a $70 fee is required for registration.
More information about the workshop is available on the Penn State Extension website.