LOCAL

Franklin County entries win many blue ribbons at PA Farm Show

Donna Scherer

Penn State Extension

The 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show was another success with over half a million people attending. This year’s theme, “Inspiring Pennsylvania’s Story”, showcased the vast diversity of Pennsylvania’s production in agriculture and agribusiness. Pennsylvania’s agriculture and food industry contributes $137.5 billion each year to our state economy and more than 580,000 jobs. Everyone is impacted by this industry.

The annual Farm Show boasts over 6,000 animals, hundreds of exhibitors and vendors, hundreds of contests and demonstrations, and one 1,000-pound butter sculpture that showcase Pennsylvania’s rich agricultural history. Franklin County residents showcased their talents with an impressive total of 240 entries, earning 228 awards. Of these awards, 73 were for first place. Please note: The Pa Department of Agriculture Communications Office shared the following results, but at the time of this article the results for livestock were not included in the awards due to discrepancies. We are hopeful to be able to print those results next week.

The Friends Thru Fiber Group have competed in the Sheep to Shaw competition for many years. Out of eight participants, they proudly took home first place honors this year. They also received a first place Fleece Award.

Dwight Mickey of Shatzer’s Orchards in Chambersburg brought home numerous first place ribbons in the fruit department competition. In addition, the Franklin County Horticulture Society earned the Gabriel Heister Award with their fruit entry.

Julianna Myers, Chambersburg, earned first place with her gingerbread house in the youth, age 15 and younger, category.

Rebekah Aldrich, Chambersburg earned several awards for her many entries. She received blue ribbons for her Textile entry as well as for her Fiber Art-Tie Dye entry. Rebekah is a member of the Franklin County 4-H Pumphouse Gang, the 4-H Thimble Gang, the 4-H Eastern Dairy Club, and the Teen Council. She also serves on the Adams County 4-H Teen Senate Club.

This hand-sewn jacket was created by Rebekah Aldrich, Chambersburg, and entered in this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show. Rebekah received a blue ribbon for her hard work.

Members of the Franklin County Career Technology Center FFA club entered numerous projects and represented the county well. Blue ribbon prizes were awarded to Alaina Crist for her Spring Bulb Mix, Camille Smith for her hanging basket, Rebecca Gabler with her poinsettias and a Best of Show award in the Houseplant and Design section, Kenny Hershey for his miniature landscape display, and Shane Cursey for his fresh vase arrangement. The Franklin County CTC earned first place awards in Landscape Exhibit, Best Non-Living Materials selection and Best Landscape Blueprint.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered a Farm Show competition and represented Franklin County. Every year you showcase the vast diversity of Pennsylvania’s production in agriculture and agribusiness and inspire Pennsylvania’s story.

PENN STATE EXTENSION AND MASTER GARDENERS OF YORK COUNTY OFFER RESIDENTS UNIQUE, ONE-DAY LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Submitted by Connie Schmotzer, Penn State Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, York County

Penn State Extension and the York County Master Gardeners invite gardening enthusiasts to grow their gardening knowledge at the 23rd annual GardenWise, an educational program of speakers and seminars for home and community gardeners, on Saturday, March 9, 2019, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm at Central York Middle School, 1950 N. Hills Road, York, PA 17406.

“GardenWise is a longstanding educational program that area gardeners look to for the latest research-based gardening information. It’s also a great forum to network with fellow gardeners,” Penn State Extension Master Gardener Coordinator Connie Schmotzer explained.

This year’s GardenWise will feature award-winning native landscape designer and author Larry Weaner as keynote speaker. Mr. Weaner will present “Living in the Wild: My House” demonstrating that nature does not need to be secluded but can be a part of our everyday living.

Other noted speakers include Susan Smith Pagano, Associate Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, who will share the symbiotic relationship between migratory birds and fruiting plants and trees in “Native Plants and Migratory Birds: A “Fruit-Full” Pairing.” And, Dan Duran, professor at Rowan University, who will explain the importance of insects to our ecosystem and how we can foster their sustainability in “An Overview of the Ecosystem Services Insects Provide.”

These speakers, plus Regional Urban Forester Julianne Schieffer, West Nile Virus Program Administrator Thomas L. Smith, Nursery Owner and President of the Holly Society of America Sue Hunter and Master Gardener Volunteer Debbie Hartman will conduct interactive breakout sessions. Topics will include herbs, hollies, pruning, ticks/Lyme disease and more.

Registration before the event is required. The registration fee is $75 and includes breakfast and lunch. Early registrations, on or before February 16, will receive a discounted price of $60. Registration closes on March 2. To register go to https://extension.psu.edu/gardenwise.

The GardenWise event will also include local vendors selling plants, gardening supplies, garden themed crafts, new and used garden books and exhibits by local garden related organizations.

The Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by the York Penn State Extension. Once they complete their training, the York Master Gardeners help the Extension serve the home gardening public by answering questions, speaking to groups, working with 4-H and community horticultural projects, maintaining demonstration gardens and a variety of other projects. Master Gardeners bring unbiased, research-based information to the public. More information can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/york.

For more information about Penn State Extension and the Master Gardener Program, contact Connie Schmotzer, Educator, cxs51@psu.edu or 717-840-7408 or visit https://extension.psu.edu/gardenwise.

Coming Up

Free Manure Management Plan (MMP) Workshops – Choose your day: Tuesday, January 29; Tuesday, February 12 – 9:00 am - 2:30 pm (Registration begins at 8:30 am) – All meetings held at the Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. All farms generating or applying manure MUST have an MMP. The Franklin County Conservation is available to help create those plans. Registration is free but required. Please contact the Franklin County Conservation District at 717-264-5499. A hot lunch will be provided.
2019 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention – January 29-31, 2019 – Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA. This year’s keynote speaker is Andy Masters, an award-winning author and international speaker on various leadership and customer service topics. Registration is required. Please visit https://www.mdhortsociety.org/mafvc or call 240-409-7491 for more information.
Toss Your Hat in the Ring-Waynesboro – Thursday, January 31, 2019 – 7:00-9:00 pm – Greater Waynesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, 118 Walnut Street, Waynesboro, PA. If you have ever thought about serving on your local school board, borough council or township board, this meeting is for you! Come and learn about local government in general, receive instructions on how to run, and listen to a panel discussion of local officials discuss why they decided to run for office. To register, please visit extension.psu.edu/toss-your-hat and choose the Waynesboro location. Registration fee is $25. For more information, contact Judy Chambers or Tanya Lamo, Penn State Extension at 717-334-6271.
Franklin County Beekeepers Association Winter Meeting – Thursday, February 7, 2019 – 6:30-9:30 pm – Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. For more information, please visit www.fcbapa.com.
Winter Sowing Seeds for Preschoolers – February 9, 2019 – 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. Bring your preschoolers and learn how to sow seeds in the winter using recycled containers. Class size is limited. Children must be accompanied by adults for the duration of the workshop. Best suited for ages 3-6. To register, please call 1-877-345-0691 or visit https://extension.psu.edu/winter-sowing-seeds-for-preschoolers. Fee is $10 per family. Only a few spots remaining!
Cumberland Woodland Owners Meeting – Thursday, February 14, 2019 – 7:00-9:00 pm - Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA - Tracy Coulter, Agroforestry Coordinator for DCNR/Bureau of Forestry, will speak about Agroforestry and share strategies for managing and/or creating woodlands for multiple uses. For more information, please contact the Franklin County Extension Office at 717-263-9226. The public are welcome to attend. No fee or registration is required.