Penn State Extension

Support our Master Gardeners’ Seed to Supper Program! 🌟 This Giving Tuesday, let’s cultivate something extraordinary together. The Seed to Supper Program empowers low-income individuals and families to grow their own fresh, nutritious food. Through hands-on gardening education, participants gain essential skills, build community, and enjoy the lasting benefits of homegrown meals. Your gift can help: 🍅 Provide seeds, tools, and resources for new gardeners. 🌻 Fund workshops led by passionate Penn State Master Gardeners. 🥕 Expand outreach to underserved communities across Pennsylvania. Together, we can sow the seeds of food security, wellness, and sustainability. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a tangible difference. Give today and grow hope for tomorrow: https://ow.ly/l2Ko50Ua9s5 Thank you for planting the seeds of change with us!

🚀 Ready to take your agribusiness to the next level? Join us at the Cultivating Business Conference in West Chester on December 9. Network with industry leaders, gain actionable insights, and cultivate growth in your business. Don’t miss out – mark your calendars! https://lnkd.in/eD9sisAG

Here's a great way to get involved in the health of your local stream and teach kids about water quality. Check out this article by Penn State Extension about the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) tool, for use by community scientists who are interested in improving stream health: https://bit.ly/3A9FFDt If your organization is interested in youth education or community outreach surrounding water quality, WPC has mini grants available! Apply through December 16 ➡️ https://bit.ly/2ArHUQV #waterQuality #PAstreams #CommunityScience #CitizenScience

Ready to dive deeper into the world of beekeeping? 🐝 Our Beekeeping 102 course is designed to take your knowledge to the next level. Learn about hive management, honey production, and maintaining healthy colonies. Perfect for beginner beekeepers looking to expand their skills. https://lnkd.in/ewM299PH

Mark your calendar for the Penn State Extension workshop "Made for the Shade: Choosing the Best Plants" on November 16, 2024 in Harrisburg, PA. For details and registration, visit https://lnkd.in/eM6wbwef

I'm watching the amazing Penn State Extension Water Resources team teach our Backyard Stream Repair field day in Palmyra, PA. Watching is the key word, I love my job directing the Center, but I sure do miss teaching and field work. I'm so proud to lead this team. They are awesome! Tyler Groh Jim Lewis Natalie Marioni (she/her) Penn State Extension #WaterResources #StreamHealth

At the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, a garden built through the Seed to Supper program offers fresh produce and new hope. 🍅 The residents enjoy the gardening and harvest, finding comfort through what could be called “reminiscence gardening.” “He looked at the corn, and he started talking about his wife — how she was the gardener, not him. It reminded him so much of her, and it turned into reminiscing about his life with her.” As the program continues to grow, our Master Gardeners are looking to expand their reach and connect with more partner organizations. For example, there are plans for new raised beds designed to be more accessible for veterans in wheelchairs. https://ow.ly/2JuZ50TXhRr

Calling all pest management professionals! 📣 Join us at the Professional Pest Managers School. This intensive training covers the latest techniques, tools, and best practices in pest management, equipping you with essential skills to tackle challenges in the field. — Wexford, Pa. on November 13 — Grantville, Pa. on December 9 ❗Earn valuable credits while expanding your expertise alongside industry experts. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your career, connect with peers, and stay at the forefront of pest management. 🔗 Register today: https://lnkd.in/e8-uc8Fr

Ever wonder why nutrients, essential for plant growth, are a problem in our water? While they help plants on land, these same nutrients, like phosphorus, fuel the growth of algae and aquatic plants in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. When too many nutrients flow into our water bodies, it speeds up eutrophication—a natural process that ages water ecosystems but can lead to harmful algae blooms, oxygen depletion, and even fish kills when accelerated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlights nutrient pollution as one of the most widespread water challenges today. 🚨 Major culprits? Agricultural runoff, stormwater, human wastewater, and fossil fuels.

🐴 Grazing with purpose! Horses play a crucial role in keeping pastures healthy by encouraging new grass growth and supporting a thriving ecosystem. Want to learn more? Enroll in our Fundamentals of Equine Pasture Management online course to dive into best practices for pasture health and horse care. https://lnkd.in/eMZFhipE