Listen in as we talk with Dr. Robyn Underwood, our Extension Apiculturist based in Lehigh County. Robyn works with the hobby and commercial beekeepers in the state of Pennsylvania and beyond. She has developed programming for beginning beekeepers and organic beekeeping. We only scratched the surface of her knowledge today! We discuss how to get started in beekeeping, bee lifecycle, and a little about pest management. Hosts: Glen, Karly, and Leah Guest: Robyn Underwood, Extension Educator, Apiculture Email Robyn at beekeeping@psu.edu Online Course: Beekeeping 101 Photo: Robyn Underwood, Penn State Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Do you need the pesticide applicator short course? Listen in and hear from Tom Butzler, Penn State Extension educator, about why it may be a good idea for you or your employees to take the course. In addition, we discuss the many ways to earn credits for your PA Pesticide License. Whether it’s online, in-person, or through workbooks—there are various ways to meet the credit requirement of the PA Department of Agriculture. Guest: Tom Butzler, Penn State Extension Hosts: Karly and Leah Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Our guest is Extension educator Maria Gorgo , based in Chester County, who talks with us about the mushroom industry in PA. Our state produces a large portion of the world’s mushroom supply. Maria discusses the industry's economic impact, specialty mushrooms, white button mushroom production, and spent mushroom substrate. She describes the environmental footprint of mushroom farms and how they contribute to agricultural sustainability. Listen to this informative discussion! Hosts: Karly, Leah Guest: Maria Gorgo Image: L. Fronk Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

In this episode, Brian Moyer shares the challenges faced by farmers' market managers and growers. We discuss what appeals to different generations as they shop for produce and how market managers can add new features to their market to attract customers. Brian shares how consumers more easily accept adjusting pricing to specific types of farm products. Guest speaker: Brian Moyer, Penn State Extension Retail Farm Market School: Effective Merchandising Free Webinar Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

In this episode, we’re joined by Jeff Stoltzfus, a fellow educator with Penn State Extension specializing in food safety considerations for produce growers. We spend the episode discussing the Food Safety Modernization Act as it pertains to produce growers, including what growers should be considering in their operations, how to know if the regulations apply to them, and how they can prepare for an inspection. Penn State Extension: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Guest: Jeff Stoltzfus, Penn State Extension Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions. Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

In this episode, we interview Elsa Sanchez and Tom Ford on avoiding, diagnosing, and managing soluble salt buildup in high tunnel soils. Email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss. Hosts: Leah Fronk and Glen Bupp, Penn State Extension Image: G. Bupp, Penn State Extension Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Recorded: 09/13/22 Hosts: Karly, Leah, Glen The season is winding down for many field-grown vegetables. In this episode, we discuss some unique issues in the field that gave us some challenges. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss. Photo: G. Bupp, Penn State Extension Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

A discussion with the Director of Ag Analytical Services Lab at Penn State, John Spargo, helps growers understand the best time and method to take a soil sample. We also talk about the shelf life of a sample and tips on mailing and/or delivering soil to the lab. John highlights quality control measures the lab uses to ensure accuracy. Listen in to learn about other services the lab provides for agricultural water and plant tissue. To get a soil sample kit, visit your county Extension office or follow directions on the AAS website at https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/fertility . Image: L. Fronk, Penn State John T. Spargo, Ph.D Director, Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 814-865-9155 jts29@psu.edu www.aasl.psu.edu Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Recorded: May 10, 2022 Today we have Senior Extension Associate Kathy Demchak on the podcast to talk about strawberries. Kathy works with a variety of berry crops at Penn State. We’ll cover the difference between matted row and plasticulture strawberries, questions to ask your plant suppliers, and an update on disease and insect management. Hosts: Karly, Leah Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Recorded 08/30/2022 Despite dry weather across much of PA, today’s production update starts with tomato disease issues. Other topics discussed include mentions of honeybee and pollination guidance from Extension apiculturists and disease and insect pressure on brassica crops, including the evasive Harlequin bug. Downy mildew is debated since it’s been found close by on pumpkin crops in the Mid-Atlantic. We talk about how to scout for it and why it can be difficult to diagnose in the field. Another topic is the debut of the fall generation of the allium leafminer in cooler regions of PA. Listen in as we discuss these topics as they relate to commercial growers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Email: producepointers@psu.edu Hosts: Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, Karly Regan Image: Beginning of black rot infection on cauliflower. Leah Fronk, Penn State Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Recorded: 08/16/22 Pennsylvania has had a bout of erratic rain. Extended periods of dry weather are causing irrigation concerns for growers, especially in the central and eastern parts of the state. Other issues discussed in this episode are post-harvest cooling, phytophthora, and stink bugs. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss. Hosts: Karly, Leah Image: G. Bupp, Penn State Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Managing powdery mildew is a top priority of pumpkin growers. Powdery mildew has the potential to weaken plants, decrease leaf cover, and make pumpkin handles weak. Listen to Dr. Beth Gugino, Penn State plant pathologist, as she describes cultural and chemical controls for this common pathogen. Also covered are other pumpkin diseases such as phytophthora, downy mildew, and bacterial wilt. Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Guide Penn State Plant Disease Clinic Image: L. Fronk, Penn State Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Today's guest is Dr. Brian Nault, who has been researching insect ecology and pest management in vegetable crops at Cornell for over 20 years. He joins us to discuss management options for corn earworm, how sweet corn pest management has changed over time, and why corn earworm has been and will continue to be such a difficult problem for sweet corn growers. Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah Guest: Dr. Brian Nault, Professor of Vegetable Entomology, Cornell AgriTech Photo: K. Regan, Penn State Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions. Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Recorded: 08/02/22 Pennsylvania is known for its deer; unfortunately, they’ve been wreaking havoc on farmers this year. Are you aware of different fencing options and Pennsylvania’s red tag program for farmers? In this update, we’ll talk about some ways to deal with deer, basil downy mildew, ozone damage in pumpkins, and blossom-end rot. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss. Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah Image: G. Brust, University of Maryland Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions. Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…

Today's guest is Dr. Sara May, the head diagnostician at the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic (PDC). Located in Buckhout Lab on the University Park campus, Dr. May’s lab processes between 1,500 to 2,000 plant samples each year. In this episode, we will discuss how vegetable and small fruit growers can utilize the services that the PDC offers to PA residents/growers. PDC website: https://plantpath.psu.edu/about/facilities/plant-disease-clinic Image: L. Fronk, Penn State Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.…