Northeast SARE State Program Report, Funding Year November 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008
1.
State:
Pennsylvania
2.
Land-Grant Institution:
3.
Report Period: November 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008
4.
Title: Progress Report on the 2007/2008 Implementation of the Statewide Strategic Plan for
the Long-Term Sustainability of Pennsylvania Farms
5.
Project Contact (SARE State Coordinator):
The Pennsylvania State University
Name: Dr. William Curran
Address:116 ASI Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-1014 Fax:814-863-7043
6.
E-mail: wcurran@psu.edu
Summary
In 2008, the primary Pennsylvania activities included continued support of the PSU SAWG and
it’s activities including the newsletter, development and support of sustainable ag field day
activities, and providing financial support for extension educators and other ag professionals in
continuing education endeavors. This included supporting 15 educators attending the 2008
Farming for the Future Conference (PASA) and exhibiting sustainable ag information at the
PASA conference and elsewhere.
7.
Performance Targets
The PSU Sustainable Ag Working Group (PSU-SAWG) will continue to help develop a cohesive
state-wide program in sustainable agriculture. Success will be monitored through a review of
program progress at periodic group meetings.
At least 50 county-based educators, USDA NRCS personnel, and other agricultural
professionals will attend programs that target sustainable agriculture education. The target will
be assessed through meeting attendance and meeting evaluations.
8.
Milestones

PSU-SAWG will meet 3 to 4 times per year to discuss PDP priorities, activities, progress, and
budget. - The group formally met once in 2008. When needed, NESARE PA PDP funds are
available to help this group facilitate group activities. PASA was provided with some financial
support (with NE SARE PDP funds), so an individual could help write and publish the SAWG
newsletter, website support, helps develop and process program evaluations, and participate in
the on-farm research program. A PASA employee is has been an integral part of the PSUSAWG efforts. In 2008, six newsletters were published. A summary of the newsletter content is
provided in Attachment A.
The complete listing can be found at
http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/Newsletter1.html.

At least 50 county-based educators, USDA NRCS staff, and other agricultural professionals will
attend an on-farm demonstration and field day focused in sustainable crop production - This
1
past summer, two PSU ag field days took place across the state. In addition, NESARE dollars
were used for travel support to attend and participate in a joint PA-MD field day hosted by
Mason’s Heritage Farm in Queen Anne’s County, MD. It was a collaboration that included
funding from both NESARE and a USDA MD Conservation Innovation grant. The Rodale
Institute also participated. The announcement and survey tool are provided in Attachment B and
the survey results can be found at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=2G_2bvT0Kv9P1RCXmFFP37PoB5bas0wPrXHcP
0uXe3qIg_3d.

At least 15 extension educators (agents, faculty and staff) will participate in conferences,
workshops, or other activities that support sustainable ag education - The Pennsylvania
Association of County Agricultural Agents (PACAA) met in June, 2008 at Milton Hershey
School’s Agricultural and Environmental Education centers. Sites visited were the
Environmental Center, Horticultural Center, and Dairy and Foods Processing Center.
Participants of the tour learned the extraordinary opportunities that youth have that attend this
school. About 20 PA educators were in attendance. (travel reimbursement and other expenses
were provided with PDP funds). – see Attachment C.

At least 15 extension educators (agents, faculty and staff) will participate in the annual PASA
conference in February 2008 - At the 2008 PASA conference, almost 2000 people attended more
than 75 workshops not including the preconference activities. Ninety-four educators from Penn
State attended the annual conference. Fifteen extension educators received travel support from
PDP funds and helped staff a joint Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and NESARE
exhibit. Sustainable agriculture educational materials from both Penn State and NESARE were
displayed over the two-day period. Video’s ran throughout the two days showing USDA SARE
videos “Vegetable Farmers and Their Weed Control Machines”, “SARE: Innovations in
Agriculture”, and “Farmers and Their Cover Cropping Techniques” plus a number of other
videos. PDP funds were used to support this activity. In addition, extension educators nominated
farmers that either had not attended the conference before or would not have been able to attend
the conference without the support and 9 farmers received scholarships to help support their
attendance to the conference. Comments from educators are provided in Attachment D.
.
Penn State and NE Region SARE sustainable ag education and programming information will be
displayed at appropriate conferences and workshops – Sustainable Ag and USDA SARE
publications and information was displayed at a number of extension meetings including the
PASA conference, sustainable ag field days, and Ag Progress Days, a 3-day ag fair that attracts
over 100,000 people.

9.

Performance Target Verification
Evaluations using several formats were used over the last year to evaluate success with different
programs. Results are provided in Attachments C, D, & E.
2
BENEFICIARY FORM
Northeast SARE State Program Funding Year-End Report, Nov. 1, 2007 – Sept. 30, 2008
_______________Penn State University_________________
Institution
Number of Beneficiaries
2
10
10
2/8-9
State College,
PA
94
June 2527
Hershey, PA
20
6 annually
statewide
100
25
Other
1
25
Farmers
PSU-SAWG Newsletter2
5/22, 7/2,
7/10
Queen Anne
County, MD,
Landisville, PA,
Rocksprings,
PA
Industry
PA Extension Educator Annual
Meeting
Non-Profit
PASA annual conference1
Location (City/
State)
USDA
Sustainable ag field day activities
Date
Extension
Activity
50
50
25
100
100
Only includes Penn State Educators. Other attendance information was not available.
Approximate breakdown.
3
Attachments (PA)
Attachment A. 2008 Sustainable Ag Newsletter Content
January, 2008
 http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/PDFs/January2008.pdf
In this issue:
Edamame: High Value Potential for PA Farmers
Opportunity for Agricultural Experience in Africa
Pennsylvania NRCS Environmental Incentives Program (EQIP) for Specialty Crops in 2008
MSU Receives $3.5 Million Kellogg Grant to Develop Pasture-Based Dairy Program
Tips for Using Compost
Census Gives Farmers A Voice in their Future
New Courses Offered at Penn State
Sustainable Ag Field Days, Workshops, Meetings & Conferences
Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunities
Sustainable Ag Learning Resources
March, 2008

http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/PDFs/March2008.pdf
In this issue:
Cover Crop Combinations of Varying Seeding Rates & Subsequent Cash Crop Yields
Organic Certification of Research Sites & Facilities
Gates & Kellogg Foundations Join Forces in Support of Local Food Enterprises
European Study Finds Organic Food More Nutritious than Conventional
Pennsylvania Certified Organic Has Moved
Sustainable Ag Field Days, Workshops, Meetings & Conferences
Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunities
Sustainable Ag Learning Resources
May, 2008

http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/PDFs/May2008.pdf
In this issue:
Biological Fungicides and Bactericides: Using Fungi & Bacteria for Disease Management
4
Organic Ridge Till Vegetables
Growing New Farmers Project & Resources
Sustainable Ag Student
Sustainable Ag Field Days, Workshops, Meetings & Conferences
Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunities
What We're Reading
Sustainable Ag Learning Resources
July, 2008

http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/PDFs/July2008.pdf
In this issue:
New Marketing Opportunity for PA Organic Grain Growers
Northeast Food & Farm Network Focuses on Sustainable Food Systems
Study to Examine Link Between Sustainable Farming & Health
PA Farmland Preservation Board Approves 58 Additional Farms
New Course: Ecology 597
National Harvest Awards
Sustainable Ag Field Days, Workshops, Events, Meetings and Conferences
Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunities
Sustainable Ag Learning Resources
September, 2008

http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/PDFs/September2008.pdf
In this issue:
Research Focuses on Organic Consumers, Retailers, and Manufacturers
Sustainable Ag Student: Dara Bloom
Pest Forecasting Network
New Courses at Penn State
Weed Control: Flaming vs. Rotary Hoeing
Tools Designed for Women
Spotlight on Soils
5
Dig It! Secrets of Soil
Sustainable Ag Field Days, Workshops, Meetings & Conferences
Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunities
Sustainable Ag Learning Resources
October, 2008

http://sawg.cas.psu.edu/PDFs/October2008.pdf
In This Issue:
Creating a Community Garden at PSU: A Year's Worth of Work in Review
Photos Sought for Exhibit at Farming for the Future Conference
Sustainable Farm Field Day Report: Dairy and Diverse Livestock, Value-Added Production & Marketing at Triangle
Farm
Urban Farmer Will Allen of Growing Power, Recipient of a MacArthur "Genius Award"
The Good Food Neighborhood: Local Foods Program for Consumers
Sustainable Ag Field Days, Workshops,
Events, Meetings & Conferences
Sustainable Ag Funding Opportunities
Sustainable Ag Learning Resources
Produced by the Penn State Sustainable Ag Working Group (PSU-SAWG), a multidisciplinary group
that includes Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences personnel, farmers, and representatives
from governmental and non-governmental organizations that support sustainable agriculture. Also
available at http://sawg.cas.psu.edu.
6
Attachment B. Organic No-till Field Day announcement and survey tool
7
ORGANIC NO-TILL FIELD DAY
MASON’S HERITAGE FARM
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Hosted by: NE SARE, USDA-NRCS, Penn State University Cooperative Extension, Rodale Institute,
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, Maryland Department of Agriculture, University of
Maryland Wye Research and Education Center
PROGRAM EVALUATION FORM
In order for us to serve you better and improve our programming, please take a few minutes to
answer this brief evaluation form. Thank you!
Did you learn anything in this training
about:
Dave Wilson, Ron Hoover, & Bill Mason
Cover crop selection
Planting considerations
Challenges of increasing nitrogen in the
system: legumes vs. animal manures
Effect of tillage on soil quality
Timing for rolling/crimping legume cover
crops
Bill Curran and Ruth Mick
Timing of weed species emergence and
management considerations
Control of cover crops with a roller/crimper
Use of cover crops and weed control
Update of roller/crimper research in progress
Jennifer Rhodes and Tony Riggi
Organic Grain Crop Budgets
Organic Transition Cost Share
Maryland Cover Crop Program
Gave me
considerable
new information
Gave me some
new information
Reinforced what
I already knew
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
8
Bill Mason
3
2
1
3
2
1
Demo of roller/crimper and no-till drilling of
soybeans in cereal cover crops
Question & Answer Session
1. How did you find out about the Field Day? (Circle one)
Newsletter
Newspaper
2. Are you an Organic producer?
Friend
Yes
Other
No
3. If yes, what types of crops to you produce?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________
4. If no, do you plan on becoming an organic producer - what type of crops?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________
5. How would you rate the field day overall? (circle one)
poor
1
2
3
4
5
excellent
6. Please rate the field day on the following items: (circle one number for each item)
7.
a. Content
of little use
1 2 3 4 5 useful
b. Organization
poor
1 2 3 4 5 excellent
c. Creating interest in topic
boring
1 2 3 4 5 stimulating
d. Involvement of participants
poor
1 2 3 4 5 excellent
e. Pace of delivery
inappropriate 1 2 3 4 5 appropriate
f. Materials, handouts
of little help
1 2 3 4 5 helpful
What did you gain from this field day? (check all that apply)
a. _____ Answers to my questions
b. _____ Resource materials I can use
c. _____ Ideas I can try immediately
d. _____ Names of other people to contact
e. _____ Nothing new
f. Anything else? ________________________________________________________
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8. How much of the content of this field day did you already know? (check one)
a. Nothing _____
b. A little _____
c. Quite a bit _____
d. Most of it _____
e.
9. Will you change any of your practices on your farm as a result of this field day?
_____ Yes
_____ No
10. If yes, please list changes you will make to your farming operation.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________
11. Suggestion of topics and/or speakers for next field day?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________
Thank you!
It is the policy of Maryland Cooperative Extension that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of
race, color, gender, religion, disability, age or national origin.
10
Attachment C. The Pennsylvania Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting
11
President
J. Craig Williams
Courthouse Annex
118 Main Street
Wellsboro,PA 16901- 1495
Phone: 570.724.9120
Fax: 570.724.6819
President Elect
Tim Elkner
1383 Arcadia Lane, Room 1
Lancaster, PA 17601-3184
Phone: 717.394.6851
Vice President
Susan Alexander
Parker P. Blood Block
180 Main Street
Brookville, PA 15825-1234
Phone 814-849-7361
Fax 814-849-3106
Secretary
Susan Boser
2020 Beaver Avenue, Suite 200
Monaca, PA 15061
Phone: 724.774.3003
Fax: 724.774.0971
Treasurer
Alan Michael
1451 Peters Mountain Road
Dauphin, PA 17018-9504
Phone: 717.921.8803
Fax: 717.921.0135
Past President
Donald Fretts
Ground Floor, County Building
Uniontown, PA 15401-3514
Phone: 724.438.0111
Fax: 724.430.3063
Membership Secretary
Amber Lemin
RR4, Box 167B6
Fairgrounds Road
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Life Member Representative
Duane G. Duncan
49 “E” Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: 717.243.8069
Directors
Capital Region:
Gregory Martin
1383 Arcadia Lane, Room 1
Lancaster, PA 17601-3184
Phone: 717.394.6851
Delbert Voight
2120 Cornwall Rd Suite 1
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717.270.4391
Central Region:
Craig Altemose
Willowbank Building, Room 322
420 Holmes Avenue
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: 814-355-4897
INVOICE
July 3, 2008
TO: Penn State / NE SARE
Bill Curran Coordinator
We would like to thank Penn State University and NE SARE for sponsoring our
Annual Spring Improvement meeting for the Pennsylvania Association of County
Agricultural Agents. ( PACAA)
Your committed support of $1000.00 provided for a successful tour and workshop
expenses. The tour for this year’s program was to the Milton Hershey Schools
AEE (Agricultural Environmental Center: http://www.mhspa.org/programs/academics/aee/ ) Extension educators learned of the mission of
the school and saw first hand how the students are learning and applying
agricultural information from the horticultural center to the environmental center
and created wetlands to the dairy barn. Students grow and harvest fruits and
vegetables for sale at the school’s roadside market as well as assisting in vegetable
research trials conducted at the farm.
Karen Vines
312 Ag Sci & Ind Bldg
University Park, Pa 16802
Phone: 814.865.3097
Please send a check payable to PACAA to Alan Michael, Treasurer.
Alan Michael
1451 Peters Mountain Road
Dauphin, PA 17018-9504
Northeast Region:
Mark Madden
R R 2, Box 2022A
University Park
Dushore, PA 18614-9704
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Linda Wiles
724 Phillips Street, Suite 201
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Phone: 570.421.6430
Southeast:
Andrew Frankenfield
1015 Bridge Rd, Suite H
Collegeville, PA 19426-1179
Phone 610.489.4315
Susan Alexander
PACAA Vice President
Dwane Miller
1202 Ag Center Dr
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: 570.622.4225
West Region:
Bill Chess
Courthouse, Court Street
New Castle, Pa. 16101
Phone: 724-654-8370
Robert C. Pollock
827 Water Street
Indiana, PA 15701-1755
Phone: 724.465.3880
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Travel Scholarship/Training Event Follow-up Survey
Northeast Region SARE Professional Development Program
Applicant Name: PACAA – Pennsylvania Association of County Agricultural Agents; Susan Alexander,
vice president___
Phone: ____814-849-7361________________
Email: __skm3@psu.edu__
1. What did you learn from attendance at this conference/event?
This event was a tour of the Milton Hershey School’s Agricultural and Environmental Education
centers. Sites visited were the Environmental Center, Horticultural Center, and Dairy and Foods
Processing Center. Participants of the tour learned the extraordinary opportunities that youth have that
attend this school. Students learn through a combination of laboratory, classroom, barns, greenhouse,
and other hands-on activities. The students are provided with the opportunity to learn about the
diversity and value of agriculture while developing an understanding of agriculture as it applies to our
society.
2. How have you used information learned at conference/event in your work?
Shared the information with co-workers as to what is offered at the school and encouraged them to tour
the facility if the opportunity arises.
Report will be shared with full membership of PACAA at fall professional improvement meeting.
3. What was the most meaningful part of your experience at this conference/event?
Learning the mission of the school and that they are reaching out to young people to educate them on
where and how food is grown and harvested. The mission of Agricultural and Environmental Education
(AEE) at Milton Hershey School is to support student success by engaging children and adults in
experiential, land-based learning.
4. Would you recommend this conference/event to others?
Definitely YES.
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Attachment D. Educator comments from the 2008 PASA conference
Travel Scholarship/Training Event Follow-up Survey for 2008 PASA Conference
(N=9)
1. What did you learn from attendance at this conference/event?

1. More about cover crops, reducing energy consumption on the farm, alternative energy crops,
pasture management, improving habitat for native pollinators

2. Organic Veggies- good overview by Ruth Hazzard of all organic options available for pest
management in most of the major crops. Weeds-Had seen presentation about this at last year’s
conference. Wanted to build on this knowledge of successes and the research being done out
west on this topic.

3. New techniques in pastured poultry production, marketing techniques for pastured meats,
needs for women in ag.

4. that much of beef cattle grazing is an art of balancing pastures and pasture rotations with the
needs of the livestock at that time and the needs of maintaining and improving the pasture. Also
the message from the keynote speaker on persevering in spite of obstacles was very inspirational.

5. The PASA conference attendance has increased to over 2000 people. Also a good
representation of exhibitors.

6. The first day I learned about the art of cheese making, including the costs and considerations
involved. The second day I learned the role that PASA is playing in helping American farmers
use more sustainable farming practices. I also learned about the benefits and costs of valueadded products.

7. The diversity of participants at meeting such as this and the wide range of knowledge from
these folks.

8. I learned about the importance of fermentable fiber in meat goat’s diet and how grazing
forages will affect those levels.

9. Many diversity lessons.
2. How have you used information learned at conference/event in your work?

1. Implement and demonstrate energy savings techniques on the farm, how to improve use of
pastures and grass systems, techniques to improve native pollinator services.

2. Recommendation to farmers in pest control. I bought the DVD and will be incorporating it in
my Grazing School, more to teach about animal behavior rather than weed control. I also will
loan out DVD to interested growers (out a note in my Grazing Newsletter about the We’d Eat it
video)

3. I have used the information to plan field days and workshops for women in ag.
14

4. Will use it in several of my programs.

5. Mainly an awareness, I plan to share the information with small/part-time clientele.

6. I plan on helping farmers who have questions related to cheese production or any other valueadded product. I feel more confident in my ability to answer questions and give advice in the
area of value-added.

7. Not yet.

8. I will use the information as I answer questions posed by participants in the sheep home study
course or the meat goat home study course.

9. Advised clients about marketing techniques they might utilize that worked from some of the
presenters.
3. What was the most meaningful part of your experience at this conference/event?

1. Networking with others of similar interests, learning about resources for reducing energy use
in ag.

2. Board participation. It is my last year in this role and it was sad but good for me to think
about this transition.

3. Meeting with PA-WAgN members to discuss the opportunities and obstacles they are facing
this year.

4. Keynote address, trade show displays, excitement and positive attitudes that prevail at the
conference.

5. Keynote speaker and good representation of exhibits.

6. Getting to meet many people who are currently involved in the field of sustainable agriculture
and value-added was very beneficial and meaningful. I now have several people I can use as
contacts if I have a question or need advice.

7. Listening to participants questions and concerns during the sessions.

8. Networking with other sheep/goat producers and viewing how different breeds of sheep will
affect a finished wool product.

9. Networking with producers.
4. Would you recommend this conference/event to others?

1. Yes, including those in more mainstream agriculture. There are a lot of things that
conventional growers can learn here.

2. Yes
15

3. Yes, it was extremely valuable.

4. definitely – I have been

5. yes

6. yes

7. yes

8. Yes, very interesting, informative, and beneficial conference. It was a real eye-opener.

9. yes
5. If you gave a talk or conducted a workshop, field day, etc. as a result of what you learned, please
indicate the date and location of the event and the number of people who attended in each of the
categories below:

1. Grazing in Berks Newsletter (pasture newsletter), published info about the DVD, available for
check out by producers,
February 2008, N=250

2. Planned a summer 08 field day based on WAgN discussions in Greene County for extension
and university staff and farmers on “frugal holistic farming.

3. Conducted program in Monaca, PA program for extension staff and nonprofits, Feb. 2008,
N=14.
16