Growers urged to use state-tested seed
Pennsylvania producers can ensure they are using quality seed by only planting seed that has been tested and properly labeled according to the state's rigorous Seed Act.
From July 2010 through June 2011, the Pennsylvania Seed Laboratory received nearly 7,000 seed samples that required more than 10,000 separate tests to assess the quality of the seeds.
The lab tests a wide range of seeds including flower, vegetable, tree, agricultural, feed, pasture and lawn mixes from samples collected by state inspectors, in addition to those submitted by farmers and wholesale seed distributors.
Camp Hill
Educator receives national award
Paul Heasley, an agriculture science teacher with the State College Area School District in State College, was one of three educators nationally to win 2011 Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation Agriscience Award.
The award is given by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and the American Farm bureau Federation.
Heasley has taught agriculture science at the 9-12 grade level for 30 years.
-
Irene damages crops
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau officials said Wednesday early reports indicate that high winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Irene have caused sporadic damage to farms and orchards in several areas of Pennsylvania.
The most common problem is that field corn was leaning or flattened by strong winds, while apples and other fruits fell to the ground during the storm.
"Damages vary widely from farm to farm and even from one section of a farm to the other. Some farms were hardly touched, while others have fruit losses of 50 percent," said Jim Schupp, director of Penn State's Fruit Research and Extension Center.
-
Prof leads dairy group
Robert Roberts, associate professor of food science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, recently assumed the role of president of the American Dairy Science Association.
Roberts is responsible for dairy-foods-processing outreach efforts at Penn State.
