On-Demand Resources from Penn State Extension
View short videos and recorded webinars
Penn State Extension is a modern educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities. Click on any of the resources below to view a recorded webinar or video provided by our expert educators.
Commercial Vegetable Production
Tomato harvest was in full swing during a recent visit to Earl Lake's Farm.
This growing season we've been following potato planting and harvesting at Huntsinger Farms Inc.
We met up with Kris Rutko and Jared Maurer at Huntsinger Farms to see early potatoes being harvested.
Huntsinger Farm Inc. in Hegins, Pennsylvania specializes in potato production, packing, and wholesale marketing.
Ulmer Farms is a 1,200-acre farm in Clinton County where Seth and Liz Ulmer have been growing soybeans, corn, processing tomatoes, and processing snap beans since 2001.
In September, 2016 we met with Scott Hoffman, Field Manager with Furmano's, for a tour of Furmano's processing plant in Northumberland, Pennsylvania.
In May, 2016 we visited with Scott Hoffman, Field Manager with Furmano's, a tomato grower and packer that was started by JM and Emma Furman in 1921.
Home Gardening
Not sure where to begin? In this session, experts discuss site selection, soil, mulch, starting plants, and vegetable families. Even experienced gardeners may pick up some valuable tips.
Learn how to construct a raised bed and expand production in the vegetable garden. Experts also discuss how to fertilize, irrigate (water), and manage insects and weeds.
Home Food Preservation
Fruits have varying levels of acidity. The higher the acid level the better the gelling process, low acid fruits require additional acid to obtain a good gel.
Ripeness and type of fruit determine a fruit's pectin content, both critical ingredients to making jam and jelly with a firm, tender texture, and excellent flavor.
Low methoxyl pectin, if correctly used, will create a gel in the absence of sugar and acid for those desiring jams and jelly containing less sugar.
Commercial products are available that create a gel without sugar. Low and no sugar jam and jelly will have different characteristics than regular jam or jelly.
Following proper procedure is critical to prevent jam or jelly from becoming grainy. This video describes causes as well as tips to prevent crystal formation.
This video describes the possible causes of jam and jelly not gelling or setting, as well as tips to prevent this from happening.
Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria that can lead to food-borne illness when not handled and prepared properly. Follow these practices to ensure that you, your friends, and family enjoy a safe meal.
Youth
Bees are one of our most precious resources. They have a very important job pollinating flowers. This series is all about bees, pollination, and things we can do to help our friends, the bees.
All plants start off life as seeds. Those seeds will grow into plants. In this series, learn the process and details of how seeds grow into plants!
It’s important to know the differences between pests and helpful animals or insects. It’s also important to learn about poison and poison control. This series focuses on pest education and poison prevention
There are many parts to a plant. This series covers the tops, bottoms, and middles of plants. The series will also cover what these parts are called and what jobs they do.
Plants play an important role in our lives. This series explores the impact that plants have on our day to day routines.
Animals and Livestock
In this video, you will learn how to perform a simple mastitis test called the California Mastitis Test. This test will help to decrease mastitis on your farm.
In recent years, the use of beef semen to breed dairy cows has increased at a dramatic rate. This video will explore a research program designed to investigate the outcomes of those crossbred matings, the calves.
Discuss the benefits and environmental risks of horse manure on pastures during this informative event!
Learn ways to protect your horses from tick bites this summer!
The Penn State Particle Size Separator (PSPS) is an effective tool to help determine proper particle length and feed distribution in dairy rations and forage samples.
Minimizing introduction and spread of potentially harmful organisms is critical on commercial poultry farms. This video demonstrates how to safely bring a visitor onto the premises.
Knowing a little about what is happening to the sow and piglets during farrowing can help farmers better care for their breeding swine herd, and improve piglet care during the birthing process.
Make the most of your pasture acreage using rotational grazing!
In this video, you will learn about an easy test that can be performed on your farm to test if overmilking is occurring. With these results, you can monitor unit removal as well as adjust unit take-off to reduce stress on teat ends.
Forests and Wildlife
Asian Jumping Worms are an unusual and destructive pest of eastern USA forests. They rapidly consume an important layer of organic matter and lock up soil nutrients. Learn more about them.
Lichens are often thought to be a pest or disease to trees and shrubs.
Two types of fires occur in northeastern US forests: wildfires and prescribed fires. Discover their differences, and how one type is used as a tool to better manage forests.
Invasive shrubs are especially difficult to eradicate. Learn when and how to apply control measures, including herbicides, to control these undesirable plants.
The unintended impacts of lead bullet fragments and a non-lead solution are examined in this video.
Tree-of-heaven is especially difficult to eliminate. Learn when and how to apply control measures, including herbicides, to eradicate this prolific tree.
After lumber is sawn from the log it must be dried before it can be put into use. The forest products industry spends a lot of time and money to dry lumber and this video explains the reasons why.
Forest dwelling reptiles are widely distributed but seldom seen. Their important and diverse roles in ecosystems and their physical adaptations are fascinating to learn about.
Young forests are critical for wildlife, and they can be improved for increased food and cover. This video presents two simple methods.
Agronomic Crops
Industrial hemp is reported to have hundreds, if not thousands of uses. Penn State Extension educators spend some time with growers on their farms looking at hemp growing for CBD extraction.
Six videos featuring two certified organic and one transitioning farms provide farmer perspectives and approaches to managing soil health.
In this video, learn how to take representative soil samples in agronomic fields.
Learn the basics of how to transition your farm to organic crop production.
Health and Wellness
Learn about the DASH eating plan and how to follow this heart healthy way of eating.
Learn about the DASH eating plan food groups, the recommended number of servings needed each day and the serving sizes, based on a 2000 calorie-a-day diet.
Learn about new research in healthy aging and strategies for aging well during this informative virtual event.
Learn how to help children grow and develop to their fullest potential.
Learn how to deal with challenging behaviors during this informative event!
Learn the best way to manage stress during hectic times and create lifelong memories with your families.
Learn the different terms used to define kinship care during this informative event!
Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together (LIFT) is an educational program for older adults to promote balance, flexibility, and strength training to improve functional fitness.
Water Resources
In Pennsylvania, the area of agricultural land disturbance determines if a farm needs an Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (Ag E&S Plan). Learn more about why these are important, if your farm needs a plan, and available resources.
Learn to use FISH online tools for monitoring stream health, stream changes and updates.
This video will walk you through how to use the Penn State drinking water test kit to successfully analyze the quality of your drinking water.
Learn about harmful algae blooms and their possible toxins during this live webinar.
Manure is a great resource for farms because it contains valuable nutrients that benefit growing crops.
A riparian buffer involves planting or retaining trees, shrubs, or tall grasses along the banks of rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.
This video discusses various steps homeowners can take to solve or treat bacteria problems in wells, springs and cisterns used for drinking water.
There are lots of ways that you can be actively involved in ensuring clean water for you and your family and for the environment.
