Agriculture
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Three Newcomers Added to Montco’s Growing List of Permanently Preserved Farms
Three more Montgomery County farms have been permanently preserved as part of the continuously growing Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The newest additions include a 23-acre farm in Perkiomen Township and Schwenksville Borough owned by Suzanne Banyacsky, a 117-acre farm in New Hanover Township owned by Edward B. Stokes Jr., and a 61-acre farm…
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We Have Spotted Lanternfly to Thank for New Honey That Tastes Like ‘Epitome of Autumn’
It might be hard to believe, but the invasive pest that has been terrorizing Pennsylvania and its trees for nearly seven years has managed to give us one good thing – spotted lanternfly honey, writes Caroline Cunningham for the Philadelphia Magazine. This tasty honey is being sold by Philadelphia Bee and is used by baker…
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Newest Champion in Fight Against Spotted Lanternfly: Lucky the Egg-Sniffing Dog
The fight against spotted lanternfly has found its newest champion in Lucky the German Shepherd, according to a staff report from the NorthcentralPA. Lucky is the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s first spotted lanternfly detecting dog. She has been trained by University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine to locate spotted lanternfly egg masses. These can…
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Penn State Research Finds Promising Weapon to Exterminate Dreaded Spotted Lanternfly
With the spotted lanternfly population threatening a potential $324 million in economic loss and nearly 3,000 jobs, Penn State researchers have found promising ways to help exterminate the dreaded bug, writes Allie Miller for Philly Voice. Controlling the problematic lanternfly population has proven to be particularly difficult, with numbers having jumped drastically since last year.…
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Montco Artists Turn Death of Spotted Lanternfly into Catchy Music Video and Stylish Jewelry
As terrible as the Spotted Lanternfly is and as much damage as they cause, these two artistic Montgomery County individuals are making the most out of the invasion by writing Lanternfly inspired music and even turning the dreaded bug into jewelry, reports 6abc. Member of the music group The Edge Hill Rounders and Glenside resident,…
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Using Facebook, Penn State Scientists Search for Native Species to Combat Spotted Lanternfly
Scientists are currently searching for native species that will prey on the spotted lanternfly and help in efforts to control the invasive pest, writes Lisa Scheid for the Reading Eagle. “Because the spotted lanternfly is a non-native insect, it doesn’t have natural enemies in the U.S. to keep its numbers in balance,” said Kelli Hoover,…
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Deeper Look into Penn State Research on Natural Predators of Spotted Lanternfly
Penn State researchers have started a search for native birds and insects that kill and eat spotted lanternfly, the Asia-native insect that has been wreaking havoc throughout Pennsylvania, writes Marcus Schneck for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Because the spotted lanternfly is a non-native insect, it doesn’t have natural enemies in the U.S. to keep its numbers…
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Penn Vet Adds a Dog’s Nose to Arsenal of Weapons Against the Dreaded Spotted Lanternfly
Man’s Best Friend is joining the front lines in the spotted lanternfly battle, reports the 6abc staff and Christie Ileto for 6acbc.com. The dogs come from a pilot training program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Three dogs participated in the five-month study. Unhatched lanternfly eggs are difficult to find and odorless…
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Statewide Spotted Lanternfly Reports Jump Drastically Since Beginning of Year
According to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, statewide reports of the spotted lanternfly grew by 147 percent from January 1 to July 31, writes Mary Ann Thomas for the Trib Live. During the first seven months of the year, there were 41,329 reports from the public of the Asia-native, invasive insect, compared to 16,747 reports for…
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Medowbrook Farm Opens Doors for the Season with Social Distancing Guidelines in Place
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown opened to the public Aug. 5, taking precautions in alignment with state and federal regulations amid the global pandemic. Also open is the Meadowbrook Farm Plant shop, which offers a diverse selection of plants that can be found in the gardens and unusual versions of old favorites. Meadowbrook…
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Cooperative Spotted Lanternfly Program Consolidates State Efforts to Fight Invasive Insect
The Cooperative Spotted Lanternfly Program in Pennsylvania is bringing together state scientists and experts to find ways to combat the invasive insect, writes Amy Duke for the Penn State News. If not contained, the Asia-native bug could drain the state economy by at least $324 million annually as well as causing around 2,800 job losses.…
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Spotted Lanternfly Sightings in Pennsylvania Jump Fivefold Compared to Last Year
Statewide reports of spotted lanternfly sightings this year are up by nearly 500 percent compared to last year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, writes Layla A. Jones for the Billy Penn. From the beginning of January to the middle of July, Pennsylvania residents have reported 33,015 sightings of the invasive insect, compared to…
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Inspired by Caribbean Farmers, Local Woman Creates FarmerJawn CSA in Elkins Park
Christa Barfield decided to give community-supported agriculture a try two years ago after she was inspired by the Caribbean farmers she met during her trip, writes Stephanie Farr for The Philadelphia Inquirer. She rented two greenhouses in Elkins Park and invited volunteers through several local Facebook groups to help her clean them up. And while…
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Lawmakers Looking to Secure $16M from USDA to Help Local Farmers Combat Spotted Lanternfly
Two Pennsylvania lawmakers are working together to secure $16 million from the USDA to help local farmers combat the spotted lanternfly, writes Basil John for the KARK.com. “It threatens our crops, it threatens our agricultural tourism industry and so it is estimated that the impact on just Pennsylvania’s economy could be as much as 18…
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Owner of Ardmore Dispensary Acquires Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Grower, Plans to Increase Production, Lower Prices
Florida-based Jushi, owner of medical marijuana dispensaries in West Chester and Ardmore, has acquired a Pennsylvania grower and is planning to increase production and lower prices, writes Sam Wood for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The aggressively expanding Jushi currently holds permits to operate 15 cannabis dispensaries in the Keystone State under its retail brand Beyond/Hello.…
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Conshohocken-Based Marketing Agency Helping Integrate Marijuana Into Philadelphia Flower Show
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has turned to Chronic, the Conshohocken-based marketing agency, to help it integrate marijuana into the Philadelphia Flower Show, writes Sam Wood for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Marijuana was originally intended to make its debut at the show in 2016, but due to a problem, the exhibit was canceled at the last minute.…
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Penn State’s Ongoing Efforts to Stop Spotted Lanternfly Praised By Montgomery County Horticulture Extension Educator
Emelie Swackhamer, Montgomery County horticulture extension educator, believes that Penn State’s continuing efforts to stop spotted lanternflies are making a difference in fighting the invasive pest, writes Amy Duke for the Penn State News. Despite winter being a time when residents of southeastern Pennsylvania have a brief respite from the insect, scientists and officials are…
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CNN: Mushroom Farm in Landenberg ‘Upping Its Game’ to Keep Pace with Increasing Demand
Bella Mushroom Farms in Landenberg is working hard to keep up with the increasing demand for mushrooms as the new food staple keeps growing in popularity, writes Parija Kavilanz for CNN Business. This increased demand is partially being driven by a consumer push to eat healthier by focusing more on plant-based foods. “We haven’t run…
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