Agriculture
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Unpaved Roads in Montgomery County Can Be an Economic Driver, But Also a Problem if Not Maintained
Montgomery County is home to approximately 42 miles of unpaved roads – among the lowest in the state – which can be an economic driver but can also create problems if not properly maintained, writes Jason Nark for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Dirt roads are favorite routes for many bicyclists, with races attracting hundreds of cyclists…
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Seed Swapping Helps Upper Moreland Man Grow True Bounty at Home
A love of shishito peppers prompted Martin Fuchs to save 30 seeds from plants he bought at a garden center and plant them the following spring at his Upper Moreland home, writes Jere Downs for The Philadelphia Inquirer. However, they did not sprout because he harvested the seeds too soon. Still, he decided not to…
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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Take First Step Toward Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
Pennsylvania legislature is ready to take the first concrete step toward legalizing recreational marijuana in the state, writes Jan Murphy for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee scheduled for today (Feb. 7) will be the first time that a legislative committee in the General Assembly has vetted this often-polarizing…
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Two Montco Projects Among Recipients of State Funding Boosting Urban Farming
Two Montgomery County projects are among the 23 recipients of state funding that aims to boost urban farming across Pennsylvania, writes Michael Gorsegner for Local 21 News. “Agriculture is not limited by zip code,” said Secretary Russell Redding of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. “It is zip code neutral.” This over a half of a…
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Pennsylvania Farm Show Unveils This Year’s Butter Sculpture Created by Conshohocken Artists
Once again, Conshohocken artist duo Jim Victor and Marie Pelton are impressing visitors to the Pennsylvania Farm Show with their latest butter sculpture that depicts a friendly partnership between rural and urban farmers, according to a staff report from The Neighbor. The sculpture that follows the theme “Harvesting More” features rural and urban agriculturists making…
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Let It Grow: Local Christmas Tree Farms Show Longevity
Pennsylvania ranks third nationally as a grower of Christmas trees, according to the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association. And the Chester County versions of this agribusiness play a major role in that distinction, writes J.F. Pirro for Main Line Today. While many tree farms closed across the state in the past several decades, Landenberg’s Ellis…
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Business Insider: Labor Shortages Hamper Kennett Square Mushroom Industry
The Kennett Square mushroom industry should be booming. The popularity of the edible fungi, always prominent, gained traction with stay-at-home chefs during the pandemic. But it’s teetering on the edge of a financial collapse. Business Insider examined why. In short, the agribusiness faces a serious labor shortage. Mushroom growing requires a deft personal touch. From…
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Local Mushroom Industry Digs Up Solutions to Supply Chain Snags and Labor Shortages
The local mushroom businesses have been working steadfastly to overcome the persistent supply chain issues and labor shortages. These snags have challenged the industry nationwide, writes Jen Samuel for the Daily Local News. Overall, the mushroom industry in Pennsylvania is dealing with a labor shortage of around 25 percent. This issue existed before the pandemic,…
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TOMORROW! PSU Scientists to Discuss Penn State’s Extraordinary Effort to Eradicate the Spotted Lanternfly on Nov. 4 NoonZOOM
Since 2014, when the Spotted Lanternfly first appeared in neighboring Berks County, the invasive pests have not just spoiled our enjoyment of the outdoors in Montgomery County, but also threatened Pennsylvania’s $18 billion agriculture industry, including our beloved wineries and vineyards. Communities and industries suffering from spotted lanternfly infestations are feeling overwhelmed by the enormity…
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Wall Street Journal: Not Everybody Is Happy About the Way the War on the Spotted Lanternfly is Being Waged
While many are happy to land a hand in the all-out war against the spotted lanternfly, there are those who have joined the efforts but are not thrilled about the measures used to curtail this invasive pest, writes Annmarie Fertoli for The Wall Street Journal. “I wish there was something other than like that murderous…
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2 Montgomery County Women Are on a Mission to Revitalize Flax for Pennsylvania Linen Industry
Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm in Pottstown and Heidi Barr, owner of Kitchen Garden Textiles, have joined forces to launch the Pennsylvania Flax Project with the goal of growing flax locally, writes Lisa Dukart for The Business Journals. Flax is used to make linen, with its byproduct having money-making uses beyond textiles, including animal…
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Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Funds Penn State Study of Spotted Lanternfly on Cabernet Franc Grapes
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has approved a grant for Penn State to study the effects of the spotted lanternfly on the Cabernet Franc grapes, the grape variety that is usually blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, writes Kiley Koscinski for WHYY. Penn State Extension has been studying the negative impacts of the pest since…
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Local PA Farmers Have Decreed 2021 as the Year of the Mushroom
Farmers in Chester County have dubbed 2021 the Year of the Mushroom, writes Doug Ohlemeier for Produce Business. Retailers such as Whole Foods are predicting mushrooms will be one of the top trending foods of the year. Also, mushrooms are currently getting great press, owing to the numerous benefits they bring, including high nutritional value…
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Playful Pumpkin Picking Places in Montgomery County
It’s October, and you know what that means…time to pick the pumpkins! The Philadelphia Inquirer writer Michelle Reese finds all the best pumpkin picking places. Abby’s Pumpkins Start with Abby’s Pumpkins in Perkiomenville. This fun farm offers a pretty wooded area amid rolling hills, where you just might see some wildlife. There’s a huge pumpkin…
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Montco Milk Churned Into Exciting, Creative Cheeses at This Kensington Dairy
A Kensington fromager at Perrystead Dairy is making creative and exciting new cheeses using milk from Montgomery and Bucks counties, writes Craig LaBan for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Yoav Perry has decided to cast away the conventions of European traditions and instead embrace the American mash-up culture of mixing and reinventing cheeses at his Perrystead Dairy.…
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In the Garden with Andrew: The Living Fence
For privacy at home or in the garden, I have always found that one of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by using living plants as formal or informal hedges, or simply by adding mixed plantings that can provide great privacy for both you and your neighbors. In my home garden in Swarthmore…
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Devastating Tornado Damage Provides ‘Research Opportunity’ for Temple’s Ambler Campus
A tornado that ripped through the heart of Temple University’s Ambler campus, causing millions of dollars in damage and leaving behind destruction which could take decades to recover from, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer. For decades, the campus has served as an outdoor learning laboratory for students enrolled in horticulture, landscape architecture, and…
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It’s Apple-Picking Time: Find the Best Local Orchards Here
If apple picking is on your fall bucket list, there are several places nearby that offer a perfect setting. Bailey King harvested the best-of list for Philadelphia magazine. Several nearby orchards have found their place on the list of nine best locations for apple picking in the Philadelphia region, including orchards in Bucks County and…
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