Melanie
Barkley
Bedford County
meh7@psu.edu
814-623-4800
John
Berry
Lehigh County
jwb15@psu.edu
610-391-9840
Don
Fretts
Fayette County
dcf3@psu.edu
724-438-0111
Stan McKee
Huntingdon County
sam36@psu.edu
814-643-1660
Greg
Strait
Fulton County
gls10@psu.edu
717-485-4111
John
T. Tyson
Mifflin County
jtyson@psu.edu
717-248-9618
Lee
Young
Washington County
ljs32@psu.edu
724-228-6881
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Beginning
Farmer Course
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Welcome
to the Penn State Cooperative Extension Beginning
Farmer Course information page! Registrations
for this course can be accepted at any time throughout
the year.
Who
Should Sign Up?
Anyone interested in learning more about farming.
The course is designed for people who are new
to farming issues.
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What's
In It For Me?
- You will
receive personalized recommendations based on your
own goals for your farming operation through personal
interaction with course instructors.
- You will
gain a better understanding of the basics of farm
production.
- You will
learn about managing your soils for high fertility
- You will
learn about machinery typically used in farming operations.
- You will
learn about basic crop, livestock, fruit, or vegetable
production.
- You will
learn effective ways to market your farm products.
- You will
learn how to properly handle financial issues related
to farming operations.
View
lesson topics below
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How
Does the Course Work?
Lesson
materials can be accessed on-line at any time.
Course
participants receive access to a password protected
site to obtain lesson worksheets.
Participants
complete worksheets at their own pace and email to
the instructor assigned to that lesson topic.
Worksheets
ask questions about YOUR individual farming operation.
You will receive personalized comments and suggestions
to help you run a profitable farming operation.
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Cost of
the Course:
The course
fee is $80 and covers worksheet materials and instructor
interaction for each of the 9 lessons.
For more
information: Contact any of the instructors listed on
the left hand side of this site.
Click
here to sign up
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Beginning
Farmer Course Lessons
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Lesson
1: Introduction to Agriculture
- Scope
of Agriculture in Pennsylvania
- Production
Agriculture and the Environment In Pennsylvania
- Biosecurity
Issues
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Lesson
2: Managing Your Soils
- Some
Facts About Soil Basics
- Understanding
Soil Test Reports
- Soil
Fertility Management
- Soil
Acidity and Aglime
- Weed
Control
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Lesson
3: Machinery Operation, Safety and Maintenance
- Agricultural
Tractors
- Tillage
and Planting Equipment
- Harvesting
Equipment
- Grounds
Keeping Equipment
- Hay
Making Equipment
- Safe
Forage Harvesting
- Making
Large Round Bales the Safe Way
- A
Summary of Laws Relating to Ag Machine Safety
- PTO
Safety
- Tractor
Overturn Hazards
- Rollover
Protection for Farm Tractor Operators
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Lesson
4: Crop Production
- Agronomic
Crop Production: Basic Planting, Harvesting,
and Storage Information for Corn, Soybeans,
Small Grains, Forages and Pastures
- Advanced
Information on Crop Production
- Pasture
Management
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Lesson
5: Livestock Production
- Basic
Beef Production Guidelines
- Guidelines
for Sheep Production
- Guidelines
for Meat Goat Production
- Guidelines
for Swine Production
- Guidelines
for Dairy Production, Including Milk, Cheese,
Yogurt and Butter Production)
- Guidelines
for Horse Production
- Guidelines
for Poultry Production
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Lesson
6: Fruit Production
- Tree
Fruits: Apples and Pears
- Tree
Fruits: Cherries, Peaches, Plums
- Brambles
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Advanced
Tree Fruit Production Information
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Lesson
7: Vegetable Production
- Vegetable
Planting and Transplanting Guide
- Vegetable
Transplants: Culture
- Vegetable
Transplants: Diagnosing Disorders
- Vegetable
Transplants: Individual Crop Requirements
- Beans
- Onions
- Pumpkins
and Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Peppers
- Sweet
Corn
- Tomatoes
- Drip
Irrigation in Vegetable Production
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Lesson
8: Marketing
- Developing
a Business or Marketing Plan
- Marketing
Meat Animals Directly to Consumers
- Goat
and Lamb Holidays
- Marketing
Produce
- Marketing
Hay
- Marketing
Grain
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Lesson
9: Financial Issues
- Enterprise
Budget Analysis
- Farm
Business Analysis
- Ag
Alternatives Publications
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Where
trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement
by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
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This
publication is available in alternative media on request.
The
Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that
all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities,
admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics
not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as
determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities.
It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic
and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment.
The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination
and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry,
color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious
creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination
or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not
be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct
all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the
Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University,
201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801,
Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.
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