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On-Farm Composting Video Series

7/30/2019

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Video Series Explores Benefits of On-Farm Composting
4-video case-study offers local farmers solutions
PDF
(Carlisle, PA) – Successful, on-farm composting is showcased in four videos available free on the Capital RC&D website, www.capitalrcd.org.  These videos were created by Capital RC&D staff with the help of five Pennsylvania farmers and researchers at Rodale Institute. The video case studies exhibit successful examples of on-farm composting and provide insight about each farm’s methods. 

The videos, along with a corresponding written overview and bibliography, showcase five composting techniques including turned windrows, static aerated piles, in-vessel, vermicomposting, and bedded pack composting. In addition to the benefits of each system, the videos provide detail about the inputs used by each farmer featured and how they use the finished compost. Viewers can also learn about research undertaken at Rodale Institute focused on using compost to increase disease and pest control.

Farmers and researchers featured in the videos include John Shenk, Shenk’s Berry Farm in Lancaster County, PA; Mike Brownback, Spiral Path Farm in Perry County, PA; Ned Foley, Two Particular Acres in Montgomery County, PA; Kenny and Cyrus Gehringer, Four Springs Farm in Lehigh County, PA; Rick Carr and Dr. Gladis Zinati, Rodale Institute, Berks County, PA.  
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Finished compost from Rodale Institute is ready for field application or other use, such as vermicomposting or compost tea.
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A static aerated pile compost system processes materials including landscape and food waste at Two Particular Acres in Montgomery County, PA.
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Spiral Path Farm uses red wiggler worms in their vermicomposting system.
USDA-NRCS provided funding for the series and can provide technical assistance for farmers looking to implement or expand an on-farm composting system as part of their conservation practices. Farmers should contact their local NRCS office to learn more about this and other conservation practices. 

For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at cburns@capitalrcd.org.  

The Capital Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Area Council is a seven-county, non-profit that provides leadership to promote regional partnerships for the responsible use and conservation of our natural, community, and economic resources. The Capital RC&D serves Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.
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These and other photographs related to the on-farm composting video series are available for use upon request.
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Bedded pack composting in the dairy barn at Four Springs Farm in Lehigh County, PA.
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Turned windrow systems may require large tractor powered turning equipment.
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Sawdust is applied and tilled into the surface in this bedded pack composting system.
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Straw, sawdust, and other dry material help reduce moisture, odors, and potential pests from food waste tipping areas.
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Spring High Tunnel Webinar Series

3/29/2019

 
Spring High Tunnel Webinar Series
Online Education and Resources for High Tunnel Growers
PDF
(Carlisle, PA) – Capital RC&D’s spring webinar series will focus on techniques and tools that both new and experienced high tunnel growers can implement to improve soil health, reduce pest and disease issues, and improve crop yields. Specifically, webinars detailing use of cover crops, anaerobic soil disinfestation, and tunnel plastics research.

 
A Fresh Start: Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in High Tunnel Systems
Part 1 - April 2, 2019, 9:00 AM EDT, Part 2 – April 9, 2019, 9:00 AM EDT
Francesco Di Gioia, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Science at Penn State University will discuss anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) and how it can be used within high tunnel systems to control soilborne bacteria, fungi, plant-parasitic nematodes, and weeds, as well as to enhance soil fertility. The topic will be covered across two sessions, the first (April 2nd) providing an introduction to the technique, its development, the principles of how it works, and how it can be applied. The second (April 9th) will go into greater detail about application, quality of inputs required during the process, as well as how to find required inputs. Both sessions will feature examples of the practice as applied before planting and during tomato crop production.
 
Plastics, They Make a Difference in Your High Tunnel 
April 16, 2019; 9:00 AM EDT
Kathy Demchak, Senior Extension Associate with Penn State, will share details about her research studying impacts of various cover plastics on pest management (specifically Japanese beetles) and crop yields in raspberry production, as well as how this may be applied to strawberry production and other crops. The webinar will also focus on light transmission issues experienced during late and early season production, recommendations if issues are experienced, details to consider before purchasing a new plastic cover, and discussion about plastics durability in tunnel structures.
 
The webinars will be recorded and available to view in the future. The live webinars will include time for participant questions and offer opportunity for discussion. There is no cost to participate but registration is required. 
 
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at cburns@capitalrcd.org.  Details about these high tunnel webinars, including registration information, is available at www.capitalrcd.org/events. 
 
Funding support has been provided by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.
 
The Capital Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Area Council is a seven-county, non-profit that provides leadership to promote regional partnerships for the responsible use and conservation of our natural, community, and economic resources. The Capital RC&D serves Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.
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Non-Timber Forest Products Webinars

2/2/2018

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For Immediate Release
December 20, 2017
For More Information Contact: Cheryl Burns, 717-241-4361
Text PDF 
 Producing and Marketing Non-Timber Forest Products  
Valuable webinar series for woodland and agricultural land owners
Four consecutive Tuesdays beginning January 23, 2018
(Carlisle) – Capital RC&D will be holding a series of four webinars focused on opportunities and ideas for producing and marketing forest products. The one-hour webinars will be available free of charge beginning January 23, 2018 at noon and will be presented by top experts who each have significant hands-on experience in non-timber forest product production.The one-hour webinars will enable participants to learn from and ask questions of the presenter without leaving home. Scheduled topics and presenters include:
  • January 23, 2018 – Small Scale Mushroom Production presented by Steve Gabriel, Wellspring Farm and Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • January 30, 2018 – Biochar Production and Marketing presented by Gary Gilmore, DCNR Forester and biochar pioneer
  • February 6, 2018 – Small Scale Chestnut Production presented by Tracey Couther, DCNR Forest Program Specialist
  • February 13, 2018 – Agroforestry Practices in the Farm Bill, presented by Kate McFarland, National Agroforestry Center
To register visit the Capital RC&D website and click on Producing and Marketing Non-Timber Forest Products. For more information contact Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at info@capitalrcd.org.
This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D with support from USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The Capital Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Area Council is a seven-county, non-profit that provides leadership to promote responsible use and conservation of our natural, community, and economic resources. The Capital RC&D serves Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York. 

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    ​EMAIL: press@capitalrcd.org


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  • Home
  • About Us
    • What is Capital RC&D?
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Info & Directions
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Press
  • Projects
    • Agroforestry
    • CREP
    • Grass Roots
    • Growing Green
    • High Tunnel >
      • High Tunnel Video Library
      • High Tunnel Webinars
      • Financial Assistance
      • Building / Maintaining / Modifying
      • Crop Production and Disease Management
      • High Tunnel Vendors
      • High Tunnel FAQ's
      • Other Resources
    • Life in the Soil
    • Local Food Initiative
    • No-till
    • Tillage and Cover Crop Survey
    • On-farm Composting
    • NRCS Technical Assistance
    • South Central Food Systems Alliance
    • Employee Wellness
  • Events
  • Links
  • Educational Resources
  • Board Member Materials