For the week of December 15, 2025
https://extension.psu.edu/franklin
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND EVENTS: Penn State Extension is pleased to continue providing quality education via various webinars and recordings. If you have difficulty registering online for these live webinars, please contact Penn State Extension’s customer service team at
1-877-345-0691. Most of these webinars will be recorded and available for viewing later, as well. Continue to search our website: extension.psu.edu for the latest offerings.
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 12:00 to 1:00 pm – The Science of Plant Propagation: Stem Cuttings Webinar – Discover the science behind one of the most fascinating and accessible methods of plant propagation—stem cuttings—in this engaging one-hour webinar. Explore how a simple cutting can sprout roots and grow into an independent plant and learn what factors determine success or failure in the process. This event is being offered at no charge to participants. Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar. Register online at https://extension.psu.edu/the-science-of-plant-propagation-stem-cuttings.
Live Webinar – Begins Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – Dig into Gardening Series – This six-part webinar series offers a sneak peek into the Penn State Extension Master Gardener basic training curriculum and its most critical topics. Dig into the science of gardening with engaging sessions designed for new and experienced gardeners alike, combining essential garden science with practical, research-based insights you can put to work right away. The cost for this six-part webinar series is $150. To register online or for additional information, visithttps://extension.psu.edu/dig-into-gardening-series https://extension.psu.edu/dig-into-gardening-series.
Thursday, January 22, 2026, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm – Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Grower Certification Training – “Food Safety Modernization Act: Produce Grower Certification Training” is designed for Pennsylvania fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and the co-management of natural resources and food safety. The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course provides one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement (§112.22.c). Participants will explore key FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements within each module while also learning best practices for produce safety. The training includes time for questions and discussions, encouraging attendees to share their experiences and produce safety concerns. After completing the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), verifying their completion of the training. To obtain an AFDO certificate, participants must attend the full training and submit the required paperwork to their trainer at the course’s conclusion. The registration fee is $50 and will take place at the Penn State Extension Office – Franklin County Ag Heritage Building, located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/fsma-grower-training or call 1-877-345-0691.
Thursday, January 29, 2026, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm – Franklin County Crops Day – Join Penn State Extension for Crops Day, your opportunity to gain timely insights from field and forage crops specialists and educators. Discover innovative practices for the upcoming season, explore the latest agronomic research, products, and technology, and reflect on the successes and challenges of 2025 crop production. This year’s Crop Day will be held at the Kaufman Ruritan Center, located at 7289 Ruritan Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Lunch will be provided, and the registration cost is $10. For online registration, visit https://extension.psu.edu/crops-days or call 1-877-345-0691.
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 am – Get in the Mood for Spring with Winter Sowing – Get a head start on your spring garden with this hands-on workshop led by Penn State Master Gardeners. Learn how to create a simple, do-it-yourself mini greenhouse using a milk jug and plant seeds that will thrive through the winter months. The workshop costs $15 and will be held in the lower level of the Ag Heritage Building, located at 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202. For more information and to register, go to https://extension.psu.edu/get-in-the-mood-for-spring-with-winter-sowing or call 1-877-345-0691.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026. 8:30 am – Cumberland Valley Produce Auction Meeting – Growers are invited to attend a FREE Pumpkin Meeting at the Cumberland Valley Produce Auction on Tuesday, February 17, from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. This event will feature education provided by Penn State Extension, vendors, and a grower panel focused on pumpkin production. Attendees can earn pesticide credits (2 PA Core, 4 PA Category 03, 18, PC) and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Register by calling Dwayne Shirk at 717-331-6552. The event will take place at the Cumberland Valley Produce Auction at 101 Springfield Road, Shippensburg, PA.
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 9:30 am – Making Hickory Syrup Workshop – Join Penn State Master Gardeners in the lower level of the Ag Heritage Building, located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. Registration and additional Information to come.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 10:00 am and 7:00 pm – Agronomic Pesticide Update – The Penn State Extension “Agronomic Pesticide Update” is a traditional recertification session offering Core (2 credits) and category (2 credits) credits for private, commercial, and public pesticide applicators. This 2+2 update provides crucial training in pest management decision-making, pest identification, pest life cycles, control alternatives, and the safe, proper, and legal use of pesticides, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. For online registration, go to https://extension.psu.edu/agronomic-pesticide-update or call 1-877-345-0691
Tuesdays, March 10 – 31, 2026, 12:00 to 1:00 pm – Plant Pathology 101 Webinar Series –
Step into the hidden world of plant pathogens through this engaging four-part webinar series. Designed for both professionals and gardeners, the series explores fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other microscopic organisms that affect plant health. Each one-hour session, led by experts, combines scientific insight with practical knowledge to help participants recognize disease symptoms, understand pathogen biology, and apply effective management strategies. Featuring real-world examples from a variety of plants, the series offers valuable tools to better diagnose and manage plant diseases. Whether you are new to plant pathology or looking to refine your expertise, this program will deepen your understanding and strengthen your skills in plant health management. The registration fee is $20 for this webinar series. Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar. Register online at https://extension.psu.edu/plant-pathology-101.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm – Landscape Meeting
Landscape and turf care professionals have an opportunity to earn pesticide recertification credits while learning about research-based, best management practices for plant health care. This meeting is ideal for both experienced professionals and newcomers, offering practical and current information to enhance plant health and expand industry knowledge. Participants have the option to attend one, two, or all three sessions of this meeting:
1.9:00 am Lawn and Turf: “Insects Beneath Your Feet.”
2.10:00 am Ornamental and Shade Trees: “Troubled Trees: Spotting and Stopping Diseases in the Landscape.”
3.11:00 Core: “Backpack sprayer calibration: herbicide mixing + application.”
The registration fee is $15 and will take place at the Penn State Extension Office – Franklin County Ag Heritage Building, located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/landscape-meeting/ or call 1-877-345-0691.
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm – Vegetable and Field Crops Pesticide Update – Join Penn State Extension for this joint meeting on vegetable and agronomic production. Earn pesticide recertification credits while learning about crop health and best management practices. This meeting will provide region-specific, research-based information to help optimize your operation. Participants have the option to attend one, two, or all three sessions of this meeting:
1.9:00 am Vegetables: “From Symptoms to Solutions: Tackling Vegetable Crop Diseases.”
2.10:00 am Core: “Pesticide Application Continuing Education.”
3.11:00 am Agronomy: “Integrated Winter Weed Management.”
The registration fee is $15 and will take place at the Penn State Extension Office – Franklin County Ag Heritage Building, located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/vegetable-and-field-crops-pesticide-update or call 1-877-345-0691.
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