Telephone: 717-263-9226
For the week of May 11, 2026
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 later viewing as well. Continue searching our website, extension.psu.edu, for the latest offerings.
Master Gardener Hotline is open for the gardening season. Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Hotline at the Extension office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA, from April 7 through the end of September to assist home gardeners with gardening questions and problems. The Garden Hotline will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Home gardeners are welcome to stop in or call the Extension office at 717-263-9226 to speak to a Master Gardener. The Hotline can also be reached via email at franklinmg@psu.edu. Samples or photos of plants, insects, or garden problems are helpful to the Master Gardeners in assisting you with identification, diagnosis, and recommendations to solve your gardening questions. They may not always know the answer immediately, but they will take the time to research and get back to you with accurate, reliable information.
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Franklin County Master Gardener Plant Sale – The sale will take place at 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Master Gardeners will offer a fantastic selection of greenhouse-grown vegetable plants, annual flowers, and herbs, including hard-to-find and unusual varieties. Additionally, there will be a wide assortment of sun- and shade-loving perennials, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees, all available at reasonable prices.
Feel free to bring your gardening questions and seek advice from friendly, knowledgeable Penn State Master Gardener volunteers. If you have any questions regarding the upcoming sale, please call the Penn State Extension Office at 717-263-9226.
Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Pulled Pork Dinner Fundraiser – The Franklin County 4H Therapeutic Riding Center will host a Pulled Pork Dinner Fundraiser on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Chambersburg Tractor Supply (1733 Lincoln Way East). Tickets are $15 and include pulled pork on a Martin’s potato roll, mac & cheese, coleslaw, and a chocolate chip cookie. Meals are provided by Ace Smoked Meats, with presale tickets available by calling 7172639226. Proceeds benefit the Center’s mission of providing therapeutic horsemanship activities to persons with disabilities.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Free Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing – Penn State Extension is offering free canner lid testing on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 10 AM to 2:00 PM at the Franklin County Extension Office, located at 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. There’s no need to bring your entire canner; just bring the lid. No sign-up is required. If you can’t attend on these dates, you can drop off your canner lid and pick it up later. A Master Preserver will be on staff to answer questions and provide guidance on safe canning practices. If you have questions, please contact the Extension Office at 717-263-9226.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – “Tomato Blight or Something Else?” Webinar – Late blight is a devastating disease of tomato, but not all spots or discoloration are caused by this disease. In this practical, grower- and gardener-focused webinar, participants will learn to distinguish late blight, early blight, and other common foliar diseases of tomato, while gaining strategies for effective management to protect plants and improve productivity. This webinar is offered at no cost. A $10 registration fee is required to receive PA pesticide recertification credits. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/tomato-blight-or-something-else.
Monday, June 29, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – “Oak Wilt, Bacterial Leaf Scorch, or Something Else?” Webinar – Many factors can cause oak leaves to scorch, wilt, and defoliate, making accurate diagnosis challenging. This webinar will help participants distinguish between oak wilt, bacterial leaf scorch, and abiotic stressors such as drought by focusing on key symptoms and field patterns. Timed to coincide with the onset of these issues, the session offers practical guidance on field evaluation, sampling, and management strategies. Participants will build confidence in diagnosing oak health problems and learn about free tools and resources to support accurate identification and effective management. This webinar is offered at no cost. A $10 registration fee is required to receive PA pesticide, International Society of Arboriculture, Society of American Foresters, and Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association credits. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/oak-wilt-bacterial-leaf-scorch-or-something-else.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – “Strawberry Disease Identification for Commercial Growers” Workshop – Join Penn State Extension for a hands-on workshop designed to help commercial growers accurately identify strawberry diseases in the field. Using real plant samples, participants will learn to recognize key diagnostic features and distinguish among common issues affecting strawberry health and yield. Each attendee will receive a high-quality hand lens and disease photo guide that they will use during the workshop and take home for their farm! Earn pesticide credits while building confidence in your diagnostic skills to support effective disease identification and management. The registration fee is $30 and will take place at the Penn State Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center, located at 1446 Auction Rd, Manheim, PA. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/strawberry-disease-identification-for-commercial-growers or call 1-877-345-0691.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Home Food Preservation: Jams and Jellies – This workshop will explain the scientific reasoning behind today’s recommended methods for making and processing jam and jelly while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past. The Home Food Preservation series will provide you with the scientific background, preparation tips, and safe processing methods to preserve food at home. The cost for this workshop is $15 and will be held at the Penn State Extension Franklin County, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. For more information and to register online for this workshop, visit
https://extension.psu.edu/home-food-preservation-jams-and-jellies or call 1-877-345-0691.
Monday, August 31, 2026. 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Home Food Preservation: Tomatoes and Salsa – Join us for a hands-on workshop that explores the science behind today’s safest and most effective preservation methods. Our experts will guide you through canning, freezing, and drying techniques for tomatoes and salsa while debunking common myths and outdated practices. Whether you are new to food preservation or refining your skills, this two-hour session offers practical guidance to help you safely enjoy your homemade goods year-round. The cost for this workshop is $15 and will be held at the Penn State Extension Franklin County, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. For more information and to register online for this workshop, visit https://extension.psu.edu/home-food-preservation-tomatoes-and-salsa or call 1-877-345-0691.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – “Hidden Canopies: Exploring Underutilized Trees and Shrubs” Webinar – Explore the “hidden canopies” of underutilized trees and shrubs in this engaging webinar with Dr. Beth Brantley, research scientist and plant pathologist at the Bartlett Tree Research Lab. Discover how lesser-known woody species can enhance resilience, biodiversity, and sustainability in managed and natural landscapes. Learn practical strategies for selecting and integrating these plants into diversified production systems, with insights on food potential, pollinator support, climate adaptation, and multifunctional design. Ideal for professionals in horticulture, agriculture, and conservation, this session will expand your plant palette and inspire new approaches to landscape management. This webinar is offered at no cost. A $10 registration fee is required to receive International Society of Arboriculture and Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association credits. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/hidden-canopies-exploring-underutilized-trees-and-shrubs.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Let’s Cook Mediterranean – Join us for a tasty trip to the Mediterranean! In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll create and enjoy an authentic Mediterranean meal that’s healthy and delicious. Our instructors help you with hands-on recipe preparation, walking you through every step. You will be able to taste-test what you cook during the class. What are you waiting for? Let’s Cook with Extension! The cost for this workshop is $30 and will be held at the Penn State Extension Office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA. For more information and to register online for this workshop, visit https://extension.psu.edu/lets-cook-mediterranean or call 1-877-345-0691.
Monday, October 5, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Home Food Preservation: Wild Game – This workshop will explain the scientific reasoning behind today’s recommended methods for preserving wild game while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in home food preservation. Canning, freezing, and drying are preservation methods that let you enjoy the fruits of your hunt year-round. While these home food preservation methods have existed for centuries, we have learned a lot about the science behind these practices in recent years. The cost for this workshop is $15 and will be held at the Penn State Extension Franklin County, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. For more information and to register online for this workshop, visit https://extension.psu.edu/home-food-preservation-wild-game or call 1-877-345-0691.
Monday, October 6, 2026, 12:00 to 1:30 pm- “Stop the Rot: Combating Onion Bacterial Diseases” Webinar – Join this session for an inside look at “Stop the Rot,” a six-year research project focused on understanding and managing bacterial diseases of onion. Lindsey du Toit, chair of the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University, will discuss how a nationwide team of scientists identified key pathogens, documented copper-tolerant strains, and developed practical strategies to reduce losses from bacterial bulb rots. Participants will gain insight into how these findings apply to growers, gardeners, and others interested in plant disease management, with relevance extending to additional bacterial plant diseases. This webinar is offered at no cost. A $10 registration fee is required to receive PA pesticide recertification credits. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/stop-the-rot-combating-onion-bacterial-diseases.
Wednesday, October 7 and 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – “Decay Demystified: Understanding Mushrooms and Tree Decay” Webinar Series – Dig into the fascinating world of mushrooms in this two-part webinar series. Learn to distinguish fungi that harm living trees from those that recycle dead organic matter and build healthy soil. Using real mushroom samples, participants will explore key features and identification techniques for major fungal groups while examining the ecological roles of fungi, including beneficial and parasitic relationships with trees. Participants will gain practical skills for spotting decay pathogens, assessing tree health, and using reliable resources for accurate mushroom identification. The registration fee is $20 for this webinar series. International Society of Arboriculture, Society of American Foresters, and Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association credits are available. For more information and to register online, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/decay-demystified-understanding-mushrooms-and-tree-decay
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