Produce Pointers: Recent Episodes
Penn State Extension
Produce Pointers is hosted by Penn State Extension Horticulture Educators Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, and Karly Regan. The podcast broadcasts timely growing information to the vegetable and small fruit industries featuring interviews with guests who are experts in research, extension, and farming.
Listen in as we talk with Dr. Robyn Underwood, our Extension Apiculturist based in Lehigh County. Robyn works with the hobby and commercial beekeepers in the state of Pennsylvania and beyond. She has developed programming for beginning beekeepers and organic beekeeping. We only scratched the surface of her knowledge today! We discuss how to get started in beekeeping, bee lifecycle, and a little about pest management.
Hosts: Glen, Karly, and Leah
Guest: Robyn Underwood, Extension Educator, Apiculture
Email Robyn at beekeeping@psu.edu
Online Course: Beekeeping 101
Photo: Robyn Underwood, Penn State
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Do you need the pesticide applicator short course? Listen in and hear from Tom Butzler, Penn State Extension educator, about why it may be a good idea for you or your employees to take the course. In addition, we discuss the many ways to earn credits for your PA Pesticide License. Whether it’s online, in-person, or through workbooks—there are various ways to meet the credit requirement of the PA Department of Agriculture.
Guest: Tom Butzler, Penn State Extension
Hosts: Karly and Leah
We are having five webinars in 2023 and a Vegetable Grower's Roadshow series of in-person events.
Join the team for excellent information and PA pesticide applicator credits!
Produce Grower Updates:
- Cole Crops (2/16/23)
- Phytophthora (2/23/23)
- Alliums (3/2/23)
- Blueberry (3/9/23)
- Common Confusions (3/16/23)
2023 Vegetable Growers Roadshow
- 1/6/2023
- 1/17/2023
- 3/1/2023
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Our guest is Extension educator Maria Gorgo, based in Chester County, who talks with us about the mushroom industry in PA. Our state produces a large portion of the world’s mushroom supply. Maria discusses the industry's economic impact, specialty mushrooms, white button mushroom production, and spent mushroom substrate. She describes the environmental footprint of mushroom farms and how they contribute to agricultural sustainability. Listen to this informative discussion!
Hosts: Karly, Leah
Guest: Maria Gorgo
Image: L. Fronk
We are having five webinars in 2023 and a Vegetable Grower's Roadshow series of in-person events.
Join the team for excellent information and PA pesticide applicator credits!
Produce Grower Updates:
- Cole Crops (2/16/23)
- Phytophthora (2/23/23)
- Alliums (3/2/23)
- Blueberry (3/9/23)
- Common Confusions (3/16/23)
2023 Vegetable Growers Roadshow
- 1/6/2023
- 1/17/2023
- 3/1/2023
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
In this episode, Brian Moyer shares the challenges faced by farmers' market managers and growers. We discuss what appeals to different generations as they shop for produce and how market managers can add new features to their market to attract customers. Brian shares how consumers more easily accept adjusting pricing to specific types of farm products.
Guest speaker: Brian Moyer, Penn State Extension
Retail Farm Market School: Effective Merchandising
Free Webinar
We are having five webinars in 2023 and a Vegetable Grower's Roadshow series of in-person events.
Join the team for excellent information and PA pesticide applicator credits!
Produce Grower Updates:
- Cole Crops (2/16/23)
- Phytophthora (2/23/23)
- Alliums (3/2/23)
- Blueberry (3/9/23)
- Common Confusions (3/16/23)
2023 Vegetable Growers Roadshow
- 1/6/2023
- 1/17/2023
- 3/1/2023
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
In this episode, we’re joined by Jeff Stoltzfus, a fellow educator with Penn State Extension specializing in food safety considerations for produce growers. We spend the episode discussing the Food Safety Modernization Act as it pertains to produce growers, including what growers should be considering in their operations, how to know if the regulations apply to them, and how they can prepare for an inspection.
Penn State Extension: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Guest: Jeff Stoltzfus, Penn State Extension
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
We are having five webinars in 2023!
Join the team for excellent information and PA pesticide applicator credits!
Produce Grower Updates:
- Cole Crops (2/16/23)
- Phytophthora (2/23/23)
- Alliums (3/2/23)
- Blueberry (3/9/23)
- Common Confusions (3/16/23)
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
In this episode, we interview Elsa Sanchez and Tom Ford on avoiding, diagnosing, and managing soluble salt buildup in high tunnel soils. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss.
Hosts: Leah Ronk and Glen Bupp, Penn State Extension
Image: G. Bupp, Penn State Extension
We are having five webinars in 2023!
Join the team for some excellent information and PA pesticide applicator credits!
Produce Grower Updates:
- Cole Crops (2/16/23)
- Phytophthora (2/23/23)
- Alliums (3/2/23)
- Blueberry (3/9/23)
- Common Confusions (3/16/23)
A discussion with the Director of Ag Analytical Services Lab at Penn State, John Spargo, helps growers understand the best time and method to take a soil sample. We also talk about the shelf life of a sample and tips on mailing and/or delivering soil to the lab. John highlights quality control measures the lab uses to ensure accuracy. Listen in to learn about other services the lab provides for agricultural water and plant tissue.
To get a soil sample kit, visit your county Extension office or follow directions on the AAS website at https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/fertility.
Image: L. Fronk, Penn State
John T. Spargo, Ph.D
Director, Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9155
jts29@psu.edu
www.aasl.psu.edu
Recorded: 09/13/22
Hosts: Karly, Leah, Glen
The season is winding down for many field-grown vegetables. In this episode, we discuss some unique issues in the field that gave us some challenges. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss.
Photo: G. Bupp, Penn State Extension
Recorded: May 10, 2022
Today we have Senior Extension Associate Kathy Demchak on the podcast to talk about strawberries. Kathy works with a variety of berry crops at Penn State. We’ll cover the difference between matted row and plasticulture strawberries, questions to ask your plant suppliers, and an update on disease and insect management.
Hosts: Karly, Leah
Recorded 08/30/2022
Despite dry weather across much of PA, today’s production update starts with tomato disease issues. Other topics discussed include mentions of honeybee and pollination guidance from Extension apiculturists and disease and insect pressure on brassica crops, including the evasive Harlequin bug. Downy mildew is debated since it’s been found close by on pumpkin crops in the Mid-Atlantic. We talk about how to scout for it and why it can be difficult to diagnose in the field. Another topic is the debut of the fall generation of the allium leafminer in cooler regions of PA. Listen in as we discuss these topics as they relate to commercial growers in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Email: producepointers@psu.edu
Hosts: Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, Karly Regan
Image: Beginning of black rot infection on cauliflower. Leah Fronk, Penn State
Recorded: 08/16/22
Pennsylvania has had a bout of erratic rain. Extended periods of dry weather are causing irrigation concerns for growers, especially in the central and eastern parts of the state. Other issues discussed in this episode are post-harvest cooling, phytophthora, and stink bugs.
As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss.
Hosts: Karly, Leah
Image: G. Bupp, Penn State
Managing powdery mildew is a top priority of pumpkin growers. Powdery mildew has the potential to weaken plants, decrease leaf cover, and make pumpkin handles weak. Listen to Dr. Beth Gugino, Penn State plant pathologist, as she describes cultural and chemical controls for this common pathogen. Also covered are other pumpkin diseases such as phytophthora, downy mildew, and bacterial wilt.
Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Guide
Penn State Plant Disease Clinic
Image: L. Fronk, Penn State
Today's guest is Dr. Brian Nault, who has been researching insect ecology and pest management in vegetable crops at Cornell for over 20 years. He joins us to discuss management options for corn earworm, how sweet corn pest management has changed over time, and why corn earworm has been and will continue to be such a difficult problem for sweet corn growers.
Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah
Guest: Dr. Brian Nault, Professor of Vegetable Entomology, Cornell AgriTech
Photo: K. Regan, Penn State
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed?
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Recorded: 08/02/22
Pennsylvania is known for its deer; unfortunately, they’ve been wreaking havoc on farmers this year. Are you aware of different fencing options and Pennsylvania’s red tag program for farmers? In this update, we’ll talk about some ways to deal with deer, basil downy mildew, ozone damage in pumpkins, and blossom-end rot. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss.
Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah
Image: G. Brust, University of Maryland
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed?
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Today's guest is Dr. Sara May, the head diagnostician at the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic (PDC). Located in Buckhout Lab on the University Park campus, Dr. May’s lab processes between 1,500 to 2,000 plant samples each year. In this episode, we will discuss how vegetable and small fruit growers can utilize the services that the PDC offers to PA residents/growers.
PDC website: https://plantpath.psu.edu/about/facilities/plant-disease-clinic
Image: L. Fronk, Penn State
Recorded: 07/19/22
Pennsylvania has had a bout of dry weather, almost pushing the state into drought conditions. This was followed by heavy rain events that can alleviate the drought and bring disease conditions. Today we discuss some surprise insects and diseases to keep an eye out for. We also offer an update on the movement of downy mildew and sweet corn pests. Listen in to hear about these topics and more. As always, email us at producepointers@psu.edu if you need more information on the topics we discuss.
2022 PA Vegetable and Berry Current Issues for July 19
Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah
Photo: G. Bupp, Penn State
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed?
Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Recorded: 06/21/22
With active weather comes the need to anticipate disease and pest movement. Today we discuss the movement of downy mildew, phytophthora, bacterial diseases in allium and crucifers, and self-inflicted herbicide damage. Listen in to hear about these topics and more.
2022 PA Vegetable and Berry Current Issues for June 21
Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah
Photo: G. Bupp, Penn State
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Recorded: 05/24/22
Today we give an update on vegetable and small fruit production as we see it from around the state, starting from the ground up. Pests and diseases affecting roots, nutrient deficiencies in high-tunnel crops, and identifying herbicide damage are included in the mix. Tune in to hear what is going on in PA.
2022 PA Vegetable and Berry Current Issues for May 24
Hosts: Glen, Karly
Photo: Karly Regan, Penn State
Recorded: 06/07/22
Production is in full swing all over Pennsylvania. Today we discuss Botryosphaeria on blueberry, sunscald on strawberries, slugs, cucumber beetles, and our IPM monitoring system. Listen in to hear about these topics and more.
2022 PA Vegetable and Berry Current Issues for June 7
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Would you like more information on something we discussed? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah
Photo: L. Fronk, Penn State
Recorded: 05/10/22
Today we give an update on vegetable and small fruit production as we see it from around the state. High tunnel insects, late frosts, and strawberry issues are included in the mix. Tune in to hear what is going on in PA.
Hosts: Glen, Karly, Leah
Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, and Dr. Karly Regan are horticulture educators with Penn State Extension. They all serve on the Vegetable and Small Fruit sub-team. In this episode, you will learn a little about the interests and research experience of the hosts.
Hosts:
Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, Karly Regan, Penn State
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Images: (Karly & Leah) Mike Houtz, Penn State, (Glen) Glen Bupp, Penn State
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Steve Reiners, who is a professor of Horticulture at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. His research and extension program support the profitability and sustainability of New York’s processing vegetable industry through improvements in fertility management, irrigation, optimizing plant populations, crop establishment, and variety selection. We spend the episode discussing his work on breeding varieties for disease resistance and what a difference choosing the right variety can make for the success of your vegetable crop.
Hosts:
Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, Karly Regan, Penn State
Guest: Dr. Steve Reiners, Cornell University
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Ford, who is a fellow horticulture educator with Penn State Extension and has worked in extension in three states for nearly 40 years! Tom has extensive expertise in vegetables, small fruit, tree fruit, and ornamentals in both field settings and protected culture settings. We spend the episode recapping the 2021 growing season and discussing some of the key issues he observed in his farm visits throughout the year.
Hosts:
Glen Bupp, Leah Fronk, Karly Regan, Penn State
Guest: Tom Ford, Penn State
Do you have a question you would like us to answer? Do you have a suggestion for a podcast episode? Email us at producepointers@psu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Photo Credit: Karly Regan, Penn State