Country Folks
Posted on May 27, 2026
Nearly everyone looks forward to retirement, and many anticipate collecting Social Security. However, planning is essential. Paula Ledney, Penn State Extension program specialist, retirement planning and business management, explained, “Social Security is a federal program that provides retirement b...
Country Folks, Crop Comments
Crop Comments
Crop Comments A7 
Posted on May 27, 2026
According to Dan Quinn, Purdue University agronomist, examining corn ears from your fields helps estimate what yield might be. Examining corn ears prior to harvest helps growers visualize how the corn plant was impacted by different factors throughout the growing season, and why their yields may be ...
Country Folks
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin 
Posted on May 20, 2026
“Are the PFAS in pesticides contaminating our land and water? Unfortunately, there really isn’t enough research yet to give us a firm answer,” said Faith Cullens-Nobis, an Extension educator with Michigan State University. Despite the lack of a firm answer, Cullens-Nobis thinks farmers need more inf...
Country Folks, Dairy
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
Posted on May 20, 2026
What you feed the herd affects both herd health and milk composition. Kevin Harvatine, Ph.D., professor of nutritional physiology and chair in Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, presented “Fatty Acids & Milk Components: Optimizing Milkfat Yield” as part of the recent Herd Health & Nutrition Confer...
Country Folks
by Laura Rodley 
Posted on May 20, 2026
Sage Meadow Farm is a small goat dairy in Easthampton, MA, focused on sustainable, compassionate herd management and community giving. Owners Stan and Joseph McCoy have been offering charity-focused goat yoga – Caprine Vinyasa – since 2015. Stan said, “Every season’s classes are designed to be both ...
Country Folks
by Cheryl Bruce, Senior Consultant, Agricultural Consulting Services 
Posted on May 20, 2026
The title above sounds like it could be the set-up for a joke: A farmer, a logger and a lobsterman walk into a bar… Instead, this was part of the conference schedule at the Northeast Dairy Management Conference, co-hosted by PRO-DAIRY and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) , which too...
Country Folks, Dairy
by Andy Haman 
Posted on May 20, 2026
Change is inevitable in agriculture, but your operation can find success on the other side. The secret? Intentional strategy – not reactive moments. This was the key takeaway from a roundtable presentation at the 2026 Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit, reflected in the personal experiences of three ...
Country Folks
Horse Tales
Posted on May 20, 2026
Buying a horse is an exciting experience, but also requires caution, careful planning and research, especially when purchasing your first horse. First, determine what you can afford to pay and stay within that number. Horses are expensive to keep and will require money to be budgeted for daily upkee...
Country Folks, Crop Comments
Paris Reidhead 
Posted on May 20, 2026
Three years ago, Canadian wildfires were ramping up. The maximum impact was felt in the northern tier of the U.S. during the second week of June 2023. Firefighters scrambled to put out blazes in Quebec, where more than 160 forest fires were roaring. These fires were fueled by high temperatures and d...
Lifestyle
Courtney Llewellyn 
June 14, 2026
Increasing time spent outdoors enjoying nature can positively affect mood and mental health. Generally speaking, outdoor enthusiasts tend to be happie...
Lifestyle
Courtney Llewellyn 
June 13, 2026
Planning ahead for more summer road trip ideas? How about tasting what Vermont has to offer? The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM)...
Lifestyle
Courtney Llewellyn 
June 11, 2026
Families celebrate Dad in unique ways on Father’s Day. Gifts are customary, but so is a delicious meal Dad will love. Many dads will appreciate a meal...
Lifestyle
Erie 51 
June 10, 2026
The 2026 Canalway Challenge officially opened on May 1, but it’s open for fun all summer long. Read on for the top 10 things you need to know about th...