For the week of September 21, 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 Penn State – Franklin County Extension office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA, through September 29, assisting 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.
September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest – The Franklin County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce the 36th annual Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at 115 Clearfield Road, Shippensburg, PA, 17257, hosted by Randell and Helen Martin. Save the date for this free, fun, and educational family event.
Free Admission & Free Parking. For more information, please call the Franklin County Farm Bureau at 717-264-4090.
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.
Friday, October 30, 2026, 9:30 AM – Cow Comfort Around the Farm – Cow comfort is essential to maximizing herd health, productivity, and profitability on today’s dairy farms. Penn State Extension invites dairy producers, farm employees, and industry professionals to attend Cow Comfort Around the Farm, an on-farm educational program focused on management strategies, animal-handling practices, and equipment considerations to support healthier, more productive cows and calves. The program will be held on October 30, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at a private farm in Fayetteville, PA 17222. Participants will gain practical insights into improving cow comfort throughout the farm, with discussions centered on housing, handling, calf comfort, and facility management. Registration is required by October 28, 2026, at 11:45 p.m. To register, visit: https://extension.psu.edu/cow-comfort-around-the-farm. For additional information, contact Samantha Gehrett, Penn State Extension, at 717-706-6034 or smr5319@psu.edu.
Monday, November 30, 2026, 5:00 PM – Evergreen ID and Wreath Making – Join the Penn State Master Gardeners of Franklin County at the Ag Heritage Building, Lower Level, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, for a popular workshop. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to identify various evergreens and create your very own wreath. The cost of the workshop is $25, and materials will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruners and garden gloves. Additional embellishments are welcome. For additional information and online registration, visit https://extension.psu.edu/evergreen-identification-and-wreath-making or call 1-877-345-0691.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 9:00 AM – Evergreen ID and Centerpiece Making – Join the Master Gardeners of Franklin County at the Ag Heritage Building, lower level, located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, for a chance to create your own custom centerpiece using a variety of greens. The cost for this hands-on workshop is $25. Participants will not only craft a beautiful arrangement but will also learn to identify common evergreens. All materials will be provided; however, participants are encouraged to bring their own pruners and garden gloves. Feel free to bring additional embellishments as well. For additional information and to register online, visit https://extension.psu.edu/evergreen-identification-and-centerpiece-workshop or call 1-877-345-0691.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 5:00 PM – Evergreen ID and Tabletop Tree Arrangement – Join the Master Gardeners of Franklin County at the Ag Heritage Building, Lower Level, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, for an engaging, hands-on workshop where you will learn to identify evergreens, shrubs, and perennials while creating your own tabletop tree arrangement. Guided by Master Gardeners, you will craft a unique tree 12 to 18 inches tall. The cost of the workshop is $25, and materials will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruners and garden gloves. Additional embellishments are welcome. For additional information and online registration, visit https://extension.psu.edu/evergreen-identification-and-tabletop-tree-arrangement or call 1-877-345-0691.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 5:00 PM – Evergreen ID and Kissing Ball Arrangement – Join the Master Gardeners of Franklin County at the Ag Heritage Building, lower level, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, and learn how to identify a variety of evergreens while creating a beautiful, festive kissing ball (approx. 8-10 inches in diameter) to brighten your holiday season. The cost of this hands-on workshop is $25, and materials will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruners and garden gloves. Additional embellishments are welcome. For additional information and online registration, visit https://extension.psu.edu/evergreen-identification-and-kissing-ball-arrangement or call 1-877-345-0691.
