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Farm and Garden Penn State Extension Upcoming Events

UPCOMING WEBINARS AND EVENTS: Penn State Extension is pleased to continue to provide quality education via a wide variety of webinars and recordings. If you have difficulty registering online for any of these live webinars, please contact Penn State Extension’s customer service team at 877-345-0691. Most of these webinars will be recorded and available for viewing at a later time, as well. Continue to search our website: extension.psu.edu for the latest offerings.

Thursday, January 9, 2025, 6:30PM – Franklin County 4-H Tractor Safety Club, – Will have their first meeting in the lower level of the Ag Heritage Building located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg at 6:30PM. Youth ages 12-18 are eligible and invited to attend, they will have the opportunity to learn about agricultural hazards, safety basics, connecting and using implements, tractor operation and more. Youth must be 14 years of age by the time of the test to get NSTMOP certification. If you have any questions, contact the Penn State Extension Office at 717-263-9226.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 12:00PM – Struggling Spruces Webinar – Spruces are a favorite in the landscape, but they face numerous challenges, from diseases and insect infestations to environmental stresses like drought and temperature extremes. These factors often result in unsightly decline and significant branch dieback. This engaging presentation explores the common issues affecting spruce trees and provides practical strategies to maintain their health and vitality, helping you preserve the beauty and longevity of these beloved landscape staples. The registration fee is $10, for more information and to register online go to https://extension.psu.edu/struggling-spruces or call 1-877-345-0691.

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 9:00AM-2:00PM – 2025 Franklin County Crops Day – Join us at Crops Day 2025, where Penn State Extension Field and Forage Crops Specialists will provide an informative recap of the 2024 crop production season. Discover new innovations for the upcoming season and gain valuable insights into the latest developments in agronomic research, products, and technology. It’s an opportunity to stay informed and prepared for the changing landscape of crop management. Crops Day will be held at the Kauffman Ruritan Community Center, 7289 Ruritan Dr, Chambersburg, PA and the registration fee is $10. For more information and to register online go to https://extension.psu.edu/crops-days or call 1-877-345-0691.

Runaway Juvenile

On 11/05/26 at 0725 hours, Spencer Newman ran away from his residence. Newman is 5’9, 125 pounds, white male, brown eyes, brown hair and was last seen wearing a brown

Fred Allen Blocher 1943-2026

Fred Allen Blocher, 83, of Gardners, PA passed away Saturday, October 24 2026 at his home. Born October 19, 1943 in Gettysburg, he was the son of the late Fred

Frank Charles Henry 1945-2026

Born January 4, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Frank was an avid Civil War enthusiast who loved to share his knowledge with others.

Who We Are

The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

Rooted in the heart of Franklin County and powered by its residents, the Franklin County Free Press continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that the local stories, events, and issues that matter most to the community remain in the spotlight.