Wednesday, August 12, 2026

After learning that early hay harvest destroys bobolink nests, Jefferson County farmer Adam Costarella delayed cutting until July. By adjusting his grazing and haymaking schedule, he helped restore habitat for these long-distance migratory birds on his eastern Ohio farm.

Common chicory lines summer roadsides with vibrant blue blooms, but this resilient perennial is more than just a wildflower. Naturalist Tami Gingrich explores the history, edible greens, roasted root coffee recipe, and livestock forage benefits of this versatile plant.

Reporters Liz Partsch and Paul Rowley give readers a rundown of the top stories in the Farm and Dairy the week of Aug. 6, 2026.
GPS collar cows

Pennsylvania's Kolehmainen Cattle Company is using GPS collars and virtual fencing to streamline rotational grazing across 800 acres. Discover how smart technology saves time, opens up cover crops for grazing, and advances farm conservation in Enon Valley.

Inclusive livestock shows are expanding across Ohio county fairs, pairing children with disabilities with 4-H mentors to provide accessible opportunities in the show ring.

Glenn Stoltzfus was appointed to serve as interim vice president of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau after Tommy Nagle vacated the position to become president after Chris Hoffman resigned in July. Hoffman was recently appointed to serve as state director of USDA Rural Development.
John Bartlett

The Oil City Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, Pennsylvania's oldest chapter, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Founded in 1926 to protect local waterways, the group hosted an 'Envirobash' event featuring stream monitoring, wildlife education and history to inspire conservation.

Pennsylvania hunters donated a record 294,844 pounds of venison during the 2025-26 season through Hunters Sharing the Harvest, the group recently shared. The effort equates to 1.2 million servings distributed to food-insecure families across the state.

The patenting of the washboard in 1833 inspired tinsmiths, potters, and wood turners across Ohio to craft early laundry devices. Explore the history of handmade washboards, possers, and the weekly frontier tradition of "Blue Monday."

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed classical scrapie in a sheep slaughtered at a facility in Oregon. Scrapie is an fatal, degenerative disease that impacts sheep and goats.