Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 8/29

Here are this week’s top stories from Farm and Dairy:

1. Ground roof falls, leaving Musser family wondering if they’ll lose farm

In 2000, underground limestone mining began in eastern Ohio and stretched into Enon Valley, Pennsylvania. Mining stopped last year, but in June, the ground roof of the mine collapsed, causing major problems for property owners above the mine.

The Musser family operates Den Be Farm, and they’ve already lost five acres of corn, part of their pasture and a hay field because of the mine collapse. They’re concerned more damage will be sustained in the future.

2. Veterinarian looks back at ‘problem-solving’ career

Dr. Karen Martin, regional veterinarian for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for two decades, stepped down from her position. Over the span of her career in the public sector, Martin saw herself as a problem solver, caring for both animals and people.

Now that she’s retired, Martin is filling in part-time at the Greenville Veterinary Clinic and heads up the Venango Archaeology Chapter.

3. How to clean up your garden for fall

If you’re not planting a fall garden, now is the time to clean up your summer plot. Work now to clean up plants and compost so you’ll have less work to do in the spring.

Tasks like weeding, cleaning up annuals and amending soil should be on your to-do list for the coming months.

4. Plant bulbs this fall

Fall is an opportune time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, including hardy perennials like peonies, tulips and daffodils that survive the winter and come back in the spring. Bulbs of non-hardy flowers, like gladiolas, begonias and similar summer-flowering bulbs must be dug up and stored until spring.

Online columnist Ivory Harlow explains how to plant hardy bulbs this fall, as well as care for bulbs after the ground freezes. Come spring, you’ll have beautiful blooms.

5. Portage County Fair auction results

Check out the photos and results from this year’s Portage County Fair, held in Randolph.