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Central Cove FFA members delivered an impressive showing at the 97th Pennsylvania State FFA Convention on the campus of Penn State University.
Students competed in a wide range of Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events, earning commendable placements and multiple bracket recognitions across the three-day event.
The Forestry Team secured an outstanding 3rd place finish, marking one of Central Cove's highest team achievements of the week.
Central Cove's annual FFA Scrapbook placed fourth out of 38 entries, earning a coveted Gold Bracket ranking.
The Livestock Evaluation Team finished sixth out of 16 teams, demonstrating strong analytical and judging skills.
The Floriculture Team placed ninth out of 19 teams, showcasing their knowledge of plant care, floral design, disorders and industry practices.
The Agriculture Technology & Mechanical Systems Team, consisting of Drew Heltzel, Tristan Ritchey and Nathan Hockenberry, earned a Bronze Bracket placement after completing hands-on diagnostics, machinery troubleshooting and systems analysis.
Conservation Con set for Indiana
Professionals working in agricultural conservation can pursue professional development opportunities by attending the "ACAP Ag Conservation Con," to be held Sept. 15-17 at the
Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, 711 Pratt Drive, Indiana.
Event organizers anticipate more than 200 conservation professionals from around the state will attend the third annual conference. The event offers opportunities to strengthen skills, expand knowledge and support a more effective agricultural conservation workforce.
The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission will host the event.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.
PSU releases farm fatal injury summary
Last year, 19 people died of injuries suffered in farm-related incidents in Pennsylvania, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. This was the same number of people who died of similar farm-related injuries in 2024.
The Penn State Agricultural Safety and Health Program, housed in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and affiliated with Penn State Extension, releases the "Pennsylvania Farm Fatal Injury Summary" each year.
Starting this year, the team is offering a new program: a farm safety walkthrough.
The program is an individualized program that includes a farm visit to help farmers identify hazards on their operation and develop mitigation strategies to support safer working conditions for everyone on the farm. This program is offered strictly for educational purposes and is not regulatory or enforcement-based. This program is offered to farmers in Pennsylvania at no cost.
Those interested in participating in the farm safety walkthrough program should contact Justin Darlington, education program specialist in agricultural safety and health, at jjd6342@psu.edu or 814-863-0234.
PSU issues guide on urban soil management
A just-released Penn State publication, "Guide to Urban Soil Management for Gardening, Farming, Horticultural Placements, and Green Infrastructure," provides a comprehensive, science-based framework for assessing, testing and managing soils in urban environments to support safe, productive and sustainable land use.
Urban soils are highly variable systems shaped by past and present human activities, including construction, industrial use, transportation and landscaping, according to the guide's first author, Patrick Drohan, professor of pedology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
As a result, he noted, they often contain mixed materials, altered physical properties and potential contaminants such as heavy metals or residual chemicals.