Andy Andrews

Harrisburg, Reading

Special Sections Editor at Butler Eagle

Senior Publications Editor, Pennsylvania Bar Association Former Special Sections Editor, Butler Eagle Author of DEEMED NONESSENTIAL.

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Articles

Despite dry conditions, Kiefer reaps top corn contest award

6 days ago | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

BANGOR, Pa. — Champion corn grower Brad Kiefer wants it to be known that he’s “not much of a guinea pig to try new things,” he said. Kiefer and his enterprising crop family on Willowbrook Farms took home first place in the annual Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association Five-Acre Corn Club contest for the 2024 season. Where exactly does Kiefer get his information and recommendations?
Artificial intelligence holds promise, with limitations

2 weeks ago | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

WASHINGTON BORO, Pa. — The use of artificial intelligence is nothing new. The concept goes back to the work of English mathematician Alan Turing to break the Enigma code, from the German enciphering machine, during World War II. “When you think about AI, if you have purchased a new car with lane assist, backup cameras and turn-signal awareness: that is AI,” said James R. Ladlee, Penn State program leader, emerging and advanced technology.
Grafting techniques, silvopasture for graziers featured at May workshop

2 weeks ago | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — When it comes to integrating shade trees into a grazing operation, one shouldn’t overthink how and why it could be done, according to one central Pennsylvania grazier. For some who want to do this, “it’s kind of like ‘analysis paralysis,” said Joshua Greene, director of education at Trees for Graziers, an agroforestry services company. Greene manages Greene Kitchen Farm in Bloomsburg with wife, Nichole, and six children: Sorren, Chloe, Gwen, Olivia, Owen, and Eliza.
Pyro milk bottle designs educate, entice collectors

1 month ago | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Are antique glass milk bottles works of art? Peter Bleiberg, who serves on the National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors board, who spoke about the impact of “pyroglazing” technology for generations of milk consumers, thinks so. “There were certain groups of designs created by these wonderful graphic artists at the glassmakers that many of us are familiar with,” Bleiberg said.
Digest the facts: What to consider before installing an anerobic digester

1 month ago | farmanddairy.com | Andy Andrews

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Are you thinking about installing a manure digester? It might seem like an easy decision to have an on-farm system to harness heat and energy from manure, but there are many things to consider and all are critical to the operations of a digester system, according to panelists who spoke at the Penn State Extension-sponsored Digester Day, held March 19, in State College.
97 MILK nonprofit seeks volunteers help to continue milk advocacy

1 month ago | farmanddairy.com | Andy Andrews

STEVENS, Pa. — A movement to promote the choice of whole milk in schools that began in 2019 in central Pennsylvania may be close to succeeding. The trouble is they need more manpower to reach pay dirt and change public sentiment about the red-capped milk that they feel too few people know is 97% fat-free. “We have a very dedicated team that makes things happen,” said Glen Hursh, 97 MILK chairman.
Kirkwood’s Herr claims award-winning soybean harvest

1 month ago | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

KIRKWOOD, Pa. — A little “push” can go a long way for soybean yield. Just ask A. Dale Herr Jr., who became the top soybean producer in the state’s soybean board contest. Herr’s work to “push” Pioneer Variety P35Z76E soybeans yielded 117.3 bushels per acre, planted after corn with a no-till drill on 15-inch rows on April 27 last year. Herr used a two-pass herbicide program and applied a fungicide and an insecticide.
Farmers asked to define their ‘why’ at Pa. Dairy Summit

Feb 14, 2025 | farmanddairy.com | Andy Andrews

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Nearly 400 producers and agribusiness representatives were asked to consider the question “What is your why?” on Feb. 5 at the annual Pennsylvania Dairy Summit at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. “Your why can overcome obstacles, inspire action and you can move forward,” said Peggy Coffeen, founder and host of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, referencing a book called “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek.
Convention identifies food trends to impact marketers

Feb 7, 2025 | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

HERSHEY, Pa. — Consumer food demands are changing with a market in flux as new political leadership evolves. While food prices and insecurity remain high, one observation is certain: “The more you sell on your farm, the more you can benefit from capturing the food dollar,” said Claudia Schmidt, Penn State assistant professor of agricultural economics. Schmidt spoke to about 150 attendees on Jan. 29 at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference at the Hershey Lodge.
You-pick growers offer advice to boost sales at pumpkin patches

Jan 31, 2025 | americanfarm.com | Andy Andrews

HERSHEY, Pa. — If you plan to grow pick-your-own pumpkins, take some advice from several growers: Have wagons or wheelbarrows for each customer, accept credit cards and use reservation ticketing systems. Those and other tips were shared by a panel of four pumpkin growers to about 180 attendees on Jan. 28 during the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention at the Hershey Lodge.