Dan Sullivan

Iceland

Digital Content Editor at Lancaster Farming

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Articles

Faith Inspires Virginia Extension Agent in Building Community Food Systems

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist Eric Bendfeldt has devoted his career to building resilient community food systems. From helping subsistence farmers in Africa to promoting soil health in the Shenandoah Valley, he’s contributed in many ways, always driven by his Mennonite faith. Bendfeldt even helped plant the seed for the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Stroud Water Research Floats New Restoration Approaches to Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

AVONDALE, Pa. — Pennsylvania farmers get a bad rap for nutrient runoff that makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay. “I think what got lost in the very beginning of those bay discussions was Lancaster County has more ag production than the state of Maryland,” said Matt Ehrhart, the director of watershed restoration at Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale.
Pennsylvania Farmer Works With Stroud to Improve Water Quality

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services developmentStore and/or access information on a deviceYou can choose how your personal data is used.
9 Apps and Software That Help Farmers Direct Market to Customers

1 week ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Farmers who direct market to customers keep a greater portion of food dollars, and a growing number of consumers want to cultivate those relationships with their farmers. These customers are more interested in learning straight from the producer how their food is grown and raised rather than navigating a plethora of often-confusing labels or certifications.
On-Farm Beef Processing Cuts Out the Middleman

2 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Small farmers practicing on-farm slaughter hope to take a bite of the large beef processors’ market share. “My belief is that we should slaughter animals where they are,” said Mike Callicrate, a Kansas cattle producer. Callicrate and others are showing that on-farm, USDA-sanctioned processing can work, once you make the investment. He said once animals are slaughtered on the farm, they can be moved to urban centers for further processing. “Then you get the best of both worlds,” Callicrate said.
Navigating Pennsylvania Driving Customs ... and Other Regional Quirks [Opinion]

2 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Do you ever find yourself walking toward a stranger and before you collide you both zig, then zag and finally get around each other with a laugh and a smile? When that happens, I often mumble “Pennsylvania stop sign,” probably to the other person’s dismay. Ever since I moved to PA (pronounced Pea-A) from out West (Oregon, not Pittsburgh) 25 years ago, I have been dismayed by the over-politeness of drivers when rolling up to a stop sign.
Chester County Dairy Deadlocked With Township Over Farm Events

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Pennsylvania allows municipalities broad power to define and regulate agritourism, which means townships have a lot of latitude to limit those activities. Casi Long, a Chester County dairy farmer, has been dealing with that reality since East Coventry Township shut down her offerings of live music, ice cream nights, on-farm breakfasts and other events.
Rain Bogs Down Spring Planting for Eastern Pennsylvania Growers

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Much-needed rain in eastern Pennsylvania is putting a damper on planting for some farmers, although across the state, planting schedules are on par or better than recent previous years. USDA data for the week ending May 11 reported 32% of corn and 30% of soybeans were planted. “Everything is happening at one time,” said Lancaster County dairy farmer Matt Espenshade, president of Pennsylvania State Grange.
Which Is Better: Grass-Fed or Grain-Fed Beef? It's Really a Matter of Taste

3 weeks ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

For culinary professionals, there’s no clear winner between grass-fed and grain-fed beef — as long as you don’t cook them too hard. Some people describe grass-fed beef as gamey and robust, and they find grain-fed, which has more marbling, to be milder, sweeter and juicier. Grain-fed beef is generally cheaper because the animals grow faster. And with its lower fat content, grass-fed beef is less forgiving in the kitchen. It will toughen up if overdone, so lower and shorter cooking times work best.
What's a Perc Test and Why Are They Necessary for Septic Systems?

1 month ago | lancasterfarming.com | Dan Sullivan

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to make an offer on a piece of land adjacent to my property before it went on the market. The real estate agent informed me the deal would be contingent upon a successful perc test. A what? I learned that a perc — short for percolation — test is a soil test performed before installation of a septic system. It measures the level of liquid absorption, verifying that the soil can adequately drain and filter wastewater debris.