Penn State Extension Expands Growing Season Hotline

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Extension toll-free hotline has expanded to include new topics for the 2023 growing season.

The hotline provides quick updates on the latest disease and pest management issues for Pennsylvania vegetable, fruit and greenhouse growers.

The hotline was upgraded and expanded for 2023 to feature dedicated lines for the cut flower industry, agronomic crops and industry updates and weather conditions and forecasts.

Penn State Extension faculty specialists and county-based educators record 90-second messages for each line about critical concerns they see on produce farms and greenhouses across the state. The team meets regularly to discuss the latest production issues related to insects, diseases and plant nutrition. 

Messages typically are updated weekly, or more frequently if needed.

The updates are distributed widely through newsletters, email and educational kiosks. 

The hotline also features:

• Dedicated Spanish-language lines for vegetable, small fruit and tree-fruit updates.
• Dedicated lines for vegetable crops, such as onions and other allium species, tomatoes and potatoes, sweet corn and vine crops.
• Dedicated lines for small fruit production, greenhouse integrated pest management, coronavirus management and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license updates.
• Separate lines for tree fruit production and updates on disease, insect, horticulture and general industry issues.
• A directory of tree fruit specialists and educators.

Call the Penn State Extension toll-free hotline at 800 736 6476.For instructions on navigating the hotline, visit the Penn State Extension website.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.