Penn State Extension- McKean County

10/09/2026

It’s that time of year to glam out your pumpkins and enter them into the PA Preferred Pumpkin Palooza! 🎃

Celebrate the season by picking a locally grown pumpkin and turning it into a creative masterpiece for this year’s contest.

Two contest categories:
- Painted pumpkins
- Carved pumpkins

Three age groups:
- Child (11 and under)
- Youth (12–17)
- Adult (18+)

To enter:
Email a photo of your pumpkin to [email protected] by October 26 at 11:59 p.m.

Include your name, age, hometown and county, contact info, and the PA farm or market where you bought your pumpkin.

Winners will be announced on October 31, 2026.

Looking for the perfect pumpkin patch?
PA Preferred Farm Finder: https://bit.ly/3EBGmoC
Penn State Farm Market Finder: https://bit.ly/3R7u4uQ

For the full contest details and rules, visit: https://bit.ly/4ey87xl

10/09/2026

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) offers funding to farmers, agriculture service providers, graduate students, researchers and others. Northeast SARE offers seven grant categories.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

Helping your child understand and navigate complicated relationships.

10/08/2026

🍋 Pucker up, canners! There’s a new NewsFlash!
Not all bottled lemon juice is created equal. For tested canning recipes, reach for "from concentrate" or reconstituted juice—not fresh-squeezed or “not from concentrate.”
Stay in the know with the NCHFP NewsFlash!

When in doubt, check it out! Read the latest NewsFlash from the National Center for Home Food Preservation: https://nchfp.uga.edu/newsflash/home-canning-safety-why-the-type-of-bottled-lemon-juice-matters

10/08/2026

Are you feeling overwhelmed with your finances? Following these five strategies can help you take control of your expenses and become a safer and more responsible consumer.

10/06/2026

Follow the safe method for canning cranberry juice at home with this research-tested recipe.
https://extension.psu.edu/proper-canning-of-cranberry-juice

10/06/2026

This article explains where lead in residential soils comes from, how people may be exposed, how to test soils, practical steps to reduce exposure, and options for soil testing, including laboratory analysis and portable XRF screening.
https://extension.psu.edu/lead-in-residential-soils-sources-testing-and-reducing-exposure

10/05/2026

National 4-H Week is off to a great start! 🍀🍀🍀

To celebrate, State Council is hosting a spirit week to show off your 4-H pride!

✨Monday: Go Green! Show your 4-H spirit by wearing green.
✨Tuesday: White Out! Wear white in honor of another official 4-H color and celebrate PA 4-H's connection to Penn State.
✨Wednesday: Go for the Gold! Wear gold or yellow today to celebrate successes and achievements in 4-H.
✨Thursday: Passion Sparks Opportunity. Celebrate State Council's theme by wearing your Passion Sparks Opportunity shirt.
✨Friday: Wear the Memory. Wear a t-shirt from your favorite 4-H event.

We hope you'll join State Council as they celebrate the incredible impact of 4-H!

10/05/2026