​(A reprint from spring 2023 with some really good information.  I know with the weather we have been having, it is really bothering people that they can’t get that manicured lawn look.  Maybe it shouldn’t.)
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As we enter a stretch of warmer weather, one thing is on a lot of people’s minds. Mowing the lawn. I know that I’ve been thinking about it too, as parts of my yard get taller and taller while others stay relatively short. While it may be tempting to get out there and mow on the first day that the temps reach 70 degrees, I’d like to provide you with some information and hope that you consider waiting before firing up the mower early this year. 

Cathy Yeakel, BCCD, District manager
Get Ready to Welcome Spring!
Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, as an environmental awareness day to educate people about pollution and its effects on the environment. Founded by a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day became a global movement to protect our environment. Since 1970, celebrations have changed from awareness lectures to outdoor events offering education on our natural resource issues and demonstrations.

Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Specialist, BCCD
What are the first signs of Spring that you notice? For some that’s seeing Robins bouncing around their yards or buds sprouting on trees, but for me it’s seeing tractors in the fields. Despite the multiple rounds of false-spring weather we’ve had, I saw the first few tilled fields while out driving through the county yesterday. An important reminder is that with those tilled fields, tractors and farming implements are not too far away. It’s also that time of year to be extra cautious on the roads, especially if you live in more rural areas. Farmers and their equipment are gearing up to spread manure and fertilizer, spring tillage (of all varieties) and plant their crop fields so here are a few important reminders for everyone traveling the roads; know your surroundings, patience is key, pass with caution.

Kevin Brown, BCCD, Ag Resource Specialist
Sayings, I am full of them.  Just ask my counterparts.  We even play games about what one I will say next.  There are a hundred of them, and they all have some merit to them.  This is why they exist.  This one definitely has some validity to it (I believe).   We will always have those “early adapters”.  You know the ones.  They have to be first to try everything.  Now, I am not opposed to someone being that way.  We need them.  We need to know how things will work, and this is the way to get that information.  It is not me personally, but it is the way some people operate.  And, if you can afford the risk, and you are willing to take it, thanks.  Thanks for helping the rest of us understand the pros and cons to whatever the next “thing” is.
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Kevin Brown, BCCD, Ag Resource Specialist
We knew this day would come.  Technology is just amazing if we think about it.  Some of the things that we can do, at the blink of an eye, are just incredible- make a call from about anywhere, watch an informational video to fix something almost anywhere, get directions to anywhere, and the list goes on.  I had an acquaintance tell me a year or so ago that he had put up a small lean-to on the side of one of his buildings.  Two weeks later, guess who shows up?  The county assessor.  They needed to update the assessment on his property because of the new addition.  Now, this guy lives on a dead-end dirt road/driveway, and that driveway comes off of a very seldom-used back road that just doesn’t ever really need to be traveled unless you live there.  My point?  He lives in the middle of nowhere.  How did they find that lean-to so fast?  Modern technology.

Open AI. 2025. “PA State Tree.” ChatGPT (February 1 version). February 1, 2025. https://openai.com
​In the lush, verdant forests of Pennsylvania, one tree stands as a sentinel of the state's rich natural heritage: the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). This majestic tree, designated as the state tree in 1931, has woven its roots deeply into the history, ecology, and culture of Pennsylvania.

​The Eastern Hemlock is more than just a tree; it's a keystone species that plays a critical role in maintaining the health and stability of Pennsylvania's forest ecosystems. With its evergreen needles, gracefully drooping branches, and towering height—often reaching up to 100 feet—the Hemlock provides a year-round canopy that shelters countless species of wildlife.

​Open AI. 2025. “PA State Mammal.” ChatGPT (February 1 version). February 1, 2025. https://openai.com
In the vast forests, rolling hills, and lush meadows of Pennsylvania, one creature reigns supreme as a symbol of the state's natural beauty and heritage: the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Officially designated as the state mammal in 1959, the White-tailed Deer holds a special place in the hearts of Pennsylvanians, embodying both the wild spirit of the land and the deep-rooted traditions of its people.

Breanna Ameigh, BCCD, Event Coordinator  
Bradford County and the surrounding region have been filled with agricultural practices of all shapes and sizes since its beginning. You likely couldn’t travel for five miles in any direction without seeing some type of farm – beef, sheep, vegetables, flowers, etc. The men and women of the industry make up the backbone of this area. As a generally male dominated field (literally), women are often not thought of as often as playing an integral role. However, according to the USDA, women make up approximately 36% of the producers of the United States. Bradford County, specifically, has around 55-59% of its farms having at least one female producer. 

​Open AI. 2025. “PA State Fish.” ChatGPT (February 1 version). February 1, 2025. https://openai.com
In the clear, cold streams and rivers of Pennsylvania, one fish reigns supreme as a symbol of the state's natural beauty and commitment to conservation: the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Designated as the state fish in 1970, the Brook Trout represents the purity of Pennsylvania's waterways and the rich fishing heritage cherished by its residents.
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The Brook Trout, referred to as the "brookie," is renowned for its vibrant colors and delicate beauty. With its olive-green back, marbled pattern of lighter shades, and distinctive red spots surrounded by blue halos, the Brook Trout is a visual marvel. Its belly can range from yellow to bright orange, especially in males during the spawning season. These striking colors not only make the Brook Trout a favorite among anglers but also a symbol of the pristine environments it inhabits.