October Programs: Wild Ginseng, Preserving Herbs and Beginning Beekeeping

by Carol Kagan, Penn State Master Gardener

All programs are held at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. More about each listing below

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7 PM - Wild Ginseng Program – Free & open to the public. Call 717-263-9226 for more information.

Saturday, Oct 18 from 9 am – Noon – Herbs 103: Harvesting, Preserving and Overwintering. Cost $10. Call 717-263-9226  to register.

Thursday, October 23 at 7 PM - Would You Like to be a Beekeeper? Free & open to public. No registration required. For information contact Randy King at 717-328-9256.

Wild Ginseng Program: American ginseng is a native North American herbaceous plant which has unique chemical properties that make it economically useful. It has a rich history of being collected, cultivated and traded for centuries in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association meeting welcomes featured speaker Dr. Eric Burkhart, Plant Science Program Director at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, discussing wild ginseng.

Because of its rarity, wild ginseng is a very valuable commodity with dried roots routinely selling for $500+/pint. Because ginseng has been widely collected over the last 200 years it is regulated both internationally and in each US state.

Herbs 103: Harvesting, Preserving and Overwintering: This Master Gardener workshop will provide information on various ways to preserve herbs including drying and freezing. Cost: $10. Call 717-263-9226 to register. We now accept credit cards to make phone registration easier.

Would You Like to be a Beekeeper? Have you ever wondered what is involved in being a beekeeper and working with honeybees?  If so, plan to attend this informational meeting The Franklin County Beekeepers Association is sponsoring this introductory meeting for the general public.  In particular, it is for those who may be interested in starting their own hives and learning a little bit more about what is involved.

The meeting will include a brief introduction to the honey bee, beekeeping information resources and time requirements for managing hives. A brief overview of tools, equipment, start-up costs, and ordering bee packages will be presented.  Free & open to public. No registration required. For information contact Randy King at 328-9256.