2021 PA Farm Show to be Celebrated Virtually

Photo courtesy PA Farm Show

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation. The Farm Show alone contributes over $150 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy each year. It is held each year in January. This coming year however, it seems even the Farm Show has to adapt due to COVID-19. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced earlier today that the PA Farm Show will be celebrated virtually, with no in-person events or competitions.

“There are times in the life of a farmer when the risks are too great or uncertain, requiring farmers to make the tough decision to leave a field fallow,” said Redding. “To protect our assets – both our people and our resources – from incalculable losses, we have made the tough decision to take a year to lie in fallow. Rather than an in-person Farm Show, we will celebrate Pennsylvania agriculture virtually for 2021 as we prepare for a productive future.

“We’ll look at our strengths and where we need to invest together in order to grow and cultivate for tomorrow. We’ll consider what has become crystal clear during the pandemic – that agriculture is essential for life; our people are resilient and innovative. We will focus on agricultural awareness, education, and literacy while highlighting the interconnectedness of our food chain,” added Redding.

The department announced the theme for the 2021 virtual PA Farm Show to be Cultivating Tomorrow. Details of the virtual show will be announced as they unfold over the coming weeks. Virtual events will be focused on education and awareness for both the general public and the agriculture industry. Any competitive ag events that are held virtually will not require the purchase of an animal.

“Each year, the Pennsylvania Farm Show uses a theme to convey our vision for the future of Pennsylvania agriculture – through Cultivating Tomorrow we’ll tell this story through technology as we envision and cultivate a prosperous, thriving future together,” said Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Executive Director Sharon Myers. “We have not lost sight of what this industry means to Pennsylvania, in fact, this pandemic has highlighted our reliance on it. The show will go on, just as agriculture has persevered.”

“For 104 years, the PA Farm Show has been a cherished tradition and pilgrimage in the lives of so many families who ventured out to see our beloved animals up close and to taste the marvelous bounty grown by our hard-working farmers. The Dairymen appreciate the gravity of the current pandemic and the difficult decision reached by the state and Farm Show officials,” said Dave Smith, executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, in reaction to the news.

Are You Ready?

Editor’s Note: This article seemed too time sensitive and too important in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It will run again in full with some great imagery in our Summer 2020 Issue, which comes out in June.

By Dana Jefferson, C.Ht., Ph.D. and Tracy Lake, MH, RYT-200, VAT

Many of us have lived through all the hype with Y2K and the end of the Mayan calendar. Some of us have prepared for hurricanes that never made landfall. If you’re a planner by nature, then you’ve probably at least made the bread and milk run before predictions of a major snowfall. Dana and her husband (lovingly referred to as Dr. Prepper) became serious about making preparations when Dana’s role in state government saw how earnestly the federal government was taking the threat of a pandemic during the H1N1 scare. While this virus infected over 700 million individuals worldwide, the mortality rate was relatively low. Living in Delaware at the time and seeing the plans to potentially quarantine cities, Dana and Ed moved to rural Pennsylvania. Since that time, the pandemic world has been quiet except for a few threats like the Zika virus. Now, we are seeing the threat of the coronavirus which will hopefully be a fleeting memory by the time this article is published. However, the next pandemic threat is just a moment away. Are you ready in case of quarantine or in case medicines and remedies of all types are hard to obtain?

When reports of the coronavirus began, Dana and Ed were shopping in Altoona and decided to get a few surgical masks to have on hand while in the “big city”. It took stops at four different shops before they could find any. All had sold out, and the shop where they did find some only had two boxes left. This began the deliberation about what we might need to have on hand just in case. Dana’s good friend, Barbara Bason, is a homeopathic practitioner in Delaware so Dana shot her a quick email about what basic homeopathic remedies would be great to have in anyone’s medicine cabinet. Barbara quickly sent back an email with some great basic suggestions. Dana discovered at that time that some of her favorite sources of homeopathic supplies were already out of many single remedies. This was another wake-up call to have your medicine toolkit prepared and ready in case of need. During the same period, Dana asked another good friend, Tracy Lake, an herbalist practitioner in Huntingdon, PA, to develop a similar toolkit of basic herbal remedies to always have in your medicine cabinet. It should be noted that both lists are for emergency preparation and are not in lieu of working directly with your homeopathic or herbal practitioner for what will work best for you personally. These suggestions are also not to replace standard medical treatment, but with an understanding that there may be times when traditional and even alternative medical care may not be easily available.

Let’s start with Barbara’s homeopathic list understanding that this was her quick jotting down of items to share with a friend and with Barbara’s permission to share with others. Dana told Barbara that it was wonderful to have a homeopath in the family. Now you can benefit by becoming part of the extended family!

Topical stuff:
Arnica ointment or cream
Sting Stop- great for insect bites and stings, sun burn, cold sores and more- has a few homeopathic remedies in the gel

Homeopathic Remedies:
Arnica 30 c – shock from injury, blunt trauma and swelling and bruising, after surgery, concussion, for stroke while waiting for conventional care, sprained ankles, after dental trauma
Aconite 30c- shock -from trauma with exceptional fear and anxiety, like after a car accident, for heart attack while waiting for conventional care, colds that come on suddenly after exposure to really cold weather
Hypericum 30c – for injury to nerves like fingers and toes or falls on tailbone, blows to the spine, for cuts to fingers,
Ledum30c- for puncture wounds from bites or objects and any other, for sprains after Arnica has helped and you need more help, for bruises that turn yellow green and purple
Bryonia30c- sprains and strains that are worse -any movement after Arnica has stopped working, for colds that go to the chest, some influenza cases
Gelsemium30c- for colds that come on slowly where person is very fatigued wants to stay prone, has droopy eyes, one of best flu remedies with fever and great fatigue, and chills
Urtica urens 6 c- best remedy for burns – can take the pellets on tongue and also dissolve one in water and put on burned skin.
Arsenicum- food poisoning from bad water, meat, etc. with vomiting, diarrhea, and anxiety
-Oscillococcinum can be used within the first 48 hours after flu symptoms start or if you are sure you have been exposed to the flu. One dose is all that is recommended and only in the first 48 hours is it helpful.
-Apis30c – for insect stings and even helps with anaphylaxis

Herbal: Echinacea tincture or capsules are good to take when you feel like you may be coming down with a cold – take at the highest dose suggested.

Colloidal silver liquid- for any inflammation and if feel like coming down with a cold- take internally at highest recommended dose and can be used topically for wounds even in the eye and good for dogs as well.

D-mannose- this supplement is wonderful!!! Take as soon as any symptoms of UTI or if prone to UTI take it daily. It prevents UTI. Way more effective than cranberry juice.

Now that you have your basic homeopathic remedies ready and available, it’s time to prepare your herbal toolkit. The following section is written by Tracy as her go to list she’s sharing with her friends and you, her extended family. You will see that some of the same items are listed by both Barbara and Tracy so you may want to prioritize those items. Again, this is for general information, so please talk to your doctor to see if these herbs are appropriate given your health conditions, allergies, or medications. Note: Mullein, garlic, and clove should be made as infusions and sit for several weeks before being strained and used. A pro tip is to label them with a date and about three weeks before the preparation expires, start your new batch so you don’t end up with a gap.

Bleeding: Yarrow powder to stanch bleeding. Could use cayenne instead, but my preference is yarrow powder.
Bruises and sprains–Arnica (for external use only!)
Burns: Aloe Vera, peel the leaf and apply the gel externally.
Constipation: Psyllium seed, Senna (this one works quickly and is less “gentle”)
Cough: Mullein
Cough and congestion: Thyme
Diarrhea: chamomile, psyllium seeds (yes this helps here by absorbing water and giving bulk to the stool; It helps for constipation by adding fiber.)
Digestive issues: Chamomile, ginger, fennel, oregano, or your favorite mint…peppermint, spearmint, etc.
Earache: mullein, garlic, or a blend of the two. This can be purchased as an oil (This is NOT an essential oil, but an infused oil). You can also purchase the herbs and create the infusion yourself.
Fever: White willow bark. It contains salicylic acid, an active ingredient in aspirin. It can increase bleeding, so do not use if bleeding is present.
Headache: White willow bark. It contains salicylic acid-See section on Fever. You can also use one of the teas listed for stress as the calming effect is usually helpful for a headache. Using a lavender eye mask can help alleviate the discomfort for some people.
Pain: White willow bark. It contains salicylic acid-See section on Fever.
Sore throat: Zinc or slippery elm lozenges
Stress: chamomile, valerian, and spearmint. I would also have dried lavender flowers to use in the bath or place in an eye mask to aid in relaxation. Depending on the availability of water, Epsom salts are great to help with relaxation. The magnesium is absorbed by the body and soothes aching muscles as well as supporting the nervous system. The warm water helps with that as well. If a bath is not available to you, magnesium is available in pump containers as well. I have used that for years and find it helpful.
Toothache: Ground clove or clove infused oil. Either can be placed on the gum near the tooth.
Wounds: Comfrey (not to be used on puncture wounds) or Calendula. These would be applied externally to speed wound healing. Colloidal silver-I like the spray for external use. Marshmallow Root: Helps nourish tissue and keeps it from necrotizing. Use this externally on a wound, perhaps combining it with calendula. You can steep calendula and use the tea to flush a wound as well.

I keep colloidal silver on hand in both a spray and a bottle. It has antibacterial properties. Echinacea is antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and provides support to the immune system. I use this if I feel a cold developing. Don’t forget to stock up on culinary herbs. They will increase the flavor in foods and help you resist the urge to add extra salt or sugar as flavor enhancers. That will also keep you from quickly depleting your salt and sugar supply. Culinary herbs are also sources of vitamins and minerals.

If you would like a reasonable supply of these herbs instead of bulk amounts, consider checking with your local herbalist rather than buying online. An herbal consultation can also be helpful in ensuring that you have back-up herbs for emergencies when you are not able to get your regular prescriptions.

There are some essential oils such as tea tree oil, frankincense, and lavender, among others, which are great to have on hand as well. Be sure to talk to and procure them from a representative of a reputable company if using as part of your medical toolkit. If you do not know of an essential oil representative in your area, your herbalist, hypnotherapist, or other complimentary health care provider may be able to make a referral.

Be prepared with supplies, but also prepare yourself. Eat healthy, get your required amount of sleep, stay away from toxicity (including toxic people) and spend time energetically pulling up all the nutrients and healing properties of Mother Earth. As they say, “An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure.” Your preparation may be just what you, your family, and your pets need to weather any emergency.

(c) 2020, Therapeutic Thymes, LLC

Therapeutic Thymes joins United Plant Savers

WP_20180720_08_32_09_Pro (2)Therapeutic Thymes has joined United Plant Savers as a Corporate Member. The mission of United Plant Savers (UpS) is “to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.” For more information, visit: https://unitedplantsavers.org.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Therapeutic Thymes joins United Plant Savers

WP_20180720_08_32_09_Pro (2)Therapeutic Thymes has joined United Plant Savers as a Corporate Member. The mission of United Plant Savers (UpS) is “to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.” For more information, visit: https://unitedplantsavers.org.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Rural Broadband Access Discussed at PA Farm Show Today

LEMOYNE, PA – The PA State Grange is presenting a program on Rural Broadband Access at the PA Farm Show today (11 January). Its focus is to discuss what steps can be taken to ensure that rural Pennsylvania has the same access to Internet and cell phone service as do urban and suburban citizens. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order recognizing the need to “promote better access to broadband internet service in rural America” as well.

“This addresses a critical need for rural Pennsylvania”, said PA State Grange President Wayne Campbell. “Telemedicine may be a great way to reach rural areas but is almost useless if you don’t have the technology to go with it. Computers in the classroom is a great idea, but if kids have no Internet access at home, that resource is wasted. Rural commerce is stymied without access to those technology tools everyone else has. That is why Broadband Internet access is a top Grange legislative priority”

Presenters include: Mark Critz, Governor’s Rural Development Council Executive Director; Bev Gruber representing the PA Campgrounds Association; Betsy Huber, President of the National Grange and member of the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Committee for Broadband; Regina Matz, Esq. representing Public Utility Commission (PUC) Commissioner David Sweet; PA State Representative Kristin Phillips-Hill from York County who has introduced a package of Broadband bills; and Steve Samara, President of the PA Telephone Association.

The event will be moderated by PA Grange Director of Legislative Affairs Vince Phillips. The general public is encouraged to attend. The event is not just for members of the PA State Grange.

PA State Grange was founded in 1873 as an organization seeking to promote the interests of rural Pennsylvanians and to improve their lives economically and through strengthening the social fabric of their communities. The Grange’s presentation will take place in the Monongahela Room, second floor, Farm Show Complex Maclay Street entrance from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

For more information on the National Broadband Plan, visit: http://www.broadband.gov/rural_areas.html. Click HERE to view the President’s Executive Order.

Editor’s Note: The above is from a press release from the PA Grange and the White House.

(c) Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Importance of Native Plants Discussed at PA Farm Show

HARRISBURG – Blair County Conservation District’s Suzanne Black discussed how to help native plants survive and thrive yesterday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania’s native plants are constantly under threat to be crowded out by invasive plant species.

“Native plants are plants indigenous to a given area in geologic time,” said Black. “This includes plants that have developed, occur naturally, or existed for many years in an area. One-third of plants in the United States aren’t native, and this causes a significant problem.”

Natives are well adapted to the climate and therefore easier to care in comparison to non-native species. They do not require fertilizer because they are naturally adjusted to their habitat and soil. When the native species is in the proper environment there is little to no upkeep besides the possibility of adding organic matter or compost to the soil. Non-native species, on the other hand, are difficult to care for and lack the qualities to support biodiversity.

Natives are important because they are well adapted to the climate around them. They preserve Pennsylvania’s natural biodiversity and many insects rely on native plant hosts and cannot live off or eat exotic plants. A popular and supportive Native Plant includes Red Bud Trees. The Red Bud supports all aspects of natural biodiversity; butterflies eat the seeds, deer browse the foliage, and humming birds consume the nectar.

Black advises purchasing Native plants from a reputable source and buy only nursery propagated native species if you are planning to plant. Learn more at www.extension.psu.edu.

Another great resource for Native Plants is the PA Native Plant Society. The Society has several upcoming events, such as a Native Plant Seed Germination Workshop. The workshop, according to the Society’s website, will include discussion on the seed germination requirements of various perennials. It will also include demonstrations on sowing seed in flats and the “wintersow” method in milk jug mini greenhouses.

Editor’s Note: The above is largely from a press release from the PA Farm Show. The 102nd PA Farm Show continues through Saturday, 13 January 2018.

(c) Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Protecting our Pollinators to be Discussed at Farm Show

Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of species of pollinators. There are 500 species of bees alone that call Pennsylvania home. In addition to bees, pollinators include beetles, butterflies, moths, and even flies.

At the PA Farm Show today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will join representatives from the Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State, beekeepers, and others concerned about the health of state pollinators to share recommendations from the Pennsylvania Pollinator Protection Plan. The plan, known as P4, was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State University (PSU). It is designed to protect bees and other insects that pollinate nearly 75 percent of the commonwealth’s food crops.

For more information on the Plan, visit: PSU’s Center for Pollinator Research.

(c) Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Honey Extraction Demonstration

Have you ever wondered how the honey gets from that little bee to that delicious sticky liquid we often use in tea or on toast? Wonder no more. Today, at the 102nd PA Farm Show, there will be a Honey Extraction Demonstration It is scheduled for 10 a.m. by Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association on the Culinary Connection Stage. There are several methods of extracting honey.

The PA Beekeepers Association has several educational stands at the Show. The Farm Show is the PA Beekeepers Association’s showcase annual event and the primary source of fund raising for the Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program, according to their website. The 2018 Pennsylvania Honey Queen is Hannah Albright. Lydia Barr was selected as 2018 Pennsylvania Honey Princess.

The 2018 show runs through 13 January, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except Sunday, 7 January, when it runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, January 13, when it opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. This year is the 102nd PA Farm Show.

(c) Therapeutic Thymes, 2018. All Rights Reserved

A Note from our Editor

Happy October!

September was a hectic – but exciting – month for us. We were out at Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs, PA. That was a great show. There is so much going on there that no one person could ever hope to take it all in. Our beekeeping expert Jeanne Saum of BEEPropolis and her husband stayed with us out there. She also had a table there. In fact, it was there that we met them last year. After that three-day fair, we came home to Lancaster to unload and reload the car and off we were to the Solanco Fair in Quarryville, PA. There we saw so many old friends, met new friends, and made a couple great contacts. We met Kathy of BoStrong Foundation. We will talk more about them soon. Naturally we ran into one of the Essential Sisters – Giovanni Grummelli. She writes our aromatherapy/essential oils pieces.

Yesterday and today I have been at the Mid Atlantic Women’s Herbal Conference. It was my first time here. While I did not get to sit in on any of the classes, our table did well and I made lots of contacts. I met so many interesting women and learned so much while here. Some I will share here but most will be featured in the upcoming magazines!Magazines by the way make great stocking stuffers and it is that time of year to start thinking about that!

~ Jeanne

Copyright Therapeutic Thymes, 2017

Empowered Light Holistic Expo Offers Deeper Connection to Self and Community

OAKS — Take a step toward a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle at the Empowered Light Holistic Expo! The expo’s focus is on holistic lifestyles, spiritual classes and personal development. The expo runs from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, 27 October, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 28 and 29 October, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks. General Admission tickets range from $7.50 to $27. Most workshops and lectures are included with general admission, with advance sale discounted tickets for the Featured Speakers. There’s plenty of free parking available.

“Most people feel stressed and distracted, and are looking for more connection and answers! They need healthier ways to handle the increasing stress they’re facing,” says the expo’s founder, Sue Greenwald. “The Expo offers connection with new friends, new ideas and, most of all, a community where people feel supported in a FUN way.”

Empowered Light seeks to engage the attendees through experiential types of classes, like yoga, meditation, sound healing, or mini treatments like reiki and massage. Attendees can choose from over 50 workshops and lectures over the course of the weekend. Lectures and workshops have the goal of enlightening and empowering, as well as encouraging participation.

EmpoweredLightRenowned Gaia TV host and Intuitive Corey Good is a featured speaker, as is author John Van Auken, Director of the Edgar Cayce Foundation. Professor Semir “Dr. Sam” Osmanagich, who discovered the Bosnian Pyramids, will be presenting, as will Ataana, Energy healer from Nashville.

Other scheduled speakers include psychic mediums, published authors, and experts on a variety of health related and spiritual development topics, like healthy food and developing your intuition. Guests will be able to linger and shop in between workshops and talks with more than 150 Holistic Vendors.

“Our vendor halls will host a variety of natural products, holistic merchandise like crystals, clothing, or locally made jewelry. They can try healing treatments like reiki, or a mini massage. Many people come for psychic and intuitive readings to help guide them,” says Greenwald. “Everyone will have an opportunity to get what they need out of the Expo: connection, information, contacts, new experiences. It’s different for everyone. The Expo is a fun and healing environment for the community to explore and connect. One of the most powerful ways we have to create transformation is when we are together, in community”

For more information, call 484-459-3082, email EmpoweredLightexpo@gmail.com or visit EmpoweredLight.com.

Editor’s Note: This was a press release written and supplied by Empowered Light Expo.

© Therapeutic Thymes, 2017.