Where has the time gone? I remember that as a child the events and activities in my life never seemed to come quickly enough. Now, time seems to fly by and we are almost at the end of another year.

There are still a number of programs being offered by Cooperative Extension that are worth taking a look at, programs that address current issues being faced by agricultural producers and homeowners alike.

The following is a brief listing of these programs. For additional information on any of these opportunities, please contact the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761.

Fertilizer workshops

The economy has taken its toll on all of us and farmers find themselves dealing with the increased costs of fertilizer for crops. To help producers make informed decisions regarding their fertilizer program and purchases for 2009, a workshop titled "Save Money on Your Next Fertilizer Bill" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 11 at the Leroy Bergbigler farm located on Game Reserve Road east of Butler.

Kevin Fry, Extension agronomist, will cover topics including liquid vs. dry fertilizer, balancing crop needs with fertilizer applied, testing options, and calculating manure nutrients.

The program is informal and there is no need to register in advance. Plan to bring a notepad, calculator, and lots of questions to help you plan for a new growing season.

Coping with high energy prices in the home

Concerned about the rising prices of the energy that you use in your home? There are many indications that the prices of the various energy sources (natural gas, propane, fuel oil, electricity, and coal) will remain at high levels and may go even higher. The best way to cope with the high prices is to use your energy in a more efficient manner.

Dennis Buffington, Penn State professor of agricultural and biological engineering, will present a program at 6 p.m. Dec., 11 and 1 p.m. Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church, 135 Decker Drive, New Castle. His presentation will focus on saving energy and dollars in the home, with emphasis on lighting, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and the buildings themselves. The potential impacts of the deregulation of electricity generation will be discussed along with the established programs to provide financial assistance to those in need.

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by calling 724-654-8370 or by e-mail at Lawrenceext@psu.edu.

Coping with high energy prices on the farm

Are you a farmer concerned about the rising prices of the energy that you use in your home and on the farm?

Buffington will present a program at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church, 135 Decker Drive, New Castle. His presentation will focus on saving energy and dollars in the home and on the farm. For the home considerations, the program will focus on lighting, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and the buildings themselves. For the farm considerations, emphasis will be on top-notch performance of tractors and other engines, how electricity is billed, managing demand for electricity, and increasing overall energy efficiency throughout the farm operation.

The potential impact of the deregulation of electricity generation will be discussed along with the established programs that provide home energy financial assistance to those in need.

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by calling 724-654-8370 or by e-mail at Lawrenceext@psu.edu.

Farm-City observance

The Extension Office has been receiving calls regarding our traditional Farm-City dinner that has been held in partnership with the Butler Rotary and the agricultural community. We are pleased that people have expressed interest in participating and enjoy this observance of the ties between the rural and urban communities.

Butler Rotary and our partners in the agricultural community have made a decision to change our observance to a different time of year. The Farm-City dinner will not be held in November but we will continue the tradition on March 16. It's not too early to plan for the new year so get your new calendars out and mark the date. The observance will be held as part of National Agriculture Week and will celebrate the beginning of a new growing season.

Additional details will be available after the first of the year.

Butler County 4-H Dairy Club reorganizes

The Butler County 4-H Dairy Club will reorganize for the 2009 project year at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Butler Farm Show office.

4-H is a youth development program of Penn State Extension. Youths between the ages of 8 and 18 as of Jan. 1, 2009 who would like to learn about the dairy industry and have the opportunity to care for animals are invited to attend. Please contact 724-287-4761 for additional information.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.