Penn State Extension - Lehigh County

09/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dora Boyd Simons, our new Extension Agent serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties!

Dora is excited to step into this new role after spending the past 10 years as an Administrative Support Assistant in Northampton County. She brings a lifelong connection to agriculture, having grown up on a dairy and crop farm in Berks County. Agriculture has always been a big part of her life, and she is looking forward to putting that experience to work in her new role.

As an Extension Agent, Dora will work with agricultural producers and community partners throughout Lehigh and Northampton Counties, connecting them with Penn State Extension resources and educational programs. Her work will include identifying local agricultural needs, providing support and technical assistance to producers, developing educational opportunities, and building relationships within the agricultural community.

After 10 years behind the scenes supporting Extension, Dora is excited to have the opportunity to get out into the community and work directly with the people and agriculture that make our region so special.

She’s looking forward to meeting you! If you’re involved in agriculture in Lehigh or Northampton County, don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello.

08/26/2026

Keystone Invasive Species Forum - Boalsburg, Pa - It will be worth the drive!
Connect with researchers, educators, land managers, and industry professionals to explore invasive species challenges, innovative solutions, and collaborative action across Pennsylvania.
https://extension.psu.edu/keystone-invasive-species-forum

Connect with researchers, educators, land managers, and industry professionals to explore invasive species challenges, innovative solutions, and collaborative action across Pennsylvania.

08/24/2026

Great article written by one of our newest Master Watershed Stewards.

How one Eastern Pennsylvanian resident uses collected rainwater for gardening, washing, and even a heated outdoor shower.

08/18/2026

There's 1 week left to order native trees and shrubs to create habitat for wildlife, reduce stormwater runoff AND support our Master Watershed Steward Program! Our sale will close on Tuesday, August 25th, and several species are nearly sold out, so get your order in soon.

Select the Lehigh County pick-up site to grab your trees in Allentown on September 25th.

Order here: https://web.cvent.com/.../3c0b0581-20ae-402b-b263.../summary

08/10/2026

Our Lehigh Valley Master Watershed Steward program has 3 upcoming rain barrel workshops:

💧August 16th at 11:30 AM in Emmaus at the Seed Farm's fall plant sale

💧August 22nd at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM in Allentown in partnership with Upper Macungie Township

💧August 22nd at 11:30 AM in Northampton in partnership with the Bertsch-Hokendauqua-Catasauqua Watershed Association's annual community day at Wayne Grube Park.

Register here: https://extension.psu.edu/rain-barrel-workshop-build-your-own

We also have rain barrel kits to turn any barrel into a rain barrel for $45 in select offices across the state. Pre-order online here: https://web.cvent.com/event/DE7A13D4-F327-4330-8AD2-00E6D3F56EB7/summary

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

Explore the Lehigh River on a 22-mile guided bike tour led by Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards. Learn about the ecology, wildlife, and conservation of the Lehigh Gap and Lehigh River Watershed and discover the rich history of the communities and industries that have shaped the river corridor.
Lehigh Gap Nature Center Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape

Explore the Lehigh River on a 22-mile guided bike tour featuring environmental and historical education, scenic views, and opportunities to discover the region's rich natural and cultural heritage.

08/05/2026

🥕 Share Your Extra Harvest with Lehigh Valley Neighbors! 🍅
Do you have more homegrown vegetables, fruits or herbs than you can use?

Through the Adopt A Pantry Plus Program, local gardeners can donate their excess harvest to nonprofit organizations serving people throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Here’s how to participate:
🌱 Harvest, rinse and dry your excess garden produce.
📝 Submit the donor form by 4 p.m. Sunday, listing what you plan to donate.

📍 Bring your donation to
Penn State Extension Lehigh County office
on Monday between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m

4184 Dorney Park Road,
Room 104 Lehigh County Agricultural Center
Allentown, 18104

Donations will be weighed and packed for pickup. Volunteers from iHave iNeed, along with participating Penn State Master Gardeners, will deliver the produce to local nonprofit organizations where it can be put to good use.

The program runs every Monday through October, with dates continuing based on donor participation and produce availability. Anyone may donate—you do not need to be a Master Gardener!

Fresh produce is especially valued, and every donation helps keep good food out of landfills and place it into the hands of Lehigh Valley neighbors who can use it.

➡️ Complete the donor form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOjzwM6I1aXPNOOCVHwKZ7dOO2W3VlVOuwMwUuRUmNtQ8Fpw/viewform

Questions? Contact Laura Kowalski at [email protected]

The Adopt A Pantry Plus Program is a collaboration involving Penn State Master Gardeners, Lehigh Valley gardeners and iHave iNeed.

07/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NgYcxs2Aw/

Its Friday - Time to look through the catalog and pick out some native trees and shrubs! https://extension.psu.edu/master-watershed-steward-native-tree-and-shrub-sale

07/28/2026

🌱 The Lehigh Valley Native Plant Directory has a fresh new look!
Recently updated and redesigned for easier browsing, this free local resource makes it simple to find native plant information throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Explore three helpful sections:

🌿 Connect with local organizations and educational resources
🌼 Visit native plant gardens, arboretums and wild spaces
🛒 Find native plant nurseries, seasonal sales and landscape professionals

Created by the Penn State Master Gardeners of Lehigh and Northampton counties and hosted in partnership with Lehigh Gap Nature Center, the directory supports the Homegrown National Park movement and its goal of restoring biodiversity one planting at a time.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, planning your next garden visit or wondering where to buy native plants, start here 👇

🗂 Lehigh Valley Native Plant Directory
🔗 https://lgnc.org/lvnpd-1/

Even a small native planting can provide valuable food and habitat for insects, pollinators and birds. Every plant makes a difference! 🌎🐝🦋

💬 Take a look through the updated directory. Is there a garden, organization or native plant source you’re excited to discover?