Investigators and students traveled to the Cole Farm yesterday afternoon, downstream of Shale Hills proper, to explore the topography of the property, current landuse, and determine experimental design.  The property belongs to Penn State alum and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Herbert Cole, Jr., Plant Pathology, who spent more than 50 years in service to Penn State and the community.  Cole’s interests in outreach and sustainable agriculture compliment the critical zone research questions our team investigates.  The crop farm has been functioning since 1810 and produces alfalfa, mixed grasses, and corn sprawling over 159 acres.  Goals for this research site include four groundhog monitoring locations to complement the other catenas and water quality sampling from deep groundwater wells and the adjacent reach of Shaver’s Creek.