Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival celebrates 10th anniversary BUCHANAN, VA – Sometimes you have to take your mind off things – try something new because the old ways aren’t working. In 2015, Frank Preston Wickline III decided to plant 30 acres of sunflowers on his dairy farm in Botetourt County. Like ma...

A relatively new strawberry disease has made its way out of Florida and is spreading throughout the South and Northeast. “ Neopestalotiopsis is the name of the disease and the pathogen,” said Nicole Gauthier, Ph.D., Extension plant pathologist, University of Kentucky. “Most people call it Neopest. I...

Those with orchards know apple trees need a certain period of cold, known as winter dormancy, to grow and produce properly. However, exactly how cold the trees need it to be and for how long can vary by variety, and depends on their scions and rootstocks. Testing the cold hardiness of apple scions a...

Michigan State University Extension Specialist Bert Cregg, Ph.D., said for most Christmas tree growers in the Midwest and Northeast, every new tree begins in a seedling bed. Cregg recently presented information on options to ensure seedlings have the best possible start. “It begins with ‘2-0s’, plan...

“Media coverage can bring significant attention and credibility to your farm, but it requires understanding what makes a story interesting, how to pitch it and how to maintain positive relationships with journalists,” said Molly McManus, agritourism and marketing coordinator at CCE Broome in New Yor...

A high tunnel can create an ideal environment for plants to grow, but it can also allow unwanted pests to thrive. Research Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont Cheryl Frank Sullivan explained how many of these pests can create a “total visual food quality issue” and must be managed right...

As ecological instability rocks the globe and the cost of living in urban centers skyrockets, the concept of land stewardship has never been more vital – or more appealing. The post-pandemic trend of seeking a slow-paced life – and the current barrage of social media imagery featuring brightly color...

As land become a more precious resource, figuring out how to use it as economically as possible is a top priority. It’s often where agrivoltaics – agricultural production underneath or adjacent to solar panels – comes into play. But how effective is farming beneath these panels? Luckily, research is...

Growers left glowing, figuratively and literally, after Dr. Abhay Thosar’s illuminating presentation at the most recent Cultivate conference . The seminar, “Horticulture LEDs: A New Era of Adaptability, Flexibility & Sustainability,” offered a deep dive into the dazzling world of dynamic LEDs, a nex...

When you think of a turbine, you probably image something massive. Turbines are rotary mechanical devices that extract energy from a fluid flow (like wind, water, steam or gas) to convert into electricity or mechanical power for things like vehicles and industrial machinery. They’re critical devices...

A strong farm lease isn’t just a formality, it’s the foundation of a flourishing farming partnership. Whether you’re an experienced operator or a first-time farmer, a well-crafted lease prevents confusion and helps both parties stay on track. Here’s how to create a crystal-clear, ironclad lease that...

The International Pawpaw Conference and the Ohio Pawpaw Festival both took place September, and last month, Country Folks Grower went into detail about some of the best cultivars to consider for those intrigued by this temperate-tropical fruit. This month, we’ll look a little more into what’s needed...

Agritourism enterprises often welcome customers with service animals, and most visits go well. However, if there was a problem, the situation may not have been handled well. Jackie Schweichler, staff attorney at Penn State Center for Agriculture & Shale Law, explained the laws in place for service a...

Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney, MI, hosted Dale Haney, White House superintendent of grounds, along with family, employees and local community groups at their farm in late September. Haney was there to select the official White House Christmas tree for 2025. Korson’s were the Grand Champions for 2025...

Kate Miller Carl was serving customers Roundhill Orchard’s summer bounty of raspberries and blueberries on the last day of Western Massachusetts’ latest three-day heat wave. Carl was born just down the road and grew up on the 20-acre Southampton, MA, farm with boundaries reaching into Westfield and ...