Families who operate successful farm businesses often hope that their children or other family members will be interested in continuing the farm. However, the process by which the transition occurs isn’t easy, and can be awkward and difficult. Communication throughout the transition process is criti...

Sisters Hill Farm uses innovative washing equipment and storage systems designed by head farmer David Hambleton. His height-adjustable farm equipment accommodates his 6 ft. 7 in. build. With a quick adjustment, the pallet jacks, root washers or wash tables can be set for ergonomically-correct use by...

Thriving farmers markets have loyal customers and great vendors. The customers spend money, return regularly and bring friends. Successful vendors bring great products, friendly smiles and the right pricing, week after week. During the Rhode Island Farmers Market Manager Conference held at Mount Hop...

The “Young Nurseryman of the Year” award was presented to Melissa Minto of Watson Farm by the Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association. Shannon Brawley, RINLA executive director said, “This prestigious award is given to promising young people in the agricultural and plant based industries.” Jean...

When Jason and Amy Ladd received a phone call from a young stranger who confessed his friend had stolen from their business, they were floored. The Ladd’s own Lucky Ladd Farms, a petting farm in Eagleville, TN. The alleged robber was their 19 year-old employee who, in the nature of the young and inv...

“It’s not about us. It’s about the mutineers!” This was the sobering advice of Steve Wiley, noted leadership training specialist, to hundreds of attendees of the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA, in his keynote address titled “Performance in a Rapidly Changing Environm...

Although Frank Vleck studied business, finance and accounting in college, his eventual career as a grower started as a high school hobby. This year, Vleck is celebrating 30 years of growing at his Wakefield Valley Nursery in Carroll County, Maryland. “Everything I learned about landscaping and growi...

“Forks belong on your dinner table, not in your orchard.” Jon Clements, UMass Extension Educator shared his witty rules for pruning fruit trees, especially apples and peaches. Clements led a hands-on pruning demonstration at Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, RI. Apples For a Central Leader style orcha...

The Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA) held its two day Annual Winter Meeting at the University of Rhode Island (URI) in January. Experienced landscapers, nursery growers, Extension professionals, University researchers and industry representatives shared their experience. Speakers...

“We’re riding the wave of the local food movement,” said Bevan Linsley, Farmers Market manager and conference organizer. This conference focused on tools market managers could use to improve food safety for a long and prosperous season. Janet Coit, RI DEM director and Ken Ayars, RI Division of Agric...

They’re farmers. They’re growers. They’re businesspeople. They’re entertainers. When your job includes doing everything, often the vocabulary at your disposal is limiting. So now, they’re writers as well, having coined a new term to describe what they do. “We’re trying to train ourselves to say ‘ent...

“The core group of customers who will pay the most for your locally grown produce are those who value local food; want to support the local economy; are looking for the health benefits of buying local; and value their relationship with you, the grower,” according to Dr. Tim Woods, who spoke recently...

Earlier this year, Maine’s governor signed a law making The Pine Tree State the second state in the country (after Connecticut) to require food producers to label foods which contain GMO ingredients. Those laws only take effect, however, when five other surrounding states also pass similar legislati...

CHINA GROVE, NC — “We saw the writing on the wall,” Doug Patterson said. It was 2005, and as growers of 350 acres of tomatoes, Patterson Farm — a partnership between Doug and Randall Patterson and their wives Michelle and Nora — was being buffeted by a changing marketplace. Input costs were increasi...

When most people see a greenhouse or high tunnel, they assume it is there to stay. In the case of Mike Roberts’ greenhouses (high tunnels) at Roots Farm in Tiverton, RI, that is not the case. Nearly 50 workshop volunteers moved two 50 by 30 ft. greenhouses in under 10 minutes during a hands-on NOFA/...