The secrets for success for Red Fire Farm, which grows certified organic vegetables on two farms in Montague and Granby, MA, is perseverance and cultivating great workers — as well as great vegetables. Farm owners Ryan and Sarah Voiland grow vegetables for four summer and five winter farmer’s market...

LEXINGTON PARK, MD — Most winters, the fields at Even’ Star Farm are a riot of different shades of green, full as they are with the winter crops Brett Grohsgal grows for his CSA and wholesale customers. This year was a different story. Southern Maryland’s coldest winter in 30 years — following a coo...

The 265-acre farm Jeff and Nonie Morris purchased in 2004 included about 40 acres of well-established blueberry bushes, but the Morrises, who had no previous experience growing blueberries, decided to start from scratch. “It took a lot of work,” said Nonie, explaining that Jeff cleared the existing ...

Apex Orchards in Shelburne, MA is known for the distinctively tasty quality of their apples. Owner Tim Smith credits climate and high magnesium in the soil for the taste of his apples that he wholesale to valley stores, farmers and PYO. 18,000 bushels worth. “[The soil] produces great quality apples...

“Charge them and they will come” was the provocative message delivered by Kurt Alstede, owner of Alstede Farms in Chester, NJ, to growers at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference at Hershey, PA. Alstede Farms has about 300 acres of tree fruits, small fruits and vegetables, which they sell ...

The general consensus among many east coast migratory pollinators is that as long as they stay in business, there should be enough bees for east coast pollination. The beekeepers will do what’s necessary to make up the previous year’s hive losses (averaging 50 percent plus last year,) by making spli...

Jim Gilbert, of One Green World Nursery in Portland, OR, has devoted 35 years of his life to tracking down, studying, and working with unusual, very cold-hardy fruits. He has traveled to Siberia, China, northern Japan, Germany, and the Ukraine, among other countries, to find promising cultivars and ...

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...