The cider industry continues to remain strong for craft beverage drinkers – and for those who grow and harvest the apples that are fermented into that tasty drinkable treat. However, just like any other horticultural crop, disease pressure remains an issue. Looking into “Phenology, Infection Risk an...

The reason for the success of bespoke agricultural tour agency Explorations by Thor can be summed up succinctly by co-owner and co-founder Donna Thor: “Farmers love to talk to other farmers!” she said. “And whether it’s a farmer from across town or halfway around the world, they always like to share...

The annual Tales of the Cocktail conference isn’t just about the final intoxicating products. There is also a lot of information shared on how the ingredients that go into your favorite wines and spirits are grown, harvested and handled. Looking specifically at terroir in the “SoilEd: Digging into F...

A few years ago I was chatting with a neighbor and he mentioned that he was having trouble growing tomatoes and peppers on his property. I looked around and immediately pointed out three black walnut trees as the culprit. He adamantly disagreed with me. I walked away (and quickly passed his house an...

The Country Folks Grower team was saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Lamont Jr. in November after a stoic battle with health issues. A professor emeritus of horticulture and a vegetable crops Extension specialist through Penn State, he is well published in academia; however, most of our readers...

Country Folks Grower is proud to join communities across America in celebration of National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on Nov. 21. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and rural-focused organizations throughout the U.S. set aside the third Thursday of November to recogniz...

Once they had their first child, Molly and Jesse Jimerson knew they wanted to raise their family on a farm. Molly had dabbled in agriculture as a young adult but took a different pathway after college. Jesse was a skilled carpenter and mechanic. Living in Nevada, they were growing weary of wildfires...

Hemp production regulations in America have gone back and forth throughout the past century. After being declared illegal in 1937, then entirely banned in 1970, the 2018 Farm Bill re-legalized regulated hemp production in the U.S. Because the hemp industry continues to grow, University of New Hampsh...

Farmers, whether raising animals for meat or milk or growing crops to nourish humans, often sell through farm stands and on-farm stores. When looking into the idea of expanding an existing retail farm market operation, the question is often “Where do we go from here?” A recent webinar from Penn Stat...

There are a ton of agricultural grants available, but knowing which ones you qualify for and taking your time to fill them out is essential. The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems recently hosted a webinar to help farmers prepare to fill out their applications – and laid out the steps to success. ...

Imagine flying a drone equipped with sprayers across a soybean field, targeting only weeds that eluded the first round of spraying. Or imagine an implement that can kill specific weeds with laser technology. These technologies are not outlandish, and according to Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan of Texas A&...

Solar development has been increasing in popularity in the U.S. recently, and there’s been a lot of discussion about incorporating more solar panels on agricultural land. This has caused a lot of tension, as farmers are concerned about a potential drop in the ag economy as well as the loss of prime ...

Whether starting anew, moving or expanding, finding suitable farmland may be the biggest hurdle for growers these days. Where do you begin? What do you need to look for? Addressing this topic at the 2023 Great Lakes Expo was Vicki Morrone, an organic field crop and vegetable outreach specialist at M...

In her seminar “Marketing for Growers,” Katie Elzer-Peters encouraged attendees at AmericanHort’s Cultivate’24 convention to think beyond weekly availability lists and start sending engaging emails that motivate buyers. Elzer-Peters is the founder and CEO of the Garden of Words , a consulting firm s...

Nature is beautiful and needs to be preserved, but it can be difficult to maintain natural elements while using the land for personal or business needs. Anna Fialkoff, ecological horticulturist and designer, is highly educated on the importance of ecological landscaping – creating a sustainable land...