After working with greenhouse crops for 35 years, Brian Whipker has found there’s a system for detecting plant problems. Whipker, professor and commercial floriculture Extension specialist at North Carolina State University, addressed abiotic issues (caused by non-living factors) during the Northeas...

During a Maine Small Business Development Center webinar, Stefa Normantas shared tips for setting up a dynamic wholesale trade booth. Normastas is a strategic event manager and managing partner of the New England Made shows. New England Made’s juried shows present the finest New England-sourced gift...

“Sometimes it’s comforting to know we all have the same struggles,” admitted Stephanie Quinn. She, alongside husband Phil Quinn of Quebec’s La Ferme Quinn , were part of an amicable panel of fellow farmers discussing working with your spouse or family at the most recent NAFDMA Convention in Austin, ...

Recently, I had the pleasure of catching up with Dr. Randy Gardner, professor emeritus, North Carolina State University, talking about what he’s been doing since retiring from the Department of Horticultural Science in 2008. We quickly reviewed his exemplary career at NCSU and his productive tomato ...

A popular marketing theme asks how well you are managing your customers’ expectations. Centered around the theory that sales goals are equal to good customer service, the operative word “managing” signals a less than enthusiast desire to plan and execute superior customer service. The question becom...

In order to expand the offerings at Empire Farm Days, New York’s premier ag trade show, this summer we’ve invited in a number of rising social media agvocates to share stories, information and experiences – and we’re even going to have a comedian doing a set on Friday evening! On Instagram, Shayna S...

Many New England farms have seen major changes from one generation to the next, including Peckham’s Greenhouse in Little Compton, RI. Although the Peckham family began farming in 1866 with fruits, vegetables, flowers and dairy, over the years the family transitioned to growing plants. Fifth generati...

The American Farm Bureau Federation says that “young” farmers and ranchers are those age 35 and under. Just because they have less years on this planet doesn’t mean they don’t have wisdom to share. At this year’s NAFDMA Convention in Austin, Texas, an under-35 panel from three different agritourism ...

Energy costs are a concern for every greenhouse grower, and it can be difficult to cut corners. Dr. Garrett Owen, assistant professor, sustainable greenhouse nursery systems, Ohio State, discussed energy saving options during a greenhouse management workshop sponsored by Ohio State. Owen described t...

Let’s begin by defining “nutraceutical.” It is a product isolated or purified from foods that is generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with a food. A nutraceutical is demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease. That’s how Evan Elford...

“During the farm transition process, we can feel frustrated, feel like we’re grasping at straws to find solutions. We also become suspicious of other people. Sometimes we make negative assumptions about other people’s motives. We start to experience a downward spiral. We feel stuck. This is how ever...

You can do so much on so little, especially with herbs. That was the message Michael Kilpatrick, founder of Growing Farmers and the Farm on Central in Franklin, Ohio, an eight-acre urban farm, provided during the recent Herbal Entrepreneur Conference. Kilpatrick addressed what to look for when findi...

Chris Callahan and Becky Maden of University of Vermont Extension discussed high tunnel ventilation during a Vermont Vegetable & Berry Growers Association webinar. Callahan is an agriculture engineer and Maden is a vegetable nutrient management specialist. According to Callahan, excessive temperatur...

“Bending, squatting, grabbing, twisting, pulling, pushing, cutting, walking, running, jumping, dragging, digging, pounding, lifting, tossing, catching, reaching. These are all examples of ways you’re likely incorporating physical activity into your farming duties regularly,” said Kate Graves. Graves...

About 10 years ago, farmers started to feel this pressure, this need to pay attention and be involved in consumer engagement. “It’s a weird thing that we agreed consumer engagement is a thing we needed to focus on,” said Janice Person of Grounded and Rising , a community and training platform focuse...