Millennials are a very diverse generation, but they do share one identical trait: they prioritize convenience. What does this mean? It means that in order to attract Millennial customers, you must make it easy for them to buy from you. Convenience is important for all generations, but it is particul...

With so many different marketing streams available today and with each diverging toward many key target groups, keeping to the core theme of your business message is not always an easy task. While you are correct to adapt your promotions and advertising for different market segments, it is essential...

What does it take to be a successful, organic, reduced tillage farmer? What are the practices? What are the keys? Cornell Small Farm Program recently teamed up with Michigan State University and the University of Maine to offer results of the latest research on reduced tillage for small-scale organi...

WILLSBORO, NY — The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has announced the results of 2016 vegetable research providing market growers with insight into the production challenges associated with the increasingly popular cherry-type tomatoes. The project report, which also...

A recent rainy day found Michelle Elston between flower fields and her office on her Carlisle, PA farm. “We’re planting almost every day here,” said Michelle, explaining one of the busiest times of year. Michelle, who holds a degree in plant science from Cornell University, talks about how she start...

Successful organic farming depends upon keeping pace with new development in research. But how useful is the research? How can researchers know that their efforts are helping organic farmers profit? Recently, e-Organic presented a webinar, “Taking Stock: Analyzing and Reporting Organic Research Inve...

Anyone with a pesticide applicator’s license has heard it: the label is the law. Tracy Harpster, Penn State extension educator, pesticide education program, says labels are not only the law but also include information about the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for that product. “Labe...

“The pesticide label is the law,” said Rick Yates, “and there’s no wiggle room there.” Yates, who is the GGSPro technical services manager for Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, has been providing technical support for greenhouse and nursery growers for nearly a quarter century. “It is also important to r...

WEST GREENWICH, RI — Implementation of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is imminent, and the Rhode Island Farm Bureau (RIFB) is working to mitigate its impact on local farmers. FSMA was signed into law by President Obama in 2011, partly in response to outbreaks from contaminated prod...

Our hands are a critical part of what we’re able to accomplish every day, and we use them every day to complete routine tasks and precision movements. “Whether it’s raking a pill out of a small pill bottle or putting nuts and bolts together, it’s an amazing engineering marvel that’s made up of about...

DOVER, DE — State authorities are alerting local businesses and purchasers of tropical nursery stock of the recent detection of fire ants in a shipment of palm trees imported from Florida. The red imported fire ants were detected during a routine check at a Sussex County business by the Delaware Dep...

Nearly $200,000 in donations recognized WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Horticultural Research Institute is pleased to announce the recognition of volunteer leaders and recent donors as it enters its 55th year of service to the green industry. Officers for 2017 are President Jon Reelhorn, Belmont Nursery, In...

The 2014 Farm Bill directed the United States Department of Agriculture to survey the efforts of farmers who produce and sell product directly to consumers, retailers, and institutions. Surveys were completed in 2015 and the USDA released their report in December 2016. The report indicates that more...

What is your customer service strategy this season? A friend was excited about the new farm market in the area. Along with accolades about the ample parking, courteous clerks, lovely atmosphere and good quality products, she held up her hand to stop me in my tracks and said, “Oh, and one more thing,...

In logic class, students are taught the various argument fallacies: what makes a good, reasonable claim and — often more importantly — what doesn’t. I remember sitting in class after class as teachers played videos of current celebrities, politicians, news stories and more. After each clip, we were ...