The exhibit hall of the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA was transformed into a large recruiting venue on Feb. 27 and 28 by the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) to allow members to sign up anyone interested in a career in the field of landscaping or nursery. Today the Mass...

About 25 years ago, Robert Hamilton and his wife Eva started a Christmas tree farm, but after one year of growing trees, Robert decided that cutting down something he so carefully nurtured wasn’t for him. He and his wife Eva switched to fruit, specifically berries, and are doing it organically. The ...

Atlas Farm provides two million pounds of produce year-round for its community, with some brought to Copley Square Farmers Market in Boston during summer. Their produce is sold at farmers markets throughout Western Massachusetts and distributed wholesale to local grocery stores. They also provide pr...

At different life stages, biocontrol insects eat other insects or pollen and nectar from flowers. As alternatives to using chemical pesticides, high tunnel and greenhouse growers may purchase and release biocontrol insects. Successful pest management includes establishing a modest population of bioc...

In a recent webinar hosted by e-GRO, photoperiodic responses and lighting strategies were reported on by Chris Currey, Iowa State University; Roberto Lopez, Michigan State University; and Neil Mattson, Cornell University. Day-length (photoperiod) impact on flowering in greenhouse crops, lighting opt...

When employees are interviewed and hired, they want to know about pay and other compensation. Lisa Holden, Penn State Extension, says employers need to explain to employees that cash wages and total compensation are two different things. “Wages are more about the standard for your local area rather ...

Marketing plans are meant to be reviewed and updated periodically; doing so annually is a good practice. Mention marketing plans though and some owners and managers groan at the thought of time-consuming research. To simplify the process, make a marketing plan personal, relevant and timely.  A marke...

Fire blight is a destructive bacterial disease of apples and pears caused by Erwinia amylovora . Because the disease can systemically infect trees, it can have significant impacts on yield and the viability of the entire orchard. The disease, however, can be controlled. Streptomycin has been used to...

Highlights of the 2017 promotional campaign were presented to Christmas tree producers across the country via a campaign summary video. “The video provides highlights and reach numbers for the campaign in an entertaining fashion,” commented 2017 Promotion Committee Chairperson, Mark Arkills. “Althou...