Marketing is often seen as an expense that many small businesses don’t budget for, viewing it as an unnecessary expense and relying solely on word of mouth advertising or their storefront sign. While this will bring in some people many will never know of your business. However, even without a market...

Juliano’s Produce Farms is a family-owned and operated farmer’s market that has been in the Utica, NY, area for 35 years. It is located on State Route 5. The Juliano family grows fruits and vegetables and sells them at their store along with cheese, milk, and other dairy products. The family members...

Why most customer service isn’t as good as it could (or should) be and what you can do about it. “We need to improve our customer service. Get someone in here for an afternoon to fix these people.” “We’re busy. I may be able to spare a couple of people for a few hours. Beyond that, we don’t have tim...

BOXBOROUGH, MA — After setting up for the Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo on Nov. 8, 2016, exhibitors and attendees were invited to an educational specialty cocktail hour. Here, Sue Adams of Adams Farm and Greenhouses, complete with a mobile herb garden, offered attendees the opportunity to...

Agricultural tourism can be a mutually beneficial exchange between agriculturists and urban residents. It can help agriculturalists learn more about urban concerns, while enabling urban residents to learn about farming and enjoy nature. It can also increase farm income if a fee is charged for farm v...

As the new calendar year approaches, it is wise to take the time to review your business plan and make the changes necessary for a successful season ahead. Just as important is to decide now how you will evaluate your goals and objectives to gauge results. This is how to begin and begin again, when ...

Huge insects that don’t need to be eradicated, horses on the loose, people being framed and liking it.All this, along with outdoor theatre performances, pumpkins, apples, hot or cold cider, donuts and cider slushies can be found at Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, MA. A three-foot-long insect sculp...

As the Gaver family is winding down from hosting a variety of fall activities on their Mount Airy, MD farm, they’re also planning for Christmas. Mike and Lisa Gaver operate the generational farm with the help of their son Greg, their daughter Laura House and Laura’s husband Brian. The farm was origi...

Winter is a great time of year to make plans for improving and expanding your agricultural business to generate more profit for the future. Many farms are having success with promoting their business through agritourism. The first step to that success is to determine what your options and opportunit...