Country Folks
Posted on February 18, 2026
A recently published study assesses the feasibility of creating a Northeast value-added dairy training center to support makers of dairy products. The findings were summarized by Shayna Cohen and Liz Thorpe in a presentation hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Northeast Dair...
Country Folks
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
Posted on February 18, 2026
Farmers have plenty of stress to deal with – input costs, prices for their goods, pests and weather, one of the most influential effects on their income. To address weather challenges, Alex Lindsey, corn physiologist in Ohio State’s Department of Horticulture & Crop Science, presented “Managing Corn...
Country Folks
Horse Tales
by Judy Van Put 
Posted on February 18, 2026
It’s been a hard winter so far, with lots of snow and frigid temperatures. We’ve seen many days of wind chills well below zero, and so having a few days in the 30s is always a welcome respite! However, there is still more winter to come – and it’s a good time to utilize any break in the weather to p...
Country Folks, Crop Comments
Crop Comments
Crop Comments A9 
Posted on February 18, 2026
According to Steve Culman, Ph.D., soil scientist at Ohio State, cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a fundamental soil property used to predict plant nutrient availability and retention in the soil. It is the potential of available nutrient supply, not a direct measurement of available nutrients. Soil...
Country Folks
by Rebecca Chaney 
Posted on February 11, 2026
MILFORD, NY – Otsego County is known for its rich agricultural history and touted as a great place to work, live and explore, makes it the perfect location for a farm-to-table business. Formally known as Sunny Acres Swiss Farm Store , named after the farm, the business in Central New York has evolve...
Country Folks
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
Posted on February 11, 2026
When you sell your crop matters. Michael Howlett, representing Howlett Farms in Avon, NY, presented “Markets with Michael” as part of the recent Corn Congress, an annual event hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program. Howlett shared that fro...
Country Folks
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin 
Posted on February 11, 2026
"I like spreadsheets a lot,” said Zach Mangione of Cross Farm . The farm is a certified organic, pasture-based livestock enterprise raising broilers, turkeys and pigs in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Cross Farm is certified by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF), a third-party organic certifier. VOF Certif...
Country Folks, Crop Comments
Crop Comments
Posted on February 11, 2026
Punxsutawney Phil typically emerges to look for his shadow around 7:25 a.m. on Feb. 2 at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow, legend dictates six more weeks of winter; if he doesn’t, an early spring is predicted. My first woodchuck hunting experiences took place at our home farm in...
Country Folks
Sally Colby 
Posted on February 4, 2026
When it comes to youth operating farm equipment, many adults will say, “I did it when I was a kid and nothing happened to me.” But that isn’t the story for everyone. This past summer, in Lancaster County, PA, two boys, ages 14 and 6, were together in a skid steer cleaning a barn. As the 14-year-old ...
News
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin 
July 1, 2026
Until six years ago, Cassie Wipperfurth and her family were living on five acres in central Minnesota. Each year, the lawn became smaller and the gard...
News
by Edith Tucker 
July 1, 2026
Rhianna Zadravec and Alex Libenson, who spent four years farming together on leased property in Lisbon, NH, are very happy they were able to buy a 68-...
News
by Sally Colby Over 34 
July 1, 2026
Consumers want to purchase the perfect Christmas tree. Growers want to grow perfect trees. Unfortunately, a problematic disease threatens many Christm...
News
by Laura Rodley 
July 1, 2026
Growing Christmas trees requires patience and a lot of time. To grow a good Christmas tree takes “just short of 10 years,” according to James Earle Br...