Country Folks
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 ...
Country Folks
Posted on February 4, 2026
The New York Beef Council (NYBC) is proud to announce that Troy Bishopp of Deansboro, NY, has been named the 2025 Beef Promoter of the Year. This award recognizes producers who go above and beyond raising beef to actively educate consumers, engage communities and promote the industry across New York...
Country Folks
by Joseph Armstrong 
Posted on February 4, 2026
If you’ve ever made maple syrup you’re aware of the enormous amount of input necessary to make it. But you also know the sweet and sticky result is well worth it – especially on hot blueberry waffles. Some maple producers have upped their game by certifying their process as organic. One may think, “...
Country Folks
by Andy Haman 
Posted on February 4, 2026
“Field research is a lot like fishing,” said Dr. Carl Heeder, DVM, at the 2025 Kemin Intestinal Health Symposium, a discussion on the direction of current research and a presentation on the state of the broiler industry. “You have to be willing to show up and be okay with disappointment. You have to...
Country Folks
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
Posted on February 4, 2026
Afew changes are in store for farmers who employ others. New York State Department of Labor Representative Mary Slattery, who directs the Division of Compliance & Education (DOCE), and Kristin Hibbit, a member of the field staff, presented at the recent Labor Road Show in Geneva, hosted by Cornell A...
Country Folks, Farmers First
Posted on February 4, 2026
Happy International Year of the Woman Farmer, farm family! If someone had told me a decade ago that there would be an International Year of the Woman Farmer, I likely would have said something to the effect of, “Well, that’s the most unnecessary, gender-discriminatory thing I’ve ever heard of.” Some...
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...