They’re farmers. They’re growers. They’re businesspeople. They’re entertainers. When your job includes doing everything, often the vocabulary at your disposal is limiting. So now, they’re writers as well, having coined a new term to describe what they do. “We’re trying to train ourselves to say ‘ent...

“The core group of customers who will pay the most for your locally grown produce are those who value local food; want to support the local economy; are looking for the health benefits of buying local; and value their relationship with you, the grower,” according to Dr. Tim Woods, who spoke recently...

Earlier this year, Maine’s governor signed a law making The Pine Tree State the second state in the country (after Connecticut) to require food producers to label foods which contain GMO ingredients. Those laws only take effect, however, when five other surrounding states also pass similar legislati...

CHINA GROVE, NC — “We saw the writing on the wall,” Doug Patterson said. It was 2005, and as growers of 350 acres of tomatoes, Patterson Farm — a partnership between Doug and Randall Patterson and their wives Michelle and Nora — was being buffeted by a changing marketplace. Input costs were increasi...

When most people see a greenhouse or high tunnel, they assume it is there to stay. In the case of Mike Roberts’ greenhouses (high tunnels) at Roots Farm in Tiverton, RI, that is not the case. Nearly 50 workshop volunteers moved two 50 by 30 ft. greenhouses in under 10 minutes during a hands-on NOFA/...

Savvy businesspeople know that happy customers return and spend more money. Smart farmers ask loyal CSA, farmers market and restaurant customers what they liked. Smart businesspeople seek customer suggestions for the future. Engaged customers are loyal customers. Always greet your customers personal...

Visitors to farm-based food stores, cafes or restaurants tend to stay longer and spend more money according to Eric Nusbaum, Ph.D. of Wheelwright Consultants in Greenfield, MA, who led a workshop at the 2013 Harvest New England Ag Marketing Conference & Trade Show. However, growers considering addin...

The bane of phytophthora root rot is familiar to Fraser fir growers. It’s familiar to producers of non-Christmas tree woody ornamental trees and shrubs, as the soil-borne water mold can affect a variety plants including azalea, dogwood, rhododendron, and boxwood. In fact, the phytophthora genus is h...

LOVINGSTON, VA — Everyone in the commercial apple market has had to contend with the rise of China. Drumheller’s Orchard has responded the way many other small growers have — by retrenching and repositioning. For decades, Drumheller’s was one of many small Virginia producers that grew and packed app...