For decades there has been a strong difference of opinion among various vested groups regarding the merits of adding antibiotics to animal feeds for the purpose of increasing feed efficiency and minimizing the effects of possible low grade infections especially in young growing animals. Animal scien...

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...

The University of Vermont’s “Across the Fence” television program is the longest running locally-produced program in the United States, and is produced by the University of Vermont Cooperative Extension. The show recently featured Jenn Colby, Pasture Program Coordinator at the UVM Center for Sustain...

by Kathy Jablonski, Field Specialist, 4-H Healthy Living, Youth and Family Team, UNH Cooperative Extension The holiday season is one filled with joy, memory making and anticipation. For some folks, it’s a time of reflection and goal setting, others to celebrate a joyous time in their religious calen...

The Johnson family of Orange, MA serves maple syrup at Johnson’s Farm Restaurant Sugarhouse and Gift Shop all year long and sells through their farmstore and website. They’re menu features pan-seared maple scallops, maple chicken, maple barbecued ribs and baked beans made with maple syrup and homema...

For small-scale organic farms, pastured broiler chickens may offer valuable contributions in a crop rotation program. Chickens contribute to soil fertility. Farm-produced cereal grains like Naked or Hulless Oats offer valuable supplements to organic poultry diets. Organic produce growers will often ...

“There are very few states where Natural Resources Conservation Services staff have developed and completed all Forage Suitability Groups (FSGs) for their state,” Kevin Ogles, grazing specialist with NRCS said. “There are not any NRCS states in the Eastern U.S. that have completed them. However, rec...

While the ‘team’ concept might sound like something from a sports league, the term also applies to dairies that want to work together for everyone’s good. Dairy profit teams have been used effectively on dairies of many sizes. Dairies that have formed teams have found that team approach help everyon...

For many years, Santa’s Elves has been working with chefs, local businesses and farmers to feed Rhode Island’s homeless population. The mission started with a woman who wanted to provide meals, toiletries and clothing to Rhode Island homeless and to assist families with children at Christmas. On an ...