When I think about value-added products on the farm, my mind goes right to autumn and the painted pumpkins of all sizes. “Value-added” means relating to, or being a product, whose value has been increased especially by special manufacturing, marketing or processing. Additionally, we can think about ...

As an integral component of your business plan and budget, how do you determine the true cost of promoting your product or service? The overall concept of marketing in a digital age has altered some conventional methods while adding new platforms to the process. As you develop your strategies, consi...

It can be challenging for a small farm to grow enough produce to supply their own community supported agriculture (CSA) program. “Making a Multi-farm CSA Work for the Long Term” was recently presented by Chaw Chang and Lucy Garrison of Stick and Stone Farm and Nathaniel Thompson of Remembrance Farm....

Her title says it all: Jami Armstrong is an impact search advisor with Nonprofit HR, and at this year’s NAFDMA Expo, she clued attendees in on hiring best practices – and just in time, before the busiest time of the year kicks off. “The reality is it’s humans,” Armstrong said of the people you’ll be...

Finding farmworkers is a perennial challenge, and the pandemic hasn’t helped. Many hire seasonal immigrant workers to deal with the labor shortage; in fact, more than one in 10 of the nation’s farmworkers is here on an H-2A visa. But applying for such workers can be a daunting prospect to the uninit...

On many farms, strawberries are the first fruit crop for U-pick or markets. For full crop value, frost protection is critical. Dr. Mark Hoffmann, small fruit Extension specialist at North Carolina State University, has some pointers for growers. “Cold protection depends a lot on the physiology of th...

“Our main goal,” Travis Samuels said, “is in the processing of industrial hemp for hurd and fiber.” Samuels and his cousin Brandon McFarlane are co-owners of ZION Growers, based in St. Johnsbury, VT. Samuels gave an overview of their value-added hemp venture in the last of a three-part webinar serie...

Ag employers know it’s difficult to find and retain good workers. John Shutske, professor and Extension specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison, said employees are paying more attention to safety and health. Retaining good workers is directly related to having a solid safety program in place, ...

Insect pests can make or break a berry crop – but so can consumer sentiment regarding the insecticides you use to control them. Rufus Isaacs, Ph.D., of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, talked about integrating non-chemical strategies to minimize impacts of insect pests in b...