The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), organized by USDA’s National Organic Program , has helped farmers navigate the transition process from conventional to organic production with the help of mentors and organic farming resources. Three Michigan farmers who benefited from the progra...

A farm bonfire has a certain magic. Hayrides roll in from the fields, boots crunch across the ground and a crackling blaze gives families a warm place to gather as the evening cools. For farms offering agritourism events, that combination can turn a simple autumn night into a memorable experience. B...

Dr. Kelly Hamby, associate professor and Extension specialist, University of Maryland, is determined to help growers of brambles and other soft fruits understand and manage spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Measures such as cooling fruit as soon as possible after harvest to prevent SWD larvae from deve...

Keeping post-harvest water clean is one of the quiet challenges of commercial apple packing. Flumes and dump tanks help move fruit quickly and efficiently but they can also become highways for harmful microbes if water quality slips. That balancing act was the focus of a presentation from Laura K. S...

Hiring seasonal employees challenges many farm operators as many aspects of the hiring process and other human resources matters differ from that of non-seasonal employees. Farm consultant Erica Leubner recently presented a “Seasonal Employees” webinar, hosted by Cornell as part of New York’s Annie’...

Employees gather for yet another safety talk, anticipating boredom. Safety talks can be sleeper events, but when there’s injury or death on the farm, safety suddenly becomes the main conversation – for a short time. Incidents can be prevented by familiarizing employees and family members with farm s...

Growscape’s “From Concept to Compost” presentation at Cultivate revealed a promising pathway for horticulture as innovation and sustainability converged in a compelling conversation about the future of growing. Tom Marting, director of sustainable solutions at Growscape, joined Bates Marshall, CEO a...

More farmers than ever are interested in and practicing regenerative agriculture these days. They are focused on putting more back into their land and their animals so that more (and better) may be produced. But what about the concept of regenerative agritourism? On the surface, tourism seems like a...

Food safety is no longer simply a sensible standard for dried fruit processors. It is a firm federal fixture. Under the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act Final Rule for Preventive Controls, manufacturers must prove that their processes can consistently control harmful pathogens. For dried apple pr...