Appealing to the senses
by Sally Colby
Kuipers Family Farm started as a simple pumpkin patch, but it wasn’t long before the farm became much more than an autumn attraction.
Wade and Kim Kuipers moved their family to Maple Park, IL, in 1993
Indiana value-added success stories
by Gail March Yerke
The Indiana Small Farm Conference, the annual networking and educational event that brings together farmers, educators and researchers, recently presented “Value-Added Products in Your Farm Operation.” Just one of the tracks hosted by Purdue University,
Sixth generation farm specializes in variety
by Sally Colby
McGlasson Farms has dubbed itself “your home for fresh fruits and vegetables,” and that’s what the McGlasson family aims to produce. Today, the sixth generation is operating the Hebron, KY, farm that was established in the
Nutrition for healthy bees
by Sally Colby
Honeybee health is important to growers who rely on bees for pollination. Dr. Ramesh Sagili, associate professor of apiculture, Oregon State University, believes one of the biggest issues in maintaining healthy bees is nutrition.
Sagili said
How to hire the best
by Courtney Llewellyn
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
Jumping into H-2A – and learning its pros and cons
by Heather Chapman
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
Avoid freeze damage in strawberries
by Sally Colby
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
Some like it hot – The growing interest in hot peppers
by Gail March Yerke
Today’s consumer is embracing the heat. Whether it’s the fare at your local farmers market, a favorite restaurant menu or selecting plants for the home vegetable garden, hot peppers are, well, hot. Even in the
Marketing vital to U-pick berry operations
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
A farmer may grow the biggest, reddest berries around on their U-pick farm, but without marketing, it won’t matter. Marketing is essential to a successful U-pick operation. This begins with understanding the target market, according
Get gritty, get growing
by Courtney Llewellyn
Dan and Julie Perkins have worked diligently to reach the balance they’ve arrived at. Dan is “the cover crop guy” on their DeMotte, IN, certified organic farm, who is also in charge of their on-farm stand