Social media for farmers
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Many businesses use social media as part of their marketing strategy. Charlotte Smith, owner of 3 Cow Marketing, believes farmers shouldn’t be an exception. (more…)
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Hemp talk gathers big crowd
Larry Smart, professor, plant geneticist and breeder for Cornell, recently did a presentation on hemp.
Photo by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY – A standing-room only crowd gathered at Empire Farm Days to hear from Larry Smart, professor, plant geneticist and breeder for Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section. The size of the group demonstrated their interest in getting in on the ground floor of the growing and profitable hemp industry in New York. (more…)
Honey and yeast work together to make mead
Chris Gerling led a mead conference in Geneva, NY, recently.
Photo by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
GENEVA, NY – A lot can happen to honey as it’s transformed to mead. Chris Gerling, Extension associate and manager of the Vinification & Brewing Laboratory at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, and Kaylyn Kirkpatrick, an Extension associate at Cornell AgriTech, led a discussion on interactions between yeast and honey in making mead at an event led by Pilar McKay, agriculture economic development educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County. (more…)
Tax changes for growers
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Ever-changing tax codes challenge business owners, including growers. That’s why AmericanHort recently presented “Cracking the Code on Taxes that Affect Your Green Industry Business.” (more…)
Wholesale offers small farms additional revenue stream
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Could wholesale help your fruit and vegetable farm sell more? Michigan State University Extension offered “Wholesale for Beginning Farmers” as a webinar recently. Jae Gerhart, a Michigan State Extension agent specializing in community food systems, presented. (more…)
Get more for your farm’s goods
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Value-added items can boost the bottom line of your farm’s store or your booth at the farmers market. It’s never been a better time to make value-added items. Many more Americans have become discerning consumers about their food choices. They want to know their food’s source. (more…)
Labor issues challenge diverse lawn business
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
For Bill and Jennifer LaPlant, 24 hours in one day just doesn’t seem enough. While Bill operates LaPlant’s Lawn & Property Maintenance — mowing, trimming, snow plowing and maintaining more than 100 commercial and residential properties — Jennifer runs the couple’s garden center and greenhouse business in Lyons, NY, where they sell numerous varieties of plants, hanging baskets, bark mulch, gifts, local products and garden supplies. (more…)
Diversity Helps Gro-Moore Farms Thrive
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Staying diverse has helped Gro-Moore Farms in Rush, NY stay profitable and pass down the family farm to subsequent generations. Jack and Kathy Moore, Jacks’ brother George and his wife Brenda run the circa 1917, 800-acre operation. (more…)
High efficiency maximizes grower’s profits
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Grossing $350,000 from 1.2 acres of growing space seems incredible to many operators. For Conor Crickmore, owner of Neversink Farm in Claryville, NY, it’s all a matter of achieving optimal efficiency without using tillage or tractors. (more…)
Septuagenarian embraces green thumb
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Age truly is a number for Patricia Rickard, 76, a Baldwinsville, NY resident whose contemporaries are mostly retired. She tried that once. She operated Korros, which taught performing arts to children with hearing impairment. But as her encore career, she founded PAR Horticulture Consulting Business. (more…)
