Preparing for U-cut

2019-10-04T09:19:56-04:00October 4, 2019|Grower, Grower East, Grower Midwest, Grower West|

Driving lanes to the fields should be clear of obstructions and allow ample space for guests to exit and enter wagons safely.
Photo by Sally Colby

by Sally Colby

­Pumpkins, gourds and everything else autumn will be the order of the day until Thanksgiving. But as soon as mums and corn stalks fade, Christmas tree farms that offer U-cut trees will become the center of attention. (more…)

An apple every day

2019-10-04T08:53:13-04:00October 4, 2019|Grower East|

(L – R) Ivan Gordon, Silas Gordon and Ronald Dixon are the brains and the brawn behind North Country Hard Cider.

by Sally Colby

Silas and Ivan Gordon were raised in a rural area of central Maine and grew up foraging for wild fruit, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and apples. Silas fondly recalls having an apple every day. (more…)

Black currant heaven: Bug Hill Farm

2019-10-04T08:46:03-04:00October 4, 2019|Grower East|

Sam Perkins with some of the Aronia berries grown at Bug Hill Farm in Ashfield.
Photos by Laura Rodley

by Laura Rodley

When people come to Bug Hill Farm, a 42-acre farm in Ashfield, MA, for certified organic berry picking, they are encouraged to make an afternoon of it, to bring a picnic lunch and stroll on trails through giant native blueberry bushes to a large pond. (more…)

Creating effective and eye-catching signage

2019-10-04T08:35:12-04:00October 4, 2019|Grower, Grower East, Grower Midwest, Grower West|

This sign features many elements that make it effective: It is the shape of the product being offered, it’s large, it’s easily readable, it has highly contrasting colors – and the arrow even helps to direct customers in the right direction.

by Courtney Llewellyn

Some shoppers go out with a very specific idea of what they wish to purchase. Others let themselves fall victim to their impulsive whims. How does a greenhouse or farm stand draw in both of these types? Let the customers know exactly what you have before they drive past with your signage. (more…)

Creating a customer experience

2019-09-03T12:52:05-04:00September 3, 2019|Grower East|

by Sally Colby

John Roba had a dream: to own a Christmas tree farm. That dream came true in 1984 when he and his wife Sue purchased a former dairy farm in Lackawanna County, PA. They started planting Christmas trees and opened for cut-your-own tree in 1990. But they didn’t stop with Christmas trees. (more…)

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