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…)
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…)
The giant sandbox filled with corn is a big draw for families visiting A&H Farm.
Photos courtesy of A&H Farm
by Enrico Villamaino
Andrea DeJesus isn’t just a farmer, she is also a certified public accountant. And that’s a good thing, because accountants are adept at keeping track of high numbers. Eight children, for example. That’s what A&H Farm, located in Manhattan, KS, is – a family farm for a big family. (more…)
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…)
by Laura Rodley
The stars are aligned over Jeremy Barker Plotkin. In 2005, when he was searching for a piece of property to farm in Amherst, MA, he happened to drive by a property on North Pleasant Street when a not-yet-current neighbor was pounding in a post with a sign that read “Save this farm.” (more…)
by Katie Navarra
The efficient flow of wash-pack zones is a post-harvest necessity. On Aug. 1, the University of Vermont (UVM) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Eastern New York (CCEENY) invited local producers to discuss post-harvest handling challenges and considerations when planning wash-pack zones. Paul and Sandy Arnold of Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, NY, hosted the event and offered a walk-through of their post-harvest process. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
For some time, the USDA has noted with trepidation that the age of the average American farmer is creeping upward; it currently stands at 58 years old. While this trend may paint a worrying picture for the future of American farming, a newer trend is emerging that may save the nation’s agricultural workforce in the years to come – the arrival of the Millennial farmer. (more…)
Sue Godard with wine made from fruit from Godard’s Red Hen Farm LLC in the tasting room of their winery.
by Laura Rodley
Mead, a wine made from honey from your own hives, and apple wine and blueberry wine made from the fruit harvested on your farm. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Dr. Mark Schonbeck, research associate at the Organic Farming Research Foundation, has spent 31 years in sustainable and organic agriculture. (more…)
Ryan Malmassari, a recent graduate of the University of Washington, is taking over the management of Kent East Hill under the guidance of his parents.
by Sally Colby
For many years, Darren Malmassari managed Kent East Hill Nursery in Kent, WA. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Glyphosate is a hot button issue for both consumers and producers, so AmericanHort brought together several experts in the field to discuss the topic. (more…)
Knowing when to harvest vegetables at the right stage of maturity is important to ensure they will contain the maximum amounts of vitamins and minerals along with providing the best flavor for your customers to enjoy. (more…)
