The Clipper Office Tester is a compact seed cleaner well suited to a small farm. The machine has a small foot print, approximately 16” x 25”, and weighs about 50 pounds. It is light enough to move outside when cleaning dusty seeds. We originally purchased the machine to clean friken and grünkern (parched green wheat […]
Equipment review: Clipper seed cleaner simplifies seed crops Read More »
Lilies have skyrocketed in popularity among local market growers these past few years. Once flower farmers realized how easy they are to grow—plastic crates, growing mix and a bit of heat are all you need—everyone started growing them. As a result, suppliers are having a hard time filling all the orders for lily bulbs, and
Lily varieties that make the grade, and some that dont Read More »
In some climates, low tunnels can be an inexpensive alternative to high tunnels (aka hoophouses and cold frames) for cold-weather season extension. Low tunnels are simple protective structures consisting of wire hoops covered with polyethylene or fabric row covers. Though more labor intensive, with well-planned beds they can be assembled at very low cost. On
How to use low tunnels to extend the season Read More »
Family health and nutrition concerns are increasingly in fluencing household food purchases in the U.S., according to a new report from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention magazine, Shopping for Health 2005: Meeting the Needs of Family Health and Wellness. The annual study also shows that shoppers are buying more organic products for health
Shoppers need help making healthy food choices Read More »
Storing row cover For mysterious reasons, we are having a very good season so far, here in Arcadia, New York, knock on wood. And we use lots of row cover. When we are not using it, we stuff it into old grain sacks, write with a marker the length of the piece inside and also
Letters from the readers: Storing row covers Read More »
I have been selling at the farmers market for sixteen years as of this summer. Over the years, there have always been new growers that come into the market and sell their wares for a considerable amount less than myself and some of the others at the market. Of course, not all of the lower
Letters from the readers: Selling too cheaply Read More »
It’s a Long Road to a Tomato by Keith Stewart, with illustrations by Flavia Bacarella, 2006, Marlowe and Company, $16.95. Available at bookstores or online booksellers. Keith Stewart is a well- known member of the market farming profession. Since he left a corporate job in New York City to start an organic farm in 1986,
Book review: A market farmer explains it all Read More »
Excerpted with permission from It’s a Long Road to a Tomato Of the approximately one hundred varieties of vegetables and herbs we grow on our farm, garlic reigns as the sovereign queen. I would give up the ninety-nine others, albeit reluctantly, before I would give up my garlic. Garlic is our biggest crop and the
A garlic affair: How the stinking rose became a major crop on one farm Read More »
The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association’s National Conference at Hawthorne Valley Farm, in Ghent, New York; August 17-20. The organizers write: “Join us for a weekend of speakers and workshops, delicious biodynamic and organic food from Hawthorne Valley’s own dairy, bakery, and vegetable gardens and from local farms in the area, farm tours (400 acres
Summer and fall events Read More »
www.mapmuse.com has added a nationwide interactive map of farmers markets to its services. The direct link to the Farmers Markets Map is as follows: http://find.mapmuse.com/re1/interest.php?brandID=FARMER_MARKETS MapMuse uses automated geocoding software to locate the farmers market based on the address provided in the USDA directory of markets. But the USDA information is often incomplete, so market
