October 1, 2007

These questions were adapted from guidelines proposed by a panel of experienced farmers for the New England Small Farm Institute’s on-farm mentoring programs. They are designed to assist aspiring and practicing mentors in a process of candid self-evaluation. Rate yourself on each question on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning you strongly

Too often, overworked farmers think of interns or apprentices as a source of low-cost labor. Nothing could be farther from the truth — at least when the internship is structured to benefit the worker as well as the farm owner. Last month, Growing for Market covered the legal issues surrounding intern pay and compensation. This

By Diane La Mar Are you lucky enough to have cold water on your farm from a spring or creek? Growing trout for market might be an option for you.     Rainbow trout, Oncorhyncus mykiss, native to North America west of the Rockies, live in 32-68°F water, and have been introduced all across the U.S.

Regarding the July article about false promises by an RC&D Council, I have been on the board and treasurer of my local RC&D Council, Rolling Hills RC&D in western Georgia, since its inception in 1994. The list of programs our council has managed or received funding for is long and rewarding for local farming: Farm

Insulin for diabetes treatment could be produced in genetically modified lettuce, according to University of Central Florida biomedical researchers.     Professor Henry Daniell’s research team genetically engineered tobacco plants with the insulin gene and then administered freeze-dried plant cells to five-week-old diabetic mice as a powder for eight weeks. By the end of the study,

The National Organic Program, which has never before sent an auditor to China, now plans to make surprise visits to organic operations there, in the wake of numerous revelations about safety problems with Chinese products.     Roger Blobaum, an agricultural consultant, writes about the extent of Chinese involvement in the U.S. organic market in the

Eco Forms is a new type of pot made of grain husks, bound together with a combination of starch-based, water-soluble and biodegradable additives. They are made to last five years, and will degrade in a landfill. They are available in decorative colors and shapes for patio and indoor plants. There is also a line of

Food writer Manny Howard wanted to be a true locavore, so he started farming in his backyard in Brooklyn, New York. For 30 days, on assignment for New York magazine, he ate nothing but what he could produce himself, according to Reuters News Service:     “Howard figured his farm could provide him enough food for