We have a small family farm growing a variety of fresh organic vegetables, herbs and strawberries. Our farm is located in Watsonville, California, about an hour and a half south of San Francisco. We are in the heart of strawberry production land: home of Driscoll’s berries among others. Here in Watsonville it’s cool and temperate […]
Lessons learned at farmers markets Read More »
Five growers who rent land from the New England Small Farm Institute in Belchertown, Massachusetts, are winding up their third season of marketing together. After several efforts at cooperative marketing that weren’t satisfactory, they think they have found a winning strategy. The five are selling their produce cooperatively at farmers’ markets, after giving up on
By Louise Swartzwalder It is 5:30 a.m. on a Friday in Lakeville, Ohio. I have my truck loaded with tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, peppers, a host of other vegetables and cut flowers. I am off to a market in Olmsted Falls, a suburb of Cleveland, an hour and a half drive from my farm. Saturday, at
Commuter farmer leads a double life Read More »
Small and part-time farmers may be able to earn supplemental income by selling live herb plants in spring either directly to home gardeners at retail prices or to local garden centers at wholesale prices. It is difficult for a small-scale greenhouse operation to earn income with traditional bedding plants such as marigolds, petunias, impatiens, tomatoes
Plan now to add herb plants to your markets in spring Read More »
Two new research projects, one in Maryland and one in Minnesota, emphasize the importance of local food production. Both point out how far most Americans are from the source of their food, and how much opportunity exists for local producers. Transport distances A report by Matthew Hora and Jody Tick of the Capital Area Food
Studies show need for local food Read More »
Intermittent frosts during the fall can put you out of business long before they need to. A variety of row covers are available that can protect your crops from light frosts and even keep cold-hardy crops growing well into winter. But there are so many weights and types of row cover that choosing one to
Choose row cover carefully to meet needs Read More »
The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers held its annual conference in San Diego in early September. One of the best features of the national conference each year is the tour of local flower businesses that takes place the day before the educational sessions begin. This year, three busloads of flower growers visited two flower
Scenes from the California flower industry Read More »
In the past five years, Ann Harvey Yonkers has started and managed two successful farmers’ markets, one in a big city and another in a small town. And though the two markets are as different as farmers’ markets can be, they both required a large measure of perseverance. I was very, very determined, Ann said.
Trials, triumphs of two farmers markets Read More »
For at least the past decade, no-till production systems have become increasingly popular with conventional vegetable growers. Now the interest in no-till is spreading to organic farms. Results are mixed so far, with perhaps as many failed crops as successful ones, but no-till advocates are undeterred. They believe that the benefits of this system are
The search for organic no-till Read More »
For the hard-working flower farmer, September may seem like the time for coasting. You’ve worked steadily since February or March, you’re tired, and your flowers are no longer as exquisite as they once were. But in your heart you know that you have to rally and start work on next year’s flowers.In most parts of
You have to get out there and plant now if you want flowers next spring! Read More »
