As a former cybersecurity professional, I expected to leave technology behind when I quit my career to start farming. However, in an era when many of our transactions are digital, our business relies on social media, and digital scams are more common than ever, I find myself dealing with cybersecurity-related issues on a near daily […]
Cybersecurity for farmers Read More »
#toolsforgrowingformarket Here’s a little tool that we primarily use for transplanting on our little farm, but it’s actually more intended to be a hand weeding tool – and it works very well for that purpose, too. The tool is a small Japanese made “scraper”, labeled Sankaku Hoe and sold by Terrebonne although I’ve seen the
Using a Japanese hand hoe as a transplanting and weeding tool Read More »
Plan ahead not to burn out We are in year 14 of farming, with four kids ages 15 to 9 and running multiple profit centers — that leads to a whole lot of decisions. A Google scholar search revealed the average adult makes up to 35,000 decisions a day. I think the average market farmer
Prevent summer decision fatigue with planning Read More »
An Alaskan urban farm’s lessons for wedding design and retail Farming and gardening are in my soul. From a young age, I was intrigued by gardening, and I fell into a first job at a local nursery and then moved on to the Anchorage, Alaska Parks and Recreation department landscaping. I’ve always had a backyard
Gardenwild Floral Design profile Read More »
Usually when garlic is ready to be harvested and dealt with, the farming year is in full swing, and bodies and brains are tired a lot of the time. We have made ourselves a checklist to help things go more smoothly, and make sure no important step gets forgotten. This also helps new crew know
Checklist for a successful garlic harvest Read More »
When I arrived at La Ferme des Quatre-Temps in southern Quebec, I had a lot to learn. At the time, I didn’t know how many things you have to manage for a successful growing season. I started out as an apprentice. After a year, I got promoted to greenhouse manager. That afforded me the privilege
Greenhouse automation for better plant growth, fewer disasters and peace of mind Read More »
If you are managing a small scale farm or market garden, you are likely already aware of the importance of soil health management. You are probably also aware of the skyrocketing cost of amendments and fertilizers. While vermicomposting on your farm won’t necessarily replace or eliminate those costs, it will greatly reduce them as well
Vermicomposting systems for market farms Read More »
No-till and low-till farming is all the rage right now. Like a lot of newer farmers I began farming quite enthralled by these practices. Pictures of immaculate farms on Instagram, compelling books, and detailed articles in this very magazine tout benefits of no-till farming for healthier soil, fewer pests and weeds, and even reduced labor.
Flower farm no-till to pro-till Read More »
To be completely honest, I don’t have the most followers. I don’t know how to go viral (yet), and I’m unsure of all the best practices to work the algorithms behind social media. But I have figured out how to use social media to my advantage by mastering the mindset needed to show up regularly
Six simple steps to master your farms social media Read More »
Two Wisconsin cheeseheads visit veg farms Dear Reader, it’s nice to join you in the quiet of these pages. This issue of GFM is published in the heat of the season, which can be stressful and disappointing. At such a time it can be nice to take a trip far away from one’s fields, gain
Touring market farms in Japan part 1 Read More »
