CF Grower Midwest 4.12

MidWest n Edition

Section One of One

GROWER

April 2012 Volume e 11 r4 Number

$2.50

Serving All Aspects of Commercial Horticulture

Greenhouse e • Nursery y • Garden n Centerr • Fruitt & Vegetable e • Farm m Marketss • Landscaperss • Christmas

Getting the most out of selling at farmers’ markets ~ Page 3

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 27 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . 20 Organic. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Today’s Marketing . . . 6

Abrahamson Nurseries from one family to another ~ page 2

Abrahamson Nurseries from one family to another

Page 2 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

by Kelly Gates The Abrahamson family of Scandia, MN, established Abrahamson Nurseries back in 1928 as a general nursery company with a small scale greenhouse, a nursery growing operation and a retail outlet to boot.

Eventually, a landscaping division was added to the list of offerings.

In 1966, after several decades of successful operation, a junior high school student named Dan Sandager came to work for the company.

Sandager was employed there throughout his junior high and high school years and even during his time at the University of Minnesota, where he studied horticulture and landscape architecture.

“I had such a great interest in the horticulture industry that in 1972, when I was a junior in college, I purchased the business from the Abrahamsons,” Sandager told Country Folks Grower. “The business was and still is very vertically integrated. We do the majority of our own growing, including our greenhouse crop and our nursery stock.”

Because Abrahamson Nurseries was already on solid footing, the new owner did not feel the need to make many major changes when he took the helm.

The biggest shift was in management — a transition from the founding family to a new group of related growers that include Sandager’s wife, Sue, and their two sons, Greg and Paul, Sandager’s brothers, his sister and his brother-in-law, Mitch, among other relatives.

Over time, two additional locations were added to complement the Scandia outlet. One is in St. Croix Falls, WI, and the other is in Stillwater, MN. The Sandager family works hard to carry on the company’s long-lived reputation for growing quality plants.

Each January, the growing staff begins production on a wide range of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, said Sandager.

“After six weeks off, our full-time

One of the landscape designers, Jake Thompson, helps customers in the St. Croix Falls greenhouse. people start working again the first week of January,” he explained.

“Machinery maintenance and repair are the biggest tasks during this time.

Shortly after that, our growers start getting the greenhouses and nursery ready for production.”

Nearly all of Abrahamson Nurseries’ indoor production space is located at its St. Croix Falls, WI, location. There is approximately 22,000 square feet of gutter connected and hoop house greenhouses at that site alone.

The Scandia and Stillwater sites also have greenhouses. But, while there is some growing done in those spaces, they are predominantly used for retail sales.

“We have all top quality metal benches in our greenhouses with expanded tops. They need to look sharp because they are used for both production and retail,” said Sandager. “We irrigate just about everything in the greenhouses by hand, except for the crop of mums we grow in a few of our houses out back during the summer for sale in the

The owner’s son, Paul, works on potting perennials in the spring.

Photos courtesy of Abrahamson Nurseries

fall. Those are watered using overhead sprinklers.”

Perennials are also watered using sprinklers. Water is drawn from a manmade reservoir on the property.

Container perennials, shrub, evergreens and trees are divided into 24, 10,000 square-feet blocks depending on their watering needs. The blocks are on slightly slanted ground to encourage water drainage back into the reservoir.

Customers come from far and wide to look through the large assortment of annual flats, 4.5 inch annual pots, mixed containers and hanging baskets. They can also select from a long list of perennials, shrubs and trees sold there.

“Most of our landscape division employees work in our nursery growing operation for several weeks each year, potting, repotting and getting the space ready for the busy season. Then, they focus their efforts on design and installation of landscapes,” said Sandager. “We have four designers

who work year-round and three to six crews that do everything from planting to installing hardscapes.”

The company is capable of designing and building water features, rain gardens, walls, walkways, steps, patios, walkways and driveways. To soften these elements, crews plant a carefully selected mosaic of flowers, shrubs and trees that grow well in the region.

The company’s landscape crews are outfitted with 13 loaders, a fleet of trucks — including several tri-axle modified dump trucks — and a host of other machines that enable employees to work quickly and efficiently. The landscape division typically sends crews out from April through November, managing mostly residential projects for customers in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

For customers interested in doing the work themselves, there is always an abundance of plant material and hard goods on sale at each of the three retail garden centers owned and operated by the company.

“Our retail manager does an excellent job filling our garden centers with a diverse offering of plants as well as garden supplies and other related products,” noted Sandager. “She also plans a series of seminars and meetings throughout the year for customers. And, we partner with the Minnesota Horticulture Society for educational events here and there too.”

The Sandager family has worked hard to produce and purvey Abrahamson Nurseries’ well rounded list of products and services over the years. They plan to continue evolving the business “slowly and steadily, only as the market requires,” added Sandager.

In time, he believes his sons may take over the operation. As they await that succession, the aim remains the same, to continue producing and supplying high quality plant material, garden center products and landscaping services to customers throughout the region.

This rain garden In Washington Park, Stillwater, MN, was installed by Abrahamson Nurseries.

Getting the most out of selling at farmers’ markets

The number of farmers’ markets is increasing nationwide. To improve sales in these venues, growers need to be professional, focus on their displays, set the right price and educate consumers.

Photo by Joan Kark-Wren of incidental costs likely to be encountered in the course of doing business and how those costs can be amortized. “An initial investment might be for a canopy, say a 10x10 tent or canopy, something that you pay for one time. One way to calculate your costs is to take the cost of your canopy. For example, we paid $199 plus six percent sales tax. So that was $210.94. Well then, there’s weather, and tents seem to catch in the wind pretty easily, or sometimes get banged up in the truck.

Sometimes there are costs that go with repairing them and we paid $80 to repair our frame. We’re assuming this will last for three years, depending on the number of markets where you use it. So now we’re at $294.90 which you divide by three, which is the lifetime, to get a cost of $96.98 a year. For each market we attend, it works out to $3.73.”

Transportation can also be very pricey and very dependent on how far you’re traveling to market. “You also need to add market labor,” Montri advises, “based on $12 per hour which might seem low for some people. I’ve also read that for some research proj-

ects farmers are paying themselves as little as a dollar an hour. You need to plug in the number that makes sense for you. Again, this is just for market; it does not include your production time or your harvest time. If you add labor, then it costs us about $100 to go per market just to get there.”

“A few years ago, I met a lady who was selling green beans for a dollar a pound,” Wesselius recounted. “That floored me. I asked if she paid her children for picking them and she said ‘yes, pretty much the whole dollar.’ I asked her what was left for the farm and suggested that she should double her price.

She said she’d lose her customers. I said ‘if you lose a third of your customers you’ll still take home more money for the farm at the end of the day.’ I said you can afford to lose 25 customers if you’re selling 100 pounds and taking 100 dollars. If you’re selling 75 pounds at $2 you’re taking in $150. The farm is ahead.

What we have to remember is what we keep at the end of the day, not what we grow or how much product we move.

“The best way to set your price is to think about how

much it cost you to get that acre of farm ground,” adds Wesselius. “In my neighborhood it’s $20,000. I have a very valuable resource. I know how long it takes my workers to plant potatoes and I know how long it takes to dig 40 pounds. I know how long it takes to wash 40 pounds, and I know how long it takes me to get it to market. When we’re picking green beans, I’d like to see 10 pounds of green beans, 12 pounds, 15 pounds picked per person per hour so the farm is generating $40, $50, $60 per hour per person when they are harvesting.

That’s all part of the pricing thinking.”

A chat box comment at this point of the webinar strongly opined ‘NO DEALS!’ “Certain vendors know over the years that when it gets to be 11 or 12 o’clock, you clean off the tables,” Wesselius says. “You can’t afford to give stuff away.

End of story.”

“Some markets have rules about product quality clearly written in their policies; other don’t,” added Montri. “In a four-hour market, the quality of your product is not going to diminish. Also, you might be using the market to build relationships with other people in your community like chefs, if you’re interested in building relationships with restaurants.”

There are multiple common sense tips, less doctrinaire, to help the freshman produce marketer. To improve sales, for example, you need to be professional, focus on your display, set the right price, and educate consumers.

Do you ever take a loss on one item and expect to make up the loss elsewhere?

Wesselius cited green onions.

“We have a gut feeling when

we’re harvesting something whether it’s worth doing again and knowing how much demand is there.” Montri’s experience is the same. “There are some things we come close to breaking even on.”

Farmers markets are increasing nationwide.

Markets differ in management structure and policies. Some require that you carry liability insurance. Other things you might want to consider is who else is selling at the market, what is already being sold; market atmosphere; preview the market to see if it might be a good fit for you.

One question is how much does the farmer expect the market to promote the market? Are there costs to the farmer to use SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)? This differs from state-to-state.

No lawn chairs! Wesselius affirms that this particular bugaboo falls under the Be Professional provision: People who bring lawn chairs don’t expect to sell much. “If you work for me, you’ll stand up all morning.”

Consider whether or not you want the added burden of dealing with credit cards as part of the cost of doing business. And you might also want to consider renting two stalls at market instead of just one.

A chef has said “you eat with your eyes,” says Wesselius. “Sparkling clean produce is very important. We do have a number of chefs who shop the market and they take their purchase to the restaurant and call it the farmers market mix or salad mix of the week. I’ve had a number of people tell me that ours is the cleanest, and that’s what brings them back.”

Shoppers enjoy going to farmers’ markets to purchase produce that is generally fresher than that found in grocery stores.

Photo by Stephen Wagner

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 3

by Stephen Wagner Forty-two percent of Iowa’s farmers are going to be retiring in the next few years.

Similar scenarios are playing out in other farm states and it’s a big deal because a lot of land will turn over as well as management.

With that thought in mind, PFI (Practical Farmers of Iowa) kicked off a farm webinar, or farminar, dedicated to making sure that enough young people are coming up through the ranks to make the best of their farming experiences. A big part of selling produce is via the auspices of the farmers market. The two key panelists went to deliberate lengths to show that there’s a right and wrong way to get the most out of this particular venue.

John Wesselius and his family operate The Cornucopia near Sioux Center in Sioux City, SD. Their annual sales revenues exceed $100,000 and are generated on a 6-acre property.

Two of those acres are covered in gardens, one and a half acres in grass for pastured poultry and the balance in trees and buildings. They sell their products at the Sioux Center Farmer’s Market, Sioux City Farmer’s Market and the Falls Park Farmer’s Market.

Dru Montri is the director of Michigan Farmer’s Market Association (MIFMA). She has a background in horticulture receiving her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and her master’s from Penn State. In addition to her work with MIFMA, she is pursuing a dual doctoral degree at MSU in Horticulture and Community and in Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. She and her husband own and operate Ten Hens Farm in Bath, MI. Jumping right into the topic, Montri said “You have an idea of what your sales potential is based on what you’re taking to market. That might differ a little bit depending upon the market, time of the year, and the quantity of products that you have. You also have the cash that you take home,” or knowledge of what was paid if your market accepts debit or credit cards, or some of the varied nutrition programs.

“Vendor fees vary from place to place,” according to Wesselius. “Some places it’s $250; other places it’s $600 per season. Those things can’t be forgotten as people go to market.”

Montri gave some examples

Local branding is best, experts say

by William McNutt Having your own branded products is extremely helpful for any retail operation, none more so than the horticultural industry. The kickoff presentation at the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association’s annual convention held in Columbus, Ohio, presented by George Irwin, provided ample evidence, of how GreenLiving Technologies has become an iconic brand name for a former landscape contractor.

A presentation by Maria Zampini, president of UpShoot LLC, defined branding as an effort to stand out from what the competition is doing by causing customers to perceive a product as new and different. This perception creates a need to buy status for customers and an opportunity for the vendor to charge a premium price for a value added product. At its best, branding can lead to the introduction of new varieties, or as happened with

GreenLiving, a definitive method of plant growth attached to walls.

Zampini sited Charley Hall, of the Texas A&M Department of Horticutlture Sciences, who believes improper application of branding can lead to too many brands and a tendency for increased knockoffs that lower price. But, branding also has the benefit of adding emphasis to the environmental movement. He says branding can be local, does not have to be of national scope, that basically a localized brand is what you are known for.

An example given for garden center use was the trade name Stepables, or foot tolerant hard cover plants able to withstand pedestrian traffic. Another retailer noted that younger generations are more reliant on brand names for shopping than older customers, who quite often think they can do their own analysis, but also unconsciously will go to brand names (think Jello and Kleenex). Packaging and point-of pur-

Cover photo courtesy of Abrahamson Nurseries The owner, Dan Sandager, walks through the St. Croix Falls greenhouse in spring.

Country Folks The Monthly Newspaper for Greenhouses, Nurseries, Fruit & Vegetable Growers

Page 4 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

(518) 673-3237 • Fax # (518) 673-2381 (ISSN # 1065-1756) U.S.P.S. 008885 Country Folks Grower is published monthly by Lee Publications, P.O. Box 121, 6113 St. Hwy. 5, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428.

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chase material will often tell customers something is different about this product. Plant companies count on this type of presentation to help sell b r a n d e d items.

Well labeled and nicely packaged are buzz words in the industry, and tell customers they are different from the “undressed” i t e m s , although they might be exactly the same thing.

Zampini went on to say that over reliance on brands will not solve all problems; more important is the reputation of the retail outlet for stocking quality product in a convenient location, along with adequate information on how to grow and what the end product will look like.

Estate Planning Popular Topic Two prominent Central Ohio attorneys who happen to be married to each other conducted a session on Estate Planning as it relates to recently enacted tax legislation and family business succession. Beatrice Wolper and Richard Emens are joint partners in a family law firm that specializes in family business counseling, including acquisition and succession issues, together with public and private business financial matters. All are important to small business owners, who are certainly the great majority of ONLA members. Wolper said that tax savings can be real for family businesses even in the current depressed economy. Current income tax rates will remain high through 2012, with the 15 percent capital gain rates staying at 15 percent. But unless Congress acts before 2013, income tax rates will return to pre 2010 levels and long term capital gains rates increase to 20 percent. Top rates on estate tax will go from 35 percent for over $5 million value to 55 percent, and the same will hold true for gift tax rates.

Questions that need to be asked in planning for any estate pass through to heirs: Do you favor those who are now running or aspiring to run-the family business, but want to be fair to those not involved? Are some of them poor business people, not able to handle money, or have bad personal habits? Wolper assured the group all aspects can be handled in a properly drawn up estate transfer plan that will have the force of law. Ohio will have an estate tax through 2013, federal tax will not be removed. Many family combinations are in a family business together, such as parent(s) and child or children, along with one or more brothers in joint partnership.

Remember 90 percent of U.S. businesses are family organized, and that 50 percent of business income is from

this type of partnership, as are one third of Fortune 500 companies though this usually means family controlled, eg.

Ford Motor.

Many businesses are family owned, but under outside professional management.

Conflicts can and will arise when the one in charge stays too long, especially in privately owned and controlled business. Publicly controlled companies can set terms of office and retirement age, and usually do. Wolper warned that what is fair is not always equal, nor does equality mean fairness. She also quoted the Buffet rule; leave your children enough to do what they want, but not so much they do nothing.

Richard Emens identified three typical situations in transferring management from the original founder of the business: He does not want to give up his leadership role to children already working in the business, but wants to keep them employed. In another scenario, he’s perfectly willing let his kids take over, but worries about how his own income will hold up. The last situation asks how the business can be transferred to the children, but also take care of those working elsewhere and not in the family enterprise. The inability to make this transfer in an amicable and fair fashion is often responsible for the breakup of family dynasties. The well known maxim “from rags to riches to rags in three generations” happens more often than not.

As Emens noted in his presentation, families’ ability to communicate with each other varies greatly, the President might be a parent, with children as employees; the chance for family dynamics to conflict with good management practices is ever present. When a likely successor enters the business, what happens to the non-family associate whose input has been so valuable for so many years?

Emens advises setting up a family council plus a neutral advisory board to help with long range planning.

Always keep front and center such questions as who is capable of being the next leader, when should he or she begin this role, and what provision should be made for the family members not in the business. When the time comes for action that needs to be taken, neutral and uninterested advice is needed, definitely legal council who are familiar with current regulations affecting estate taxes, transfer of assets to all parties concerned in a business enterprise, and the ramifications of business partnerships.

Packaging and point-of purchase material will often tell customers something is different about this product. Plant companies count on this type of presentation to help sell branded items.

by Glen Cope My parents taught me

Shirtsleeves and bootstraps make for ‘rich’ farmers from a young age that you need not look any

farther than the end of your own shirt sleeve

for a helping hand. It’s a creed that I, and most of the farmers in this great country, live by.

In an era of corporate greed and government bailouts, I’m mighty proud of that old shirtsleeve, as I know other farmers and ranchers are. We are also fond of our trusty bootstraps, by which we sometimes have to pull ourselves up.

We’ve all heard that old expression that “Farmers are the salt of the Earth.” As a fourth generation farmer, I truly believe it. We care deeply for our land, animals and ability to provide food for our country. But, as people become further removed from agriculture, that old expression is not being met with the same public acceptance it once was.

Public misconceptions, mostly fueled by anti-agriculture activists, are giving farmers a bad rap. For example, because farmers have been innovative in research and technology to better care for the environment and provide

was raised, but my father, grandfather and great-grandfather also grew up. And I could not help but think of the blessings that farmers experience every day — the fresh air and green grass, and the ability to raise one of the safest and most abundant food supplies in the world.

Most importantly, I am able to raise my children as I was raised, in a rural setting, while teaching them the values of a hard day’s work.

It’s a shame that all Americans can’t experience living and working on a farm for just one day. They’d get some fresh air in their lungs and some dirt under their fingernails; they’d get to use some really cool farm equipment and technology, knowing these tools are contributing to a safer and cleaner environment; they’d get to work with and care for some of God’s best living creatures; and, best of all, they’d get to work alongside their families.

Farmers are rich the cabbie says? Maybe we are rich after all.

Glen Cope, a fourth generation beef producer in Southwest Missouri, is chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

USDA celebrates 150 years In 2012, USDA will commemorate and celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding in 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United States Department of Agriculture.

The USDA South Building in Washington, D.C. was completed in 1937. At the time it was the largest office building in the nation.

www. cfgrower.com

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 5

healthier food with fewer inputs, we are being punished for being too tech-savvy. Because we incorporate with other family members for tax purposes, we are called “big, corporate ag,” even though 98 percent of U.S. farms remain family-owned. And because we care for our animals in a scientifically-proven and veterinary-approved manner, we are told by activist groups that we don’t know how to care for our animals.

Recently, I was in a taxi cab in New Orleans on the way to the airport heading home to Missouri. In a light-hearted conversation with the cab driver, I mentioned I was a farmer. His first response was, “Oh, you must be rich.” Far from it, I told him, explaining the many input and operating costs we have and how farmers really live.

This conversation was still on my mind when I landed back at my local airport and got into my muddy farm truck, which painfully stuck out in a sea of shiny cars and SUVs. As I headed home, the houses and subdivisions grew fewer and fewer and the rows of streetlights were replaced with fencerows and cow pastures. I returned home to the farm where not only I

Three T’s of direct marketing success

Today’s Marketing Objectives By: Melissa Piper Nelson Farm News Service

Page 6 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

News and views on agricultural marketing techniques.

Marketing farm products direct to consumers opens up a new and profitable channel for many producers. Researchers point to a number of guerrilla (aggressive) strategies for successful marketing and selling, and at the risk of adding to the mix, there is a simple, but effective, three-pronged approach.

Trends, Transportation and Tactics comprise Three-T marketing.

Marketing plans are built about consumer preferences. Pre-washed and bagged salad mixes and pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook meats represent just two of many food marketing strategies which are direct responses to consumer preferences.

In today’s marketplace, producers identify, understand and respond to consumer trends quickly and adjust strategies accordingly. Where this was once the job of wholesalers, retailers and promoters in the food sales and distribution chain, direct marketers now produce the food, fiber and services, as well as package, deliver and promote.

Buying trends, often identified as “fads” may seem too temporal to pursue, and rightfully, some buying habits sweep in quickly and then vaporize overnight.

A trend that solves a consumer problem, however, is likely to catch on and become the popular norm. Whether it involves packaging, preparation, or convenience, consumers show where the next marketing opportunity is pending.

Trends are not exclusively consumer-driver.

Producers, wholesalers, chain stores, market researchers and others develop and promote ideas consumers appreciate.

The meat and dairy industries perfected the idea of food being prepared and packaged in new and interesting ways.

Direct marketing opens new pathways for sales strategies on an individual farm basis.

What is unique and special to a given farm, region, set of customers or e-commerce provides the opportunity to either catch onto a trend or start a new one.

How does a farmer move product to a customer, and likewise how does a customer get to a farmer’s market, retail outlet, farm stand or the farm itself? Transportation plays a key role in marketing from both the producer and consumer sides. Product moves from the field to its selling point through transportation networks that are physical in nature (tractor, wagon, harvesting equipment, truck and trailer) and supply chain in nature (where a product is ultimately placed and sold). Both chains represent expenditures of time, resources and labor.

Transportation often gets linked into the entire variable cost of production and is not segmented out as a marketing consideration. The local food trend, however, started the talk about transportation chains — how food is produced and moved through the system. Consumers realize, and are showing with their food dollars, how important they view transportation when it comes to grocery shopping.

Tactics are more affiliated with military terminology than as a direct farm marketing tool, but in reality, tactics are defined as specific strategies to gain a goal or objective. Direct marketing represents a sales strategy or tactic that the marketer sees as the best way to exchange product for profit. Within direct marketing tactics, producers choose many different ways to sell goods — farmer’s markets, onfarm sales, roadside stands, through community supported agriculture programs and cooperative marketing groups.

The success of determining tactics depends on pre-planning and market research. A producer plans for selling to a target audience and se-

lects the methods which place the product in front of the consumer in the most appealing manner. It sounds simple enough, but doing the homework that best links the producer to the correct target audience requires knowing not only who will buy a product, but where they will come to buy it, how they want it packaged and what they will pay.

Market research which develops a sound strategy to manage trends, transportation and tactics does not have to be either complex or costly, but often it does involve time to understand what consumers want to buy and why. Marketing plans are best when they remain fluid and flexible enough to incorporate changes as necessary.

Weather, and other risk factors, may present the need to redirect and redefine how direct marketing works for any individual operation. Being flexible in how you develop and sell your product allows for unplanned situations.

If you take some time to review your marketing plan with an eye toward the Three T’s of Marketing, you will gain an appreciation of how trends, transportation and tac-

tics play into your overall sales strategy and how you may need to reposition your efforts

for profit.

The above infor mation is presented for educational purposes

and should not be substituted for professional business or legal counseling.

Reducing repetitive motion injuries

by Anna Meyerhoff, Farm Safety Educator, NYCAMH Sometimes, the nature of agricultural work may require stressful positions and activities for workers.

Work that involves frequent bending at the

wrist, grasping objects, lifting or raising of the arm and shoulder, twisting or squeezing motions can lead to repetitive motion injuries (RMIs).

RMIs can also result from awkward positions or movements,

muscle fatigue, vibrations, and poor work postures. Workers performing tasks that require repeated use of hands, wrists and forearms for long periods of time are especially prone to this type of injury.

Here are a few examples of some tasks that could cause RMIs: pruning, weeding, potting plants, picking fruit, packing boxes, using sharp or vibrating tools, and assembly line work.

Repetitive motion injuries can be mild or

severe. The most common areas affected are fingers, hands, elbows, wrists, shoulders, back, arms and neck. Pain may develop slowly and generally get worse over time.

These injuries can eventually cause permanent damage to the muscles, nerves, tendons and ligaments of the body. In some cases, RMIs such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which affects the wrists, may even require surgery. It is important to recognize the warning signs early enough to do something about them.

Workers should be aware of symptoms and report pain or other signs of repetitive motion injuries to their supervisor.

Symptoms of repetitive motion injuries include: pain or soreness, muscle fatigue, tingling, numbness, stiffness, swelling or redness, loss of flexibility, loss of strength.

There are a few ways to reduce the risk of repetitive motion in-

juries among workers.

Since RMIs are caused by performing an action or motion over and over again without interruption, one of the best ways to prevent such injuries is by limiting the time workers spend performing the same task. Having workers take short breaks allows the affected body part time to rest and recover. Switching between different tasks throughout the day can also help reduce strain from stressful postures and repetitive motions. Another way to reduce the risk of injuries is through proper stretching.

Workers should be encouraged to take micro-breaks and stretch before, during and after the workday to help prevent RMIs. While stopping the motions that cause pain isn’t always possible, making even small changes to the way work is performed can make a big difference in reducing injuries and increasing productivity.

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Ergonomics takes into consideration things like the weight of objects handled, worker postures and movements, grip and repetition of tasks. The goal is to reduce excessive exertion, awkward postures and physical strain by modifying the work environment and tools. By making these changes, workers will be more productive, lose less work time to injuries, and experience less pain and fatigue.

By using good ergonomic work practices and following these guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries among your workers.

T ips for reducing repetitive motion injuries: • Adjust the work environment where necessary, where possible keep the work around waist level trying to avoid excessive bending down or reaching up; • Limit or rotate repetitive tasks; • Have workers take short breaks and properly stretch; • Maintain good posture while working; • Hand tools should be the appropriate size for workers; • When possible, choose ergonomically designed hand tools — like small, medium or large pruners, left or right handed pruners, comfort grips, bent or angled handles that keep the wrist in a neutral position — electronic or pneumatic pruners may be a good alternative; and Select chainsaws or other power tools that have vibration dampening handles or systems.

New machine makes weeding quicker and more efficient

Page 8 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

Innovative Devices Inc. of Michigan has introduced a new type of rototiller, the CounterRotating Weeding & Tilling Machine.

Made in America, this is a walk-behind, handy, and effective weeding machine. It is surprisingly easy to use, fast and stable, and can cover large areas. It shreds tough weeds, up to 6-feet tall, down to their roots, from an adjustable, uniform depth of 1 to 8 inches. The shredded weeds and roots above and below ground are mulched into the cultivated soil as organic fertilizer, all in one pass.

This machine is superior to all conventional walk-behind weeders and tillers, which are slow, unstable, and hard to maneuver on rough terrain. It works well in high-density cultivated fields that tractors can not pass;

and beats hand hoeing in speed and economy because it does the work of many.

The machine has three patented structural features that made such efficient weeding & tilling possible. These features are not found in any other machines on the market: • Two sets of counterrotating tilling tines that rotate in opposite directions;

• Each tine is equipped with uniquely designed weed shearing blades that continuously shred weed entanglement and mulch the weeds and their roots debris into the soil; and • The tines are shaped like circular saw blades with sharp, horizontal arms for fast weed chopping and earth penetration.

Three models of different cutting widths are available: 15 inch

Innovative Devices Inc. of Michigan has introduced a new type of rototiller, the Counter-Rotating Weeding & Tilling Machine.

for both weeding and tilling; 25 inch weeding and 20 inch tilling; 32 inch weeding and 26 inch tilling, with commercial grade Honda engines.

For young weeds, the machine can clear the field along a straight path at speeds of up to 3 mph, thus covering large fields when working in unison with two or more counter-rotating weeding and tilling machines.

The machine is best

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Rare bloom opens at Cornell

by Kelly Gates When open, the odor it emits is indistinguishable from warm, rotting meat.

Its flower can reach more than 9 ft. in height, the largest flower head in the world. Its single leaf can reach 16 feet in length.

After nearly a decade of waiting, scientists at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, got to see their specimen bloom in captivity.

The plant in question is Amorphophallus titanum or titan arum. More commonly, it is known as Carrion Flower or “corpse plant.” The plant only grows naturally in the rain forests in Sumatra.

“The reason the plant has this pungent odor is that it has Carrion Syn-

drome, a pollination syndrome that it has developed to attract a unique group of pollinators,” said Melissa A. Luckow, associate professor of Plant Biology at Cornell. “When in bloom, the plant actually heats up and emits chemicals that translate to the scent of rotting meat. This attracts carrion-eating beetles and flies in the family Sarcophagidae, which are often referred to as 'flesh flies.'”

These flesh-eating insects commonly rest inside of the flower at night to keep warm. While there, they continually walk around, coating themselves with pollen. When they leave the following morning to find another titan arum, the pollen is carried with them, enabling pollination to take place.

Much of Cornell's understanding of how to cultivate this unusual plant came from the University of Wisconsin.

Luckow saw a corpse plant in bloom there in 2002.

“I was at the University of Wisconsin for Botanical Congress in 2002 and I asked the greenhouse manager for seeds,” explained Luckow. “When we got them, our greenhouse grower, Carol Bader, sowed two of them and she has nursed them along for the better part of 10 years. The grower at the University of Wisconsin was very helpful with advice, but Carol is the one who put in all the work over the years.”

Horticulturists and scientists at Cornell performed an array of tests when the plant bloomed. One of the primary studies will explore the chemical makeup of the rotten smell it propels into the environment. The goal is to determine if there is a presence of chemical signalers that prompt the male titan arum to begin the pollination process.

During the past 10 years, Cornell's greenhouse, science and horticulture staff has closely monitor every aspect of the plant's makeup and development.

According to Luckow, the Carrion Flower is rare in many ways.

“The Carrion Flower presents an inflorescence with a spadix-a stalk made up of small and anatomically reduced male and female flowers. Around the inflorescence is a spathe that looks like a giant flower petal,” she said. “When it heats up, the spadix enhances the emission of the strong odor of decaying meat, luring pollinators from all over the rain forest.

Attention was first drawn to the Carrion Flower back in 1878 when Italian botanist and explorer Dr. Odoardo Beccari discovered it while traveling in Sumatra. At the time, few believed Beccari's tall tales of a giant flower that smells like death.

Today, the plant is celebrated within the growing community as select botanical gardens and universities like Cornell successfully produce flowering specimens indoors.

If the plant at Cornell blooms, it will

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be one of approximately 140 such cultivated blooms recorded in history.

“After this one blooms for two days, which we believe it will, the flower will die back and the plant will go dormant,” noted Luckow. “In the wild, the plant will continue flowering regularly. In captivity however, it may be a decade or several decades before it blooms again, if at all.”

So far, signs point to a pending bloom. On March 13, the unopened inflorescence measured 57 inches long. In the following days it grew around two inches daily.

Cornell opened its greenhouse doors to an assortment of guests during the exciting time. The Carrion Flower sits in Green Greenhouse 114 at the university's Ithaca campus as part of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory collection.

There was also streaming video of the plant available for anyone to view online at www.ustream.tv/channel/titanarum

O RGAN I CS/S U S TAI NAB L E A G New study explores innovation and opportunities for diverse local food distributors WASHINGTON — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan released a new report March 16 on the distribution practices of eight producer networks and their partners distributing locally or regionally-grown food to retail and foodservice customers. The report, entitled Moving Food Along the Value Chain: Innovations in Regional Food Distribution, shows how these networks tap into the growing commercial demand for local and regional food products while creating additional economic opportunities and expanding healthy food access.

“The Obama Administration is committed to putting Americans back to work and to revitalizing our rural agricultural communities, and one way to do that is through the expanding local foods movement,

which provides new economic opportunities for farmers and producers across the country,” said Merrigan. “This report provides powerful lessons on how groups of local and regional farmers are collectively distributing their products to grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, schools and universities in a cost-effective and efficient way.”

The study details how these organizations help local and regional producers overcome bottlenecks in the food marketing system through collaborative and transparent planning and adherence to a shared set of operating principles. By sharing lessons learned and best practices, the new study serves as a resource for producers, food processors and marketers organizing to supply local and regional food products to

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commercial customers.

To compile the report, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) studied each of the eight network models over a three-year period. The eight models were La Montanita Coop (New Mexico), Oklahoma Food Cooperative (Oklahoma City, OK), The Wedge Cooperative (Minneapolis, MN), Red Tomato (Boston, MA), Community Alliance for Family Farms (Davis, CA), New North Florida Cooperative (Marianna, FL), Appalachian Sustainable Development (Abingdon, VA) and Minnesota Food Association (Marine on St. Croix, MN). AMS looked at network organization, product branding and labeling, infrastructure management, and price negotiation.

The report identified four factors that influenced performance across all the case

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A large selection of USDA-supported programs and projects is also visible on the KYF Map, which can be displayed by theme, program, or recipient type.

Both the KYF Compass and map will be regularly refreshed with new data and case studies.

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O RGAN I CS/S U S TAI NAB L E A G Judge sides with Monsanto Ridicules farmers' right to grow food without fear, contamination and economic harm On Feb. 24, Judge Naomi Buchwald handed down her ruling on a motion to dismiss in the case of Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn et al v. Monsanto after hearing oral argument on Jan. 31 in Federal District Court in Manhattan. Her ruling to dismiss the case brought against Monsanto on behalf of organic farmers, seed growers and agricultural organizations representing farmers and citizens was met with great disappointment by the plaintiffs.

Plaintiff lead attorney Daniel Ravicher said, “While I have great respect for Judge Buchwald, her decision to deny farmers the right to seek legal protection from one of the world’s foremost patent bullies is gravely disappointing. Her belief that farmers are acting unreasonable when they stop growing certain crops to avoid being sued by Monsanto for patent infringement should their crops become contaminated maligns the intelligence and integri-

ty of those farmers. Her failure to address the purpose of the Declaratory Judgment Act and her characterization of binding Supreme Court precedent that supports the farmers’ standing as ‘wholly inapposite’ constitute legal error. In sum, her opinion is flawed on both the facts and the law. Thankfully, the plaintiffs have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeals, which will review the matter without deference to her findings.”

Monsanto’s history of aggressive investigations and lawsuits brought against farmers in America have been a source of concern for organic and non-GMO farmers since Monsanto’s first lawsuit brought against a farmer in the mid-90’s. Since then, 144 farmers have had lawsuits brought against them by Monsanto for alleged violations of their patented seed technology. Monsanto has brought charges against more than 700 additional farmers who have

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settled out-of-court rather than face Monsanto’s belligerent litigious actions. Many of these farmers claim to not have had the intention to grow or save seeds that contain Monsanto’s patented genes. Seed drift and pollen drift from genetically engineered crops often contaminate neighboring fields. If Monsanto’s seed technology is found on a farmer’s land without contract they can be found liable for patent infringement.

“Family farmers need the protection of the court,” said Maine organic seed farmer Jim Gerritsen, president of lead plaintiff OSGATA. “We reject as naïve and undefendable the judge’s assertion that Monsanto’s vague public relations ‘commitment’ should be ‘a source of comfort’ to plaintiffs. The truth is we are under threat and we do not believe Monsanto. The truth is that American farmers and the American people do not believe Monsanto. Family farmers deserve our day in court and this flawed ruling will not deter us from continuing to seek justice.”

The plaintiffs brought this suit against Monsanto to seek judicial protection from such lawsuits and challenge the validity of Monsanto’s

patents on seeds.

“As a citizen and property owner, I find the Order by the Federal Court to be obsequious to Monsanto,” said plaintiff organic farmer Bryce Stephens of Kansas. “The careless, inattentive, thoughtless and negligent advertisement Monsanto has published on their website to not exercise its patent rights for inadvertent trace contamination belies the fact that their policy is in reality a presumptuous admission of contamination by their vaunted product on my property, plants, seeds and animals.”

“Seeds are the memory of life,” said Isaura Anduluz of plaintiff Cuatro Puertas and the Arid Crop Seed Cache in New Mexico. “If planted and saved annually, cross pollination ensures the seeds continue to adapt. In the Southwest, selection over many, many generations has resulted in native drought tolerant corn. Now that a patented drought tolerant corn has been released how do we protect our seeds from contamination and our right to farm?”

To see a copy of Judge Buchwald’s ruling visit www.osgata.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/OSGATA-vMonsanto-MTD-Decision.pdf

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Managing bacterial pathogens in vegetable seed with hot-water treatment

Page 12 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

by Margaret Tuttle McGrath, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University Infested seed can be the source of the pathogen for important bacterial diseases occurring in the northeastern United States. These diseases include black rot affecting crucifer crops, bacterial spot affecting tomato and pepper, and bacterial speck and bacterial canker affecting tomato. They can cause substantial damage if not controlled.

The first strategy to use for controlling any disease is to eliminate or reduce the amount of the pathogen available to initiate disease. Therefore, the use of disease-free seed and transplants are some of the most important management practices for bacterial diseases. Some seed companies have the resources to produce seed in areas where these diseases do not occur and to test seed for the pathogens. First look at the seed package to determine if your seed has been tested for these pathogens and/or has been treated. Check with the seed company if the package does not contain this information. Hot water, hydrochloric acid, calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, and peroxyacetic acid are treatments that seed companies use for bacterial pathogens. Infested crop debris, infested planting supplies (especially wooden stakes for trellising tomatoes) and infected weeds are additional sources of bacterial pathogens and must also be managed in an effective control program.

Seed can be treated by growers with hot water to kill the pathogen. Hot-water treatment affects bacteria inside the seed; however, high temperatures can adversely affect germination if proper precautions are not taken and bacteria deep inside seed may survive treatment. It is best to have seed custom treated, which some seed companies will do. Realize before you start that when you treat the seed, the seed company’s liability and guarantees are null and void.

Do not treat old seed. Make sure seed has not already been hot-water treated, as a second treatment can kill the seed. Treatment should be done within a few weeks of planting.

Precise control of conditions is essential for successfully hot-water treating seed yourself. Realize that there is a small margin between the temperature and length of exposure needed to kill pathogens and the treatment conditions that will

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kill seeds, and that the highest temperature seed can tolerate varies among crops. Use the following temperatures and times: Tomato seed treat at 50°C (122°F) for 25 minutes or 51.5°C (125°F) for 20 minutes.

Pepper, cabbage and Brussels sprout seed treat at 50°C for 25 minutes.

Cauliflower and broccoli seed treat at 50°C for 20 minutes.

Carrot seed treat at 50°C for 20 minutes.

Celery seed treat at 50°C for 30 minutes.

Lettuce seed treat at 47.8°C (118°F) for 30 minutes. Some feel lettuce is too sensitive to treat.

Hot-water treatment can be damaging or impractical for seed of other crops including pea, bean, cucumber, sweet corn and beet.

Water temperature needs to be carefully controlled during treatment. The best way to control temperature while treating seed is to use a stirring hot plate and a precision laboratory thermometer.

A large glass container will be needed because metal can crack the hot plate surface. The larger the container used, the easier it is to maintain water temperature and the less the impact on temperature of adding room-temperature seed. Hotwater treatment can be done successfully using a large pot on a stove top and a precision laboratory thermometer. With either equipment, expect to spend some time adjusting settings to achieve the desired temperature, especially with the stove top.

A very low hot plate or stove setting will probably provide the desired temperature.

With any set-up, wait to begin treatment until the water in the container is maintained at the desired temperature. Have containers of hot and cold water nearby in case the water does not stay at the desired temperature. Place seed in a tea infusion ball or in a piece of cotton cloth. Add a metal weight to keep the seed container submerged, but make sure it is not on the pot bottom. Agitate the water continuously. A wooden spoon works well when using a stove top. Check the temperature constantly. Keep the thermometer off the hot bottom of the container; this can be accomplished by taping it to the inside of the wooden spoon used for stirring. Upon removing, cool the seed under tap water. Spread the seed out on paper towels to

air dry at 70-75°F. It is advisable to conduct a preliminary germination test with a small quantity of treated and untreated seed from each variety and lot number before treating all the seed.

Seed lots heavily infested with bacteria or produced from stressed plants may not stand up to hot water treatment and germination may be adversely affected. Old seeds can also be sensitive to treatment. Hot-water treatment has been shown to mimic aging.

Source: Penn State Extension

Organic insecticides… what works and doesn’t

by Scott Guiser, Horticulture Educator In late January I was fortunate enough to hear Dr. Galen Dively of the University of Maryland give an overview of organic insecticides at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s Conference. Did you miss it?

I’ll try to provide a recap.

I have a copy of the Conference Proceedings (write-ups of the presentations) as a reference which will help me recall key points. If you missed the Mid-Atlantic Conference, mark your calendar for Jan 29-31, 2013… it’s a fantastic educational (and social!)

event.

Galen prefaced his remarks about specific products with these observations: . In organic systems, insecticides are used as a tool of last resort… after all nonchemical approaches have been employed.

They are not intended as the basis for insect management in these systems. This often puts the products at a disadvantage because they frequently work best on immature stages of pest’s life cycle. Many pest control products are listed at OMRI (Organic Materials Research Institute)

and are approved under the USDA National Organic Program but double check with you certifying agency before proceeding. Organic insecticides have several problems or limitations compared to conventional insecticides, including: • Short residual activity • Most have limited contact activity, requiring ingestion to be effective • Less effective on mature insects, requiring precise timing to hit immature insects • None have systemic activity • Short shelf life • Lacking in reliable efficacy (do they work?) data • Expensive Interesting…an article in the February 2012 issue of Vegetable Growers New echoed Galen’s points about the limitations of these products. Still, growers found them useful. So, despite these limitations, organic growers have several good tools for insect management.

Here is an overview: Azadirachtin products, such as Neemix and Aza-Direct are extracts of oils found in the Neem tree. These products are insect growth regulators and prevent insect molting (slow) and also serve as feeding deterrents and repellents.

Fair to good control of beetles (Cuke, Colorado potato, Mexican bean, and flea) is reported.

Note however, that with cuke beetles, even minimal feeding can transmit the bacterial wilt organism to cucumber and cantaloupe.

Pyrethrum is the naturally derived insecticide found in daisy flowers and commonly marketed as Pyganic.

Quick knockdown but very short residual activity are key traits. Fair to good control of aphids, whiteflies, thrips as well as knockdown of cuke, Colorado potato and flea beetles were noted.

A new product called Azera is a combination of a pyrethrum (like Pyganic) and azadirachtin (like Azadirect/Neemix).

Control of Japanese beetle, aphids, imported cabbage worm, leafhoppers and cucumber beetles was improved over use of azadirachtin alone

in recent studies. It even provided good squash bug control if timed to target nymphs, just after egg hatch. The limitations of one ingredient are partially covered by the other.

Bt products are well known for their ability to control lepidopteron (caterpillar) larvae such as imported cabbage moths in cole crops.

Good spray coverage and repeat applications are important. Some Bt strains control non-lepidopterons. Not all Bts are alike and some are not labeled for organic production.

Spinosad, sold as Entrust to the organic market, provides very good control of caterpillars and thrips. Fair to good control of flea beetles and Mexican bean beetle was noted. Some growers note control of Colorado potato beetle.

Soaps and oils – provide good knockdown of soft bodied insects such as aphids and mites.

Repeat applications and excellent plant coverage are important. Oils provide more residual activity than soaps but still this effect is short lived. Both soaps and oils have potential for phytotoxcity.

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Plant Extracts such as d-limonene (citrus) and rosemary extras disrupt insect neuroreceptors and act as antifeedants. Fair to good control of aphids and spider mites reported.

Mineral dusts kaolin clay sold as Surround, repel and/or irritate insects and disrupt feeding and egg laying. Maryland research showed that Surround applied alone or in combination with sulfur, Azera or Trilogy provided 55-86 % stink bug control. Residue from Surround may not be acceptable for some fresh market crops.

In conclusion, Galen provided the following suggestions for improving the efficacy of organic insecticides: • Use 50 -100 gallons of spray solution to ensure good plant coverage.

• Arrange nozzles (such as drop nozzles) to improve plant coverage.

• Monitor pH of spray water and buffer as needed.

• Calibrate sprayers.

• Apply controls when pests are in the early stages of development.

• Consider adjutants to increase coverage and efficacy.

More than 130 participants were attracted to Galen’s excellent presentation. As he noted, efficacy data on organic insecticides is sparse. His work and presentation were very much appreciated.

Source: Penn State Extension The Vegetable & Small Friut Gazette, Volume 16, Issue 3, March 2012

National Organic Program rule amends list of allowed, prohibited materials The National Organic Program published a final rule in the Federal Register to amend the use of materials in organic crop production and processing. These changes, reflected in the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, will be effective on March 15.

Incorporating feedback from public comments, the rule will allow the use of four new substances in the production or processing of USDA organic products: • Microcrystalline cheesewax, used to hold moisture in logs growing

organic mushrooms.

• Acidified sodium chlorite, used to sanitize food and food contact surfaces.

• Non-organic dried orange pulp (in multi-ingredient organic products), if organic orange pulp is not commercially available.

• Non-organic Pacific kombu seaweed (in multi-ingredient organic products), if organic Pacific kombu seaweed is not commercially available.

The rule will also prohibit the use of bleached non-organic lecithin, a component of vegetable

oils. Lecithin is often used as a natural mixing agent (emulsifier) or lubricant in commercial food production. The rule will clarify an allowance for de-oiled nonorganic lecithin in organic food processing if the organic form is not commercially available.

The final rule, which includes the full regulatory text detailing the allowance and prohibition of these substances, is available at www.regulations.gov (search for keyword NOP-10-0079; NOP-09-02FR).

The changes to the National List published in

the final rule were recommended by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

This citizen advisory board is responsible by law to advise the National Organic Program on what substances should be allowed and prohibited in the production and handling of USDA organic products.

NOSB members must consider specific criteria when voting to allow or prohibit a substance, including demonstrated need for the substance and its impact on human health and the environment. In specific cas-

es, including three substances addressed in this rule, the NOSB also determines if a substance is available in organic form on a scale large enough to support organic agriculture.

The National List is a subpart of the USDA’s organic standards that identifies synthetic substances that may and nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may not be used in organic production. The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and National Organic Program regulations specifically prohibit the use of any synthetic

substance in organic production and handling unless the synthetic substance is on the National List.

The National Organic Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing the organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations.

For further information about the final rule, contact Melissa Bailey, Ph.D., NOP Standards Director, at 202-7203252.

AXXE Broad Spectrum Herbicide introduced by BioSafe Systems

Page 14 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

BioSafe Systems introduces AXXE Broad Spectrum Herbicide. AXXE is formulated as an herbicidal soap utilizing ammonium nonanoate. This active ingredient is NOP compliant and OMRI listed for use in organic production. AXXE is formulated as a liquid concentrate that is mixed with

water and is powerful, effective and economical for control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, as well as mosses, liverworts and lichens.

Made of natural fatty acids, AXXE works by removing, or “burning,” the waxy cuticle of green vegetation, and will not move

through soil to injure nearby plants. AXXE works within hours of application, produces no residue, and is available in commercial and retail formulations.

AXXE is available in 5, 30, 55, and 275 gallon sizes. For more information about AXXE, contact BioSafe Systems at 888-273-3088.

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2012 MOSES conference draws record crowd La Crosse, WI — A record attendance in excess of 3,300 people saw the close of the 2012 Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) Organic Farming Conference, the largest organic farming conference in the United States. The event ran from Feb. 23 through Feb. 25 According to MOSES Executive Director Faye

Jones, the 2012 conference was marked by an emphasis on youth.

“It was satisfying to see the number of young people who want to farm,” Jones said. “It is a diverse group, which is key since the average age of an American farmer is 57 years.

This bodes well for our country’s agricultural future.”

The Young Organic Stewards (YOS) played

a key role at the conference. MOSES and Renewing the Countryside coordinate the YOS project, with partial funding provided by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

Youth will be served, as evidenced by the large number of Tweets being constantly posted on Twitter, which also were posted in real-time feed on the MOSES website,

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Saturday’s keynote speaker, award-winning filmmaker Curt Ellis, discussed an initiative he’s leading called Food Corps. The program is aimed at improving nutrition education for our youths, encouraging school gardens, and bringing high-quality local food into public schools. More on Food Corps can be found at www.foodcorps.org Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, made an appearance at the conference and expressed his views on organic farming.

“I believe really

strongly in organic farming, I think it represents a great movement in our country and in our state,” Kohl said. As he has announced his intent not to run for re-election, he quipped: “Maybe I’ll be an organic farmer.”

To watch the video interview with Kohl, visit http://tinyurl.com/7jr y38y Other conference highlights included: • Francis and Susan Thicke, owners and operators of Radiance Dairy in Fairfield, IA, were honored with the 2012 MOSES Organic

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Farmer of the Year award. tinyurl.com /6nkg7ga • Friday keynote speaker Margaret Krome, Public Policy Program Director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, discussed how social and political policies affect our food system. tinyurl.com/7v22v4l • Twelve military veterans were granted scholarships to attend the OFC through the Farmer -Veteran Coalition www.farmvetco.org Next year’s conference, which will be the 24th annual OFC, will be held Feb. 21 to Feb. 23 in La Crosse, WI. MOSES is a non-profit organization working to promote sustainable and organic agriculture through training, workshops, educational initiatives, and by providing free resources to farmers striving to produce high-quality, healthful food using organic and sustainable techniques.

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April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 15

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New field guide helps farmers choose, manage cover crops WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — Farmers interested in planting cover crops to improve soil health can now find information and tips in a new pocket guide produced by the Midwest Cover Crops Council and Purdue University.

Written by Eileen Kladivko and Corey Gerber of Purdue’s Agronomy Department and colleagues from Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada, the goal of the Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide is to provide information to farmers that will help them choose the appropriate cover crops for their needs and learn how to best manage them to receive the most benefits.

“Interest in cover crops has been increasing across the Midwest over the last 2-3 years, especially in the eastern Corn Belt of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan,” said Kladivko, a professor of agronomy. “Planting cover crops can help with weed suppression, breaking up compacted soils, erosion control, and, over the long term, improving crop yields and profitability. So demand for information about cover crops has been increasing as interest increases.”

The guide is available through the Purdue Extension Education Store at www.the-educationstore.com or by calling 888-EXT-INFO (398-4636).

Individual copies of the guide cost $5 each, and boxes of 25 are available at a 10 percent discount, $112.50.

The guide is divided into two sections. The first contains general information about cover crops, including selection and planting methods, killing methods, concerns about insects, and ways to keep the crop from becoming a weed. The second contains

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Page 16 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

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photos, seeding dates, depth, planting and killing methods, benefits and cautions for specific crops, each given a ranking according to their benefit type and amount.

Cover crops are planted after harvesting a cash crop, such as corn or soybeans, or sometimes shortly before harvest to conserve soil nutrients and prevent erosion during the winter. Each cover crop is cultivated for a specific benefit: grasses such as annual ryegrass and wheat, for example, break up compacted soil, while legumes such as alfalfa and clover “fix” atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a form plants use.

Types of cover crops are selected according to the

needs of the soil and cropping system, and they are either killed off or allowed to die naturally to release nutrients into the soil before or during the main growing season.

Farmers faced with high fertilizer and pesticide prices want to be efficient and conserve as many nutrients in the soil as possible, Kladivko said.

“Cover crops trap nitrogen that would otherwise leach away in the fall, winter and spring,” she said.

“By planting cover crops, farmers can save 20 or 30 pounds of nitrogen that would otherwise have been lost. This will help build soil organic matter, and, in the long-term, it may reduce their fertilizer rates or produce a higher yield for the current fertilizer rate.”

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American Garden Award contestants announced for 2012 North America’s only flower -popularity contest, as voted on by consumers, is back for a fourth year. This year, there are six contestants ready to strut their stuff in 28 participating public gardens throughout the United States.

All gardens will wait until their local safeplanting date to install the entries and make

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Voting will open June 1 and winners will be announced in the fall.

In the meantime, any or all of these flowers are available from suppliers. Previous years’ winners can be viewed at www.americangarde-

naward.com.

Follow American Garden Award on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the voting results.

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Sandblasting tested as a means of organic weed control

Page 18 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

For organic growers, weed control can require much time, effort, and creativity. They must find cost-effective ways to prevent weeds from reducing crop yields without using chemical herbicides. A new technique — sandblasting — was recently tested on crops of field corn.

The current issue of the journal Weed Technology discusses tests conducted on six plantings of field corn over two years. The tests sought to discover if applications of corncob grit propelled by compressed air could be an effective form of weed control.

Sandblasting is typically a technique used to remove paint or rust from a metal surface. By using a “soft” grit that is also a natural material, such as corncob residue or nut shells, this technique can be used agriculturally. These additional uses for agricultural residue could also increase the value of the parent crop.

When sandblasting weeds, grit from a compressed air tank is aimed at the weeds growing near the bases of corn plants. To determine at what point in

the crop cycle this weed control was most effective, sandblasting was performed from the oneto five-leaf stages of corn growth. Some test crops received second and third treatments of abrasion.

The corn plants were unaffected by the procedure, while the weeds were eliminated with varying degrees of success. This research

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found that multiple sandblasting at the oneand five-leaf or the one-, three-, and five-leaf stages produced consistently high levels of weed control throughout the growing season.

Single applications or multiple applications of grit at other times in the growth cycle did not produce satisfactory

results.

While sandblasting proved to be a viable technique for weed control, this experiment did not prove it to be a costeffective one. Expenditures could be reduced, however, if a farm were

to collect and mill its own corncobs rather than purchasing grit.

Another option might be to substitute an organic fertilizer, such as seed meal or crushed limestone, as the grit, thereby achieving two pur-

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Full text of the article, “Air-Propelled Abrasive Grit for Postemergence In-Row Weed Control in Field Corn,” Weed Technology, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2012, is available at http://wssajournals.org

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The ATTRA program is back. Federal funding that was cut last year has been restored. A full complement of technical assistance services for farmers and ranchers is again available at no charge, including toll-free English and Spanish hotlines, and information and advice by e-mail.

“We are delighted to have federal funding restored for this critical program,” said Kathleen Hadley, executive director of Butte-based NCAT, which operates the ATTRA service. “This achievement is the result of the help of many concerned agriculture producers, who called or wrote their members of Congress in support of renewed funding.”

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vate contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. Since 1987, the ATTRA project has been the nation’s leading resource for information on sustainable agriculture, covering a wide range of production and marketing topics.

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A request for seeds George and Julie Holmes farm in Trumansburg, NY. They are missionary leaders through Fellowship of Christian Farmers, Int. to the Eastern European Country of Albania. This was their 19th winter ministering in Albania. Albania was isolated from the world for 50 years under the harsh dictator Enver Hoxha.

This little country, the size of Maryland, is still recovering from those harsh years. They struggle with high unemployment, high food, high fuel costs, poor economic conditions, unstable government and corruption from the top down.

George and Julie work in eight villages around the capital city of Tirana.

Subsistence farming is common with 1 or 2 cows, some chickens, a few sheep and less than an acre of land. They also do Bible studies, door to door evangel-

Children from the village proudly hold up the family seed packets.

Photo courtesy of George and Julie Holmes

ism and children’s meetings in those eight villages. The village Christian ministry work continues with the Albanian Christian SOWERS Team when they return home at the end of March to farm.

The couple also hand carries over 15,000 seed packets with them to give to the villagers. Over 2400 family packets went to 23 villages. Those seeds are broken down into family seed packets of nine vegetable and one flower seed — enough seeds to grow a nice family garden. The villagers start the seeds in hot frames early March and then transfer the plants into a good size garden area.

The ladies do canning to preserve extra things for the winter. The seeds are welcomed by all. They know most of the seeds are hybrids and that they can’t save the seeds. The seeds produce a larger and more plentiful crop. The seeds in Albania are not of a good quality, old and sold at a high price. Times in Albania are very difficult for the rural family. They appreciate all the seeds given to them.

If you would like to donate seed-either in bulk or packets, please contact the Holmeses at 607-387-6538. Outdated seed is welcome as well. Any help would be appreciated.

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April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 19

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IRRIGATION Estimating soil moisture by feel and appearance Irrigation Water Management (IWM) is applying water according to crop needs in an amount that can be

stored in the plant root zone of the soil.

The “feel and appearance method” is one of several irrigation

scheduling methods used in IWM. It is a way of monitoring soil moisture to determine when to irrigate and how much water to apply.

Applying too much water causes excessive runoff and/or deep percolation. As a result, valuable water is lost along with nutrients and chemicals, which may leach into the ground water.

The feel and appearance of soil varies with

texture and moisture content. Soil moisture conditions can be estimated, with experience, to an accuracy of about 5 percent. Soil moisture is typically sampled in one-foot increments to the root depth of the crop at three or more sites per field. It is best to vary the number of sample sites and depths according to crop, field size, soil texture, and soil stratification. For each sample the “feel and appearance method” involves: 1. Obtaining a soil

sample at the selected depth using a probe, auger, or shovel; 2. Squeezing the soil sample firmly in your hand several times to form an irregularly shaped “ball;” 3. Squeezing the soil sample out of your hand between thumb and forefinger to form a ribbon; 4. Observing soil texture, ability to ribbon, firmness and surface roughness of ball, water glistening, loose soil particles, soil/water staining on fingers, and

soil color. [Note: A very weak ball will disintegrate with one bounce of the hand. A weak ball disintegrates with two to three bounces]; 5. Comparing observations with photographs and/or charts to estimate percent water available and the inches depleted below field capacity.

Visit www.mt.nrcs. usda.gov/technical/ecs /agr onomy/soilmoisture/index.html for guideline for estimating soil moisture conditions.

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New irrigation planning checklist

by Lyndon Kelley, Michigan State University Extension When planning a new irrigation system for your farm a little organization can help avoid mistakes.

The following check list has been collected from several well-seasoned irrigators and irrigation sale people.

Irrigation water requirements - Is water available in the quantities needed to irrigate? In Michigan and Indiana evaporation and plant water use from the soil are between 0.25” and 0.30” for several days each summer, systems that can provide 5 gal/acre irrigated will meet the 0.25”/day. Seven gal/acre irrigated is needed to provide 0.30” water requirements. This capacity will be require 24 hours per day 7 days per week continued pumping in time of drought.

Ground water availability - Irrigation is not profitable without a reliable and adequate source of water. Nearby large volume irrigation, municipal or industrial wells are an excellent source of water availability. Well drillers familiar with large volume wells in your area are also excellent resources.

Surface water availability - Is surface water available in dependable large volumes? Surface water quantities need to be available at the time of maximum irrigation, often late July early August. This is the season the surface waters are near their lowest.

Make sure to evaluate available flow the summer before you start irrigating. In most areas you may not delete stream flow to the extent that it negatively impacts neighbors or the environment. If not, consider part of the water of the states, drainage ditches flow, may be depleted. Remember there can be major con-

tamination challenges impacting food safety in using surface water for vegetable irrigation and cooling.

Water rights and regulation - Make sure you understand your rights and obligation to use water in your State. Example: Michigan operates as a riparian state for surface water use allowing only the property with legal description adjacent to the surface water to receive the water, but well water may be transferred between properties.

Water registration - Irrigation water use almost always is considered a large volume water use (capacity to pump > 70 gal. /min). Check your state to see if new installations require a registration.

Options for sharing irrigation equipment - Irrigation systems are very scale dependent. Sharing the irrigation expense by jointly investing with a neighbor often leads to a configuration which is better and is more cost effective.

Map your irrigation ideas - Acquire an aerial map of all the land in question for your irrigation projects. Excellent maps and tools are available from Google maps and others or your local USDA Farm Service Agency paper map and a pencil/compass will work. Identify large spaces of land you have available that are adjacent to or may share water sources. Identify major excavation needs such as woodlot or fence line removal.

Identify drainage ditch and wet areas that will require modifications for the system to cross.

Power sources - Identify available power sources — a three phase power line in close proximity (1/2 mile or less) to potential water source(s) is the cheapest. Liquid fuel storages located near wells

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and surface water pose potential environmental risks, along with higher equipment, maintenance and fuel cost, leaving engine power as a second choice for most situations.

Get multiple bids - Use irrigation professionals to your advantage. Take your best ideas to at least two irrigation sales/design people. Many will have access to excellent mapping and planning software tools, plus they will have far more experience than most producers in irrigation system design. Compare potential designs on a cost per irrigated acre basis (for an average years irrigation). This process will help equalize investment in equipment with energy cost and labor.

Irrigation economics - Make sure irrigation will pay. Think in terms of increasing your average net income per acre after you have covered the additional irrigation related bills. To receive good outcomes, expect to provide good estimates of increased fixed and variable costs. Figuring this out in advance of the investment is detailed, but is well worth the time. An excellent tool to assist in evaluating the economic feasibility of a proposed proect is the Capital Investment Model developed

by MSU Educator Roger Betz.

Crop rotation and tillage preferences - Among the traditional crops, commercial corn and alfalfa have shown the greatest economic advantage to irrigation. Small grains and soybeans have offered some of the lowest returns from added investment in irrigation. Changes in crop rotations often result from adding irrigation. Although it is not always the case, a smaller proportion of irrigated fields are managed using no till systems then non-irrigated fields. Excessive corn residue produced on irrigated fields might be part of the reason.

Specialty/vegetable crop options - The reduced risks offered by sandy soils for early planting, less delays after rain for field work, low to no flooding injury potential coupled with the removal of drought stress entice the high dollar invested seed and vegetable crops to the area. Avoid the idea that “if you build it they will come”. Do your homework and identify what options are realistically available and feasible for your operation.

Match your farming/family goals to your irrigation ideas - If you think you have a difficult time getting away for a summer vacation now, adding irrigation will greatly increase the required summer labor and cut free time. Capable irrigation labor is hard to find. Misjudging your available labor and management time needs towards completing irrigation can lead to a disaster.

Good irrigation planning can set your direction for a profitable and efficient irrigation future.

This article was originally published online at http://news.msue.msu.edu, MSU Extension News for Agriculture website. For more information on the article visit http://news.msue.msu.edu/news/article/new_irrigation_planning_checklist Source: Michigan State University Extension News

Benefits of using drip irrigation

by Katie Navarra Irrigation systems allow growers to more precisely control the amount of and timing of water delivered to crops. There are

Subsurface irrigation of vineyard.

Photo by Ed Hellman, Texas AgriLife Extension

exceptions of course, including years where there is too much rain, but in moderate years or even years of drought, growers can use irrigation systems to deliver water to establish healthy, productive crops.

Center pivot, lateral move and sprinkler systems are types of irrigation systems that growers traditionally use to water crops. The systems are designed based on the size of the crop, the available water supply and the amount of water needed to keep the ground moist.

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opening so that it rains down over the plants below, mimicking a natural rain.

Because the water rains down out of the system, the water can evaporate or on a windy day, the water droplets can disperse into a fine mist that never reaches the ground. These systems apply between 1.5-8 gallons of water per minute per acre. Over an hour, that can total 90-480 gallons of water.

With water conservation an important consideration, a system that balances providing water to maintain healthy crops and a reduced amount of water usage is key. A lowvolume irrigation system, also known as drip irrigation, is one alternative.

Similar to center pivot, lateral move and sprinkler systems, drip irriga-

tion uses a system of pipes, called tubes in drip irrigation, and emitters to deliver water to a plant/crop.

However, rather than creating a large spray pattern above the ground, drip irrigation can be installed below the soil’s surface, directly on top of the soil’s surface, or installed around crops grown on a trellis so that the emitter deliver water exactly where it is needed.

A drip irrigation system has several components.

Tubing, which can range in diameter from 5mm to 20 mm, is used to carry the water from the main source to the crop. Subsurface installations are more permanent installations, but above ground or those on trellises can be moved and shifted as necessary.

The drip tubing can be purchased in one of two

Walker Bros, Inc.

105 Porchtown Rd., Pittsgrove, NJ 08318

ways. It can be purchased “blank” or with pre-installed emitters.

“Blank” tubing is solid and allows the grower to insert emitters as deemed necessary based on the individual arrangement at the farm. On the other hand, tubing with pre-installed emitters arrives from the manufacturer with emitters inserted at a set spacing.

Most commonly, preinstalled emitters are 18”, 24”, 30”, 36”, 42”, 48” or 60” apart. Custom spacing can often be ordered as well. Spacing selection is determined based on soil type and the amount of water needed.

Compared with other types of irrigation systems, low volume irrigation systems apply far less water. Drip irrigation delivers water at a rate of 1 to 4 gallons per hour, a significant reduction in the total amount of water

used.

To learn more about the benefits of low volume, drip irrigation consult with a local distributor.

Looking for additional ways to implement water saving techniques? Depending on the location and size of the crop being watered, a rainwater harvesting system could be set up to capture rainwater, store it and use it when the irrigation system runs. “The roof on a 200’ by 100’ barn is equivalent to almost a _ acre,” Joe Martinolich, Principle and Director of Equine Facilities Designs at CMW, Inc., said, “if you catch and use that water (for purposes other than drinking) that is a sizeable amount of water.”

(Before installing any type of rain water capturing system be sure to check your state and/or town’s regulations).

IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT

Helping Growers Irrigate for 30 years!

856-358-2548

www.hightunnel.net • www.walkerplants.com

What we offer: • Asparagus crowns for Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme, Jersey Giant & Purple Passion • Dormant Strawberry Plants - A full line of early, mid and late season varieties • The Ever Popular Victoria Rhubarb • Custom Built High Tunnels and Greenhouses

Page 22 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

Fifth Generation Family Farm with Years of Experience to Share

- Hydraulic Center Pivots & Linears - Water Reel Travelers - Centrifugal Pumps - Diesel & LP Power Unit - Drip & Trickle Systems

Now 2 ns!

Locatio

877-396-1956 toll free

11291 Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424

800-637-6426 toll free

07078 73 1/2 St., South Haven, MI 49090 www.springbrooksupply.com

Hostas and Daylilies Available

16-24” Trans.

12-18” Seedling 16-24” Trans.

10-18” Trans.

15-24” Trans.

Top Quality Products at an Affordable Price Norway Spruce Age Per 100 2-2 $90 Douglas Fir Age Per 100 2-0 $45 2-2 $88 Fraser Fir Age Per 100 P+2 $90 P+3 $110

Per 1000 $675 Per 1000 $200 $650 Per 1000 $675 $800

VARIETIES AVAILABLE Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Austrian Pine JOSIAH GENZINK • STEVE GENZINK 3720 64th Street • Holland, MI 49423 Ph. 269-857-3439 • Fax 269-857-1770 Email inquire@forestviewnurseryonline.com www.forestviewnurseryonline.com

Country Folks

GROWER SWEEPSTAKES

John Deere Gator 825: 4x4

3

Enter Now To Win A John Deere Gator!

Ways To Win!!!

3 Ways To Win!!!

Any of the forms below can also be brought to the Empire Fruit &

Vegetable Expo in the Oncenter, Syracuse, NY January 24-26, 2012.

1

Buy a subscription to Country Folks

2

Name ______________________________________________ Business/Farm Name ____________________________________ Address _____________________________________________

PHONE ( NEW

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$24.00 2ËYEARS 2 Years $40.00 CANADIAN Ë 11Year YEAR

Payment Method Check (#

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Acct. # Signature ___________________ Date _____________ Please fill out the optional questionnaire below. All information is confidential.

A. Do you grow vegetables? Acres: 1-3 3-10 Over 10 Beets Onions Tomatoes Broccoli Cabbage Celery Cauliflower Pumpkins Beans Potatoes Sweet Corn Cucumbers B. Do you grow fruit? Acres: 1-3 3-10 Over 10 Grapes Cherries Strawberries Peaches Apples Pears Cranberries Blueberries Melons Brambles C. Do you operate a greenhouse?

Sq. Ft. Up to 5,000 5-10,000 over 10,000 Bedding Plants Vegetables Foliage Plants Cut Flowers Potted Flower Plants Other D. Do you operate a nursery? Acres 1-3 3-10 Over 10 Wholesale Retail Christmas Trees Shade Trees Fruit Trees Mums Shrubs Perennials Herbs, Drieds, Cuts E. Other Crops F. Is there any aspect of horticulture that you would like to see more of in Country Folks Grower?

PAYMENT RECEIVED BY: _____________________DATE ____________

5 EASY Y WAYS S TO O PLACE EA Y FOLKS S GROWER COUNTRY D AD CLASSIFIED

it in - Just give Peggy 1.Phone a call at 1-800-836-2888 - For you MasterCard,Visa, 2.Fax it inAmerican Express or

Discover customers...

Fill out the form attached completely and fax to Peggy at (518) 673-2381 Mail it in. Fill out the attached form, calculate the cost, enclose your check or credit card information and mail to: Country Folks Grower Classifieds PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428

3.

FORR BESTT RESULTS,, RUNN YOURR ADD FOR TWOO ISSUES!

E-mail your ad to 4. classified@leepub.com 5.Use our forms on our web site, www.cfgrower.com.The forms will calculate your charges for you. All you have to do is fill out the form and submit!

Cost per edition: $8.00 for the first 14 words, 30¢ each additional word.

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If you have used equipment for sale, ask about our group of weekly farm newspapers that cover from Maine to North Carolina.

Signature_______________________Date________ Payment Method

Acct#________________________Exp. Date______ Name:______________________________________ (Print)______________________________________ Address:____________________________________ City:_____________________St.:______Zip:_______

This Sweepstakes 3 Mail in Entry Form

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Entries must be dated before June 1st, 2012. Employees & relatives of employees of Lee Publications Inc., John Deere, Zahn & Matson are not eligible. Must be 18 years of age.

Mail to Country Folks Grower, PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge NY 13428

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 23

City ___________________State _______________Zip Code ___________

Place a Classified Ad in Country Folks

Golf cars get new title: Universal Workhorse KJS Products, introduces Golftrucks: late model conversions of golf cars to efficient utility trucks featuring four, six and eight foot flatbed decks. Moving plants, produce, pallets, etc. is now easier!

Low deck heights make hand loading and unloading simpler, and a 1,000 lb. load capacity makes these utility vehicles a preferred choice for many hauling jobs.

“We built our first Golftruck 15 years ago when we needed something for our own use,” says KJS owner Jerry Kamysiak, “we didn’t have money to spend

for equipment, but we did have an old electric golf car on the yard and we looked underneath it and out came the torches and welder. We continued to improve them for the next decade until they did everything we wanted.

And when we found they held up to high school kids, we knew we had a good product.

A couple of years ago, a friend asked me to build one for him and we took it up from there.”

We start by cutting a golf car apart, replacing the back end with a true truck chassis and a heavier suspension.

We make all necessary modifications and extend linkages.

The frame is powder coated and the deck is lined with treated plywood.

The result is a ‘low priced’ utility truck with up to twice the deck space of most other utility trucks. It’s the only eight foot deck available with a roof for protection from sun and rain that they know of. They offer up to three times the capacity of a regular golf car with those little boxes on the back. Golftrucks are serious work vehicles with comfortable, bench seats and ample leg room. They’re espe-

cially appreciated by baby boomers and anyone having trouble with wheel wells or other point of entry hindrances; another benefit of starting with what was originally a luxury vehicle.

Golftrucks come standard with backup alarm, front headache rack, rear window and stake pockets. Electric trucks also include state of charge meter (gas gauge for batteries) and charger. Plug it into any 110v outlet at day’s end and it turns itself off automatically when fully recharged. With good batteries, an electric Golftruck will easily

move goods all day.

It takes five custom jigs to build the chassis with all the compound angle cuts, but the extra work is worth it.

Customers comment on how quickly they’ve become dependent on them, and in how little time they feel they’ve paid for themselves. We get very positive customer feedback! We can relate because we cut our work load with these odd looking, handy vehicles years ago and rely on them daily.

We prefer electrics for our own use because of the power you get as soon as you push the

MICHIGAN GROWN PERENNIALS

New Life Nursery

Quality

Daylilies & Hostas

Now Available: #1 or #2 Divisions Daylilies: Bama Maid Bertie Ferris Bonanza Frans Hals Happy Returns Little Wine Cup Stella De Oro Yellowstone

Hostas: Albo Marginata Francee Golden Tiara Hyacinthina Medio Varigata Royal Standard Also Available: Evergreen/Deciduous Seedlings and Transplants

Call or Write for Our Complete List

NEW LIFE NURSERY, INC.

Page 24 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

3720 64th STREET HOLLAND, MICHIGAN 49423

Phone (269) 857-1209 Fax (269) 857-1770 E-mail: sgenzink@newlifenursery.com

accelerator pulling a heavy load, and for the quiet ride. Talking to co-workers, taking telephone calls and conversing with passengers and customers is easier with the electric. We’ve been talking about purchasing the new, longer duration batteries since they came out a few years ago if we find the standard ones won’t last our workday length, but as of yet have had no need to do so.

Electric trucks also eliminate chasing gas cans and extra maintenance, and there’s no exhaust fumes in case we’re inside buildings.

Electrics cost us less to buy and less to convert.

Besides the motor and batteries, all there really is to them is a solenoid and a controller.

Which one is best for your business really comes down to personal preference. We build both. Gas models are a better choice for anyone carrying goods longer distances, or for transporting people all day.

And we recommend them if you can’t or would rather not return the truck to the same location each day’s end to recharge (batteries can give you extra years if they’re topped off after each day). Gas trucks also feature a huge under -seat tool box about a foot deep, 16” wide, and 22” long.

It’ll hold a lot of tools, your lunch, whatever. It can also be filled with

Golf Cars 25

The Ladder Most Preferred by Growers & Workers • Strong top section • Rigid steel hinges • Dimpled resettable tread provides slip resistance in all directions.

Tallman’s superior design assures ease of handling and longevity.

SERVING THE FRUIT INDUSTRY SINCE 1954 1460 Tucker Rd., Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 386-2733 (800) 354-2733 tallman@gorge.net www.tallmanladders.com

Golf Cars from 24 ice to keep employee beverages cool.

Additionally, we designed a line of deck bodies that can quickly and temporarily convert the flatbed into a specific use vehicle. Plant picking racks for nurseries,

Mobile produce stand, adjustable flower racks for greenhouses, service body or U-pick transports for moving people and berries back to the parking area. And after the season ends, switch it back to flatbed truck

in minutes.

You can haul your Golftruck to the jobsite behind your vehicle with our low profile trailers. We also offer dump beds, service bodies, pull trailers, cab enclosures and much more. We have

Advertise in Country Folks To Reach The Buyers You Need Regional or Coast to Coast

people spreading salt and plowing snow with them as they’ll push eight inches of fresh snowfall with rear grips and weight.

Golf cars are efficient, durable and dependable as they have been manufactured for over 50 years and golf course owners depend on them to produce their only income. We convert three year old cars from the midwest that typically have less than two years run time on them. Their new

identity is workhorse.

Parts and service are never a problem with nationwide availability because all drive components remain standard equipment. Prices start at $3995 for a 4’ 600# capacity, $5995 for a six foot truck and $6550 for the eight foot electric model. Six and eight foot sizes have 1,000 lb. capacities.

Gas trucks cost more.

The six foot is larger than most competitors build and turns on a dime. And you’ll be

ORCHARD SUPPLIES

Helping Growers for 30 years!

- Berthoud & Montana Sprayers - Corona & Hickok Pruning Tools - Tallman Ladders - Picking Bags & Buckets - Gallagher Deer Fence

Now 2 ns!

Locatio

800-637-6426 toll free

07078 73 1/2 St., South Haven, MI 49090

877-396-1956 toll free

11291 Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424 www.springbrooksupply.com

Starting December 2005

• Since 2001 •

pleasantly surprised with the turning radius of the eight foot.

Golftrucks can easily be this year’s capital investment with the greatest return for any small business. And with options like the mobile produce stand, it can open new doors for small businesses.

Even though four inches of mud or six inches of snow are no problem for Golftrucks, they’re a very efficient hauling vehicle, not an all-terrain, sport vehicle. If you need a dependable utility vehicle that can move goods faster, has a comfortable ride, can transform into several additional models, and don’t have five figures to spend, then a Golftruck is a good way to go. Lead times are typically 30 days to build one to a customer’s preference.

For more information contact Jerry Kamysiak at 989-354-8450 or visit www.Golftrucks.com.

• Since 1991 •

DON’T MISS THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES

MAY

• Value Added Products • Specialty Foods Deadline April 12th

• Greenhouse Technology • Safety Deadline May 10th

JULY • Glossy Section! Deadline June 1 • Fall Harvest/Halloween • OFA Show Issue Deadline June 14th

Contact (800) 218-5586 dwren@leepub.com

Weeding Made Easy & Economical Introducing The Counter-Rotating Weeding & Tilling Machine A New Invention from Michigan, and Made In U.S.A. (U.S. A. Patent 6926091 & Patent Pending)

This is a walk-behind, effective, and handy weeding machine. It is surprisingly easy to use, fast and stable, can cover large areas. It shreds tough weeds up to 6 feet tall, down to their roots, from an adjustable, uniform depth of 1 to 8 inches. The shredded weeds and roots above and below ground are mulched into the cultivated soil as organic fertilizer, all in one pass. This machine is superior to all conventional walk-behind weeders and tillers (front-tine, mid-tine and rear-tine) that are slow, unstable, and hard to maneuver on rough terrains. It works well in high-density cultivated fields that tractors cannot pass; and beats hand hoeing in speed and economy because it does the work of many.

For more information, please call Innovative Devices, Inc.: 269-567-8862.

Or visit our website: “tillerweeder.com”.

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 25

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Hard Hat News focuses on heavy equipment construction including excavating, construction/demolition, paving, bridge building, and utility construction in the northeastern third of the United States.

TITLE 1 Ì President/CEO 2 Ì Manager/Supervisor 3 Ì Other NUMBER YOUR PRIMARY BUSINESS #1, SECONDARY #2, ETC. 1 Asphalt Paving _____________________ 7 Construction Demolition _________________ 2 Concrete Paving ___________________ 8 Landscaping __________________________ 3 Oil & Stone Paving__________________ 9 Land Clearing _________________________ 4 Bridge Construction ________________ 10 Logging _____________________________ 5 Excavating ________________________ 11 Other _______________________________ 6 Utility/Underground _________________

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Country Folks Grower is the regional newspaper for all segments of commercial horticulture.

Each issue is filled with important news, information, and advertising for the Greenhouse, Nursery, Garden center, Landscaper, Fruit, Vegetable Grower and Marketers.

Your company produces these products or services: Ì Ì Ì Ì Ì

(Check All That Apply) Crushed stone and sand & gravel 6 Ì Industrial minerals Crushed stone 7 Ì Machinery/equipment manufacturer Sand and gravel 8 Ì Equipment dealer/distributor Recycled materials, concrete/asphalt 9 Ì Drilling Lime 10 Ì Blasting

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Wine & Grape Grower offers features, news and information on growing grapes, and making and selling wines.

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Country Folks Grower Classifieds

( 800 ) 836-2888 PO Box 121, 6113 State Hwy. 5 ( ) Fax: 518 673-2381 Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 E-mail: classified@leepub.com Announcements

Announcements

Fencing

Greenhouse Supplies

Fencing

MAY ISSUE

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

Thursday, April 12th For as little as $9.25 - place a classified ad in

Country Folks Grower

Call Peg at

1-800-836-2888

or 518-673-0111

or email classified@leepub.com

Greenhouse Supplies

www.thermalarm.com F O R SALE

CHRISTMAS TREES & CEDAR POSTS CHRISTMAS TREES FRASER FIR BALSAM FIR CEDAR R POSTS POSTS: 7', 8' 4x4 POSTS: 8', 9' RAILS: 12'6" (pheasant fencing) 16" shingle block

d?

ol Too C

Too H o

t?

You need to know!

Thermalarm P.O. Box 459

Duane e orr Janett Olson

603-522-5301 East Wakefield, NH 03830

Antigo, WI 54409

Announcements # # # # #

ADVERTISERS Get the best response from your advertisements by including the condition, age, price and best calling hours.

Also we always recommend insertion for at least 2 times for maximum benefits. Call Peg at 1-800-836-2888

CHECK YOUR AD - ADVERTISERS should check their ads. Lee Publications, Inc. shall not be liable for typographical, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the first months insertion of the ad, and shall also not be liable for damages due to failure to publish an ad.

Adjustment for errors is limited to the cost of that portion of the ad wherein the error occurred. Report any errors to Peg Patrei at 518-6733237 ext. 111 or 800-8362888.

NEED BUSINESS CARDS? Full color glossy, heavy stock.

250 ($45.00); 500 ($60.00); 1,000 ($75.00). Call your sales representative or Lee Publications 518-673-0101 Beth bsnyder@leepub.com

Phone:: 715-623-6590

Greenhouse Plugs/Cuttings

E-mail: olsonsbalsams@hotmail.com Website: www.olsonsbalsams.com

For Rent or Lease

Fruits & Berries

Fruits & Berries

FOR RENT: Canadian wilderness cabin on pristine lake.

Accessible by float - plane only. Phenomenal fishing, great wildlife viewing (eagle, moose, bear, woodland caribou, beaver). Photography, Astronomers dream. Toll Free 877-574-2281 email shabu1@sbcglobal.net

VINCA VINE (3ppp) DRACEAENA, SPRINGERI: 2.5” SVD pots $1.00 each (2% Net 10). Green Earth Nature Center, LLC ® , Grown by Rock Valley Garden Center, Inc., Prime Season Inventory, 100,000 vinca vine, 40,000 draceaena+, 785 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61107 www.rockvalleygardencenter.com 815-398-9419

Greenhouse Supplies CARLIN HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, 800-657-0745.

Greenhouse, Grower, Lawn & Garden and Landscape S u p p l i e s. O r d e r o n l i n e ! w w w. c a r l i n s a l e s. c o m info@carlinsales.com

YARD SIGNS: 16x24 full color with stakes, double sided.

Stakes included. Only $15.00 each. Call your sales representative or Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101. Please allow 7 to 10 business days when ordering.

Heating

Farm Machinery For Sale V E G E TA B L E C R O P MACHINERY CATALOG from tillage to harvest. The most complete mail order machinery catalog for vegetable growers.

New/Used. Shipped Direct.

Market Farm Implement, Inc., 257 Fawn Hollow Road, Friedens, PA 15541. 814-4431931 www.marketfarm.com

Business Opportunities

Help Wanted

1-800-836-2888

To place a Classified Ad Business Opportunities

Do You Grow Grapes?

Do You Make Wine?

CHECK OUT

®

Specializing in Edible Landscaping.

Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Grapes, and Fruit Trees.

TN: 931-467-3600 • Fax 931-467-3062 email sales@freedomtreefarms.com www.freedomtreefarms.com

WHOLESALE NURSERY, INC. 9555 North Gast Road, P.O. Box 116 - Bridgman, Michigan 49106 Phone: 269-465-5522 Fax: 269-465-4822

WHOLESALE GROWERS OF QUALITY SMALL FRUIT PLANTS BLUEBERRIES ARE OUR SPECIALTY

www.wineandgrapegrower.com Or Call For a Sample Copy

800-218-5586

Grapevines Blueberries Jostaberries Gooseberries

Red Raspberries Purple Raspberries Yellow Raspberries Black Raspberries

Black Currants Red Currants White Currants Asparagus

www.kriegersnursery.com ALL STOCK GRADED TO AAN STANDARDS

Kurt Weiss Greenhouse is a leading wholesale greenhouse operation with multiple production facilities in the Northeast. We are looking for a motivated and experienced Grower Manager with a strong working knowledge of greenhouse plant production. This individual will be responsible for all aspects of production from propagation through crop finish including water, nutrient, PGR and pest management as well as environmental controls and record keeping. The applicant must be a self motivated team player who is detail oriented.

Salary commensurate with experience. E-Mail resume and letter of interest to: joseph@kurtweiss.com

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 27

Number / Classification 35 Announcements 50 Applicators 80 Auctions 110 Bedding Plants 120 Bees-Beekeeping 130 Bird Control 155 Building Materials/ Supplies 165 Business Opportunities 210 Christmas Trees 235 Computers 330 Custom Services 415 Employment Wanted 440 Farm Machinery For Sale 445 F a r m M a c h i n e r y Wanted 470 Financial Services 500 For Sale 505 Forklifts 510 Fresh Produce, Nursery 515 Fruit Processing Eq. 530 Garden Supplies 535 Generators 570 G r e e n h o u s e Plugs/Cuttings 575 Greenhouse Supplies 580 Groundcover 605 Heating 610 Help Wanted 680 Irrigation 700 Lawn & Garden 805 Miscellaneous 820 Nurseries 840 Nursery Supplies 855 Orchard Supplies 910 Plants 950 Real Estate For Sale 955 Real Estate Wanted 1035 Seeds & Nursery 1040 Services Offered 1130 Tractors 1135 Tra c t o r s, Pa r t s & Repair 1140 Trailers 1155 Tree Moving Services 1165 Trees 1170 Truck Parts & Equipment 1180 Trucks 1190 Vegetable 1205 Wanted

Announcements

Country Folks Grower Classifieds

( 800 ) 836-2888 PO Box 121, 6113 State Hwy. 5 ( ) Fax: 518 673-2381 Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 E-mail: classified@leepub.com Help Wanted

Help Wanted

WRITERS WANTED Country Folks Grower is looking for self-motivated free-lance writers to contribute to their monthly horticulture trade paper.

Knowledge of the industry a must.

Articles could include educational topics as well as feature articles.

Please send resume to Joan Kark-Wren jkarkwren@leepub.com or call 518-673-0141

Lawn & Garden

Nursery Liners

MANTIS Deluxe Tiller. NEW! FastStart engine.

Ships FREE. One-Year Money-Back Guarantee when you buy DIRECT. Call for the DVD and FREE Good Soil book! 877439-6803

COMPLETE LIST of deciduous and evergreen seedlings and transplants at www.hramornursery.com or call 231-723-4846 Hramor Nursery LLC, 2267 Merkey Rd., Manistee, MI 49660

Nursery Stock

Scales

Scales

LARGE VARIETY of Evergreens, Flowering Trees, Shrubs & Natives in larger sizes. Pre-dug trees available.

700 acres of quality field grown material. 40 years experience. Roger Coffey & Sons Wholesale Nursery P h : 8 2 8 - 3 9 4 - 2 2 5 9 Fa x : 828-758-2240 email: sales@rogercoffeyandsons.com www.rogercoffeyandsons.com WHOLESALE NURSERY STOCK: 6-7’ Deodora Cedar $24, 4-5’ Colorado Blue Spruce $20, 18-24” Mugo Pine $10, 5-6’ Austrian Pine $25, 24-30” Otto Luyken $12, All nice B&B, Visa/ Mastercharge, 503-380-1531

Parts THOUSANDS OF AG PARTS available online at www.PaulBparts.com.Sprayer parts include Teejet Nozzles/Tips, Nozzle Bodies, Pumps, GPS Guidance, Foam Markers, and much more.

Weasler PTO Driveline Parts available for North American, Italian, and German series. Or call 717-738-7355 ex.275.

Plants

Seeds

Sprayers

Fruit and Vegetable Sprayers Plants

• Mosquito (West Nile), fly & tick control!

• Fruit & vegetable applications: sweet corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, melons & small orchards

High Performance PTO & Engine Driven Mist Sprayers, Blowers, Foggers, Parts & Accessories Spray Under Trees...Roadside Ditches... Forestry Weed & Pest Control...

3 Pt Terminator

ATV Narrow Row Crop Self-Contained Sprayer

A1 Mist Sprayers Resources 877-924-2474 Email resources@mistsprayers.com • More Info Also At: www.mistsprayers.com

Native Plants Page 28 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

Sprayers

V I S S E E D C O M PA N Y: Specializing in flower seeds from around the world.

Seeds, plugs, cuttings.

Offering the best annual, perennial, vegetable & herb seeds. Celebrating 25 years!

Contact us for a current catalog. PO Box 661953, Arcadia, CA 91066. (P) 626-4451233, (F) 626-445-3779, hvis@visseed.com, www.visseed.com

Refrigeration

NATIVE GRASSES, sedges, rushes, wildflowers, and herbaceous plants for use in wetland mitigation, restoration, and landscape design.

Contract growing available.

Signature Horticultural Services, Freeland, MD. Call 410329-6466 or fax 410-3292156.

DAYLILIES, wholesale pricing, shipped bare root. Pictures and pricing at http://stores.ebay.com/Sawflyr -lawn-and-garden?_rdc=1 or contact us at http://www.sawflyr.com/

Nursery Stock

Nursery Stock

Refrigeration

Nursery Stock

Trees

A

Forest Nursery Co. Inc.

is

McMinnville, Tennessee

AMERICAN WHOLESALE CO.

NEW/USED WALK-IN-COOLER ~ FREEZER BOXES ~ REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS ~ EQUIPMENT Large Inventory ~ All Sizes • Buy • Sell ~ Nationwide • Wholesale Prices

Phone: (216) 426-8882 • www.awrco.com

www.cfgrower.com or visit us on Facebook facebook.com/cfgrower or visit our Company Site

www.leepub.com

931-473-4740 OAK LINER SALE Call for Prices & Availability

a Thousand

Vegetable Supplies FOR SALE: NEST/STACK ROPAK HARVESTING LUGS. Herb Barber & Sons, 800-3885384 or 716-326-4692, email: sue@herb-barber-sons.com w w w. h e r b - b a r b e r - s o n s . com/ropak.htm

Wanted WANTED TO BUY: Dried Indian Corn. Call Jerry at 989356-3389

It’s easy & economical to add a picture to your ad!

For Information Call

800-836-2888

Country Folks Grower Classifieds

( 800 ) 836-2888 PO Box 121, 6113 State Hwy. 5 ( ) Fax: 518 673-2381 Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 E-mail: classified@leepub.com

Calendar of Events E-mail announcements of your regional event(s) to: jkarkwren@leepub.com We must receive your information, plus a contact phone number, prior to the deadline that’s noted under the Announcements heading on the 1st page of these Grower Classifieds. *** pm, May 12, 8 am - 3 pm.

Proceeds benefit the arboretum. Call 614-688-3479. On Internet at http://go.osu. edu/Hwj MAY 22 Starting Your Farm Business Boston Store, 1548 Boston Mills Rd., Peninsula, OH. 69 pm. Call 330-657-2542 ext. 222. On Internet at www.cvcountryside.org/far mers/farm-business-planning-workshops.php JUN 2 Building and Testing Soil Godman Guild, 303 E. 6th St., Columbus, OH. 10 am noon. Call 614-263-5662.

On Internet at http://go. osu.edu/HZJ JUN 14 UK Nursery Crops IPM Diagnostics Workshop Trimble County Extension Office, 43 High Country Lane, Bedford, KY & Kenton Abrams Nursery, 8206 North Highway 421, Milton, KY. Contact Christi Forsythe 270-365-7541 ext 221, email, cforsyth@uky.edu or Win Dunwell, 270-2619467, e-mail, wdunwell@ uky.edu.

JUN 18-24 28th Perennial Plant Symposium and Trade Show Doubletree Hotel Lloyd Center, Portland, OR. On Internet at http://ppa@perenni alplant.org JUL 14-17 OFA: 2012 ShortCourse Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH. Call 614-487-1117 or e-mail ofa@ofa.org. On Internet at http://ofa.org/shortcourse info.aspx JUL 24 Land for Your Farm Business Boston Store, 1548 Boston Mills Rd., Peninsula, OH. 69 pm. . Contact Countryside Conservancy, 330-657-2542 ext.222.

On Internet at www.cvcountryside.org/far mers/farm-business-plan ning-workshops.php AUG 8-11 National Christmas Tree Association Convention & Trade Show Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA. More than 350 Christmas Tree growers, wholesalers, retailers, Choose & Cut farmers and related industry members from around the world. On Internet at www .christmastree.org/conven tion2012.cfm AUG 8-12 NCTA Convention & Trade Show Sacramento, CA. Contact

call at 1-800-836-2888

IN - For you MasterCard,Visa, 2. FAX IT American Express or Discover customers...

Fill out the form attached completely and fax to Peggy at (518) 673-2381

3.

MAIL IT IN - Fill out the attached form, calculate the cost, enclose your check or credit card information and mail to:

Country Folks Grower Classifieds PO Box 121 Palatine Bridge, NY 13428

4.

5.

E-MAIL IT IN - E-mail your ad to classified@leepub.com

$9.25

$9.55

$9.85

$10.15

$10.45

$10.75

$11.05

$11.35

$11.65

$11.95

$12.25

$12.55

$12.85

$13.15

$13.45

$13.75

$14.05

$14.35

$14.65

$14.95

If you have used equipment for sale, ask about our group of weekly farm newspapers that cover from Maine to North Carolina.

ON-LINE - Go to www.cfgrower.com Name:(Print)______________________________________________________________________ and follow the Place a Classified Ad Address:_________________________________________________________________________ button to place your ad 24/7! City:__________________________________________________St.:__________Zip:___________

FOR BEST RESULTS, RUN YOUR AD FOR TWO ISSUES! Cost for each Issue per Zone: $9.25 for the first 14 words, 30¢ each additional word.

(Phone #’s count as one word) # of issues to run______ Total Cost $________ Zone(s) to run in: J East J Midwest J West NCTA, 636-449-5070 or email info@realchristmastrees.org.

On Internet at www.christmastree.org/convention2012.cfm AUG 17-20 NAFDMA 2012 Advanced Learning Retreat Tanners Orchard, Speer, IL. On Internet at www.nafdma.com

Phone:_____________________________________Fax:__________________________________ Cell:__________________________________E-mail:_____________________________________ K I have enclosed a Check/Money Order K Please charge my credit card: K American Express K Discover KVisa K MasterCard Acct#:__________________________________________________________Exp.Date:_________ Signature:_______________________________________________________Date:____________

AUG 24-25 Wisconsin CTPA Summer Convention Harrisville Park, Marquette County, WI. Contact Cheryl Nicholson, 608-742-8663 or e-mail info@christmastreeswi.org. On Internet at www. christmastrees-wi.org

(MM/YY)

Required w/Credit Card Payment Only

AUG 26-28 38th Annual FARWEST Show Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR. On Internet at www.farwestshow.com NOV 2-6 2012 Irrigation Show & Education Conference Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Call email info@irrigationshow .org.

NOV 19-20 70th Annual State Convention Ramada Plaza Minneapolis, 1330 Industrial Blvd NE (I35W at exit #22), Minneapolis, MN. Call 651-639-1223, 800-969-3380. On Internet at http://mfu.org/node/928

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 29

APR 11 Produce Safety Program Ohio State University Endeavor Center, 1862 Shyville Rd., Piketon, OH. 14 pm. Features Good Agricultural Practices for preventing microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables on farms. Admission $25. Call 330-202-3555, ext.

2918.

APR 12 Fruit, Vegetable Safety Program Marion Community Center, 7474 College St., Chesterhill, Ohio. 1-4 pm. Contact Tom Redfern, 740-767-4938 or email tomr@ruralaction.org.

Produce Safety Program Marion Community Center, 7474 College St., Chesterhill, OH. Features Good Agricultural Practices for preventing microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables on farms. Admission $25. Call e-mail tomr@ruralaction.org.

APR 17 Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH. 11 am - 6:30 pm. Exhibits, demonstrations, student contests and food vendors related to sustainability and the environment. Free. Call 330-263-3700. On Internet at www.wcsen.org/wcsggf APR 27 Produce Safety Program Fisher Auditorium, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH. 1-4 pm. Features Good Agricultural Practices for preventing microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables on farms. Presented by Ohio State University’s Fruit and Vegetable Safety Team.

Admission $25. Call 330202-3555, ext. 2918.

MAY 5 Plant Discovery Day Fisher Auditorium, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH. Plant and art sale and auctions; proceeds benefit OARDC’s Secrest Arboretum. Call 330-464-3148.

MAY 7 Ohio Wine Competition Fisher Auditorium, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH. noon - 6:30 pm. Call 330263-3881.

MAY 10-12 Plant Sale 2012 Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, Ohio State University, 2001 Fyffe Ct., Columbus, OH. May 10, 6-9 pm, May 11, 7 am - 7

5 EASY WAYS TO PLACE A COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER CLASSIFIED AD 1. PHONE IT IN - Just give Peggy a

Page 30 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

New national labor posting rule may affect some farms

by Sanne Kure-Jensen Labor unions have influenced legislators to implement a new law impacting businesses across America from small businesses with just two employees to huge corporations. Employees must be notified of their rights to organize and join a union.

Farm owners and managers with non-family employees who are NOT exclusively engaged in “agriculture” and who sell across state lines are subject to the National Labor Relations Act. These farms MUST comply with the new posting rule by April 30 or face stiff penalties. Most, but not all, small farms (as well as railroads, airlines and the U.S. Post Office) will be exempt.

The definition of “agriculture” is found in the Fair Labor Standards Act. “Agriculture” includes farming and all of its primary and secondary functions — cultivating and tilling the soil, producing, cultivating, growing and harvesting agricultural or horticultural commodities, dairying, the raising of livestock, bees, fur-bearing animals or poultry, and the “secondary” functions involved in agriculture such as the packing of produce farmed by that particular employer.

The new labor poster MUST be posted at all non-exempt farms and businesses alerting employees to their rights to unionize.

Employee Notice: The poster includes a summary of these employee rights: 1. Organize a union to negotiate with employer for wages, hours and other terms and condition of employment 2. Form, join and assist a union 3. Bargain collectively through representatives of their choosing for a contract with their employer 4. Discuss their terms and conditions of employment or union organizing with co-workers or a union (discuss pay) 5. Take action with one or more co-worker to improve work conditions raising work-related complaints directly with employer or with government agency and seek help from union 6. Alert employees where to go for help (gov-

ernment agency) or to file charges against employer 7. Strike and picket (depending upon the purpose or means) 8. Choose not to do any of these activities The poster does not list any of the consequences, positive or negative, that employees may encounter by exer-

cising these rights. The poster does not mention that employers have no legal obligation to agree with terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Employers are only required to make a “genuine effort” to reach agreements.

Employers May NOT: 1. Prohibit solicitation

or distribution or unionrelated materials, except during working hours 2. Question employees about their union activities 3. Take adverse action against employees because of union-related activity 4. Threaten to close 5. Promise benefits 6. Prohibit display of

union logo or insignia 7. Spy or videotape (or pretend to) on employees who may be engaging in protected union organizing activity Posting Requirements: The poster must be printed 11” by 17” and posted in a conspicuous place where other employee notices are posted.

If 20 percent or more of your labor force is nonEnglish speaking, there must be a poster in that language as well. You can download the necessary posters at www.dol.gov/ oasam/programs/osdbu/sbrefa/poster/matrix.htm.

Labor 31 O’HARA MACHINERY, INC. 1289 Chamberlain Rd. Auburn, NY 13021 1-315-253-3203

PADULA BROS., INC. 133 Leominster Shirley Rd. Lunenburg, MA 01462 978-537-3356

SIRUM EQUIPMENT CO., INC. Route 63 Montague, MA 413-367-2481

HAMMOND TRACTOR Auburn, ME 207-782-8921 Fairfield, ME 207-453-7131 Union, ME 207-785-4464

STANTON EQUIPMENT INC. 105 S. Main St. East Windsor, CT 06081 860-623-8296 Fax 860-627-9832

R.N. JOHNSON INC. PO Box 448 Walpole, NH 03608 603-756-3321

POLE TAVERN EQUIPMENT SALES CORP. 670 Route 40 Elmer, NJ 08318

MOUNTAIN VIEW EQUIPMENT VT, LLC Middlebury, VT 05753 802-388-4482

Z&M AG and TURF 3517 Railroad Ave. Alexander, NY 14005 716-591-1670 7615 Lewiston Rd. Oakfield, NY 14125 716-948-5261

Z&M AG and TURF 1759 Lindquist Dr. Falconer, NY 14733 716-665-3110 10838 Main St. North Collins, NY 14111 716-337-2563

Z&M AG and TURF 8926 West Main St. Clymer, NY 14725 716-355-4236 12401 Edinboro Rd. Edinboro, PA 16412 814-734-1552

COPE FARM EQUIPMENT 6401 SR 87 Kinsman, OH 44428 330-876-3191 Fax 330-876-8257 www.copefarm.com

Labor from 30 Enforcement and Penalties: Failure to post the notice may result in a finding that the employer is unfriendly to unions. If you don’t display the poster, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) may allow a disgruntled employee to bring charges that go back more than six months. Business owners can face fines that go up daily as well as other penalties.

If there is any chance that your farm is not exclusively an “agricultural employer,” then you should hang the poster by April 30 and check periodically to be sure the poster is still up.

Union Membership: As of 2011, 14.8 million or 11.8 percent of American workers were unionized; 17.4 percent of RI workers were unionized, the sixth highest percent in America. These numbers are down from 1983 when 20.1 percent of RI and 17.7 percent of nationwide workers belonged to unions.

New York has the highest rate of 24.1 percent union workers; North Carolina has the lowest rate at 2.9 percent unionized. Among the top six states, their common or major industries are tourism, aircraft manufacturing and

auto manufacturing.

1. New York 2. Alaska 3. Hawaii 4. Washington 5. Michigan 6. Rhode Island Public sector or government workers are five times more likely to be in a union with 37 percent versus 6.9 percent in private sector jobs. Educators and library staff are the most likely to be in union jobs. In 2010, 67 percent of public sector jobs in Rhode Island were unionized, second only to New York. This includes local government workers like teachers, police officers and fire fighters.

Private sector positions with the most

union workers include transportation, utility and construction workers. Sales positions have the fewest unionized employees; workers in these positions generally like individual incentives, such as commissions and bonuses, available through individualized dealings with employers.

Lori Caron Silveira, Esquire of Adler, Pollock & Sheehan presented on this topic in February, 2012 at the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. If you have further questions, please see www.nlrb.gov/poster or contact Ms. Silveira at lsilveira@apslaw.com, call 401274-7200 or write c/o Adler, Pollock & Sheehan, One Citizens Plaza, 8th Floor, Providence, RI 02903.

(preserves, butters, jellies, sauces, mustards and salsas)

WWW.DILLMANFARM.COM • 800.359.1362 {label design by: www.flow-design.com}

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • Section A - Page 31

Growers, breeders explore consumer opportunities and crop challenges at SAF conference “We plant and flower breeders have the ability to control things that excite people!” said researcher David G. Clark at the opening

of SAF’s Pest and Production Management Conference held in Orlando. The University of Florida researcher was talking about the

market potential for flowers and plant varieties cultivated for key consumers.

In one example from his research program,

Page 32 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER MIDWEST • April 2012

P&PMC attendees test their skills and learn to identify plant diseases at a handson breakout session.

which aims at understanding and helping the floral industry target consumer preferences, Clark talked about attracting the upcoming generation of 18- to 24-year-olds.

“They’re green — they want to be green — but they don’t know how to get there. We have a great opportunity if the industry can show them how to incorporate flowers and plants into their lives.

Clark’s talk was the kickoff to two days of discussion and handson information bundled under this year’s conference theme: “A World Without Borders.” Cutting across a wide swath of topics, sessions addressed the challenges of controlling today’s crop health threats, hands-on pest and disease identification practice sessions (with real plants and bugs), practical ideas for multi-cultural workforce training and much more.

“The presenters were very knowledgeable and easy to follow,” said Lucia Villavicencio, director of the Center for Applied Horticulture Research in

Vista, CA. “It was refreshing to see old subjects presented in a new way with a focus on viable solutions to the problems.” Founded by Altman Plants, the Center focuses on finding real-world solutions for growers. “I like the conference. It’s a good way to find out what’s happening in production as well as pest management … (and) for growers to see other people in the business,” she said.

Here are a few session highlights: • Dr. Wayne Dixon of the Florida Department of Agriculture talked about the state’s challenges controlling invasives, noting that greenhouse and nursery products in Florida represent cash receipts of more than $1.9 billion, but millions have been spent to deal with invasive pests and diseases; • Growers need to prepare for a number of newly-arrived or recently expanded problems including Ficus Whitefly in the Palm Beach area, European Pepper Moth in southern California, Downy

Mildew in impatiens and Giant African Land Snail in Florida; • Tools for greenhouses adding edible crops were another theme, as the boundary between the worlds of vegetable and ornamentals production is disappearing; • Dr. Carlos Bográn, Texas A&M, noted that as much as 70 percent of the greenhouse/nursery workforce is Hispanic and described how cultural and socioeconomic differences may influence worker training.

• Dr. Lance Osborne, University of Florida, discussed biological controls and using “banker plants” to control insects.

• Dr. Terril Nell and Dr. Wayne Mackay, University of Florida, emphasized the need to take down the barriers with our legislators — and informing them about the continued need for research funding.

Tabletop exhibits gave participants a chance to talk with suppliers about the latest crop production.

Carl Gabrielsen, Gabrielsen Farms, Jamesport, NY, gets a close-up look at a topiary dragon during a “backstage” tour of Disney’s horticultural production facilities. The dragon is part of Disney’s upcoming floral fiesta.