CF Grower Northwest 4.12

Western n Edition

Section One of One

GROWER

April 2012 Volume e6 Number r5

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Serving All Aspects of Commercial Horticulture

Greenhouse • Nursery • Garden Center • Fruit & Vegetable • Farm Markets • Landscapers • Christmas

Two sons, two brands ~ Stennes Orchards

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Communicating about ag with the non-ag public ~ Page 4

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Organic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Melissa Piper Nelson

Today’s Marketing . . . . . 6

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

Two sons, two brands ~ Stennes Orchards

by Kelly Gates The Stennes family has been growing produce since 1894, shortly after Britanus Stennes immigrated to the U.S. from Norway and set up a 160 acre homestead in the Methow Valley in Washington.

According to Britanus’ grandson, Keith Stennes, the family orchard operation has been passed down from one generation to the next over the past 120 years. His father Kermit purchased his siblings’ interests in the original 45 acres on the Homestead and Keith was his successor, adding 35 acres in 1985 and 18 acres in 1998. Today, Keith and twin sons, Kevin and Mark, 4th generation, share ownership.

“When my boys came into the business in 2003, we purchased together a 55 acre orchard in the Okanogan Valley,” Keith told Country Folks Grower, “cherries, pears and pluots-45 acres of organic and 10 acres of conventional.”

The family continued expanding annually until they reached their current total of 420 acres. Approximately 60 percent of the land is owned.

The remaining 40 percent is leased.

As Stennes Orchards grew, the business partners tested out a variety of marketing opportunities. For a while, direct-to-consumer was the topic of focus, said Kevin.

“From 2004 through 2008, we tried various avenues of marketing our products, trying to create a more direct connection with customers, many who were showing a strong interest in the buy local movement,” he said. “We worked with CSAs and home delivery services. We tried all sorts of things, but ultimately, direct sales was not the best fit for us.”

Kevin, Keith and Mark Stennes during Gala apple harvest.

Photos courtesy of Stennes Orchards

Logistics was the biggest impediment for the Stennes’.

Located four hours from Seattle, the main distribution hub for the region, coordinating orders and shipments from afar was not the most efficient use of the business owners’ time. Or money.

Fortunately, they already had a wholesale division that was working well.

Nearly all the fruit grown there has been sold wholesale since the business was first incorporated. Much of the harvest is taken directly to packing warehouses that store, pack and sell the fruit

for Stennes Orchards.

Kevin also oversees sales of the operation’s two private label brands, a line of organics called “Cascade Crest Organics” and conventional fruits under the “Twin S Washington Fruit” brandmostly cherries.

“We sell to a wide variety of food services and retailers from small, independent grocers to upscale supermarkets like Whole Foods,” explained Kevin. “Through regional retailers like Whole Foods, we’re still able to connect directly with customers. I regularly go to their stores and

Kevin Stennes checks Early Rainier harvest maturity with a packing representative.

offer demos of our fruits, handing out slices to people as they shop.”

Keith, Kevin and Mark have learned a lot about what shoppers want by talking directly with them at the point of purchase. The trio caters to consumers’ demands whenever possible.

However, there are many variables that also come into play when determining how to best utilize each orchard, noted Keith.

“Around 25 percent of our acres are organic. We determine which orchards will be organic and which will be conventional based on everything from economics to location,” said Keith. “It’s challenging to set up an organic orchard on leased land due to the time limit on the leases, for instance.

The economics involved with transitioning a property to organic, attaining organic certification and farming the property aren’t great when you don’t own the land.”

Occasionally, the growers manage to make this arrangement work by partnering with land owners to cover many of the capital expenses involved with such a transformation.

But it’s still easiest to grow conventional produce on rented property, added Kevin.

Regarding location, it’s the proximity to other non-organic growers that can be a problem. The 60-acre orchard at the Stennes family homestead is far enough from neighboring growers to warrant an organic approach. So are several other parcels of land the family farms.

“We approach each property as a separate opportunity,” said Kevin. “They all present their challenges, like the orchard we’re in the process of buying now. It is tight, planted in triple rows that will require a special tractor to fit down

the rows, plus a small mower, sprayers and other small equipment.”

The co-owners considered the differences between this new lot and their existing acreage. After running down the list of pros and cons, they hope to move forward with the purchase, expanding their operation yet again.

Having solved the equipment issues, the Stennes men will still need to sort out the management of the new orchard, including hiring crews to take on year round maintenance and harvesting at the site. But, with Keith’s extensive growing experience, Mark’s production knowhow and Kevin’s marketing expertise, the acquisition and internal readjustment will undoubtedly go smoothly.

“Our goal is to stay within our area of expertise, sticking with conventional and organic fruit growing and adding new orchards whenever it makes sense,” said Kevin. “We don’t want to move too far from what we’re doing, but we have diversified into a few valueadded products here and there.”

Kevin recently began overseeing distribution for a new brand called “Homemade Harvey” throughout the Northwest. Homemade Harvey is a new, portable fruit pouch made completely with organics, apples and pears from Stennes Orchards ften filling the pouches. Kevin also helps market an organic apple cider for a local producer.

Strategic moves like these are what have enabled the Stennes family to maintain the growing operation that has sustained one generation after another for more than a century. And it is such maneuvers that will undoubtedly see them through many more years as well.

Keith Stennes hands out slices of organic fruit in a Bellevue Whole Foods Market. They’ve found this marketing opportunity helpful in connecting with consumers.

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 WEST • 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

Communicating about ag with the non-ag public

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

by Sally Colby Farmers are becoming more and more aware of the importance of bridging the gap between those who grow, process and handle food and those who consume it.

To address these concerns and encourage an open dialogue between farmers and consumers, the United States Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) was formed. Rodger Wasson, president of his own agricultural consulting firm, represented USFRA and moderated a session on connecting with consumers at the Professional Crop Producers’ Conference

held recently in Lancaster, PA. “I’ve never been as concerned about what we’re facing in agriculture as I am now,” said Wasson, referring to consumers who are raising tough but legitimate questions. “We have to play this game differently, and that’s what U.S. Farmers and Ranchers is about. The point is to have all producers — organic, conventional, whatever — work together and move from a war on words to a conversation led by farmers and ranchers.”

Wasson says that part of the problem is that most people don’t know

or haven’t met a farmer other than perhaps at a farmers’ market. “They don’t have a grandma or grandpa back on the farm,” he said, “so they’re drawn to stories about farming through what they read.” Wasson says that today, the image of a farmer is often that of someone who is industrialized, heartless, and out to make money. He also noted that a lot of consumer mistrust comes from disconnects in communication. “When we say our products are ‘safe’, what they (consumers) hear is that we aren’t really sure what the long-term effects

Cover photo courtesy of Stennes Orchards Mark, with longtime employee Sebastian, plant pear trees at Stennes Orchard.

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are,” he said. But we don’t go after them (for thinking that). We need to say ‘I hear your concern’ and engage them without becoming defensive. What people doubt is when you claim to be farming perfectly — nobody does it perfectly.”

Through extensive research to determine perceptions about farming, USFRA found that many consumers think that farmers are tampering with nature. “People also think that although we say we’re a family farm, we’re being strung along by a processor who controls what we do, and that we take shortcuts when and if we can,” said Wasson. “If you’re more and more like a big business as they (the consumer) envision, it’s a big business they can’t trust. Big businesses try to make money, and if farmers can round the corners, they (consumers) suspect that you will. When we say that we’re trying to feed the world, consumers think ‘yeah, right’ — you’re trying to sell more to the world. They make that conversion.”

Consumers also often believe that farmers are only looking for subsidies, lax regulations, and that farmers don’t know for sure what the long-term effects of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.

Wasson says research showed that while many people have favorable opinions about individual farmers and ranchers, those perceptions vary by state. And while consumers were generally positive about farmers, they aren’t as positive about farming itself, and there’s a general mistrust of modern agriculture. Wasson mentioned that the Iowa Corn Growers are considering taking down seed corn signs at the edges of fields because the non-ag public believes that those signs indicate who owns the farm. Although farmers know what the signs are for, consumers don’t, and that’s a misperception that should be addressed.

When talking with consumers, Wasson says

Rodger Wasson explains some of the talking points that farmers and ranchers can use to communicate effectively with producers.

Photo by Sally Colby

that instead of saying ‘we are producing more’, use terms such as ‘smarter use of resources’. “Our old arguments are falling flat,” he said. “We can’t communicate as if everything is perfect — we have to acknowledge that there’s always room for improvement. When you focus on improvements, you have to adjust what you say to who you’re visiting with and address the real concern.”

Farmers should be aware that when they do make a connection with a consumer, anything that’s said can end up in someone’s blog or on a Facebook page.

Wasson suggests farmers use the EASE approach when talking with people about ag: engage, acknowledge the concern, share, and earn trust. When asked a tough question, a good response might be, ‘I can see how that might worry you’. “We’re creating confusion at all levels,” said Wasson. “Be authentic, give specific examples and talk about your own situation so people believe you as a farmer.” Wasson sug-

gests that farmers talk about their own operation rather than the industry a whole, and noted that consumers can tell if they’re being fed sound bites by farmers who have been media-trained.

The infighting within agriculture must be stopped if farmers are to have an effective and positive message to consumers. Wasson suggests that farmers acknowledge various production methods for what they’re doing without denigrating others’ methods. “We can’t get defensive,” he said.

“People turn off and stop listening.

Many consumers have seen the ‘Learn About Your Food’ video series produced by USFRA and aired on Discovery Communications’ networks. These short clips feature farmers sitting down with consumers, discussing the agricultural community’s commitment to providing safe, healthy food choices.

Farmers can learn more about USFRA and download videos from the ‘share’ section of the USFRA website at www.usfraonline.org/

Shirtsleeves and bootstraps make for ‘rich’ farmers

by Glen Cope My parents taught me 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 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 familyowned. 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 lighthearted 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 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.

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

Photo courtesy of George and Julie Holmes

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 Mary-

land, 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 evangelism 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.

www. cfgrower.com

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

A request for seeds

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

Three T’s of direct marketing success 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 pro-

moters 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 en-

Today’s Marketing Objectives By: Melissa Piper Nelson Farm News Service News and views on agricultural marketing techniques. tire 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 selects 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 tactics play into your overall sales strategy and how you may need to reposition your efforts for profit.

The above information is presented for educational purposes and should not be substituted for professional business or legal counseling.

Membership Directory from the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers now available The long-awaited 2012-2013 Membership Directory from the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers has finally arrived!

With a comprehensive listing of the state’s top growers and shippers, an extensive floral availability section and a seasonal availability section, this directory is an essential tool for those who need the best quality product from the Golden State.

To express our appreciation for your support, we are offering the directory at an incredibly reduced rate. For only $40, including postage, you can purchase your own copy of this indispensable book! This is a fantastic deal.

Visit http://library.constantcontact.com/ download/get/file/1102288669450-91/MembershipDirectoryOrderForm.pdf to complete the attached order form and fax or mail it to the CAFG&S office and a copy of the brand new directory will be sent to you.

Don’t forget, Fun ‘N Sun Weekend® 2013 will be held from July 17 to July 20 at the Fess Parker Double Tree Resort by Hilton, in Santa Barbara, CA. Mark your calendar and be sure to join us in 2013.

For more information call 831-479-4912 or visit www.cafgs.org

IRRIGATION Introduction to energy efficient irrigation Energy efficient irrigation Overhead or sprinkler irrigation is common in vegetable production; it can deliver a lot of water quickly to an entire field.

Irrigation is very important to productive

agriculture, accounting for 20 percent of all farmland and 40 percent of all production worldwide. This is the major use of water in the world, accounting for about 70 percent of all freshwater use. Efficient irrigation sys-

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save as much as $55 and 770 kWh per acre annually.

In areas where ground and surface water availability is diminishing, efficient irrigation tools such as drip, trickle and lowerflow sprinkler systems save energy as well as water and money.

Some common causes of wasted energy in irrigation systems are worn or improperly sized pumps, worn nozzles, and improperly sized or designed fittings. Irrigation equipment problems and maintenance problems tend to go hand in hand. Pumps, motors, and engines that are badly designed or poorly maintained reduce the irrigator’s degree of control over water applications, making it impossible to maintain correct soil moisture levels. This leads to crop stress, reduced yields, runoff, erosion, and other problems.

Irrigation management improvements On the other hand, mechanical improvements alone do not necessarily bring energy savings. Better system performance typically causes higher pressure and increased volumes of applied water. These improvements should make it possible to meet crop water needs with fewer hours of irrigation. But if the irrigator continues to run the system for the same number of hours, energy consumption often stays the same or even increases.

In order to avoid both overwatering and underwatering, all irrigators need to know their system’s net water application rate, measured in inches per hour or inches per irrigation. All irrigators should know general irrigation guidelines for the crops they

grow. They should also know how to check their soil moisture levels. Most irrigators should also track crop water use, or evapotranspiration, as the season goes by.

Summary Farmers should examine their irrigation equipment and practices to ensure that their irrigation systems operate efficiently. To use energy in irrigation most efficiently, irrigators should: • Modify irrigation systems for greatest efficiency; • Repair and maintain equipment to reduce wasted energy; • Understand irrigation usage and rate, and irrigation guidelines for crops; • Understand how to check soil moisture levels; and • Track water use of crops throughout the growing season.

Source: www.extension.org

Water conservation in orchards Practicing water conservation isn’t just for ornamental landscaping; agricultural landscapes also benefit from being water wise. One area of agriculture that benefits from water conservation is food production. Orchards are one place where improvements can be made.

The following provides suggestions of some of the ways to reduce water use in orchards.

Ways to reduce water use in orchards • Perform a distribution uniformity test of your irrigation system• A distribution uniformity between 90-100 percent is considered a uniform system; this ensures that plants are watered evenly and more efficiently

• This also helps avoid excess water application and runoff • Perform regular maintenance • Check for line breaks • Check for plugged emitters • Clean filters • Schedule watering time and amount to meet specific plant needs • Use soil moisture monitors • Know crop root depth and soil type • Adjust to the signs of stress on plants (wilting, yellow leaves) • Convert to a more efficient watering system • Micro-irrigation systems such as drip or micro-spray greatly reduces water loss Source: www.extension.org

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • Section A - Page 7

PLASTIC MULCH

tems use energy-efficient equipment and designs, and also minimize the amount of unnecessary water use, adding to the energy savings. As a result, farms that irrigate efficiently will not only reduce their operating costs but will also reduce the use of water resources that are increasingly scarce.

There are two main ways a farm can improve the efficiency of its irrigation efforts: 1) improving the irrigation system, and 2) enhancing the management and operations of the system.

Irrigation system improvements Drip irrigation delivers water only where it’s needed, reducing water use and the energy required for pumping.

Modifying irrigation systems can reduce energy and costs. For example, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in certain areas of the United States, switching from high- to low-pressure sprinkler systems can

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

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 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. Each of these systems is above ground and shoots water out of a nozzle or 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 low-volume irrigation system, also known as drip irrigation, is one alternative. Similar to center pivot, lateral move and sprinkler systems, drip irrigation 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 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 gal-

Subsurface irrigation of vineyard.

Photo by Ed Hellman, Texas AgriLife Extension

lons 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).

2012 Irrigation Show and Education Conference slated The Irrigation Show is the only national trade show for irrigation industry professionals. The show is a program of the Irrigation Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation technologies, products and services.

The Irrigation Show will be held Nov. 4 and 5, while the Education Conference will run from Nov. 2-6. Both events are taking place at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Manufacturers, dealers, distributors, wholesalers, contractors, designers, installation and maintenance professionals, consultants, growers, end-users and more gather together every year to: • Find smart solutions for agriculture, golf and tur f/landscape applications.

• See the latest products, technology

and services.

• Meet with current business partners and potential suppliers.

• Increase productivity and profitability with targeted education and technical training.

• Monitor critical water management issues and irrigation best practices.

Irrigation Show Highlights • 200,000-plus square feet with 300 exhibitors of irrigation equipment, systems, services and accessories.

• 5,000-plus attendees from North America and around the world.

• New Product Contest for agriculture, golf, specialty and tur f/landscape solutions introduced to the market in the last year.

• IA’s prestigious awards program for individuals and organizations that have made significant con-

tributions to the irrigation industry.

• Over 70 presentations at the Education Conference.

• More than 25 education classes that teach skills and knowledge for immediate application.

• Certification exams for irrigation contractors, designers, auditors, specialists and water conserva-

tion managers, offered throughout the show.

• For more information, e-mail info@irrigationshow.org.

AXXE Broad Spectrum Herbicide introduced

by BioSafe Systems 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 in-

jure 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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ments of the National Organic Program.

BioSafe Systems develops products for the Agriculture, Animal Health, Post Harvest / Food Safety, Commercial Horticulture, Golf, Home & Garden, and

Aquatics industries, BioSafe Systems will continue growing with the release of new products and solutions to meet the diseasecontrol needs of homeowners and professionals alike.

OFA and ANLA announce new event for 2013

by Jonathan Bardzik WASHINGTON, DC — Building on the joint venture announced in January, the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA — The Association of Horticulture Professionals are introducing a new event to be held in Winter 2013. With a target audience of business leaders and decision makers — owners, CEOs, top managers, and emerging professionals — the new event will focus on the business skills and innovations needed for sustainable success in this rapidly evolving economy. According to ANLA board member Dan Mulhall, co-owner of Mullhall’s, a retail, landscape, and growing operation in Nebraska, “This new venture will fill a need not met by any other program out there. We will deliver new thinking and innovation from within and outside our industry while creating a community of the best and brightest professionals.”

OFA president Mike McCabe, co-

owner of McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral in Indiana, states, “These two organizations have a long history of leading the industry with new speakers and innovative ways to learn, beyond just the traditional classroom setting. You bring together the best that both groups offer, and we’ll create an incredible event.”

OFA CEO Michael Geary, CAE, responding to questions about this event said, “I can tell you it will not be on a beach somewhere — or in Louisville, KY — but we do want an accessible location. We’re tackling the important details first, like deciding what this new effort is going to look like and identifying leaders from both OFA and ANLA to help shape it. For now we want members to know that they can anticipate a significant learning and networking experience.” Geary finished, “We’ll get back to you on the name.”

Further details about the event will be released this summer.

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • Section A - Page 9

BRUSHES - BEARINGS - SIZING CHAINS - SCRUBBER RUBBER

About BioSafe Systems, LLC BioSafe Systems, LLC is the manufacturer of sustainable and environmentally responsible disease control solutions, many of which meet the require-

Page 10 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • April 2012

Managing bacterial pathogens in vegetable seed with hot-water treatment

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 diseasefree 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. Hotwater 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 lia-

bility 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 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.

Hot-water 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,

O RGAN I CS/S U S TAI NAB L E A G 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 in-

fested 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. Hotwater treatment has been shown to mimic aging.

Source: Penn State Extension

O R G A N I C S / S U S TA I N A B L E A G Sandblasting tested as a means of organic weed control 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.

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one- and five-leaf or the one-, three-, and fiveleaf 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 cost-effective 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 purposes at once.

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

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • Section A - Page 11

Proven Safe & Effective Economical Use Clean, Efficient & Affordable Propane No Runoff or Residue USDA Approved for Organic Growers

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 one- to 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 found that multiple sandblasting at the

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

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 pro-

vides 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 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 Co-op (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 studies:

• The amount and timing of investments made in infrastructure are vital to the success and survival of food value chains; • Preserving the identity of growers on product labels is critical for connecting with consumers, distinguishing the product from the competition and providing traceability; • Informal farmer networks can offer additional flexibility for suppliers and buyers and allow food value chains to be highly responsive to the shifting demands of specialty food markets; and • For -profit businesses, nonprofits and

cooperatives all have unique strengths. By partnering with each other within food value chains they can leverage organizational competencies and reduce the risk of failure.

The study amplifies the successful local and regional investments detailed in USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) Compass.

The KYF Compass is a digital guide to USDA resources related to local and regional food systems. The Compass consists of an interactive U.S. map showing local and regional food projects and an accompanying narrative doc-

umenting the results of this work through case studies, photos and video content.

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.

Download the complete report: Moving Food Along the Value Chain: Innovations in Regional Food Distribution or visit www.ams.usda.gov/W FMPublications to learn more.

American Garden Award contestants announced for 2012

Gazania ‘Big Kiss™ White Flame,’ by Syngenta Flowers.

Cruz Sunset’ by Ernst Being by garden visitors, who can then vote for their favorite.

The six entries are: Angelonia angustfolia ‘Serena Blue’ by PanAmerican Seed, Begonia Boliviensis ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ by Ernst Benary of America; Gazania ‘Big Kiss™ White Flame,’ by Syngenta Flowers; Petchoa x Hybrida ‘SuperCal Pink Ice PPAF,’ by Sakata Ornamentals; Petunia ‘Surfinia® Deep Red’ by Suntory Flowers; and Sunflower ‘Goldie’ F1 by Seeds By Design.

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-

Petchoa x Hybrida ‘SuperCal Pink Ice PPAF,’ by Sakata Ornamentals.

naward.com.

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

The American Garden Award program is administered by the All-

America Selections® Display Garden program. AGA entries have not been trialed nor awarded a winner status by the AAS® Trial Judges.

Petunia ‘Surfinia® Deep Red’ by Suntory Flowers.

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April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • Section A - Page 13

Sunflower ‘Goldie’ F1 by Seeds By Design.

Begonia Boliviensis ‘Santa nary of America.

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 them available for view-

Angelonia angustfolia ‘Serena Blue’ by PanAmerican Seed.

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

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 injuries 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. Ergonomics is the science of designing the workplace to fit the worker. 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.

Tips 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.

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GROWER W and fruit growers, and nurseries in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northwest market areas. Reach your target audience with this monthly publication that is by far the number one media for these industries.

Is our newest publication. Started in 2011 to serve an important and growing segment of horticulture, this newspaper is targeted at businesses active in commercial scale growing and winemaking in the United States. In addition to a six times a year mailing, a searchable version is available to our online readers.

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New national labor posting rule may affect some farms 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 (government 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 exercising these rights. The poster does not mention that employers

Use your software and laser printer to create your own Signs • Tags • Labels WATERPROOF < Information rich < Consistent < Professional < Cost effective Great for Garden Centers, Farm Markets, Nurseries, Greenhouses, Landscapers Call or click for more information: (503) 717-9295 www.gardenware.com < info@gardenware.com

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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 union-related 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 non-English 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.

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 401-274-7200 or write c/o Adler, Pollock & Sheehan, One Citizens Plaza, 8th Floor, Providence, RI 02903.

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

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

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

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 contamination 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 pow-

er line in close proximity (1/2 mile or less) to potential water source(s) is the cheapest. Liquid fuel storages located near wells 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 invest-

ment 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/ar ticle/new_irrigation_planning_checklist Source: Michigan State University Extension News

California to research alternatives to fumigation FRESNO, CA (AP) — California officials have pledged $500,000 for a three-year project that will explore alternatives to using the controversial practice of fumigating strawberries.

The project, announced by the Department of Pesticide Regulation on March 7, will focus on growing strawberries in peat, tree bark or other non-soil substances that are disease-free. It will be done in partnership with the California Strawberry Commission.

The announcement comes amid continued pressure from environmentalists and public health advocates over the state’s approval in December 2010 of the

fumigant methyl iodide.

An Alameda County Superior Court judge is expected to rule soon

on a lawsuit by environmentalists who asked him to vacate approval for the fumigant.

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Organic insecticides… what works and doesn’t 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 is-

sue 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

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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.

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

April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • Section A - Page 17

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

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

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

Judge sides with Monsanto Ridicules farmers' right to grow food without fear, contamination and economic harm dress 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 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 prop-

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.”

Hadley added that because this year’s funding is reduced significantly from what it was in previous years — from $2.8 million to $2.25 million — NCAT

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atro 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/wpc o n t e n t / u p loads/2011/03/OSGATA-v-Monsanto-MTDDecision.pdf

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erty 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 Cu-

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will continue to explore alternative funding sources for the project, including modest fees for service and private 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.

The majority of ATTRA’s publications are available to download for free. However, a small fee will be charged for some publications to help fund ATTRA services in these challenging times. New sustainable agriculture publications will be available on the project’s website soon.

For more information and informational materials, check the project’s website at www.attra.ncat.org.

For questions about farming or ranching operations, call the ATTRA toll-free sustainable agriculture help line. The English language hotline is 800346-9140 and the Spanish language ATTRA hotline is 800-411-3222.

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

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 integrity of those farmers. Her failure to ad-

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Page 20 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • April 2012

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

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Vegetables PRECISION PLANTER for planting seeds through plastic. The Poly Planter Does It All, www.ferrisfarm.net

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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. *** DEC 13 Food Safety for Local Growers Shamrock Foods 5199 Ivy St., Commerce City, CO. 9 am - 3 pm. Registration at 8 am. $50. Contact Chris Casson, 303-482-5356.

JAN 8-9 2012 National Green Centre Overland Park Convention Center,6000 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Call 888233-1876 or info@national greencentre.org.

Internet at www.perennial plant.org JAN 24-26 43rd Annual Northwest Agricultural Show Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR. Call 503-769-7120.

JAN 25-28 ANLA Management Clinic Galt House Hotel & Suites, Louisville, KY. Contact ANLA, 202-789-2900 or email meetings@anlaorg. On Internet at www.anla.org.

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FEB 10-16

16th Annual P.L.A.N.T. Seminar - Perennials & Design - A Perfect Combination Greater Columbus Convention Center. $75 per person.

Call 614-771-8431.

On

2012 NAFDMA Williamsburg Convention Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg, VA. On Internet at www.nafdma.com/ VA2012.

45th Annual World Ag Expo International Agri-Center, 4450 South Laspina St., Tulare, CA. The Expo is the largest annual agricultural show of its kind with 1,600 exhibitors displaying cutting edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.

On Internet at www.WorldAgExpo.com FEB 15 WGGA Annual Conference & Trade Show Ramkota Best Western, Casper, Wyoming. Call 307234-7583.

MAR 4-6 California Small Farm Conference Hyatt Regency Valencia, Santa Clarita Convention Center. The state’s premier gathering of small farmers, agricultural students, farmers’ market managers and others involved in the small farm industry. The three day educational conference includes day long short courses and on farm tours; (one of the short courses is an agritourism tour.) focused workshops; engaging keynote addresses and numerous networking opportunities. On Internet at www.californiafarmcon ference.com.

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April 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER WEST • Section A - Page 21

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Rare bloom opens at Cornell 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 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/titan-arum

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

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 Syndrome, 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

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