Grower 7.13

Eastern Edition

GROWER

July 2013 Volume 22 Number 7

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Serving All Aspects of Commercial Horticulture Greenhouse • Nursery • Garden Center • Fruit & Vegetable • Farm Markets • Landscapers • Christmas

Cover Story Planting the seeds for fall fun ~ Page 3

Alsoo inn thiss issue:

Michael Phillips visits central Virginia to spread his apple cultivating wisdom

Personal hygiene and field sanitation

Columnist Melissa Piper Nelson

Today’s Marketing

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 2

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Page 3• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Planting the seeds for fall fun

by Sally Colby eresa Summers grew up on her family’s dairy farm, studied dairy science at Virginia Tech and had plans to return to the family farm. But the dairy herd was sold, and instead of returning to the farm, Teresa ended up working in the food industry. She recalls that in 1993, she read about a Florida farm that was doing ‘entertainment farming.’

“I could to that,” she said.

“I could go back to the family farm.”

Not long after she learned about entertainment farming, now referred to as agritourism, Teresa had an opportunity to attend the Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference. She was there to sell pies for her company, but found there was a lot more to the conference. “I went to some of the meetings,” she said, “and found out there are more people looking for different ways to sell farm products and preserve our way of life.”

After a lot of research and planning, Teresa opened Summers Farm Adventure on her family’s Frederick County, Maryland farm in 1997, but says that she really didn’t have any idea what she was doing. “We started out small — I knew nothing,” she said. “Our signs were orange plates with black arrows.”

As Teresa learned more about agritourism, the business evolved and grew. She married Jeff Greenwood, who had been a farm employee at Summers Farm.

When Teresa’s father passed away, the family had to make a decision about what direction the business would take. They decided to give up farming 400 acres they had been farming and concentrate on developing the Summers’ 100 acre farm to create Summers Farm Adventure.

Jeff and Teresa agree that there was a significant learning curve as the business evolved from a dairy and crop farm to agritourism.

They spent a lot of time focusing on creating a business that would be a family fun experience. “There are fewer people tied to rural America,” said Teresa.

“Before, a grandmother or an

T

aunt or uncle would have a farm. Today, that isn’t the case.” Teresa also noted that people spend money differently today, and are willing to bring their entire family to a place such as Summers Farm Adventure for a day of relaxation and entertainment. To broaden the farm experience, Teresa incorporates learning with the farm activities.

This fall, Summers Farm Adventure will turn orange with about 30 varieties of pumpkins planted on 15 acres. Jeff uses a two-row planter and separates the seeds by variety so that he can compare varieties and plan for the following season.

Pumpkins are weighed and checked out at the end of the hay ride, and sold by the pound.

The 12-acre corn maze is another popular draw for the farm. Each season, Jeff plans the design on graph paper, then plots it out in the corn field. Summers Farm’s first mazes were created by mowing paths, but now Jeff uses spray to cut the design about three weeks after planting. Jeff tries to select a design that customers will relate to, and this year’s maze will incorporate the Baltimore Ravens logo. Jeff says that although they don’t usually have problems in the maze. Corn cops situated throughout the maze help maintain order.

“When people come here, they’re going to get a great fall fun experience,” said Jeff. In addition to pumpkin picking, the most popular activities include hayrides, the jumping pillow, a slide, the corn box and pig races.

Other activities include rubber ducky races, straw mountain, rope maze, goat mountain and putt-putt golf.

Special weekend activities include the apple cannon, pumpkin train and pig races.

Many groups, including schools, churches, scouts and sports teams enjoy time at Summers Farm. General admission covers nearly every activity on the farm.

Teresa says that one key effort has been making it easy for customers to purchase food. “We have it all over the place,” she said.

“Kettle corn, funnel cake, fresh cut fries, burgers, pork BBQ, chicken and hot dogs are all available for pur-

chase, as well as homemade apple cider donuts, which turned out to be a signature item for Summers Farm.”

The farm is open at night on weekends, and the most popular nighttime activity is campfires. “People reserve ahead,” said Jeff. “They can bring food — it’s the only time people can bring their own food in. We light and maintain the fire.” Because they sell out all 20 campfire spots on weekends, they’re planning to construct additional sites. The sites are concentrated on a three-acre section of the farm, spread far enough apart that each group has privacy. Teresa says the campfires are a good activity for older kids’ birthday parties. “We’ve been doing this for 17 years, and some of the kids who came here when they were little still want to come to the farm,” she said. “They’re too old — it isn’t cool to come to Summers Farm, but it’s cool to come for a campfire birthday party. We’re working to get the next generation coming here.”

Jeff and Teresa rely on their professionally designed website to advertise the farm, and on Facebook for minute-to-minute information, such as whether or not there will be fireworks that evening. Jeff says that website traffic increases in late August, but really picks up in September. Guests are encouraged to review the farm’s policies and safety rules listed on the website.

Rules include tips on food and beverages, attire, accessibility and restrooms.

Teresa says that it takes the entire year to prepare the farm for the six to eight week season. The farm employs two part-time workers year round, and as many as 64 extra employees are on board for the fall season.

“The best part of the business is that everyone leaves happy,” said Teresa. “They’re smiling, and it’s a place where we see whole families meeting here and spending the day. We’re living in a busy world now — life has changed and people aren’t close to their neighbors.”

Visit Summers Farm Adventure on line at summersfarm.com.

Teresa and Jeff Greenwood enjoy creating a fun family farm experience for visitors.

Photos courtesy of Summers Farm Adventure

Ample parking and one entrance gate makes it easy for farm employees to manage guest traffic.

A wagon ride to the pumpkin patch is one of the most popular activities at Summers Farm Adventure.

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 4

Michael Phillips visits central Virginia to spread his apple cultivating wisdom

by Karl H. Kazaks NORTH GARDEN, VA — On May 11, close to 40 people gathered at Vintage Virginia Apples outside of Charlottesville to attend a day-long Organic Orcharding 101 Workshop. The day’s keynote speaker was Michael Phillips, who (together with wife Nancy) operates an herb and apple farm in New Hampshire. Phillips is also the author of The Holistic Orchard and The Apple Grower. This account will touch on just a few highlights from the educational day.

The foundation of Phillips’ pomological philosophy is that healthy fruit comes from an ecosystem that is in balance. In particular, he stresses the importance of having healthy soil. His measure of healthy soil goes beyond just the amount of available nutrients — it includes having a robust fungal network and a robust biological community. A healthy varied soil community, he believes, is what provides the best firewall against disease — not only does such a community grow stronger apple trees, but it’s also home to beneficial insects which can mitigate disease risk factors in the first place.

Soils in the eastern U.S., Phillips said, “are forest-derived.

They’re tied to saprophytic fungi that decompose woody matter.”

Because such fungi build “the forest soil ecology in our orchards,” Phillips recommends orchardists encourage its growth by mulching with ramial

wood chips — chips made from woody material less than twoand-a-half inches in diameter.

The carbon-nitrogen ratio in such wood chips, Phillips said, is 40:1. “That’s a fungal sweet spot.” As you get into bigger pieces of wood (tree trunks and the like), the carbon-nitrogen ration rises to as high as 700:1.

When sourcing wood chips, select for hardwoods. The fungi that decompose softwoods — including the bark found in much of the mulch available commercially — are not the same type that you want to encourage in your orchard.

What’s more, softwood bark is usually very rich in tannins, which is not something you want too much of in your orchard soil.

To get the right type of wood chips, Phillips suggested looking for treetops taken from logging, or talk to your local utility line clearing crews. If you make it yourself (he recommends a chipper which you affix to a tractor’s PTO), chip the brush but don’t shred it — you want larger pieces of mulch. You can use a modest amount of softwood, but make sure your mulch is at least 80 percent hardwood. Also, avoid walnut mulch due to the juglans in its wood.

Having woodsy debris at the soil level of your orchard, said Phillips, is not the same as having it in the atmosphere. Don’t stack wood — such as pruning trimmings — around or near year orchard, as the material

can serve as a vector for disease which can blow into and infect your orchard.

In addition to wood chips, Phillips will also spread — in a random pattern — spoiled or mulch hay throughout his orchard. Field mice, he said, like to nest in the hay. After winter, bumblebees like to colonize the abandoned nests — and then you have more pollinators in your orchard.

What’s more, when Phillips spreads woodsy mulch, he likes to have mulch at different stages of decomposition throughout the orchard at any one time (rather than a uniform, manicured look).

“A lot of this is emulating the forest edge,” (where you might typically find a fruit tree), he said. “You don’t find things neatly mulched at the forest edge.”

Phillips recommends apple growers attend to their fungal duff zone regardless of their system — dwarf trees or large trees.

Either way, he said, “you’ll get the connections you want to facilitate that plant being healthy.”

In terms of adding organic matter to the soil, Phillips likes to use compost — but his recipe for orchard compost is not the same as for garden compost.

To make orchard compost, he takes garden (biological) compost, mixes with an equal part of ramial wood chips, and lets it sit for six to 12 months. The goal is to make compost which will facilitate fungal growth — at

Close to 40 people from central, northern, and southwest Virginia attended the daylong event on organic apple production at Vintage Virginia Apples.

Photos by Karl H. Kazaks

Michael Phillips — author of a pair of well-regarded books on apple and fruit production — travelled from New Hampshire to speak about his holistic approach to apple growing.

that 40:1 C-N ratio (above the 25:1 C-N ratio usually found in good garden compost).

Phillips spreads his orchard compost in the fall. If you want to add trace minerals like those found in kelp to your orchard, Phillips recommends adding the minerals to the compost in August and then spreading the compost in October.

“It doesn’t take a lot of compost to maintain an orchard,” Phillips said. “Two tons per acre.” That works out to about one cubic foot per tree — or one and two-thirds five-gallon pails of compost per tree.

Above the soil, Phillips likes to cultivate plants and successively blooming flowers which can provide a home for beneficial insects and also support bumblebees.

“The more biodiversity you have in place the more you have allies you have out there,” Phillips said. Plants that he grows or has grown include comfrey and red clover, but the best mix for any particular orchard depends on its site and conditions.

While this was the first time Phillips came to Vintage Virginia Apples for a workshop, the orchard does hold several workshops each year. Those workshops — which typically cover

grafting, cidermaking, and planning and planting a home orchard — provide an additional revenue stream in addition to the property’s orchard and cidery (Albermarle CiderWorks).

Tom Unsworth is an Operations Associate at the property, and was glad that Phillips came to central Virginia to speak.

“He has a great way of cutting to the chase,” Unsworth said.

“The nice thing about Michael’s system is he has a lot of levels — it works for commercial producers and the home orchardist.”

Phil Lykosh, who owns a small orchard in Esmont, VA, attended the workshop. He had previously attended a number of other workshops at Vintage Virginia Apples and had read both of Phillips’ books. He attended the workshop, he said, “to reinforce” what he learned by reading those books.

“It’s helped me realize, ‘Ah, that’s what he’s saying when he says that in his books,’” Lykosh said. “His emphasis on nutrition, too — if your plants are healthy it’ll be that much easier to deal with pests and insects.”

For more information about Phillips’ approach to apple growing, consult his books or his website www.groworganicapples.com.

by William McNutt For the first time in many years, immigration reform has become a possibility. In a period of stalemate between political parties with almost opposing philosophies, each representing about half of U.S. population, any forward movement on such a “hot topic” has been extremely difficult.

The primary wake-up call came with the 2012 national election, when two-thirds of the Hispanic citizen population voted Democratic, in the process becoming a decisive factor in the Obama reelection.

In two recent meetings held in Columbus and Cincinnati, keynote speaker Alex Nowrasteh,

policy analyst for the Cato Institute, widely recognized for its conservative-based philosophy, stressed both the need and reasons for immigration reform, including needed improvements on the last reform act, passed in 1986. Enacted during the Reagan administration, this opened the gates to

many immigrants who have proven vital to the nation’s economy, including needed agricultural workers. Insufficient safeguards and a flourishing economy allowed many migrants, particularly Hispanics from Mexico looking for a better life, to enter the country illegally with little attempt to stem the flow. There are now an estimated 11 million of this category in the U.S., many who have been here for 15-20 years. But native sentiment changed rapidly after the recent recession began in 2008; the unemployment rate rose to nearly 9 percent, helping create the impression that na-

tive labor was being displaced by migrant workers, many of them illegal.

Nowrasteh pointed out that current immigration law is second only to Internal Revenue legislation in complexity. Migration is almost impossible to achieve without the help of an attorney. Legal immigration processing can take from six months to many years, starting with the difficulty of getting U.S. embassies to issue visas plus quotas assigned to various countries. English or Canadian immigrants would be processed almost immediately; those from Eastern Europe or Asian countries will take much longer.

Nowrasteh emphasized

the economic motive for immigration, with Hispanic immigrants almost immediately seeing a three time income increase, unskilled natives of India with six fold increase, and an almost 10 time wage expansion for Haitian labor.

The bulk of immigrants do compete with lower wage domestic labor, a big part of the reason for the resentment they receive. The U.S. is happy to accept the more highly educated immigrants as college students, then sends them home immediately after graduation, depriving this country of much

Migrant 7

Page 5• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Migrant labor immigration finally moving, important to specialty growers

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 6

In This Issue Teachable Moments.......................................................................11

by Melissa Piper Nelson NCANA holds annual conference.................................................12

by Karl H. Kazaks Tree Fruit Twilight Meeting............................................................15

by Heather Bryant The 2013 Perennial Plant Conference..........................................21

by George Looby, DVM Cornell Maple Program Marketing Webinar planned July 11....27

by Stephen Childs Emphasize safety for an a-mazingly great time..........................31

by Sally Colby

Personal hygiene and field sanitation

by Anna Meyerhoff, Farm Safety Educator, The New York State Center for Agricultural

Medicine & Health — NYCAMH As warmer weather approaches, it’s time to make sure everything is ready — and safe — for the growing season ahead. For orchards and vegetable growers, it’s time to get everything ready: workers arrive and are trained, equipment is repaired, supplies are ordered.

It’s a very busy time of year, but it’s important to take time for safety! There’s one topic that’s very important to your operation but may easily be overlooked — field sanitation and personal hygiene.

Fresh produce carries some risk of food-borne illness. In the United States, there are 76 million reported cases of food-borne illnesses a year. Many cases could have been prevented with proper sanitation and good work practices in the field. Safe handling of food products is crucial in preventing illness, and employers should help their workers to understand and follow the guidelines of good hygiene.

Workers should understand the importance of practices such as thoroughly washing hands with soap and water before and after working, using the toilet, eating, smoking, or handling The Monthly Newspaper for Greenhouses, Nurseries, Fruit & Vegetable Growers garbage. Doing so helps to prevent contamination of produce, as well as protect (518) 673-3237 • Fax # (518) 673-2381 workers from harmful bacteria.

(ISSN# 1065-1756) U.S.P.S. 008885 Showering regularly and changing Country Folks Grower is published monthly by Lee Publications, P.O. Box 121, 6113 St. Hwy. 5, into clean clothes is important, especialPalatine Bridge, NY 13428.

Periodical postage paid at Palatine Bridge, NY 13428. ly for workers who may be exposed to Subscription Price: $24 per year. Canada $55 per year. pesticides. Workers should also know POSTMASTER: Send address change to Country Folks Grower, P.O. Box 121, Subscription Dept., the risks of contamination of produce Palatine Bridge, NY 13428-0121. and the spread of bacteria. Any open Publisher, President........................................Frederick W. Lee wound or cut should be cleaned and Vice-President Production ..........................Mark W. Lee, ext. 132..........................mlee@leepub.com bandaged. Workers with open wounds Vice-President & General Manager ..........Bruce Button, ext. 104 .....................bbutton@leepub.com Comptroller ................................................Robert Moyer, ext. 148.....................bmoyer@leepub.com should be provided with gloves to keep Production Coordinator ............................Jessica Mackay, ext. 137..................jmackay@leepub.com dirt and germs from getting in the Editor ......................................................Joan Kark-Wren, ext. 141...............jkarkwren@leepub.com wound and from contaminating proPage Composition ....................................Allison Swartz, ext. 139....................aswartz@leepub.com duce.

Classified Ad Manager ..............................Peggy Patrei, ext. 111 ..................classified@leepub.com The Occupational Safety and Health Shop Foreman........................................ ...Harry Delong, ext. 154....................hdelong@leepub.com Administration (OSHA) developed and Palatine Bridge, Main Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-673-3237 issued minimum standards for field sanAccounting/Billing Office . . . . . . . . 518-673-0149. . . . . . . . . . . amoyer@leepub.com itation in agriculture in 1987. Included Subscriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-596-5329 . . . . . subscriptions@leepub.com are provisions for field worker access to Website: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.leepub.com appropriate toilet and hand-washing Send all correspondence to: facilities, as well as drinking water. NonPO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 compliance may result in penalties, Fax (518) 673-2699 fines, and legal action.

Editorial Email: jkarkwren@leepub.com According to the OSHA definition of Advertising Email: jmackay@leepub.com hand labor operations, anyone performAD SALES REPRESENTATIVES Bruce Button, Ad Sales Manager . . . . bbutton@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 104 ing cultivation, weeding, planting, harDan Wren, Grower Sales Manager . . . dwren@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 117 vesting or packing in the field is counted

Cover photo courtesy of Summer Farm Adventure

Pumpkins for the Summers Farm Adventure are planted in early summer so that they’re ready for fall visitors.

Country Folks

Jan Andrews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jandrews@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext 110 Richard Barrett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rbarrett@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 118 Dave Dornburgh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ddornburgh@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 109 Julicia Godbout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jgodbout@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 164 Steve Heiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sheiser@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 119 Ian Hitchener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ihitchener@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-210-2066 Tina Krieger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tkrieger@leepub.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-218-5586, ext. 262 Kegley Baumgardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kegleyb@va.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540-255-9112 Wanda Luck / North Carolina. . . . . . . . . wwluck5@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336-416-6198 (cell) Sue Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . suethomas1@cox.net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949-599-6800 Lee Publications 6113 State Hwy. 5, PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 We cannot GUARANTEE the return of photographs. Publisher not responsible for typographical errors.

Size, style of type and locations of advertisements are left to the discretion of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. We will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The publisher reserves the sole right to edit, revise or reject any and all advertising with or without cause being assigned which in his judgement is unwholesome or contrary to the interest of this publication. We assume no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisement, but if at fault, will reprint that portion of the ad in which the error appears.

as a field worker. Field sanitation standards apply to any farm or orchard where 11 or more field workers are employed on any day during the past 12 months. In New York, these standards apply whenever five or more field workers are working at the same location.

By New York State law, employers are required to provide hand-washing and toilet facilities for their field workers.

There must be at least one for every 20 workers, and both hand-washing and toilet facilities should be located together within a quarter-mile walk from the work site. If this is not possible, they should be placed at the closest point reachable by vehicle.

Employers should provide workers with ready access to toilet facilities that can be used as needed to avoid field contamination and unnecessary delay of personal elimination needs. Facilities should not be located near a water source for irrigation or anywhere runoff would be an issue during heavy rains.

Runoff has the potential to contaminate soil, water, produce and workers.

Employers should have a plan in case of waste spillage and are responsible for ensuring safe, hygienic and private toilet facilities with adequate toilet paper for workers.

Hand-washing stations must include clean water, soap, paper towels and a garbage bin. Facilities must be kept clean, safe and sanitary for workers.

Employers are required to refill stations with potable water, soap and paper towels as necessary, and remove and properly dispose of waste.

Employers are also required to have plenty of cool, potable water available for field workers. It should be in a covered container at a location readily accessible to all employees. Water fountains or single-use drinking cups are acceptable; dippers or shared drinking cups are prohibited as their use may result in the spread of bacteria and germs amongst workers.

It’s the employers’ job to ensure that produce and workers are safe this season by following regulations on field sanitation. By notifying workers as to the location of proper drinking water, handwashing and toilet facilities, and allowing employees reasonable opportunity to use them, both produce and workers are protected from bacteria and germs that can cause illness.

By ensuring workers know the location of proper drinking water, handwashing and toilet facilities, and allowing reasonable opportunity to use them, both produce and workers are protected from bacteria and germs that can cause illness.

Photo by Sally Colby

needed technicallytrained people with science and engineering degrees. Nowrasteh believes that with the econ-

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cation to the fullest, this is not the time to educate foreign students then force them to return home to work for our world-wide competitors. High skilled immigrants can help expand the economy, while the lower skilled then move upward by securing training needed to take their place.

Both representatives of the legal profession and agriculture commented on the need for simplification of the visa process. Bill Dodd, president of Fruit Growers Marketing Associa-

tion, said the current H2A visa for farm hand labor is not working, and is administered by the Department of Labor, who wants nothing to do with it. Growers of specialty crops need assurance that the labor they have hired is legal and can stay without interruption until harvest is completed.

Two children of immigrants who went on to higher education in the U.S were also presenters: Laura Jurcevich came as a child when her parents were hired as seasonal labor in

Northwest Ohio. Now a member of the Barrett law firm, she works with recent immigrants and specialty crop employers who wish to hire seasonal workers, expediting non-immigrant visa seekers, and helping them attain permanent residence. Barrett feels that current immigration needs to be simplified so that legal assistance should not be necessary to facilitate residency. Inna Simakovsky emigrated with her parents from Russia in 1976 and obtained a college degree in International Studies. Currently she works as an immigration lawyer in Columbus and is very involved with local immigrant communities. Both see current legislative moves toward easing the immigration deadlock as a promising sign and hope to see it continue. Current efforts are focusing on providing a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal residents currently in the country by re-

Page 7• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Migrant from 5

Alex Nowrasteh, policy analyst for Cato Institute, has testified at congressional hearings and provided commentary for many publications regarding the immigration issue.

Photo by William McNutt

quiring payment of fines and going to the back of the line, behind those applying for legal status.

Migrant 8

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 8

Migrant from 7 The Senate is approving a bill that makes visas for highly skilled workers available more quickly and reduces obligations of U.S. companies to prove they tried to hire domestic workers first. This has been a sore point with farm labor employers, since few of them have been able to hire any worker at all outside of the migrant stream. Both Senate and House versions would

further tighten border security and require all employers to use a federal database to check legal status, though there have been many complaints about the federal database’s inaccuracy.

New annual caps for both high- and lowskilled labor would be set; former limits have never been sufficient to meet demand. Frank Gasperini, head of the National Council of Agri-

cultural Employers, says that the farm labor issue is not always governed by how rural legislators feel since there are few of them and many are opposed to any changes at all. He said that some of the most helpful prescribed legislation comes from city-based or urban representatives, many representing constituents receiving food supplement aid, which translates into increased

www. cfgrower.com

farm income.

Current Senate bill provisions recently introduced would allow workers one of two choices. Workers could come into the country to contract with employers for specific work at set times. They would be provided a three year visa, and employers would be required to provide housing. The

second option would allow migrant workers to move within the country and work for authorized employers, under the same type visa and housing arrangements.

This new program would be administered by the USDA, rather than the Department of Labor, and would replace the very out of date H-2A program with one known

as the W visa, plus a revised and streamlined EVerify system. These revisions would be much less expensive to administer, plus permitting undocumented experienced farm labor to apply for a renamed Blue Card, committing them to work legally for three to five years while also undertaking the path toward citizenship.

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Featuring: • Disabled Motivational Speaker and Accessibility Product Design Consultant Ed Bell • Assistive Technology Product Exhibits • Modified Wheelchair Demos • Farm Safety Demos • Farm Safety and Accessibility Webinars • Health Screenings • Occupational Therapy Consulting • Counseling Services • Financial Planning Assistance • Accessibility Support and Referral Services Be sure to stop by and see us next to the Health & Safety Center.

New this year, the Country Folks Accessibility Center focuses on the physical challenges faced by farmers with disabilities, and showcases the assistive technologies and resources available to help them maintain their quality of life and passion for farming.

For more information, call 877-697-7837 or visit www.empirefarmdays.com

The Southern Nursery Association (SNA) has announced final details of SNA 2013, scheduled for Aug. 5-7, 2013, at Atlanta’s Georgia Interna-

tional Convention Center (GICC). SNA 2013 combines a new regional marketplace with the Southern Plant Conference, the SNA Research Confer-

ence, the SNA State Officer’s Conference, and the SNA Annual Business Meeting to deliver one unparalleled event — all under one roof.

SNA 2013 will bring together the most forward thinking industry leaders, researchers, growers, manufacturers, distributors, landscapers

and retailers from across the Southeast to share ideas, learn new techniques, address key industry issues, and locate new products. The new

marketplace will showcase the best plants and related garden products.

The product mix will include ornamental trees and shrubs, color, related landscape and outdoor living products, garden gifts and accessories, seasonal products, and more. The event is expected to draw more than 3,000 industry professionals from across the region.

On Monday, Aug. 5, the 12th Southern Plant Conference will feature 15 of the industry’s top plant experts, including special guest Takayuki Kobayashi, Kobayashi Nursery, Kawaguchi City, Saitama, Japan.

This conference, sponsored by Plant Development Services, Inc. (PDSI) provides a platform for the grower, landscaper and retailer to come together for a glimpse at the hottest new plants coming to market with special focus on new and superior cultivars, the most resistant, prolific blooming, superior shape or habit, and the most interesting foliage. Speaker information and program are available at www.sna.org.

Meister Media’s Today’s Garden Center (TGC), the official media sponsor of SNA 2013, and $eason2Buy™ will offer two educational sessions on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7, geared specifically to retailers. Tuesday’s session will feature Dr. Susan Hogan, Emory University, Atlanta, GA presenting “Field-Tested Ways to Attract the Next Generation of New Customers” revealing the latest research on Gen X and Y and what it will take to convert them into garden center customers.

Wednesday’s session, “Profit Rehab” will feature financial guru Steve Bailey, $eason2Buy™, Carbondale, IL, offering a workshop for solutions to help retailers maximize profit.

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Page 9• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

SNA 2013 offers a new regional marketplace, education and more

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 10

SNA from 9 (GGIA) will offer an educational session for landscapers on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Horticulturists Lanie Riner, Thunderwood Farms, Woodbury, GA, and Helen Phillips, Garden Solutions, LaGrange, GA, will present “What to Do with all that New,” sharing their expertise of incorporating winning plant material into landscape design. In addition, UGA, GGIA and the UAC will offer Georgia Certified Landscape Professional and Georgia Certified Plant Professional exams on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

On Monday, Aug. 5 and Tuesday, Aug. 6, the 58th Annual SNA Research Conference will offer another component of education. This twoday conference is held annually and has become world-renowned for quality research. Participants are the top horticultural research and educational leaders from across the country. Hundreds of topics in thirteen categories are shared in presentations that run approximately seven minutes each. All industry members are invited to attend any and all sessions.

The purchase of an SNA 2013 Name Badge

provides retailers with a special opportunity to access AmericasMart Atlanta during SNA Day @ AmericasMart on Monday, Aug. 5. Shuttle service from the GICC will be provided, compliments of AmericasMart Atlanta, and a special presentation by retail expert Albert Maslia, AmericasMart managing director -retail services will offer buyers practical advice on enhancing current product lines and locating new sources. AmericasMart Atlanta is the nation’s only global wholesale marketplace housing the world’s single-largest collection of home, gift, area rug and apparel merchandise. Located in downtown Atlanta, the AmericasMart complex contains more than seven million square feet of space and more than 1,400 showrooms.

“Response to this new regional event has been very positive from both attendees and exhibitors, as well as other industry groups that are making SNA 2013 the place to meet and do business,” said Karen Summers, executive vice president of SNA. “We are excited to bring this new regional event to At-

lanta and provide a platform to connect the industry across the Southeast. As the business environment improves, I am confident this new regional marketplace will act as a catalyst to build and improve business,” she added.

The GICC, conveniently located adjacent to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport and minutes from downtown Atlanta, is Georgia’s newest and second largest convention center featuring more

than 400,000 SF of meeting space — all on one level. The ATL SkyTrain, a free light rail train linking the GICC to the airport and rental car center, coupled with excellent transportation connections from across the U.S., and a wide array of affordable nearby hotels (including two new Marriott properties on the GICC campus) and restaurants offers participants added convenience.

Special hotel rates are available at the Atlanta

Airport Marriott Gateway ($139), the Atlanta Airport SpringHill Suites, ($129) and the Atlanta Airport Marriott ($99).

Online reservation links can be found at www.sna.org or www.sna.org/Default.as px?pageId=1559477.

Admission to the SNA 2013 Marketplace is $20 (by July 15) and $30 onsite. Registration information can be found at www.sna.org or www.sna.org/Default.as px?pageId=1559500 SNA 2013 is sponsored

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By: Melissa Piper Nelson Farm News Service News and views on agricultural marketing techniques.

Teachable Moments

by Melissa Piper Nelson With summer comes the busy months of production, harvest, packaging and selling. Focusing on these tasks can reduce the time necessary for scheduling training programs. Yet summer is when most of the on-thejob training comes into play, especially with seasonal employees.

On-the-job training provides a vital bridge between immediate labor requirements and

your staff’s ability to get the job done correctly and efficiently. Teachable moments are those times when the bridge is not complete and employees cannot, for whatever reason, work on or finish a task.

When this happens, five key factors come into play and provide the steps to ensure better communication and understanding between employer and employee.

The magic happens when the employee fully

comprehends what needs to be done and is equipped to make it happen right the first time.

1. If a staff member cannot complete a project or seems to misunderstand directions, the first step is to frame the situation in a positive way. Yelling or disrespecting the employee (especially in front of others) will have more negative consequences than you might care for.

Look at the situation from the employee’s

preventing the employee from working through them or misunderstanding a step along the way.

By reviewing the process, you allow some time to not only ease the tension of the immediate situation, but communicate expectations person to person.

4. Ask for feedback from your employee at this point and encourage him to offer opinions about the work — positive or negative. This step allows you to see where a problem may exist either in perception or how you have communicated the task. This doesn’t mean the employee gets to refuse to do a job just because it is difficult, or that he doesn’t fully understand what needs to be done. A good manager will be able to see where the situation is heading and help fix the problem or remove the employee from the immediate task.

5. The final step in the process is to again reframe the situation into

a positive and helpful teachable moment. Explain that you feel the person can do the job and give him the tools and direction to do so. If, however, the situation does not seem to have a positive outcome, it is better at this point to either try a different approach to the task or seek another employee who is capable of completing the task.

The busy summer months are hectic enough without having to solve difficult labor problems that escalate into bad feelings for both the manager and employee. Good training, combined with clear task goals and objectives, provide the best path to efficiency and getting the job done right at one of the busiest seasons of the year.

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

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Today’s Marketing Objectives

point of view and try to reconstruct what happened to make the situation breakdown.

Framing, or viewing and communicating, what has happened with a positive perspective sets in motion a teachable moment that will enable the worker to do a better job and learn from his mistake.

2. Be honest and direct in your communication about the situation.

State in very clear terms what the expectations were and repeat the directions that you anticipated the worker would follow. Explain where you think the breakdown in the process occurred and then ask the worker to do the same.

You might be surprised that the two conclusions are separate issues in the process.

3. The next step is to repeat the procedure with the employee. Even if you feel you have communicated a process or directions well, there may be barriers that are

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 12

NCANA holds annual conference

by Karl H. Kazaks Agritourism is a growth industry in North Carolina. According to a survey undertaken by the North Carolina Agritourism Networking Association (NCANA) and North Carolina’s Tourism Extension, some two-thirds of the agritourism operations in the Old North State have opened their doors since 2001, with 43 percent of them opening since 2006.

The survey, which counted 195 operational agritourism businesses in 2011, also found that the largest portion (31 percent) of agritourism farms are located in the north-central part of the state, with an additional 29 percent coming from western North Carolina.

The southeast and south central portions of the state each accounted for 14 percent of agritourism businesses, with 12 percent located in the northeastern part of the state.

At the beginning of this period of growth, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) opened an agritourism office. Martha Glass, who previously worked in a different capacity in NCDA&CS’s Marketing Division, opened the office in 2003 and continues to serve its manager today.

One of the first things Glass did in her new job was convene, in partnership with extension, a series of meetings across the state focused on sustainable tourism. Out of those meetings came the

formation of the NCANA, which is dedicated to serving as an advocate for North Carolina’s agritourism farmers as well as a liaison to other organizations which impact or are involved in agritourism.

In 2005, after the state legislature passed a law limiting liability for agritourism enterprises, NCDA&CS helped build the membership rolls of NCANA by providing the signs farmers needed to post to establish their limited liability to people who joined NCANA and paid a nominal fee. By September of that year

the association had 150 members. That number has crept higher, with average annual membership numbering between 200 and 250.

Agritourism continues to expand in North Carolina. “Three to five times a month someone calls me and says, ‘I want to start an agritourism farm,’” said Glass.

To support this burgeoning sector of the economy, the NCANA

has an annual business conference. This year’s conference featured Megan Toben, co-owner of Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute, as its highlight feature. The topic of her presentation was “How Small Farmers Can Be Heroes.” Some 65 people attended the event this year.

In conjunction with the event, a number of agritourism operations in the eastern part of the

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Next year Glass hopes to have an organized farm tour, with buses to take participants to the various stops on the tour.

In conjunction with the annual conference, NCANA also holds three or four regional workshops to attract people

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NCANA from 12 who can’t make it to the conference. Those workshops are held around the state. Attendance at those workshops range from less than a dozen to almost forty. All told, counting the workshops and conference, each year the NCANA reaches about 200 farmers and other interested parties with their events.

The conference also has a trade show, with business in related industries — such as insurance and packaging companies — lining up to meet agritourism businesses.

This year’s conference — in addition to having the requisite business meetings — also had seminars on a number of topics. Crafting the best business model for your farm operation was one popular session, with two different agritourism operations with different business models (one has developed a corn maze and other attractions out of a pro-

duction ag operation, while the other was a pie business which grew out of the need to do something with old orchards on the property).

Other seminars touched on the growing

wine industry in North Carolina and how to market your business when you’re off the beaten path. The bottom line conclusion of that seminar is that “word of mouth is the best mar-

keting you can have,” Glass said. “Reputation sells itself.”

Finally, there were meetings in which attendees and featured speakers discussed their learning curve in agri-

tourism, with the idea that sharing stories would help newcomers to the industry help navigate the early waters of their new business more successfully.

For more information

about starting an agritourism operation, check with your local extension agent. If you are in North Carolina, you can also visit w w w . n c a g r. g o v / m a r kets/agritourism/.

by Heather Bryant, Regional Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture The New Hampshire Fruit Grower’s Association holds five twilight meetings throughout the summer in collaboration with UNH Cooperative Extension. The most re-

cent one was hosted by Riverview Farm in Plainfield, NH on June 12.

The meetings are an opportunity for growers to get together for pest updates and ask questions of each other and Extension professionals. Equally important, the meetings

are an opportunity to earn continuing education credits needed to keep their pesticide licenses current and stay up to date on the latest research on how to use pesticides safely and sparingly.

This meeting started off

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Page 15• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Tree Fruit Twilight Meeting

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 16

Tree Fruit

from 15

with a fascinating demonstration by OESCO (Orchard and Equipment Supply Company), on a new picking aid they are marketing for growers using high density planting systems. The picking aid is a self-propelled machine that has space for four pickers to stand. It moves slowly through the field allowing the pickers to pick and place the fruit on a conveyor that sends them directly into the bins without the need to climb up and down ladders, saving time and limiting fatigue while still allowing pickers to minimize fruit bruising. The manufacturer of this equipment has been building them for use in Europe for 30 years now.

Paul and Nancy Franklin, our hosts and owners of Riverview Farm then took us on a tour of their apple, blueberry and raspberry orchard, describing how they have grown their business over the last 30 years.

Along the way we stopped at several points to allow growers to ask questions and discuss pest control options.

Plant Health Specialist Cheryl Smith provided an update on apple scab saying that, “scab season has tentatively been declared over.” Apple scab is a fungal plant disease that does not make apples inedible,

but does create unsightly lesions that limit marketability.

Fungicides are available to combat the disease, and scientists have created a scab monitoring program that, along with scouting techniques the orchardist uses, allow them to minimize the use of fungicides. The program combines weather monitoring and computer modeling, which has been a useful tool for growers when used together with ground truthing.

Entomologist Alan Eaton discussed the symptoms and management options of a number of common fruit insect pests including plum curculio, leafhoppers, San Jose scale and the spotted wing

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drosophila. He also gave a sneak peak at a new trap that is being developed to monitor for brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an invasive insect that is causing challenges for fruit, vegetable, and corn growing farms in the Mid Atlantic. BMSB has been found in New Hampshire but it does not yet have the population numbers to cause economic dam-

age to farms here.

There are six more informational meetings like this one on both fruit and vegetable production planned for this year. For more information on these and other meetings and workshops held by Cooperative Extension please visit our website: http://extension.unh.edu/Fruit-Vegetable-Production/ Events.

A close look at the brown marmorated stink bug trap.

Legislature passes two percent agricultural assessment cap to rein in rising property taxes Farmers in New York State just received a big boost to help contain ris-

ing property taxes. The Assembly followed up the Senate’s action by unanimously passing a bill that will cap agricultural land assessment increases at two percent

a year. This has been a top priority for New York Farm Bureau this legislative session. There has been great concern among our farmer members who have seen ris-

ing land values push up property tax bills for farmland in recent years, essentially doubling since 2006.

Agricultural land assessments are dictated

by a complicated formula that takes into account national production value statistics and soil type. Currently, New York farmers pay $38.41 per acre in prop-

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erty taxes, according to Farm Credit East. That is the second highest rate in the country and eats up 15 percent of a farm’s net income. This puts farmers in this state at a clear competitive disadvantage.

“The passage of the two percent cap on agricultural assessments is welcomed news on farms all across New York. Not one has been immune to the skyrocketing property taxes that make it more difficult to provide local food and products to their communities. We commend the Agriculture Committee Chairs, Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Bill Magee, for ushering this bill through their respective houses, and we are hopeful Governor Cuomo will sign off on the legislation that will go a long way to keep New York families on their farms,” said Dean Norton, President of New York Farm Bureau.

“Land taxes are crushing farmers, threatening to drive many right out of business, and making it harder to keep generations-old farms in the family,” said Senate Agriculture Chair Patty Ritchie.

“That’s why I’ve sponsored and passed this bill two years in a row, and why the Senate made reform a key part of our ‘Grown in New York’ agriculture plan this year.”

“Passage of the assessment tax cap legislation will no doubt help to keep family farms in New York while maintaining the nutritious, high quality local food network that the State’s consumers expect. I would like to especially thank my colleagues from both upstate and downstate who understand the significance of this bill, and how it will help grow New York agriculture,” said Assembly Agriculture Chair Bill Magee (D-Nelson). “New York Farmers have seen alarming increases in their property taxes for farmland, and this bill addresses that.”

While the legislation will address the immediate needs of farmers, New York Farm Bureau is also advocating for the establishment of a working group comprised of stakeholders and experts to address the long term problem of agricultural assessment valuation.

Page 17• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Major vote will help relieve costly farm burden

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 18

Southern Plant Conference features stellar cast of speakers The Southern Nursery Association (SNA) has announced final details of the 12th Southern Plant Conference, scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5 during SNA 2013, at Atlanta’s Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). The conference, sponsored by Plant Development Services, Inc. (PDSI) and HIP Labels, Inc., provides the perfect platform for the grower, landscaper and retailer to come together for a glimpse at exciting new plants coming to market.

The fast-paced session provides a unique opportunity to discover new production techniques and a vast array of new plants, with focus on new and superior cultivars, the most resistant, prolific blooming, superior shape or habit, and the most interesting flower or foliage.

Fifteen of the indus-

try’s top plant experts are slated to share their knowledge and expertise during this eight-hour conference. Don Shadow, SNA past president and internationally recognized plantsman, will moderate the fast-paced and informative session featuring an impressive list of authors, botanical garden directors, professors, research geneticists, and world travelers — all with the goal of expanding knowledge and use of new and improved plants for the landscape.

Speakers include: Dr. Allan Armitage, University of Georgia, Athens, GA Tony Avent, Plant Delights, Raleigh, NC Dr. Paul Cappiello, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Crestwood, KY Steve Castorani, North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, PA Rick Crowder, Hawk-

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sridge Farms, Hickory, NC Dr. Michael Dirr, Plant Introductions, Inc., Bogart, GA John Elsley, Gardens Alive, Greenwood, SC Joseph Hillenmeyer, Joseph Hillenmeyer Garden Design, Lexington, KY John Hoffman, Hoffman Nursery, Rougemont, NC Takayuki Kobayashi, Kobayashi Nursery, Kawaguchi City, Saitama, Japan Dr. Richard Olsen, U.S. National Arboretum, Beltsville, MD Dr. Tom Ranney, North Carolina State University, Mills River, NC James Owen Reich, Bonsai Unearthed, Madison, TN Ted Stephens, Nurseries Caroliniana, North Augusta, SC Brian Upchurch, High-

land Creek Nursery, Fletcher, NC Registration for the conference is $149 (by July 15) and $179 (after July 15) and includes a Name Badge for admittance to the SNA 2013 Marketplace on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7. More information can be found on the SNA website at www.sna.org.

SNA 2013, scheduled for August 5-7, combines a new regional marketplace with the Southern Plant Conference, the SNA Research Conference, the SNA State Officer’s Conference, and the SNA Annual Business Meeting to deliver one unparalleled event — all under one roof. The event is expected to draw more than 3,000 industry professionals from across the region.

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New York Farm Bureau is very appreciative of the quick work performed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and her staff to correct a policy interpretation that could have cost New York apple and fruit growers tens of thousands of dollars.

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) allows individual farmers to purchase crop insurance based on yields from previous years. To protect the integrity of the program, RMA monitors production trends that may indicate problems stemming from farm practices or the age of fruit trees. Typically, weather -related occurrences that affect production are removed from that equation. Senator Gillibrand’s office was notified that RMA was failing to take into account last year’s massive crop loss when a spring frost cut apple production in this state by more than half. The result was triggering an RMA formula that would have provided New York growers with significantly less crop insurance coverage, ranging from 15 to 35 percent less from the previous

year. This would have put growers at great risk of substantial financial loss this year if there is another major weather event.

New York Farm Bureau worked closely with crop insurance provider, Crop Growers LLP, affiliated with Farm Credit East, to assess the situation and alert Senator Gillibrand of the problem.

Within a few days, her office was able to get RMA to issue clarifying guidance to its regional office that will allow for the re-review of yield decisions, resulting in the anticipated reversal for dozens of New York fruit farmers who purchased crop insurance policies.

“New York Farm Bureau could not be more grateful to Senator Gillibrand and her staff for their responsiveness on this issue. We certainly don’t want to see another massive crop loss, but it is good to know a proper safety net is there if it should happen. The ability to protect our investment and what we grow from extreme weather conditions is absolutely necessary to have viable farms in this state that provide healthy, local food. This effort is a

prime example of how working together can quickly resolve a problem for the state’s farmers,” said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau.

“New York farmers are among the hardest working members of our communities and are dedicated to providing us with a healthy, sustainable food supply.

Our farmers deserve the reliability of a crop insurance program that works fairly and effectively, especially in times of extreme weather and natural disaster.

I am dedicated to ensuring that this critical program works well for our farmers, and will continue to push for the kinds of sensible solutions that we are announcing today,” said Senator Gillibrand.

“New York State fruit farmers have led the trend in adapting sound risk management plans that includes the Federal Crop Insurance Program. In 2012, New York State fruit producers insured over 53,000 acres with over $125 million of protection in force. Last year’s weather related events have resulted in claim payments paid back to the farm of over

$43 million dollars to date. Thanks to the effort of Senator Gillibrand, New York Farm Bureau and New York State Ag & Markets, those risk management plans are well intact for the 2013 crop year,” said Jeremy Forrett, Farm Credit East/Crop Growers, LLP vice president.

“We are very happy

with the outcome after the regional RMA office reevaluated the crop insurance coverage we had purchased. Because of Senator Gillibrand’s involvement, our orchard’s safety net quadrupled.

RMA reinstated the proper yield coverage from 68 bushels to 270 bushels per acre, a more accurate number of ap-

ples based on what we produce in a typical year, and for that we sincerely thank Senator Gillibrand and the team from New York Farm Bureau and Crop Growers who brought this issue to her attention,” said Scott and Theresa DeLaurentis, owners of Bryant Farms in Hudson, NY.

Delaware pesticide container recycling program DOVER, DE — Agricultural growers and commercial pesticide applicators can help get empty pesticide containers out of the waste stream through a recycling program from the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Owners can drop off their clean, used pesticide containers for recycling through October at the Sussex Conservation District maintenance yard near Georgetown, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.

DDA Pesticides Administrator David Pyne said the program has been a powerful success, with more than 286,000 containers recycled since it began in 1993. More than 40,000 empty con-

tainers were recycled in 2012 alone.

“We want to assist farmers and pesticide applicators in their work to help the environment,” Pyne said. “This is a simple way to combine our resources and get these containers out of the trash.”

Every ton of high-density polyethylene plastic that is recycled saves what amounts to 450 gallons of gasoline, according to the Ag Container Recycling Council.

Containers dropped off are inspected for cleanliness — triplerinsing or the equivalent — and labels and lids should be removed.

The containers are baled and stored for shipment to a recycling plant where they are

processed and the plastic reused for items including fenceposts, park benches, pallets and pilings. The plastic is not used in consumer packaging.

Farmers or commercial pesticide applicators with large quantities of containers — more than 100 jugs — should contact the Department to arrange on-site pickup.

To arrange a pickup or drop-off, contact Chris Wade at 302-698-4574 or Kenda Galipo at 302698-4571.

Page 19• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Crop insurance correction better protects New York fruit growers

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 20

Strawberry breeding program receives national Strawberry Sustainability Initiative grants KANNAPOLIS, NC — Dr. Jeremy Pattison, strawberry breeder and geneticist with the North Carolina State University Plants for Human Health Institute at the North Carolina Research Campus, was recently awarded a $158,391 grant from the National Strawberry Sustainability Initiative, and is a co-investigator on a second grant in the amount of $127,168, led

by Dr. Brian Whipker, also with North Carolina State. The grants will support work in transferring the latest research to strawberry growers in North and South Carolina and Virginia to maximize yields and profitability.

Pattison recently completed a comprehensive research program that has developed a fall growing degree day model.

Pattison has extensively tested the new production practices at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services research stations across the state. “They show great potential to increase marketable yield, season length and stability,” he explained. “This grant will help us more effectively provide training and technology transfer to growers.”

In addition to the latest research, new technologies and tools will be shared with growers. Pattison cited a cost-effective, energy-efficient cooling system that was recently developed for use by small to medium-sized growers to increase fruit quality and reduce postharvest product loss.

Another aspect of the project will focus on educating growers about the updated comprehensive strawberry plasticulture farm budget designed to help growers better manage financial resources.

“Small growers, in particular, need inexpensive and energy-efficient cooling systems while all growers are looking to improve fruit quality management,” he explained. “In addition, we want to help growers mitigate financial risks by demonstrating the economic impacts of production improvements.”

Working with Pattison on this National Strawberry Initiative Grant are Dr. Penelope PerkinsVeazie, postharvest physiologist; Jonathan Baros, farm management Extension associate; and Leah Chester-Davis, communications and outreach coordinator. All are with the Plants for Human Health Institute. Both

Pattison and PerkinsVeazie are also members of the Department of Horticultural Science. The project will also include Cooperative Extension faculty from North Carolina, Clemson and Virginia Tech and a representative from Lassen Canyon Nursery, one of the premier strawberry nurseries in the world.

The strawberry industry value in the three states — North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia — is about $48 million. North Carolina’s industry value is $29.4 annually. Strawberries are the fifth most consumed fruit in the United States and their popularity in terms of national consumption has increased by 51 percent the last 10 years.

According to Pattison, North Carolina and the surrounding region is well positioned to supply the current increases in consumer demand, but success is dependent on satisfying all participants in the supply chain such as regional chain stores.

“Because our relatively short season often limits access to larger, local markets, we believe production improvements and other strategies to maximize fruit quality and postharvest stability are needed to increase the presence of local

fruit in major markets,” said Pattison.

The other project with Dr. Whipker is a strawberry diagnostics tool that strawberry growers can access with their computer, tablet or smart phone.

It will help ensure that growers and others have real-time access to the broad spectrum of North Carolina State research and knowledge relevant to all aspects of strawberry production.

One other North Carolina State project on strawberries, out of 18 nationwide, was funded. Dr. Michelle SchroederMoreno received funding for a project on the impact of compost, cover crops and soil inoculants on strawberry production and how they influence marketable fruit yield. The project is expected to lead to improved soil recommendations for how strawberries can be produced sustainably.

These projects are funded by a grant from the Walmart Foundation and administered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability (CARS). According to CARS, funded projects will result in more sustainable strawberries for U.S. con-

Dr. Jeremy Pattison, North Carolina State University Plants for Human Health Institute, inspects research plots at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury, NC. Photo courtesy of NCSU sumers. The grant awards are part of a $3 million donation made by the Walmart Foundation.

“This grant project seeks to move the science and technology for alternative strawberry production systems and areas away from laboratories and experiment farms into the producers’ fields,” said Dr. Curt Rom, a member of the CARS leadership team.

“The goal is to increase local and regional production of strawberries, to reduce the environmental impact of production, to reduce transportation distances between farms and markets or consumers, to reduce product loss in the supply-value chain and improve the environmental and economic sustainability of the production system.”

by George Looby, DVM Over 300 landscape and horticultural professionals attended the Annual Perennial Plant Conference, held earlier this year in the Lewis B. Rome Commons for updates on all that is new in the field.

Attendees had their choice of attending one of two concurrent sessions during the course of the day. An initial speaker was Janet Draper, horticulturalist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Janet gave the audience a visual trip through time showing the evolu-

tion of a plot of land on the National Mall managed by the Smithsonian from the 1880s when the museum was constructed up to the present day.

Following Janet, Ed Lyon from the University of Wisconsin in Madison offered his views on how the garden marketplace is changing and how the industry should position itself to meet those changes.

The Baby Boomers are quite traditional in their approach to seeking and obtaining gardening advice and for many years represented a huge market for the industry. Ed noted that in

three years the number of households in the country that reported that they had either a yard or a garden dropped from a historic high of 74 percent to 52 percent. In order to recapture some of this audience, some serious changes in marketing strategies need to take place. Today’s young homeowner remember little about the way their parents or grandparents gardened and did routine lawn care. This is the DIFM (Do it for me) generation. They prefer to have their lawn work done for them and with little or no maintenance.

The X and Y generations do have a strong interest in health and environmental issues.

They want to know where their food is grown, if it is grown organically. This group is more interested in outdoor living where outdoor kitchens and living areas are taking the place of home gardens.

Container gardening is an area that continues to expand. As the industry moves to adapt to marketing changes the speaker emphasized the

need to be creative and to have fun with it.

Ed Lyon’s second presentation further reviewed the changing marketplace and offered strategies that may help garden centers cope with the changes that are with us and those projected to take place in the future.

The Baby Boomers have obtained their gardening information in the traditional manner, with the first source being their parents or grandparents.

They went to lectures and researched gardening magazines to update themselves on advances that took place on a regular basis. With the oldest members of this generation turning 70 within the next 3 years, time during which this group will continue to remain an important segment of the market’s customer base will soon be declining.

Every generation of gardener has compared the plants in their own garden with those in the seed catalogues and wonder where they went wrong. The comparisons can be striking and often downright discouraging. The X and Y generations apparently do

not have the time, inclination or desire to tolerate such disparities. It is Ed Lyon’s contention that the industry is not doing enough to meet the needs and expectations of this new generation of consumers. This market has a shorter duration of interest, less patience with making something work and are quick to move onto something new.

Every gardener knows that with the advent of a new growing season, problems will surface during the course of that season that will present challenges that will need to be addressed. Margery Daughtrey has been a staff member at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center in Riverhead, NY for many years and she brought to the conference some insights that should help anyone better deal with the multitude of problems that surface during the course of a growing season. Any of the problems that arise during the growing season can be controlled in part by good management practices. This starts with good clean up in the fall and then doing some research to see if that material can be composted or if there are possible

pathogens that overwinter, making other methods of disposal better choices. Overhead watering seems to be a practice that is sometimes incriminated in the spread of certain diseases. Since so many of the fungal, viral and related diseases appear very similar, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis if one is not sure of what one is dealing with.

Getting help can save a lot of time, expense, aggravation and money. Proper plant spacing and alignment can do much to assist in controlling certain disease conditions by improving air flow at the plant level thus lessening the spread of those organisms that thrive in a moist environment.

Gardeners, be they professionals or advanced amateurs, can always be sure of one thing — if you think that everything is going along fine, watch out because something is waiting at the end of the row that will upset your complacency.

The Perennial Plant Conference never fails to disappoint, for those who have never attended check it out next year. It will help you in all aspects of your operation, be it large or small.

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July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 22

First detection of the emerald ash borer made in North Carolina; quarantine established for Granville, Person and Vance counties RALEIGH, NC — Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has signed an emergency quarantine order restricting the movement of hardwood firewood, ash nursery stock and other ash materials from Granville, Person and Vance counties following the confirmation of the emerald ash borer in trees there.

This marks the first time emerald ash borer has been found in the state.

North Carolina is the 20th state in the country to confirm the presence of the destructive pest, following the discovery of an adult beetle and other signs of borer activity in

trees in Granville County by staff with the North Carolina Forest Service.

Additional surveying found signs of emerald ash borer activity in the bordering counties of Person and Vance.

“The detection of this pest is not unexpected, especially given the presence of the beetle in Virginia and Tennessee,” Troxler said. “We have been surveying and trapping sites along the state borders for several years for any signs of the movement of this pest. A federal quarantine will be coming shortly, but I am invoking this emergency quarantine to take every

step possible to restrict the movement of emerald ash borer any further.”

The beetle was first detected in the United States in Michigan in 2002. It is responsible for the death or decline of tens of millions of ash trees across the country.

Under the state quarantine, all hardwood firewood and plants and plant parts of the ash tree — including living, dead, cut or fallen, green lumber, stumps, roots, branches and composted and uncomposted chips — cannot be moved outside the three counties.

The North Carolina Department of Agricul-

ture and Consumer Services’ Plant Industry Division and North Carolina Forest Service are working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

“Detecting and preventing the human spread of the emerald ash borer is a huge undertaking,” said Deborah Stewart, USDA state plant health director for North Carolina. “We need everyone’s cooperation to minimize the impacts of this pest.”

Symptoms of emerald ash borer in ash trees include a general decline in the appearance of the

New England Grows announces 2014 dates and schedule SOUTH NATICK, MA — New England Grows is announcing it will return to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center Wednesday, Feb. 5 through Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. This popular, three-day educational event is produced by the industry, for the industry and is tailored to the specific needs of horticulture professionals.

In addition to a line up of 30 business-building seminars featuring the

industry’s best and brightest, the focal point of Grows 2014 is its trade exposition of more than 600 vendors showcasing the latest solution-based products, technologies and services for the green industry.

Schedule • New England Grows 2014 Wednesday, Feb. 5 Seminars: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Exposition: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 6

Seminars: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Exposition: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7 Seminars: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Exposition: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Get the latest information by joining New England Grows’ growing community on Facebook. For more information, check out www.NewEnglandGrows.org or call 508-

tree, such as thinning from the top down and loss of leaves. Clumps of shoots, also known as epicormic sprouts, emerging from the trunk of the tree and increased woodpecker activity are other symptoms. The emerald ash borer is not the only pest that can cause these.

Emerald ash borers overwinter as larvae.

Adult beetles begin to emerge from May to June and can be found in the summer months.

The adult beetle is onefourth to a half-inch long and is slender and

metallic green. When the adults emerge from a tree, they leave behind a D-shaped exit hole. The larvae can also create serpentine tunneling marks, known as feeding galleries, which are found under the bark of the infested trees.

Home and landowners are encouraged to report any symptomatic activity in ash trees to the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division hotline at 1-800206-9333 or by email at newpest@ncagr.gov. The pest can affect any of the four types of ash trees grown in the state.

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July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 24

Farmers Market tokens simplify sales for SNAP customers New design available from TokensDirect TokensDirect has just released a new design to support Farmers Markets across the country.

SNAP Tokens, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Tokens, let farmers accept payment without purchasing expensive POS (point of sale) terminals to read the new electronic benefit swipe cards. Tokens are used to shop at all eligible food booths in the market. Customers purchase SNAP tokens by swiping their EBT (Electronic Benefit Card) at a centrally located POS device. The market’s management obtains a SNAP license which works for all farmers so only 1 POS terminal is needed.

For as little as $400 a Farmers Market can purchase 1,000 tokens with the SNAP token design on the front and any stock design on the back like a peace sign (design number #0036) or Eagle with Stars (#0009). An order of 5,000 aluminum

TokensDirect has just released a new design for SNAP Tokens letting farmers accept payment without purchasing expensive POS terminals to read the new electronic benefit swipe cards.

tokens can be purchased for $620 (less than $0.13 each), with delivery 2 - 3 weeks later. Tokens can even be customized with the market’s logo for a one time set up charge.

Aluminum SNAP tokens are food safe and fully recyclable. The design stays on forever. Unlike wooden tokens, they don’t absorb dirt, crack or warp and if they need cleaning, a little soap and water works fine. They can be used for years.

For high volume mar-

kets, redeeming tokens for cash to farmers can be quick. SNAP tokens work in high speed electronic coin counters, ac-

curate tallies at up to 1,000/min.

For more information on the SNAP program go to www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

TokensDirect, a division of Osborne Coinage Co., offers a full line of tokens through their online store with factory di-

rect pricing, low minimum order quantities and fast turnaround time on all orders. Over 250,000 tokens in a vari-

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Page 25• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Battling spurge: WSSA offers weed control tips for nurseries LAWRENCE, KS — Though the economy and housing market have begun to recover in the aftermath of the Great Recession, one unexpected impact still lingers.

Landscape nurseries that saw fewer plant sales during the downturn are now battling weeds en-

trenched in unsold containers of perennials, shrubs and trees.

Some of the most common weeds battled by nurseries are in the spurge or Euphorbiaceae family, a group of low-growing plants that thrive in hot and sunny locations. Examples include sandmat

and the spotted and prostrate spurges.

“The nursery owners I work with here in the Southwest say spurge is their number one pest problem and a real health hazard for their workers,” reports Kelly Young, a member of the Western Society of Weed Science and as-

sistant agent for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

When the stems or leaves of spurge plants are broken, they ooze a milky sap that can cause dermatitis and eye irritation. Dense, low-growing mats of spurge foliage can also harbor fire ants,

Spurge 26

Spotted spurge photo courtesy of Kansas State University Turf, www.ksuturf.org.

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Spurge from 25 ginger ants, red ants and other insects with a venomous bite or sting, which place nursery workers at risk.

“Workers loading plants onto a delivery truck will frequently hand-weed each pot so it looks pristine and weeds aren’t transported to the job site,” Young says.

“That means there are lots of opportunities for insect bites and for exposure to the irritating sap.”

Weed scientists say early intervention is critical to spurge control.

The spurges flower when very young and produce seeds that can germinate right away, with little or no dormancy. As a result, spurge weeds often spread quickly.

Young offers the following tips that can help nurseries gain the upper hand and eradicate spurge from plant containers: • Pull it up. Remove all spurge you find growing in pots to prevent further seed production. Wash your hands and forearms thoroughly afterwards, even if you were wearing gloves.

• Use the right herbicide the right way. Apply a preemergent herbicide according to the precise instructions on the product label. It’s especially important to calibrate your sprayer to make certain you’re not using too little or too much.

“I’ve seen nurseries apply herbicides at only half the recommended label rate, and they weren’t getting the results they were after,” Young says.

• Add water. Preemergent herbicides used to treat spurge need to be watered into the soil to form a protective barrier.

• Add mulch. Top off each pot with a two-inch layer of compost, manure or wood chips.

• Keep your hands off.

It may be tempting to dip a finger into a pot from time to time to see

if plants need to be watered. But doing so will break the protective shield established by the herbicide and create an opportunity for weeds to sprout.

• Establish a zero tolerance policy. If you spot spurge that has escaped control, pull it immediately. Don’t toss the plants on the ground or you could spread hun-

dreds of tiny seeds.

“I’ve worked closely with nursery managers who were convinced nothing would work against spurge,” Young said.

“Invariably,

though, I discovered missteps in how they were trying to manage the weed. They weren’t applying herbicides in the right amount, weren’t watering the her-

bicides in or were skipping some other vital step. Once they buttoned up their process, they were able to eliminate the weed entirely.”

by Stephen Childs, NYS Maple Specialist The next Maple Program Webinar is scheduled for July 11. Please note that this is not the usual first Thursday of the month as the first Thursday of July is the 4th. Also due to technical difficulties several maple producers had difficulty getting connected in June so this session will be the second webinar in

the series of seven. This program is sponsored by the New York State Farm Viability Institute.

For those who have joined us in the past, the software used for webinars by Cornell has changed. You can join this webinar by going to https://cornell.webex.co m/cornell/onstage/g.php ?t=a&d=645431179. This site for connection will change each month so

please be sure to use the latest listed site. If you are not sure go to the cornellmaple.com website and click on maple webinars. You will be asked to register which will include your basic contact information. If you are asked for a password it is simply “maple” no caps or quotes just the word maple.

Each program will run from 7 to 8 p.m. and with the new software it

should be viewable on smart phones, tablets or similar equipment. This year’s webinars are very similar to the series conducted in 2012.

Revised schedule: • June 6 — failed due to technical problems • July 11 — Maple Marketing Webinar II — Getting started on a maple marketing plan • Aug. 22-Sept. 2 — Marketing Experience

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Opportunity at the New York State Fair • Sept. 5: Maple Marketing Webinar III — Developing your plan for marketing from the farm • Sept. 19 — Maple Marketing Webinar IV — Developing your plan for retail marketing on the road • Oct. 3 — Maple Marketing Webinar V — Developing your plan for wholesale marketing • Nov. 7 — Maple Marketing Webinar VI — Developing your plan for bulk marketing • Dec. 5 — Maple Marketing Webinar VII — Developing your plan for keeping in contact with your customers Past webinars can be viewed by going to www.cornellmaple.com Maple marketing experience If you are a New York maple producer working on developing a maple marketing plan for your farm or just looking to gain some experience

with retail marketing of maple products then spend a day at the Maple Booth of the New York State Fair. See how maple cotton, maple ice cream, maple soft drinks and floats, maple candy and maple popcorn are made, packaged, handled, sampled and sold all in one place. Try your hand at the sales counter and just gain some great maple marketing experience with the guidance of some very experienced maple marketers.

It will broaden your perspective on how you may want to manage your maple sales. We are looking for 12 who would like to give it a try for one shift one day at the New York State Fair. If interested contact Steve Childs, Cornell Maple Specialist at slc18@cornell.edu or call 607-2551658, this is part of a NY Farm Viability Institute ag development project.

Correction The Kubota ad in the June Country Folks Grower offered buyers special financing that is no longer available. This was the error of Country

Folks Grower and we apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused.

Please see Kubota’s current ad on page 46.

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Cornell Maple Program Marketing Webinar planned July 11

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 28

New York growers vote by landslide to continue generic marketing program FISHERS, NY — More than three quarters of voting New York apple growers have elected to continue the state’s marketing order, in a referendum conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM). The vote also continues the work of the New York Apple Association Inc. (NYAA), which NYSDAM contracts to carry out the marketing order’s activities.

Growers voted to continue the marketing order by the largest margin since it was founded, with 76 percent voting in its favor in a statewide referendum held in March. The marketing order was first created by grower vote in 1959; growers revisit whether to continue it every eight years.

“This is a loud and clear vote of confidence in the power of the New York Apple brand, and of NYAA’s work for the industry,” said NYAA board chairman Brian Nicholson of Red Jacket Orchards, Geneva, NY. “We grow the world’s best apples, and now we can continue investing in programs to educate consumers and to promote the 2013 crop and beyond.”

“This vote demonstrates the overwhelming support of New York’s apple industry to promote its world class products. New York apples have a taste that is uniquely ‘New York’ and that’s what people love about them,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine.

“This is a new year for our apple industry and we’re optimistic it will be a good one. Apples are an excellent source of nutrition as well as extremely important to the landscape of New York State agriculture, and we are committed to ensuring this industry’s continued development.”

By state law, funds collected from industry by the marketing order are used to generically promote and advertise New York state apples

and apple products, conduct market research and provide information to growers. The apple marketing order collects

an average of $2.1-2.3 million each year, depending upon the crop

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size, to promote New York state apples and apple products.

Other news: NYAA has named apple and pro-

duce industry public relations veteran Julia Stewart as the association’s spokesperson.

Stewart assumed

spokesperson duties in March; she has been supporting NYAA’s public relations activities since May 2012.

Stewart’s responsibilities include planning and executing media outreach activities to promote New York apples, representing the association to consumer and trade media, and providing strategic communications counsel to NYAA senior management. She works closely with NYAA President Jim Allen, Marketing Director Molly Golden and Nutrition Spokesperson Linda Quinn, M.S., R.D., to ensure that associa-

tion communications are integrated.

She is well known in the apple and produce industries, having previously directed public relations for both U.S. Apple Association (USApple) and Produce Marketing Association (PMA). Stewart has consulted for numerous other apple and produce industry organizations, including PMA, Produce for Better Health Foundation and Pear Bureau Northwest. She also has extensive issue and crisis com-

munications experience.

“I have worked with Julia over the years at USApple and PMA, and when we decided to rebuild our team she was our first choice. We are delighted to have her on board!” said NYAA’s Allen.

“I can’t imagine a better fit for me in an industry that I consider home,” said Stewart. “I’m honored to be part of Jim’s team.”

Stewart is based outside of Washington, D.C.

Page 29• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Vote from 28

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 30

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Emphasize safety for an a-mazingly great time

by Sally Colby When a Massachusetts family became lost in a corn maze in October 2011, they frantically dialed 911 and waited for assistance. The family had entered the maze with their two young children during daylight and found themselves still in the maze at dusk.

The police found the family (safe and sound) shortly after arriving at the farm, but the story made national news.

If your farm’s fall activities include a maze constructed of corn or other living material, take steps prior to the season to ensure that all guests have a positive and memorable experience.

Farms that offer agritainment should be fully aware that most of their patrons are not from farms, and are likely to be unfamiliar with the farm setting.

Begin the maze experience by planning far in advance of the season.

Create a clear list of rules, a policy on how violators will be handled, and train employees on how to handle everything from parking to injured or lost guests. Employees should be mature enough to follow instructions from management, and be able to think on their own for emergency situations. Prior to opening the maze, review safety rules with all employees — even those employees who return each year.

Employees should wear distinct, bright-colored T-shirts, ideally imprinted with the farm logo, and with wording that makes it clear that they’re staff members and have the authority to monitor corn maze activity. Employees should understand that they are the key to ensuring a memorable experience for all guests.

Items that should be prohibited in any maze should include food or beverages of any kind,

although some larger mazes allow water bottles during hot weather. If water bottles are permitted, be sure to place trash receptacles throughout the maze and encourage guests to recycle.

Define policies for extreme conditions including severe weather such as excessive heat, thunderstorms, hail or heavy wind; and train staff on how to deal with such conditions.

Determine whether the maze is suitable for all ages, and if it isn’t, designate and post the age limitations clearly at the maze entrance.

A list of rules should include a statement about why picking or throwing corn is prohibited. Guests should understand that the maze is a living puzzle and any corn that is knocked down cannot regrow.

Use signage to remind guests to stay on the path and not cut through rows of corn.

Encourage guests to wear closed-toe shoes in the maze for their own safety. Alert guests that a corn maze is a living, natural environment and to expect ‘natural’ occurrences such as insects, rocks and mud.

Some farms that have large or intricate mazes supply guests with maps and clues about how to find their way through.

Employees should be familiar with the layout of the maze and be ready to assist guests. Take a day or so prior to the maze opening to allow employees to spend time in the maze and become familiar with the layout.

Employees who will be stationed in the maze as ‘corn cops’ should be supplied with two-way radios, and instructed on how to communicate clearly and concisely with management. For example, if someone has fallen and perhaps injured, the employee should be able to describe the incident using key words in short sentences rather than trying to explain details.

At least one first-aid kit should be placed at the maze entrance, and extra kits placed throughout larger mazes. Kits should include basic supplies such as BandAids, bee sting sticks and cleansing wipes.

Make sure employees understand what kind of injury or sudden illness constitutes an emergency, and that

employees know who to contact in the case of an emergency.

The most common injuries in mazes are from slips and falls, which are usually related to weather conditions. If excessive rain causes wet or muddy areas in the maze, be prepared to put down wood chips or shavings to soak up excess moisture. Have a supply of wood chips or shavings to use on muddy spots.

The likelihood of a fire in a corn maze is relatively low because corn is planted somewhat late to ensure green corn through October. However, an unusually hot and dry summer can lead to early corn maturation and increased fire risk.

Maintain a strict no smoking policy and instruct employees on how to handle anyone who is caught smoking around or in the maze. Even if there is a ‘no smoking on the premises’ policy for the entire farm property,

it’s a good idea to post extra no smoking signs in or around the corn maze. If the corn begins to mature prior to the end of the maze season, consider placing fire extinguishers throughout the maze and be sure

that employees know how to use them.

Many people check out agritainment websites prior to visiting, so take advantage of your website and post rules and safety guidelines for mazes by mid-summer.

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Page 31• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

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July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 32

FAL L HARVE S T

Budgeting for a corn maze A growing number of farmers are developing agritourism enterprises to increase farm income, diversify their businesses, and increase their customer bases. Additional benefits can include building positive community relations and raising educational awareness of agriculture. A corn maze is a popular component of many agritourism enterprises; either as a stand-alone activity or in combination with other on-farm attractions (e.g., hay rides, petting zoos, and picnic areas). A corn maze can also be an effective tool to attract customers to

retail farm markets.

Corn mazes vary in complexity, size, and purpose. The development of a corn maze, like any farm business venture, requires proper planning.

Important questions to consider include: How many visitors can my farm accommodate? Is my parking adequate? How will I ensure the safety of farm visitors? Do I need to hire additional employees to staff a maze? Are there regulatory requirements that I need to address? How will I market my maze? Naturally, the development of a new corn maze also raises financial questions, in-

cluding: How much will it cost to develop a corn maze and how many visitors do I need to make my maze profitable?

Careful budgeting for the establishment and operation of a corn maze is an important component in determining its economic feasibility and managing farm financial risk. This fact sheet provides a budget template summarizing common expenses associated with designing, establishing, and operating a corn maze. Although a sample budget for a hypothetical five-acre corn maze is constructed, it is important to note that there is no “typical” corn maze.

Costs will differ from farm to farm. To maximize the effectiveness of

this planning tool, producers should carefully develop their own budget

assumptions. Farm-specific costs can be calcu-

Budgeting 33

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using information specific to your farm.

Corn Maze Budget Categories Corn Production The cost of producing corn based on Extension recommendations designed for optimum grain yield vary, but typically range from $450 to $500 per acre. This reflects regular production expenses, including seeds, fertilizer, fuel, harvesting, management, and land charges.

However, in many instances, producers adapt their production practices to facilitate the establishment of a maze. For example, to ensure corn stalks remain green during the maze operation season, corn maze operators often delay corn planting, which may reduce grain yields. They may also select varieties based on specific characteristics related to maze operation such as standabili-

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ty, maturity, and height rather than yield. Corn maze operators commonly establish higher plant populations or alter planting patterns (i.e., cross planting in a grid pattern), resulting in higher per-acre seeding costs. Additional production considerations may include altered weed management practices (i.e., pre applications rather than post applications of herbicides), inability to side-

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dress fertilizers, and yield loss due to late season pest damage.

These variations in production practices can impact input costs when compared to conventional practices.

Cost of production budgets are available for many crops through land grant universities.

These tools provide useful guidance to producers, but should be amended to reflect departures from conventional growing recommendations needed to establish a maze.

Source: Rutgers University; http://njaes. rutgers.edu/pubs/e343 /corn-maze.asp

Page 33• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

FAL L HARVE S T

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 34

C H R I S TMA S S E CTI O N

The PCTGA Summer Meeting Make plans to attend the 2013 Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association Summer Meeting July 25 and 26 at the Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm in Annville, PA just east of Hershey.

The event starts Thursday, July 25, with registration at the farm. Exhibitors will provide live demonstrations throughout the afternoon. At 4 p.m., the Werts’ classic car display will be available for attendees to view. That evening, PCTGA will host a “Mix ’n Mingle” cookout celebrating summer.

Burgers, hotdogs and beverages will be provided, but plan to bring an appetizer, snack, side

dish or dessert to share.

Spend all day Friday, July 26, learning in educational sessions and visiting exhibitors. Education sessions will cover pest identification, disease management, species evaluation and needle retention. Several of these sessions have core and category credits for those who need pesticide recertification credits. The exhibitor trade show will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day.

For lunch Friday we will repeat the successful food-stand concept from last year, and a food truck and dessert truck will be on-site at the farm so you can purchase exactly what you would like

to eat. Think of it as your very own fair-type food court. The summer meeting concludes that evening with a reception, dinner and the PCTGA membership meeting.

Don’t miss these topquality speakers presenting at this year’s Summer Meeting: • Christmas Tree Research Update by Dr. Rick Bates, Associate Professor of Horticulture, Penn State University • Identification and Scouting Tips for Several Important Insect Pests by Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, PA Department of Agriculture • Christmas Tree Shearing — As I See It by Bill Underwood, Partner,

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Pine Valley Christmas Trees, LLC • Pesticide Safety: Labels and LDL’s and Fertilizer Techniques and New Technologies by Jon

Campbell, Campbell Crops, LLC These topics have all been submitted to the Department of Agriculture offices for Maryland, New

Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Credits being offered will be announced as they become available.

PCTGA 36

Buck Hill Tree Farm Great Quality at Affordable Prices!

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Linville, NC

www.buckhilltreefarm.com 828-387-0366 Cornett’s Carolina Fraser Fir is a family owned and operated Christmas Tree farm. We are located in the Mountain Dale Community near Boone, North Carolina and have been growing and shipping quality trees and wreaths for over 30 years. Customer satisfaction and service are top priorities with every shipment. We provide personalized attention to all our customers, and help them with their specific needs.

We have trees of all sizes and look forward to helping you with your Fraser Fir Christmas tree and wreath needs for 2013.

Please call us at (828) 964-8463 and speak with Dale Cornett or call (828) 964-6322 and speak with Diane Cornett Deal.

You can also request information via e-mail to cdtreefarm@skybest.com. www.cdtreefarm.com

Page 35• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

C H R I S TMA S S E CTI O N

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 36

PCTGA from 34 Register Go to www.christmastrees.org to download the registration form.

If you have any questions, contact Jen at events@christmastrees.o rg or call the PCTGA office at 717-238-9765.

Schedule Thursday, July 25 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Exhibitor Set–up – Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm 3 – 8 p.m. Registration Desk Open – Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm (inside Gift Shop) 3 – 8 p.m. Exhibitors and Demonstrations – Come and visit with our Exhibitors and also see live demonstrations of the latest and newest equipment.

4 – 6 p.m. Take a tour of the Wert’s Classic Car display at Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm.

6 – 8 p.m. Mix ‘N Mingle Bar–B–Que – Visit with the other attendees and exhibitors at Blue

Ridge Christmas Tree Farm. Make sure to sign up to bring your appetizer/snack, side dish or dessert!

Friday, July 26 7 a.m. Breakfast – On your own at hotel (included in room rate) 8 a.m. Registration Desk Open – Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm 8:45 a.m. Please arrive at Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Exhibitors and Demonstrations – Come and visit with our exhibitors and also see live demonstrations of the latest and newest equipment.

9 – 9:50 a.m. Concurrent Sessions – Attendees will be split into two groups, and will alternate between classes in the morning and afternoon sessions.

Group 1: Meet the Farm – Take a tour and learn about the history and operations of the Blue Ridge Christmas

y Mountain t s o r F Christmas Trees Family Owned Farm Since 1978 we cut trees no more than 3-4 days before shipping!!

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Tree Farm.

Group 2: Christmas Tree Research Update.

Dr. Rick Bates, Associate Professor of Horticulture, Penn State University. A number of new research projects are underway which address conifer disease management, species evaluation, and use of genetic tools to improve needle retention. This presentation will provide an overview of these new

projects, as well as an update on several ongoing projects.

10 - 10:50 a.m.

Group 1 Meet the Farm (Cont.)

Group 2 Identification and Scouting Tips for Several Important Insect Pests Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, PA Department of Agriculture Information on life stages and biological traits will be shared along with infield identi-

fication techniques for several common insects pests, such as scales, and mites.

10:50 – 11:10 a.m.

Break 11:10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Group 1 Pesticide Safety: Labels and LDL’s, John Campbell, Campbell Crops, LLC. This course will look at pesticide hazard warnings and how it relates to toxicity. How to avoid dangerous chemical combi-

nations and reactions will also be discussed.

Group 2 Christmas Tree Shearing – As I See It. Bill Underwood, Partner, Pine Valley Christmas Trees, LLC. This class will explore the following topics: • History of tree shearing • Reasons for shearing and basal pruning • Shearing of the firs: Fraser, Douglas, Canaan

PCTGA 37

• Tabletop trees 12 – 1:30 p.m. Auction and Lunch on Your Own – Spend time visiting and networking with the exhibitors. A food truck provided by Bountiful Feast will be on-site at the farm so you can purchase your own lunch.

LARGE SELECTION OF WREATH RINGS * RIBBON

N N N N N N

Treee Balers Netting Treee Stands Removall Bags Wreath h and d Garland d Machines Gloves

N Treee Watererss & Wreath g Boxes Shipping N Floristt Wire N Garland d Wire N Floristt Netting N Grapevinee Wreaths

N N N N

PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO ALL ORDERS

Wreath h Decorations Easels Wreath h Doorr Hangers Many y Moree Related d Items See us at the CTFANY Summer Meeting July 18-20.

Order early & we will deliver your order.

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B.T.F. Wholesale at Goderie’s Tree Farm

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SALOMAA CHRISTMAS TREES Vermont Green Mountain Grown FRASER BALSAM Call for Price List and Specials

* Visits welcome * 90 acres of trees at this location * What you see is what you will get*

Ice cream will also be for sale by Sweet Victoria’s Dessert Company.

1:30 – 2:20 p.m. Concurrent Sessions – Attendees will be split into 2 groups, and will alternate between classes in the morning and afternoon sessions.

Group 1 Christmas Tree Research Update.

Dr. Rick Bates, Associate Professor of Horticulture, Penn State University. A number of new research projects are underway which address conifer disease manage-

ment, species evaluation, and use of genetic tools to improve needle retention. This presentation will provide an overview of these new projects, as well as an update on several ongoing projects.

Group 2 Meet the Farm – Take a tour and learn about the history and operations of the Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm.

2:30 – 3:20 p.m.

Group 1 Identification and Scouting Tips for Several Important Insect

The Perfect Fraser Fir Trees at

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802-533-7044 800-331-5955 salotree@myfairpoint.net

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BIG SPRINGS NURSERY and TREE FARMS We Look Forward to Supplying You With Quality Fraser Fir Christmas Trees.

We Specialize in Supplying Quality Garden Centers, Farm Stands, and Choose and Cut Operations with Beautiful Fraser Firs.

We would be delighted to discuss your needs for the 2013 Christmas Season Now! WE WELCOME YOUR INQUIRY PLEASE CALL OR WRITE WITH YOUR NEEDS Richard Calhoun rkcdoc@skybest.com

Phone/Farm (336) 384-8733 PO Box 878 Fax (336) 384-8734 Jefferson, NC 28640 Cell (336) 877-0386

Now accepting orders for the 2013 holiday season Wreaths & Garland are our specialty

Pests Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, PA Department of Agriculture Information on life stages and biological traits will be shared along with infield identification techniques for several common insects pests, such as scales, and mites.

Group 2 Meet the Farm 3:20 – 3:40 p.m. Break 3:40 – 4:30 p.m.

Group 1 Christmas Tree Shearing – As I See It, Bill Underwood, Partner, Pine Valley Christmas Trees, LLC. This class will explore the following topics: • History of tree shearing • Reasons for shearing and basal pruning • Shearing of the firs: Fraser, Douglas, Canaan • Tabletop trees Group 2 Fertilizer Techniques and New Technologies, Jonathan Campbell, Campbell Crops, LLC. Learn how fertilizers can increase your yield. The newest Vicon equipment will also be discussed. Come learn the newest and greatest ways to fertilize crops!

4:30 – 5 p.m. Reception 5 p.m. Dinner and Membership Meeting.

Page 37• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

PCTGA from 36

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 38

C H R I S TMA S S E CTI O N Christmas tree research trials field day — soil health Christmas tree growers are invited to attend a day-long workshop examining the second year results of composting trials, sponsored by a SARE grant to investigate coring injection method of applying compost to Christmas trees. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Salomaa Tree Plantation, 30 Batten Road, Stannard, VT. Soil health has become an issue on Christmas tree plantations in the Northeast. Some soil is unhealthy or has become unhealthy because the organic quality of the soil was destroyed during land clearing and by “rotational problems” caused by continued planting of trees on the same acre of land.

The morning will include speakers on the research project itself but will also include presentations on compost, soil health, soil testing, weeds, soil borne diseases, and demonstrations of the

coring compost method.

In the afternoon field stations will be led by leading experts from UVM and Cornell.

Lunch will be provided by local specialty food purveyors. Trade show will include specialty equipment and materials and a marketing expert will offer thoughts on benefits to public perception of the industry being environmentally friendly.

You must register online by Sept. 1. Cost is $30 and includes lunch.

Register by going to http://salomaatreecompost.eventbrite.com/.

For more information

contact Fred Salo at salotree@myfairpoint.net or visit www.vtchristmastrees.com.

SHOWERS TREE FARM 465 Clearview Rd., Aspers, PA 17304

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HILL FARMS

Celebrating 75 years of quality growing

Fraser Fir Douglas Fir Concolor Fir Nordman Fir (new) Turkish Fir (new) Wholesale Cut Christmas Trees & Wholesale Wreaths, Greenery and Grave Items

www.hillfarms.com (570) 386-5454 Hillfarms38@gmail.com Growing quality customer relationships is as important as growing a quality Christmas tree!

Grow your business. Grow your profit. Grow your market.

Online registration is open for the only national event for the Real Christmas Tree industry in 2013 — the Pre-Season Clinic. Set for Aug. 10-11 in Arlington, VA and hosted by the National Christmas Tree Association, the clinic is designed to help Christmas Tree growers and retailers get their businesses in shape for the coming sales season and beyond.

The event will offer solutions for enhancing business profitability and sustainability, as well as maximum networking time to connect with fellow industry members and suppliers.

Educational sessions will focus on helping attendees better manage risk within their business, with topics such as: • Christmas Tree Marketing & Branding • Planning for the Future of Your Farm • Building a Better Business Plan • Keeping Your Business in Compliance • Adapting to Market Change • Take Your Email Marketing to the Next Level • Building a Winning Customer Service Team • And more The program has also been structured to provide plenty of time for sharing ideas, from discussion forums to smallgroup Learning Labs to networking receptions.

The clinic will feature the best of NCTA’s educational and networking offerings, compressed into an affordable, information-packed weekend experience. From the Networking Center to the Learning Labs to the Experiential Learning to the Education Workshops, attendees will have lots of options — all focused on helping you grow your business. The clinic program will also include NCTA’s 2013 National Tree and Wreath Contests.

The event will take place at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, 2800 South Potomac Ave, Arlington, VA. It will begin Aug. 10 at 8 a.m. and run until

1:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 (Eastern Time.)

Registration Take advantage of the new online registration system that will allow you to register for the Pre-season Clinic, make your hotel reservation, and make a secure credit card payment in one easy process (and one great price).

To complete the online registration form, you will need a valid email address. During the registration process, you will create a password. If you need to register an additional guest, or make changes to your registration, you may log in at any time with your email address and password.

As you complete the online registration form, be sure to clock on “Details” for more information or instructions.

Registration Rates: • NCTA Member (includes 2 nights lodging): $550 • NCTA Member — Guest/Spouse: $225 • TIP State Member Rate (includes 2 nights lodging): $575 • TIP State Member — Guest/Spouse: $250 • Non-Member Rate (includes 2 nights lodging): $600

• Non-Member Rate — Guest/Spouse: $275 • Industry Partner (includes 2 nights lodging): $1,000

• Industry Partner — Guest/Spouse: $225 • Conference Only (no lodging): $225

NCTA 40

WHOLESALE FRASER FIR CHRISTMAS TREES SALE SPECIAL 7’-9’ $15.00 Many other sizes also available From table top to 16’ Quantity Discounts

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• Excellent Service • Freshness Assured • Premium Trees At Andrews Tree Farm & Nursery, we pride ourselves in delivering only the best and freshest... guaranteed on time.

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Blue Spruce Serbian Spruce Frazier Fir

Cut & B&B available • Reasonable Prices • Delivery Available

Page 39• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

NCTA’s 2013 Pre-season Clinic

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 40

National Tree Contest Schedule of Events Friday, Aug. 9 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Tree Contest Setup 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tree Contest Judging 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception (popular voting will be open during this time) Saturday, Aug. 10

7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Popular Voting for Tree Contest 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Awards Reception Important Reminders: • All trees must be in place by 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, in order to

be judged.

• You (or someone you designate) must be onsite to check in and set up your tree. NCTA staff and/or contest judges may not handle the setup of contest trees.

• Stands for all trees will be provided by the

contest sponsor; trees will be drilled on-site.

• Please review all rules and guidelines carefully before entering. Rules can be found at: www.christmastree.org/ dnn/Portals/30/Files/T reeContestRules.pdf

www. cfgrower.com

National Wreath Contest Schedule of Events Friday, Aug. 9 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Wreath Contest Setup 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wreath Contest Judging Saturday, Aug. 10 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Awards Reception

Important Reminders: • All wreaths must be in place by 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 in order to be judged.

• You (or someone you designate) must check in

and set up your wreath.

NCTA staff and/or wreath contest judges may not handle the setup of wreaths.

• Easels for all wreaths will be provided by the contest sponsor.

• Please read and review the rules and guidelines for the contest at www.christmastree.org/ dnn/Portals/30/Files/ WreathContestRules.pdf

9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Committee Meetings (Protection, Professional, Resources) 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

NCTA Board and CSF Trustees Meeting (combined) 12 - 6 p.m. Registration Open 1 – 5 p.m. Afternoon Tour (optional - based on demand) 1 – 4 p.m. Setup and Judging for Tree & Wreath Contests 3 – 5 p.m. Major Growers Forum 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception 8 p.m. Informal optional meetup at Socci (hotel bar) Saturday, Aug. 10 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

“Come and Go” Continental Breakfast in the Networking Center 8 – 9:15 a.m. Learning Lab in the Networking Center 9:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Breakout Sessions - Advocacy Clinic Part 1 - Beyond the

Smile: Building a Winning Customer Service Team 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Breakout Sessions - Christmas Tree Marketing & Branding - Adapting to Market Change Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Keynote Luncheon — Stan Pohmer, Pohmer Consulting Group 1:45 – 3 p.m. Breakout Sessions - Planning for the Future of Your Farm Take Your Email Marketing to the Next Level 3 – 4 p.m. Break in the Networking Center/ Learning Labs 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Discussion Forums - facilitated roundtable discussions 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Awards Reception in the Networking Center Sunday, Aug. 11 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

“Come and Go” Continental Breakfast in the Networking Center 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Breakout Sessions - Choose & Cut and Retail Forum - Real Tree Advocacy Clinic Part 2 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Break in the Networking Center/Learning Labs 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Breakout Sessions - Building a Better Business Plan - Keeping Your Business in Compliance Noon – 1:30 p.m. Closing Luncheon & General Session Contests Don’t miss your opportunity to showcase at the 2013 National Tree and Wreath Contests — held in conjunction with the Pre-Season Clinic in Arlington, VA. If you have any questions, contact NCTA at 636-449-5070 or lmangnall@amrms.com.

1120 Ritner Hwy, Shippensburg, PA

Produce Auction Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 AM

NCTA from 39 Each Clinic registration is an all-inclusive package, including: • Hotel accommodations for two nights at the beautiful Renaissance Arlington Capital View (you may add additional nights before/after the meeting at a reduced rate) • Welcome Reception on Friday night • Lunch and continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday • Awards Reception on Saturday night • Access to the Networking Center, Learning Labs and Educational Workshops • Resource Guide • Access to educational materials and virtual education (email, conference call, website) after the event To register, go to www.regonline.com/Regi ster/Checkin.aspx?Even tID=1214030.

Schedule Friday, Aug. 9 8 – 9:15 a.m. NCTA Executive Committee Meeting

kes Produce Auction Finger La 3691 Rte. 14A • Penn Yan, New York

PRODUCE AUCTION MON. 10 AM WED. & FRI. 9 AM

HAY AUCTION • FRIDAYS @ 11:15 AM

(315) 531-8446

ORDER BUYING SERVICE AVAILABLE

Shippensburg Auction Center

Special Shrubbery & Landscape Materials Thursdays @ 10:30AM

Local & Eastern Shore Produce Coming In Come to

Shippensburg Auction Center for all your produce, flower or shrubbery needs.

Our 28th year of friendly, reliable courteous service.

Tuesdays & Saturdays at 12 Noon Hay, Straw, Corn & Firewood Auction

717-532-5511 Auction 717-532-3642 David Leinbach 717-532-7288 Norman Zimmerman

Chautauqua Produce Auction 7844 Rt. 474, Clymer, NY

Auctions Tuesdays & Fridays 10:00AM 716-355-6500

Fruits and vegetables in season - all local Large lots (some small lots available)

Order buyer available For more information:

www.chautauquaproduceauction.com or call

716-355-6391 / 716-355-6782

Send Your Auction Listings to: Country Folks GROWER, P.O. Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428-0121 • Phone 518-673-3237 • Fax 518-673-2381

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE PARTICIPATING AUCTIONEERS ADDISON COUNTY COMMISSION SALES Rte. 125 • E. Middlebury, VT 05740 Sale every Monday & Tuesday Specializing in Complete Farm Dispersals “A Leading Auction Service” in VT. 800-339-2697 or 800-339-COWS 802-388-2661 • 802-388-22639

DANN AUCTIONEERS DELOS DANN 3339 Spangle St.,Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-785-2161 www.cnyauctions.com/dannauctioneers.htm

ALEX LYON & SON Bridgeport, NY 315-633-2944 www.lyonauction.com

FRALEY AUCTION CO. Auctioneers & Sales Managers Licensed & Bonded 1515 Kepner Hill Rd., Muncy, PA 570-546-6907 570-546-9344 www.fraleyauction.com

AUCTIONEER PHIL JACQUIER INC. Southwick, MA 413-569-6421 www.jacquierauctions.com

HARRIS WILCOX, INC. Bergen, NY 585-494-1881 www.harriswilcox.com

BUFFALO VALLEY PRODUCE AUCTION Mifflinburg, PA 570-966-1151

HUNYADY AUCTION CO. Hatfield, PA 800-233-6898

MILLER’S AUCTION Argyle, NY 518-638-8580 PIRRUNG AUCTIONEERS Wayland, NY 585-728-2528 ROY TEITSWORTH, INC., AUCTIONEERS Geneseo, NY 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com WILLIAM KENT, INC. Stafford, NY 585-343-5449 or 585-548-7738 WOLGEMUTH AUCTION Leola, PA www.wolgemuthauction.com wolgemuthauc@juno.com

MARK FERRY AUCTIONS Latrobe, PA 724-423-5580

WRIGHT’S AUCTION SERVICE 48 Community Dr. Derby, VT 14541 802-334-6115 www.wrightsauctions.com

Thursday, July 11

www.pirrunginc.com

• 3:00 PM: NY Steam Engine Assn. Show Grounds, 3349 Gehan Rd., off Rts. 5& 20, 5 mi. E. of Canandaigua, NY. NYS Two Cylinder Expo XI JD Consignment Auction. 1st day of Expo XI Show. For show info contact John & Cheryl Jensen 585-526-6607.

Dann Auctioneers, Delos Dann, 585-396-1676, 585233-9570 www.cnyauctions.com/dannauctioneers.htm

Saturday, September 7

• 9:00 AM: Monroe Co. Fleet Center, 145 Paul Rd., Rochester, NY. Monroe County Municipal/Contractor Vehicle & Equipment Auction. Heavy Equipment, Tandem & Single Axle Trucks, Trailers, One Tons, Pickups, Vans, Cars & Landscape Equipment. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

C.W. GRAY & SONS, INC. Complete Auction Service Rte. 5, East Thetford, VT 802-785-2161

Saturday, July 27 • 9:00 AM: Martins Country Market, Waterloo, NY. Annual Summer Equipment Auction. Selling complete farm lines, estates, selling eq. for farmers, dealers, construction, bank reposes, large & small trucks. Hilltop Auction Company, Jay Martin 315-521-3123, Elmer Zeiset 315-729-8030.

Thursday, August 8 • Next to Empire Farm Days, Rt. 414, Seneca Falls, NY. Important 2 Day Auction. Aug. 8 & 9. Trucks, Farm Equipment, Large Construction Equipment, Landscape Supplies &Equipment, Recreational Equipment, Fleets, Complete Liquidations, Repo’s, Leas Returns & Consignments of all types! Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

Saturday, August 24 • 9:00 AM: Finger Lakes Produce Auction Inc., Penn Yan, NY (Yates Co.). Late Summer Farm Equipment, Light Construction, Equipment Auction. Pirrung Auctioneers, 585-728-2520

• 9:00 AM: Town of Lansing Highway Department, Rts. 34 & 34B, Lansing (Ithaca), NY. Lansing Municipal/Contractor Equipment Auction. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

Saturday, September 14 • 8:00 AM: Teitsworth Auction Yard, Groveland, NY (Geneseo Area). Groveland Fall Consignment Auction. Construction Equipment, Heavy & Light Trucks, Landscape Machinery, Nursery Stock. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

Saturday, September 21 • 9:00 AM: Lamb & Webster, Routes 39 & 219, Springville, NY. Used Equipment Auction. Farm Tractors, Machinery, Lawn & Garden Equipment. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

Saturday, October 12 • 9:00 AM: The Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY, 5600 McKinley Pkwy (closest to Clark). Municipal & Contractor Equipment Auction. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

Saturday, October 26 • 9:00 AM: NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY. Onondaga County Area Municipal Equipment Auction. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-2431563 www.teitsworth.com

Friday, November 29

Saturday, October 5

• Mohawk Valley Produce Auction, 840 Fords Bush Rd., Fort Plain, NY. Black Friday Consignment Auction. Mohawk Valley Produce Auction, 518-568-3579 or 518-568-2257

• 9:00 AM: CNY Farm Supply, Cortland, NY. Construction Equipment, Farm Machinery, Trucks, Recreational Vehicles & Trailers. Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

• 9:00 AM: Teitsworth Auction Yard, Groveland, NY (Geneseo Area). Construction Equipment, Heavy & Light Trucks, Landscape Tools, Building Materials.

Roy Teitsworth, Inc, 585-243-1563 www.teitsworth.com

Saturday, December 7

Page 41• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

AUCTION CALENDAR

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 42

Country Folks Grower Classifieds

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

Announcements

AUGUST ISSUE

ADVERTISING DEADLINE th

Thursday, July 18

For as little as $9.25 - place a classified ad in

Country Folks Grower

Call Peg at

1-800-836-2888

or 518-673-0111

Custom Services COLOR GLOSSY PHOTO CALENDARS: Only $12.00 includes tax. Send us your digital prints and we will make a beautiful keepsake calendar for you. You may also bring in your photos on a disc or thumb drive. If you would like us to mail it is a $5.00 extra fee. Only 3 day turnaround time. Contact Lee Publications bsnyder@leepub.com or 518673-0101

or email classified@leepub.com

Fish LIVE GAME FISH Oldest Fish Hatchery Estab. 1900

Fish ZETTS FISH FARM & HATCHERIES Large Selection of Game Fish Pond Equipment & Supplies, Aquatic Plants

Truck, Air, U.P.S. Parcel Post Deliver y

Koi

SEND FOR COMPLETE CATALOG P.O. BOX 239, DRIFTING, PA 16834 PHONE: 814-345-5357 www.zettsfish.com

Fish GROW YOUR OWN FISH: Complete recirculating aquaculture system for sale. 276708-6943

Farm Equipment Announcements # # # # #

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

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

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

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

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

ANTIQUE CAT PULL TYPE GRADER (1918), SN#18485, complete except blade. 506325-2701 www.foxbrand.ca CENTURY 500 GALLON sprayer $1,500; 2 row Holland 3pt carousel transplanter, like new, $1,800; 4 single row Holland carousel transplanters, new condition, $800 each; JD 6x30 RG stiff shank cultivator, $875; Case IH 183 cultivator 6x30 tunnel shields, S-tine, new condition, $1,550; JD 825 & White 378 6x30 cultivators, tunnel shields, $1,000 each; JD 15’ rotary hoe, $500; JD 924 flex head, $3,800; JD 220 flex head, $3,400. Mike Franklin 607-749-3424.

HATZENBICHLER 12 meter tine weeder, used very little, good condition. 506-325-2701 www.foxbrand.ca

NEED BUSINESS CARDS? Full color glossy, heavy stock.

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

PARTING OUT: Ford 9N & 8N farm tractor. Call 315-4392685

YARD SIGNS: Full color with stakes, double sided. Stakes included. Starting at $15.00 each. Call your sales representative or Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101 or bsnyder@leepub.com. Please allow 7 to 10 business days when ordering.

H A L L OW E E N D E C O R A TIONS: Scarecrows, Ghosts, Witches and lots more on poles, hanging, standing and tabletop. Direct importer, wholesale only. Call 800-4259777 for catalog or see on line WORTH IMPORTS INC. www.worthimports.com

Business Opportunities

Business Opportunities

Farm Market Items

Do You Grow Grapes?

Do You Make Wine?

CHECK OUT www.wineandgrapegrower.com Or Call For a Sample Copy

800-218-5586

Fruits & Berries

Irrigation Pump water uphill with no gas or electricity. It’s possible with the FLEMING HYDRO RAM or SOLAR Pump. Both run on Free Energy - Sun or Gravity.

Water your Garden or Livestock. For INFO call Ram Company (800) 227-8511

Lumber & Wood Products LOCUST 4x4’s, fence posts, split rails, lumber. Natural, chemical free non poisonous alternative to pressure treated that has strength and lasts a lifetime. 518-883-8284

Miscellaneous BUSINESS CARD MAGNETS only $75.00 for 250. Free Shipping. Call Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101 or bsnyder@leepub.com Please allow 7-10 business days for delivery

Fruits & Berries

®

Specializing in Edible Landscaping.

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

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

Greenhouse Supplies

Liners

Liners

USED NURSERY POTS FOR SALE 1 gal . . .9c 2 gal . .15c 3 gal . .19c 4 gal . .25c 5 gal . .50c 7 gal . .60c Please Call Frank Geiger 203-255-1024

Geiger’s Garden Center 40 Bel ont St. Fairfield, CT 06430

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Help Wanted

FLORASEARCH, INC.

In our 3rd decade of performing confidential key employee searches for the nursery, greenhouse, and horticulture industries and allied trades worldwide. Retained basis only.

Candidate contact welcome, confidential, and always free.

FLORASEARCH, INC. 1740 Lake Markham Road Sanford, FL 32771 407-320-81777 (phone)) • 407-320-80833 (fax) Email: search@florasearch.com Web Site: www.florasearch.com

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

For Information Call

1-800-836-2888

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

Native Plants

2701-A Route 305 Cuba, NY 14727 585-968-3120 Fax: 585-968-3122 www.southerntierconsulting.com

Plants

PLUG PLANTS FOR SALE

Cauliflower • Cheddar Cauliflower Graffiti Cauliflower • Broccoli • Cabbage Chinese Cabbage • Kale • Collards • Brussel Sprouts

Pequea Valley Greenhouse

Native, Woody & Herbaceous Plants for Wetlands and Uplands 9 Varieties of Live Stakes and Fascines Available Variety of Wetland and Upland Seeds and Seed Mixes Women Owned and Operated - Since 2006

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

Contract growing available.

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

Nursery Equipment BOULDIN & LAWSON 1 yard batch mixer, peat fluffer w/mist, 15’ conveyor, like new. 506325-2701 www.foxbrand.ca

Nursery Stock 2 ACRES POTTED & BALLED: Japanese Red Maple, River Birch, Pussy Willows, Willows, Rose of Sharon, Lilac, Forsythia. Also large stock to be dug. Will sell at a bargain price. 845-6924476.

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

700 acres of quality field grown material. 40 years experience. Roger Coffey & Sons Wholesale Nursery P h : 8 2 8 - 7 5 9 - 7 1 5 7 Fa x : 828-758-9285 email: sales@rogercoffeyandsons.com www.rogercoffeyandsons.com

Nursery Stock

Nursery Stock LEYLAND CYPRESS: 3 gallon 36-42”, $10.00. Quantity discounts. Also larger sizes.

OT T E R B E I N N U R S E RY, Newburg, PA 717-423-0119, 717-423-0146(Fax)

Plants

FOR SALE Cauliflower - Broccoli Celery - Collards - Cabbage Kale & Brussels Sprouts

PLUG PLANTS E & R Greenhouse

51 Esbenshade Rd., Ronks, PA

717-687-7969 Large Quantities Available

PLUG PLANTS • • • • • • •

Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage Celery Brussels Sprouts Collards Kale Large Quantities Available

Beaver Valley Greenhouse Lancaster County, PA

717-529-5561 Nursery Stock

Plants

Ronks, PA 717-687-3931

For Sale for Summer & Fall Planting GREENHOUSE GROWN PLUGS • Cabbage

• Celery Root

• Cauliflower

• Collards

• Broccoli

• Purple Cauliflower

• Kale

• Brussel Sprouts

• Cheddar Cauliflower

Real Estate For Sale THE GOOD EARTH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE FARM. Complete with 96x30 commercial greenhouse, Large barn and stable, 3 bedroom 2-bath ranch style house, mobile home pad, irrigation pond, strawberries, raspberry’s, fruit trees, tillable ground for corn and potatoes, $75,000 revenues in 2011. 10.25 acres located in Albion, Maine. Possible financing.

207-431-2348 poulintractor@myfairpoint.net

Refrigeration

Refrigeration

Small or Large Quantities Available

John D. Lapp 206 Northstar Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 UPS Available

NORTHSTAR GREENHOUSE (717)) 687-8889

GREEN GIANT ARBORVITAE WANTED TO BUY Any size infield to dig for nursery stock.

CONTACT KENNETH

336-352-4048 Real Estate For Sale

Real Estate For Sale

UPSTATE NEW YORK

SEAGROATT GREENHOUSES

Property has 2 ranges of greenhouses totaling 300,000 S.F. Lower range consists of 12 - 36’x358’ ridge & furrow aluminum frame with double acrylic covering. Lower range is 150,000 sq. ft. of working greenhouse, upper range is 150,000 that needs TLC. Single story office building with 5 bedroom apartment.

All on 100 acres and aquafir. This greenhouse has recent Priva Environmental computer system. Heating system consists of 2 oil fired low pressure steam boilers in separate building. This greenhouse also has refrigerator in separate building with loading docks. All greenhouse equipment included. Plus 100+/- acres!! $

1,950,000 ealty USA .com

Reduced

R

Tony Sabatino Licensed Assoc. Broker 518-857-6999 tonys330@aol.com

AMERICAN WHOLESALE CO.

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

Phone: (216) 426-8882 • www.awrco.com Roofing

Roofing

ROOFING & SIDING e Metall Roofing g & Siding..

BUY DIRECT – Wee manufacture

ABM M & ABX X Panell - Standingg Seam m - PBR R Panel LOW PRICES - FAST DELIVERY – FREE LITERATURE

A.B. MARTIN ROOFING SUPPLY, LLC Ephrata, PA 1-800-373-3703 N e w v i l l e , PA 1-800-782-2712

Full line Pole Building material. ~ Lumber - Trusses - Plywood.

www.abmartin.net • Email: sales@abmartin.net

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

Seeds, plugs, cuttings.

Offering the best annual, perennial, vegetable & herb seeds. Celebrating 29 years!

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

Services Offered ORGANIC GREENHOUSE CERTIFICATION: Get help certifying your commercial greenhouse. We are a specialized company that prepares you for your organic inspection.

Move your business ahead of the curve. Visit CertifyYourGreenhouse.com Cer tifyYourGreenhouse, Contact: Bill Lefebvre, Email: bill@certifyyourgreenhouse.com Phone: 603-529-2159. 22 Flanders Memorial Road, Weare, NH 03281

Fan us on Facebook

facebook.com/cfgrower OR visit our website at www.cfgrower.com

Page 43• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Country Folks Grower Classifieds

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 44

Country Folks Grower Classifieds

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

Trees

WEDDING INVITATIONS printed and designed by Lee Publications: 100 (4.5x6) Invitations including envelopes with 100 RSVP postcards.

Only $150.00 +tax. We can also do smaller and larger amounts. Call for pricing and designs 518-673-0101, or bsnyder@leepub.com Also Save the Dates • Shower Invitations • Baby Announcements and more.

Trees

HALABURA TREE FARMS 35 Dreher Rd. Orwigsburg, PA (Schuylkill Co.) 570-943-2137 office 570-943-7692 fax Douglas Fir Concolor Fir Hemlock Shade & Flowering Trees Available

Sprayers

Parts, Sales & Service for Durand-Wayland, Myers & Unigreen Arendtsville Garage 135A Main St. • Arendtsville, PA 17303

717-677-7416

Vegetables

White Pine Norway Spruce Arborvitae

Blue Spruce Serbian Spruce Frazier Fir

Cut & B&B available • Reasonable Prices • Delivery Available

NOW TAKING ORDERS for garlic seed. Sweden Center Garlic Farm, 585-747-0405 www.scgarlic.com

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

WANT TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD? CALL: 800-836-2888

Sprayers

Sprayers

Trucks

Trucks

Martin’s Farm Trucks, LLC

Trucks for All Your Needs - Specializing in Agri-Business Vehicles

2003 Sterling Acterra 3126 Cat, Allison AT, Spring Susp, AB, 26,000GVW, 20’x96” Reefer, Standby, 291k Mi.

$14,900

888-497-0310

A1 Mist Sprayers Spray up to 140’ Without Booms

New Orchard / Vineyard Sprayer

NEW ATT-ATV Fruits & Vegetables For Narrow Crops Vineyards Orchards Cranberries High/Low Bush Blueberries Tomatoes Pumpkins Sweet Corn AND MORE!!!

Fungi Control Black Rot Downy Mildew Powdery Mildew Leaf Spot AND MORE!!!

Low Maintenance Farmer Tough Insect Control Aphids Beetles Stinkbugs Mosquitoes AND MORE!!!

Vegetables

Vegetables

Baggott Family Farm We Are Picking Sweet Corn

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. *** JUL 16 Summer Turf & Ornamentals School Lebanon Valley College, 101 College Ave., Annville, PA. This full day program features inside and outside instruction covering a variety of turf and ornamental topics such as pesticide safety, pest diagnosis, chemical and non-chemical management.

On Internet at http://extension/psu.edu/ events JUL 16-17 International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) Tour Gettysburg, PA. On Internet at www.ifruittree.org JUL 17 Fruit Research & Extension Center Grower Field Day Penn State Fruit Research & Extension Center, 290 University Dr., Biglerville, PA. 1:15-5:30 pm. Opportunities for growers and industry personnel to learn about the latest Penn State research, to tour facilities and research field plots and engage in Q & A with research and extension faculty. Contact Deanne Bailey, 717-677-6116, ext. 1.

JUL 18 2013 Nursery IPM Field Day Root’s Nurseries, Inc. 2361 Lancaster Rd., Manheim, PA. Wholesale nursery growers and garden center employees, spend a morning at Root’s Nurseries learning how to identify ornamental plant pests and problems, along with various management strategies. On net at http://extension/psu.edu/ events

Bicolor & Yellow

call at 1-800-836-2888

2.

3.

Also a Full Line of Vegetables Located in the Connecticut Valley URX Ranger

TR-Boss

877-924-2474

www.mistsprayers.com www.cfgrower.com

Delivery Can Be Arranged Phone 860-623-1981 • Cell 860-508-5811

BAGGOTT FAMILY FARM Rt. 5, East Windsor, CT 06088

Ornamental Pest Roundup 2013: Pittsburgh Penn State Extension, Allegheny County, 400 North Lexington St., Pittsburgh, PA. This is a hands-on, interactive session using live plant samples. Participants will be asked to go through the samples on their own, naming the plant and what is wrong with it. Then, we will go over the samples together, emphasizing integrated pest management strategies for control. On net at http://extension/psu.edu /events JUL 18-20 CTFANY 60th Anniversary Summer Meeting John Rapp and Gordie Bell Farm, Hudson Valley/ Southern Catskill Region.

State of the art shop, beautiful trees, equipment, learning sessions, pesticide credits and more. Contact Mary Jeanne Packer, 607-5359790.

On Internet at www.christmastreesny.org JUL 22-25 American Society for Horticultural Science Conference Palm Desert, CA. JUL 25 Shade & Flowering Tree Identification & Usage: Pittsburgh Penn State Extension, Allegheny County, 400 North Lexington St., Pittsburgh, PA. 6-8 pm. Success in the landscape begins with a comprehensive knowledge of plant material available in the trade and matching site conditions with appropriate woody plants. On net at http://extension/psu.edu/ events

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

Tender Super Sweet & Others

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Calendar of Events

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

Fill out the form attached completely and fax to Peggy at (518) 673-2381 MAIL IT IN - Fill out the attached form, calculate the cost, enclose your check or credit card information and mail to:

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

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

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

Name: (Print)______________________________________________________________________

- Go to www.cfgrower.com 5.ON-LINE and follow the Place a Classified Ad Address:_________________________________________________________________________ button to place your ad 24/7!

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

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Want to know where to find a great glass of New York State wine this summer?

The 2013 Great New York State Fair, of course.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine announced a number of initiatives taking place at the 2013 Great New York

State Fair to promote the state’s growing wine industry. The annual competition for New York’s amateur and professional wine makers, along

with free public wine tastings in the International Building, highlights an exciting effort to display the vitality of one of New York’s signa-

ture industries.

“There is no better place to market New York State agricultural products than the 12-

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day Great New York State Fair,” said Commissioner Aubertine.

“Where else but the Fair can New York State businesses mass market their products to a million people? This is an exciting time to be in the wine business and the Fair is proud of its role in helping this growing New York industry market itself as a world class enterprise for fairgoers.”

New York’s wineries provide both quantity and quality. The state is the third largest producer of wine and grape juices. At the same time, New York wines are winning more fans and more gold medals at competitions around the world.

The Fair’s effort to promote New York wines is visible in the twin annual competitions for professional wineries and amateur winemakers. Commercial wines will be judged on July 13 and amateur wines on July 16. Wines must be received by July 5 for the commercial wine competition and by July 10 for the amateur competition.

In 2012, 61 professional wineries submitted 365 bottles of their best creations for judging.

Harvey Reissig, the Cornell University scientist and wine expert who chairs the professional competition says that the number of entries was an all-time high last year.

Judges also awarded a record number of gold medals and double gold medals at the event. “This indicates that the quality of New York wines is exceedingly high,” he said.

In the amateur competition, 144 exhibitors turned in bottles of 494 wines in various categories.

For full details on how to enter both competitions, please visit the following link: www.nysfair.org/competitions/ho w-to-enter/ Fairgoers can judge the quality of professional wines for themselves in the International Building, where the a winemakers man booth that provides free samples of the wines submitted to the competition The winemakers use the booth to reach new customers and provide education to people about the different types and tastes of wine.

Page 45• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

Great New York State Fair Wine Competitions and Tastings to Provide Showcase for a Growing New York Industry

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 46

SEE ONE OF THESE AUTHORIZED KUBOTA DEALERS NEAR YOU! NEW YORK ATLANTA, NY 14808

EMPIRE TRACTOR Route 371 • 585-534-5935 CLAVERACK, NY 12513

NEW YORK (cont)

NEW YORK (cont)

MAINE

TROY, NY 12180

EAST DIXFIELD, ME 04227

PENNSYLVANIA (cont)

NORWICH, NY 13815

NORWICH IMPLEMENT, INC.

SHARON SPRINGS GARAGE FARM & HOME CENTER

R.S. OSGOOD & SONS

MESSICK’S FARM EQUIPMENT, INC.

1101 US Rt. 2 West • 207-645-4934 or 800-287-4934 www.rsosgood.com

225 York Road 717-367-1319 • 800-222-3373 www.messicks.com

5621 ST HWY 12 • 607-336-6816 www.norwichimplement.com

COLUMBIA TRACTOR, INC.

SALEM, NY 12865

841 Rt. 9H • 518-828-1781 www.columbiatractor.com

SALEM FARM SUPPLY

CORTLAND, NY 13045

EMPIRE TRACTOR 638 Route 13 • 607-753-9656 FULTONVILLE, NY 12072

5109 State Rt. 22 • 518-854-7424 or 800-999-3276 www.salemfarmsupply.com SHARON SPRINGS, NY 13459

SHARON SPRINGS GARAGE FARM & HOME CENTER

RANDALL IMPLEMENTS

1375 Rte. 20 • 518-284-2346 • 800-887-1872

2991 ST HWY 5S • 518-853-4500 www.randallimpls.com

SPRINGVILLE, NY 12110

JOHNSON CITY, NY 13790-1093

GOODRICH IMPLEMENT, INC.

LAMB & WEBSTER, INC.

EMPIRE TRACTOR 1437 Route 318 • 315-539-7000 WATERTOWN, NY 13601

WALLDROFF FARM EQUIPMENT, INC. 22537 Murrock Circle • 315-788-1115 WOODHULL, NY 14898

LAMB & WEBSTER, INC. 5304 State Route 417 607-458-5200

WHITE’S FARM SUPPLY, INC. SYRACUSE, NY 13205

NORTH JAVA, NY 14113

2700 Erie Blvd. East • 315-446-5656

EMPIRE TRACTOR LAMB & WEBSTER, INC.

WATERLOO, NY 13165

Rt. 219 & 39 • 716-592-4923 • 800-888-3403

745 Harry L Drive • 607-729-6161

4120 Rt. 98 • 585-535-7671 • 800-724-0139

1175 Hoosick St. • 518-279-9709 • 800-888-3403

CANASTOTA, NY • 315-697-2214 WATERVILLE • 315-841-4181 LOWVILLE • 315-376-0300 www.whitesfarmsupply.com

MASSACHUSETTS

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AYER, MA 01432

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA 17022

4 Littleton Rd., Rt. 2A/110 • 978-772-6619 www.toreku.com

Rt. 283, Rheems Exit 717-367-1319 • 800-222-3373 www.messicks.com

TOREKU TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT, INC. MESSICK’S FARM EQUIPMENT, INC.

WILLIAMSBURG, MA 01096

BACON’S EQUIPMENT 29 Goshen Rd. (Rte. 9) • 413-268-3620

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW BERLINVILLE, PA 19545

ERB & HENRY EQUIP., INC. 22-26 Henry Ave. • 610-367-2169 www.erbhenry.com

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA 17301

MESSICK’S FARM EQUIPMENT, INC. 7481 Lincoln Hwy. East/Rt. 30 717-367-1319 • 800-222-3373 www.messicks.com BLOOMSBURG, PA 17815

TPC POWER CENTER 2605 Columbia Blvd. • 570-784-0250 tpcpowercenter.com

VIRGINIA

STUARTS DRAFT, VA 24477

BEVERAGE TRACTOR 2085 Stuarts Draft Highway • 540-337-1090 www.beveragetractor.com

Page 47• COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • July 2013

July 2013 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Page 48

Supplement to Country Folks GROWER

PAGE 1

SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

MARKETPLACE

SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

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MARKETPLACE

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

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Wessels Farm

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PAGE 5

SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

MARKETPLACE Using Pinterest to market your business

by Katie Navarra Tell your story. Build a community. Send traffic to your website.

Social media of all types helps businesses spread the word about the products and services offered. Using social media sites to promote farm products, farmers markets and onsite events can be a cost effective way to increase sales.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are by far the most frequently social media sites mentioned, but Pinterest is becoming an equally important outlet.

Why Pinterest?

Pinterest is the fastest growing social media site. The site is growing at a rate of 25 million users per month. There are 11,716,000 unique users in the United States alone.

At this point, Pinterest is attracting users who are more likely to spend money on products seen

on the site compared to other social media sites.

For example, shoppers who saw a product on Pinterest spent on average $170. Consumers who saw a product on Facebook spent $90 and only $70 after hearing about a product on Twitter.

The site is an interest based site that is similar to window shopping. Pinterest works similar to an old fashioned bulletin or cork board. Images that relate to a particular theme are “pinned” to a board for viewing.

On Pinterest, users virtually “pin” images to specifically themed boards. The Pinterest boards are tailored to specific interests such as crafts, do-it-yourself projects, menus and more. A user can save and revisit their own pins or share pins with others. “The site is only three years old and at this point is still ad free,”

At this point in time, Pinterest is attracting users who are more likely to spend money on products seen on the site compared to other social media sites.

Connie Hancock with University of Nebraska Extension said.

Is Pinterest right for your business?

When using any social media site, Pinterest included, it is important to remember that first and foremost these sites are designed for social networking. Users are looking for tips, advice and general information.

Before establishing an account on Pinterest, decide if your target audience is using the site.

From a business standpoint, Pinterest may be helpful if your target audience is a consumer rather than another business, female, ages 25-54 with an income of $50,000 or more.

“Statistics from March 2012 indicate

that 72 percent of Pinterest users are women and 79 percent are between the ages of 2554,” Hancock said.

Depending upon the report you reference, the list of Top 10 Pinterest Interests vary. Hancock shared a list that she has seen recently. Top 10 interests include: Fashion designers and collection Music, art and memorabilia Vineyards and wine tourism Utah Crafts Public Relations SEO and Marketing Venture Capital

Iowa Graphic designs Using Pinterest Getting started with Pinterest is relatively simple and at this time free.

Prior to November 2012, Pinterest only allowed users to create personal boards. Since then, the site has since allowed the creation of business boards. Individuals are able to maintain a personal and a business Pinterest account, but it may become overwhelming to keep pace with two accounts. It is important to know that individuals who want to maintain a

Pinterest 6

SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

PAGE 6

MARKETPLACE Pinterest from 5 personal and a business account will be required to use two different email addresses to establish an account.

“Business accounts offer features that personal accounts don’t, like widgets,” Tara Gross, owner of Country Drawers said. Unlike Facebook, users are not required to have a personal account to create a business account.

Pinterest is designed

for images and videos.

Using high-quality, striking images that are clear and easy to view are critical. “The pinable image should be easy to pin and easily identifiable,” Gross added. Any image can be pinned to the site, but if it is unclear, low resolution or small in size users will be less likely to repin or return to the image.

Creating an account is simple.

Visit

http://business.pinterst.com. A step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process of establishing an account.

Once an account has been established, one or more boards can be created. Each board should include images that focus on one particular theme. “People only see the first 10 boards, but if you have more than 10 you will have the ability to edit and change the

layout so you can control what people see first,” Gross said.

Businesses that are not interested in maintaining a Pinterest account, can still tap into the ever expanding user network. “Even if you don’t have a Pinterest account, have ‘pinable images’ on your website,” Gross suggested, “try to have a “pin-it” button under each item to make it easy for people to pin.”

Twitter and other social media. “It’s an online social network, you don’t want to advertise just your own business,” Gross noted. Instead it should be used to develop a network and share information that followers can use. Within the information that is shared, such as ideas for decoration or gifts, your products can be integrated as appropriate.

Benefits of Pinterest Using Pinterest is one more tool in a businesses’ social media tool kit to reach a broader audience. “When I pin something it not only goes to Pinterest, but I also have the option to Tweet it as well, which I have found helpful to spread the word because not all of our clientele is on one location,” Hancock said.

The marketing concept behind using Pinterest is similar to Facebook,

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

MARKETPLACE Advertise in

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AUGUST • New Product Issue • Christmas Section • Fall Harvest & Halloween • Editorial Deadline July 8TH • Advertising Deadline July 18th

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Country Folks Grower Will Have A Marketplace This Could Glossy Section Be Your Ad In The October Buyer’s Guide Issue There is limited space

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PAGE 8

SUMMER EDITION • July 2013

MARKETPLACE