by Bill and Mary Weaver
A previous edition of Country Folks provided information from a seminar given by Dr. Ernest Hovingh at the Penn State Mastitis and Milk Quality Conference on the importance of recognizing the different pathogens that cause mastitis in dairy cows so the appropriate treatment can be implemented. A continuation of that list and insight on how to prevent mastitis can be found below. Continue reading
LEOMINSTER, MA — A school year of preparation paid off for local teenagers who were rewarded for their knowledge of the environment at the 27th annual Massachusetts Envirothon. They were among 250 high school students from more than 30 Massachusetts communities from Boston to the Berkshires who descended on Sholan Farms in Leominster on Thursday, May 15, 2014 for the outdoor field competition. Continue reading
by Laura Rodley
The world moved at a slower pace as 46 people on tractors rode a 30-mile route along backcountry roads and main thoroughfares of western Massachusetts during the 7th Annual Tractor Ride on May 18. At 12 miles an hour, the convoy drove through the towns of Cummington, Peru, Windsor, Savoy and West Cummington, then back to their starting point at Cummington Fairgrounds for a chicken barbecue. Continue reading
by Sanne Kure-Jensen
Many states are growing new farms and farmers, according to preliminary reports from the recent USDA agricultural census. Consumer support of local farmers continues to grow. Farmers markets, direct sales and agritourism help make farming a viable occupation in many regions.
In her recent webinar called “Starting a Farm,” Rachel Armstrong of farmcommons.org explained how to establish a new farm business. She covered legal issues of starting a new farm, such as buying land and equipment, leasing, forming a business, buying insurance and protecting the farm. Continue reading
