How the hurricane affected the North Carolina State Fair

by Chris Bickers

It takes a lot to distract attention in North Carolina in October from the state fair. But this year, Hurricane Matthew managed to do it. By the time that the fairgrounds had been cleared of debris and the fair opened, five days after Matthew had struck on Oct. 8, the evidence of the storm was largely gone in Raleigh.

But to the east, downstream flooding had brought farming and indeed most normal commerce to a halt, and the water problems were still going on when the fair closed on Oct. 23. [Read more…]

Farm Credit East update on the dairy industry

by George Looby, DVM

Farm Credit East is a major source of financing and support services to the agricultural community in the northeast. Many in the dairy industry rely on its services as a source of both long and short term financing to insure that their operations are as financially efficient as market conditions allow. It will come as no surprise to anyone that dairy farming has ridden the waves of market turmoil for many years. [Read more…]

Good quality pastures, fat cows, fat checkbook

by Sally Colby

Cliff Hawbaker is a sixth generation dairy farmer, and after trying just about everything as he built his dairy business, he and his wife Maggie have settled on what works best for them.

The Hawbakers recently hosted a tour for the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) at their farm, Hamilton Heights Dairy, in Chambersburg, PA. [Read more…]

GMOs: Weeding through the data

by Tamara Scully

According to the results of the Organic Farming Research Foundation’s 2016 National Organic Research Agenda, weed control was rated as a top concern of 67 percent of the certified organic farmers in the United States. The primary concern, cited by 74 percent, was soil health, quality and nutrient management.

Optimizing the soil ecosystem helps to manage weeds: the two are implicitly linked. [Read more…]

‘Art in the Orchard’ at Park Hill Orchard

by Laura Rodley

Huge insects that don’t need to be eradicated, horses on the loose, people being framed and liking it. All this, along with outdoor theatre performances, pumpkins, apples, hot or cold cider, donuts and cider slushies can be found at Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, MA. [Read more…]

Juliano Produce Farms

by Daniel Baldwin

Juliano’s Produce Farms is a family-owned and operated farmer’s market that has been in the Utica, NY, area for 35 years. It is located on State Route 5.

The Juliano family grows fruits and vegetables and sells them at their store along with cheese, milk, and other dairy products. The family members also grow and sell flowers inside their 13 greenhouses located outside the market. [Read more…]

Growing hemp in New York State

by Michael Wren

ALBANY, NY — On October 22, 2016 people from all walks of life gathered together to learn about and discuss the now legalized cultivation of hemp in New York State. The informational meeting was sponsored by the New York Hemp Industries Association (NYHIA) in order for interested parties to learn more about the New York Hemp Pilot Program. [Read more…]

Precision planting recommended in ENYCHP cover crops demonstration and workshop

by Elizabeth A. Tomlin

Stanton’s Feura Farm, Feura Bush, NY, hosted CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program’s Cover Crops Demonstration: Not What Grandpa Used to Grow! on Oct. 13.

Featured speakers included Northeast Soil Health Specialist Dr. Paul Salon and Research Agronomist/ Cover Crop Specialist Dave Wilson. [Read more…]

Country Folks

Highlighting Agriculture