Grower East 5.12

Eastern Edition n

Section One of Two

GROWER

May 2012 Volume e 21 Number r 5

$2.50

Serving All Aspects of Commercial Horticulture

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

UConn n hostss annual Perenniall Plant Conference~ ~ Page e B8

Today’ss Marketing g A19 Classifieds Specialty y Foods/ Value e Added

B12 B1

Inserts (in some areas) Greenstarr Farm m Market

Movable high tunnels cover more valuable produce ~ Page A2

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 2

Movable high tunnels cover more valuable produce

by Sally Colby High tunnels aren’t the latest news in horticulture, but some are being constructed with a new twist: tunnels that can be moved to cover more than one crop during a growing season.

Dr. William Lamont, professor of vegetable crops at Penn State University, has been working through research and extension programs to promote the use of plastic in growing vegetables, whether that plastic is a row cover, a component of drip irrigation or covering a high tunnel frame.

As Lamont constructed high tunnels for growing vegetables of all kinds over the past 15 years, he envisioned a movable tunnel that would cover a variety of crops throughout a single growing season.

Although Lamont and his colleague, Dr. Michael Orzolek, director of Penn State’s Center for Plasticulture, didn’t come up with the first movable high tunnel, they’ve been following the progress of these structures from the start.

Lamont says the first moveable high tunnels were on skids that had flat metal ends bent up like skis. The structure could be pulled to cover different sections of the growing area. In comparison, movable high tunnels are permanent structures that incorporate a track system so that the structure can be moved back and forth to cover various segments of a given area throughout the season.

What Lamont likes about the moveable high tunnels is added flexibility. “We can grow a cover crop in a stationary high tunnel,” he said, “but it takes valuable space and it’s

The doorframe assembly on movable high tunnels is on the side of the structure so that the ends can remain open to move over top of tall, perennial crops such as trees. harder to get established. With this, we can push the tunnel off to the other end and work on the ground or plant a cover crop. At one end we can grow high-value fruit crops like apricots or sweet cherries, have another perennial crop at the other end, and an annual in the middle.”

One of the moveable high tunnels at the Rock Springs Research Farm is a 30-by-48

feet unit by Four Seasons Tools that can be moved along a 162-feet metal V-track. The track is secured to the ground with 54 pieces of 3-feet rebar driven into the ground, and the tunnel is anchored to the track. The tunnel can be placed over three distinct growing areas, and will be used for two perennial crops and one annual crop. At the southern end of the track will

Because movable high tunnels aren't mounted directly to the ground, cross-bracing provides stability.

Photos by Sally Colby

be Chandler blueberries, with apricots at the north end. The center section will be used for tomatoes or other annual crops. Lamont explained that tomatoes could be covered at a time that apricots might not need to be covered. Then when the apricots begin to flower, the tunnel would be moved to cover the apricot trees until fruit is formed and the chance of frost has passed. In later spring, when the blueberries start to flower, the tunnel would be moved over that section to protect early fruit.

The other movable high tunnel at the research farm is an 18-by-36 feet tunnel by Rimol.

The 80-feet track will allow two growing areas, which Lamont says will likely be used for late-season broccoli and peppers.

Lamont says that one of the most critical features of a moveable high tunnel is the ability to easily move the end wall so that it can be moved from relatively low-growing annuals to high-growing perennials such as trees.

Rather than having entry doors on the end of the tunnel, these doors are located on the sides. “There’s also a lot of cross-bracing on these movable tunnels,” said Lamont.

“They’re engineered for strength. A lot of areas where these would be used have severe weather conditions,

such as high wind, so they have to be securely tied down.” Lamont added that while high tunnels are traditionally covered with a single layer of 6 mil plastic, a lot of growers are using double layers for tighter protection. “If you get wind on a single layer,” he said, “it’s a lot of stress — even if the plastic is strapped down.”

As is the case for traditional high tunnels, movable high tunnels will provide more flexibility for growers who want to extend the season to provide more variety for both fresh market and added-value crops. “These tunnels are for high-value crops,” said Lamont, noting that Greg Lang, of Michigan State University is doing a lot of work with cherries in moveable high tunnels. “I think the main selling point of the moveable tunnel is the ability to put it over a perennial tree crop, or if you’re growing something like asparagus or rhubarb and need a higher soil temperature sooner.”

Both Lamont and Orzolek have ideas to improve existing movable high tunnels, and they’re working on those ideas at the research farm. For now, they’re weighing the benefits of putting a temporary cover over high-value crops to add value to both the structure and the crop for market.

Dr. William Lamont, professor of vegetable crops at Penn State University, points out that the track must be as level as possible for ease in moving the structure. Lamont and Orzolek bolted a board to the base of the tunnel side for extra stability.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ — New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher was joined on March 26 by state horticulture industry representatives in announcing the expansion of the Jersey Grown program to include annual bedding plants in time for the spring planting season.

“New Jersey has many great growers known throughout the region and beyond our state’s borders who will soon be able to identify their annual plants as Jersey Grown,” said Fisher. “As people head to nurseries and garden centers for their spring planting, they should look for this brand new designation, which means the plant is accustomed to our state’s climate and is disease and pest-free.”

Jersey Grown, similar to the Jersey Fresh program for local produce, was launched in 2004 to draw consumer attention to the availability of New Jersey trees, shrubs, plants and flowers. Besides helping to promote the state’s horticulture industry, which brings in more than $451 million in revenue a year, Jersey Grown indicates a high-quality product that is disease and pestfree and accustomed to the state’s growing conditions.

Since its inception, the Jersey Grown program has

been expanded several times and now includes cut Christmas trees, firewood, sunflower seed birdseed and wood products.

The officials visited Hionis Greenhouses and Garden Center in Whitehouse Station today to view its selection of Jersey Grown pansies, primrose, tulips and hyacinths.

Hionis was selected to conduct a pilot project as the Department finalizes rules regarding Jersey Grown annuals. Hionis is one of the largest growers of finished annuals, perennials and bulbs in central New Jersey.

Floriculture is big business in New Jersey, accounting for $178 million in sales in 2010, up 7 percent from 2009.

Bedding and garden plants were the largest contributor, bringing in $110 million in revenue. New Jersey ranked eighth in the nation in expanded wholesale value of floriculture crops, in a survey conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service.

All annual and bedding plants would be eligible to be labeled Jersey Grown if they were grown in New Jersey and meet or exceed the Department’s standards. The Department is adopting two

Tim Hionis, owner of Hionis Greenhouses; Dominick Mondi, executive director of the NJ Nursery and Landscape Association; and Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher, who is pointing to the pansy plants with the Jersey Grown label on them.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension publications: “Pest Control Recommendations for Shade Tree and Commercial Nursery Crops” and “Insect Control Recommendations for Shade Trees and Commercial Nursery Crops, 2011,” for use as guides by New Jersey plant

and nursery stock producers to ensure freedom from injurious plant pests and diseases.

To assist in the marketing of Jersey Grown ornamental annuals, those licensed to participate in the program will be listed on the Jersey

Grown website at www.jerseygrown.nj.gov. The website lists all Jersey Grown growers, explains the different aspects of the program, has a search for New Jersey nurseries and garden centers and provides all the materials to become part of the program.

Reducing insecticide use by identifying disease-carrying aphids

by Dennis O’Brien In work that could cut back on insecticide use, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have found a way to distinguish aphids that spread plant viruses from those that do not.

The researchers used protein biomarkers to differentiate between virus-spreading and virus-free aphids. The findings mark the first time that protein biomarkers have been linked to an insect’s ability to transmit viruses.

Aphid-transmitted viruses decrease crop yields and reduce the quality and quantity of fresh foods. Spraying insecticides can control aphids and reduce the incidence of some viruses, but not all aphids transmit viruses, and spraying is expensive and can harm the environment, people and animals.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists Michelle Cilia and Stewart Gray have found they can identify disease-carrying aphids by examining the types of proteins in their cells. Cilia and Gray work in

Plant pathologist Stewart Gray and molecular biologist Michelle Cilia examine greenhouse plants for virus symptoms. the Biological Integrated Pest Management Unit at the ARS Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health in Ithaca, NY. ARS is USDA’s chief intramural scientific research agency, and this research supports the USDA priorities of improving agricultural sus-

tainability and promoting international food security.

The researchers knew from previous work that for aphids to pick up and transmit viruses, the virus must be able to interact with specific aphid proteins that direct movement of the virus through the insect and back

into a plant during feeding.

By studying greenbug aphids in the laboratory, they discovered that the lab-raised insects’ ability to transmit yellow dwarf viruses was linked to the presence or absence of nine biomarker proteins found in the insect cells.

They then analyzed greenbug aphids collected from cereal crops and non-cultivated fields and found the aphids consistently transmitted yellow dwarf virus only when they carried most, if not all, of the nine proteins. Field samples were collected by ARS colleagues John Burd and Melissa Burrows at the agency’s Wheat, Peanut and Other Field Crops Research Unit in Stillwater, OK. The aphid does not need all nine proteins to spread the virus, but there are some that are essential.

The discovery in the lab was published in the Journal of Virology, and the field population study was reported in Proteomics. The findings are expected to lead to development of a test to identify

potential disease vectors.

Cilia and Gray also are collaborating on an expanded effort to test whether biomarker -predictor proteins can be found in other insects.

Source: Agricultural Research magazine, April 2012

Close-up of greenbug aphid, Schizaphis graminum, showing the piercing-sucking mouthparts it uses to feed and inject virus into plants.

Page 3 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Jersey Grown brand expands to include bedding plants

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 4

Thielaviopsis spells trouble for growers

by Stephen Wagner Thielaviopsis — pronounced thellAY-vee-OP-sis — is the technical name for Black Root Rot. Why all the recent fuss about it?

“Last year is not the first year we had this,” said Rick Yates, a technical consultant for Griffin Greenhouse Supply during a presentation at Shady Maple Restaurant in East Earl, PA. “Why is it called a stealth disease and why are we so concerned about it? It is a slow devigorating disease.”

Yates said a list in his PowerPoint presentation was in no way a complete list of those plants susceptible to this particular rot; the list is constantly being updated. Plants mentioned included bacopa, begonia, browallia, calibrachoa, clematis, fuchsia, gerbera daisy, nemesia, pansy, petunia, salvia, snapdragon, tomato, verbena and flowering vinca. Acknowledging that greenhouse growers are doing an ade-

quate job of checking the plugs when they come in, much of the so-called stealth in the disease is tough to diagnose at that stage. It is often a few weeks after arrival that symptoms start to show up. It can, indeed, arrive on healthy looking plugs or cuttings and mimic nutritional problems resulting in slow decline.

Stalled or stunted growth is among the early symptoms, with roots making minimal progress after transplant.

Plants may actually survive into maturity, then simply collapse. Growers tend to blame themselves, pondering the possibility of over-watering. “A common complaint from growers,” Yates says, “is that pansies, for example, don’t look any different three or four weeks after they’ve been transplanted. If those plugs are pulled out of the soil, we find that the roots never come out of the root ball and, though they haven’t rotted away, they have

Cover photo by Sally Colby Dr. Michael Orzolek and Dr. William Lamont discuss the options for movable high tunnels.

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Inkberries with black root rot. Roots of the plant on the right are severly decayed.

Photo by C. Kaiser, Kentucky Cooperative Extension generally turned dark. So, maybe the grower did a great job — had a 12-inch combo, a variety of plants in there, and it’s May 1 and the sun is out, the fans are on, and their combo poops out.

The plants actually made it that far.”

Yates’s mission is to try to keep that scenario from playing out. Illustrating his point with a slide of a pansy plug, it shows that the plug beside other mature pansies was significantly smaller, not much bigger than when it was planted. No white roots were evident, only black ones. Focusing next on a petunia bench, a slide showed perhaps up to a 40 percent infection rate of the plants. The infected ones looked nearly dwarfed in comparison.

“Initial infection,” Yates cautions, “is almost always brought in on plant material. It does persist, and secondary infections can be created from year to year.”

Looking at a slide of calibrachoa, he said it would be easy to render an uninformed diagnosis of phosphorus deficiency and possible lack of fertilization, based on purple leafing.

“We know that the disease does not fare well in a low soil pH,” says Yates; pH below 5.8 seems to act as an inhibitor. But he notes that any remedial measures be taken in favor of the crop. Suspicious plants should be tested at a diagnostic lab and quickly disposed of off-site. Once present in a grower’s operation it can be exceptionally persistent. Thielaviopsis is spread by infected plugs and liners. Resistant spores last a year or more without plant hosts. Last year’s infection can still be in the dust in your greenhouse, kicked up by traffic on floors. And it has been proven that adult fungus gnats and possibly shoreflies will

transmit thielaviopsis in their travels.

It could be on the benches. “I’m very concerned about growers trying to reuse plastics,” warns Yates. “I think if you have thielaviopsis, it is just best to recycle those plastics rather than try to clean them up. It survives readily on re-used plastic. So, cleaning up should be a two-step process — thorough cleaning to get rid of organic matter, and then disinfest. You should educate yourselves and your workers about symptoms and how the disease is spread. They should know what to look for and be really aggressive in post-season clean-up.”

Regarding the actual clean-up, Yates suggests removing all crop debris from the greenhouse, then “sweep, scrub or power wash organic matter off of all surfaces.”

• No visible organic matter left? It’s okay to disinfest.

• Organic matter still visible? Apply Strip-it by spray, brush or foam. Rinse (power wash preferred) off surfaces in about 10 minutes, before it dries. It is OK then to disinfest.

• Don’t forget to include hand tools and machinery.

• Disinfestant options include Kleengrow, X-3, and Zerotol. Use the maximum label rates of each and take steps to keep treated surfaces wet for 10 minutes or longer for best results.

When looking at control options one might consider when crops need preventive drenching. Highly susceptible crops regardless of origin would fall into that category. Also, moderately susceptible crops, if the grower has had a history of trouble or disease in the past year. Treatments should be preventive as they will fight eradication.

Omitted In the the article 2012 Hudson Valley Nursery & Greenhouse Growers School, in the Country Folks Grower April issue, the following was inadvertently omitted from the last paragraph.

Most of those attending the class were professional greenhouse growers, and the majority indicated that they would modify current production practices or adopt new practices.

New York Farm Bureau, the state’s largest

general farm advocacy organization, held two si-

multaneous press events April 12 in Albany and

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Waterport to highlight its efforts to protect family farms from misguided youth employment regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

Last year, USDOL launched its effort to redesign youth employment guidelines for 14 and 15 year olds. The resulting regulations proposed a radical shift in the operation of family farms. First, traditional exemptions for parents to allow their children to work on the farm were stripped away. Then, in its designation of “Hazardous Occupations” USDOL

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labeled simple tasks like using a hand-held flashlight or unloading a truck as too dangerous for a teenager.

After receiving approximately 9,000 negative comments, USDOL has pledged to re-propose its parental exemption language. However, it has provided no guarantees that changes will be made that allow children to work on their grandparents or aunt’s and uncle’s farm, or that a farm organized as an LLC will be treated the same as a sole proprietorship.

The “Hazardous Occupations Orders” are moving forward full steam and USDOL has given no indication that it will address the negative impact on farmers, farm youth and rural communities.

“We are now moving beyond annoying red tape and into a place where it appears that the government wants to stretch its long arm onto our family farms and tell us how to raise our kids,” said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau. “I’m a farmer and a proud father and when it comes to my kids’ safety, no one cares more than I do. It’s time for USDOL to scrap these regulations and let farm families get back to what they do best — farming.”

“We must be sure the

federal government does not overreach in its rulemaking and prevent the participation of young people in agriculture,” said Rep. Bill Owens.

“New York family farms play a major role in our economy and ensure an abundant and safe food supply, while keeping kids safe. Addressing this issue is critical to ensuring young people can carry on the tradition of family farming, keeping local businesses alive.”

The regulatory process on the parental exemption language is due to restart in June and the USDOL could finalize the other youth employment rules as early as this summer. Beth Chittenden and Linda Fix, who own family farms in Rensselaer and Columbia counties, see big problems if these regulations go into effect.

“Farming is something you have to learn by doing,” said Beth Chittenden of Dutch Hollow Farm. “My husband and I have taught our kids how to do every farm chore and we have always made a point of emphasizing safety.

Some of the jobs that these regulations would ban are things that every parent asks their kids to do, whether they are farmers or not. Using a leaf blower or mowing

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Page 5 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Farmers to Department of Labor: Leave farm kids alone

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 6

Farmers from A5 the lawn should be allowed on a family farm, just as it is in a suburban subdivision.”

Linda Fix, of Fix Brothers Fruit Farm agrees, “When you read these regulations, you really have to shake your head and ask yourself, ‘Who thought this was reasonable?’” At the end of the day, we lost 300 farms in New York state last year and if a regulation like this is finalized, we will lose more. This is about protecting the next generation of New York farms.”

Paige Levandowski is the chapter president of the FFA at Albion High School in Orleans County. FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Levandowski sees the USDOL proposals as a threat to FFA’s core mission.

“FFA is dedicated to promoting agricultural education and if the role of young people in agriculture is challenged, than so is our mission,”

said Levandowski. “I know lots of kids who work on their family farm or at a neighbor’s farm and none of them feel unsafe.”

Another potential consequence of the full implementation of the proposed USDOL regulations could be even fewer jobs available for young people in rural areas. According to statistics from the New York State Department of Labor, youth employment generally has been in decline since 2009.

Orchard Dale Fruit Farms, Waterport, has been a family-owned farm since 1804. It employs young people both on the farm and at its retail market, Brown’s Berry Patch.

“Some of the restrictions in the proposed USDOL regulations are very troubling to me,” said Eric Brown, owner of Brown’s Berry Patch. “We hire local teenagers throughout the year and not only are they vital to operating our business, but I also know that working here is helpful to kids and their families. I employ two full-time workers, who started

working for us part-time when they were teenagers.

By trying to prevent kids from working here at the Berry Patch USDOL is hitting us with a double

whammy.”

With USDOL looking to finalize these regulations by this summer, New York Farm Bureau is issuing a call to action to

everyone who has a stake in this fight.

“The affects of these proposed regulations are so negative and far reaching, that we need to

stop this in its tracks now, before future generations of farmers are imperiled,” said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau.

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by Anna Meyerhoff, Bilingual Farm Safety Educator, NYCAMH Usually Lyme disease season peaks in May and June, but this year’s mild winter could mean that ticks are waking from their dormant state much earlier than expected. According to disease ecologist Richard S. Ostfeld, there may be an

abundance of ticks this year — and they are hungry. A bumper crop of acorns back in 2010 resulted in a large population of white-footed mice, prime host animals for black-legged ticks. The mice provided a meal for tick larvae, which grow into nymphs. Last fall, acorns were scarce, and mouse numbers dwin-

dled. With fewer mice around, nymphs will now be looking for a blood meal from other animals, including humans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that reported cases of Lyme disease have doubled between 1992 and 2010, affecting nearly 23,000.

The rising rates of tickborne illness can be partially attributed to increased population density and development in areas where animals and ticks are abundant. Another concern is that different species of ticks seem to be moving north because of changes in climate and forests, bringing with them other tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis, tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

L yme disease is a

growing concern in New York state, especially in tick hotspots like Long Island and the Hudson Valley. According to 2010 data from the state Department of Health, Orange County reported 645 Lyme disease cases, second only to New York City, which reported 727 cases. Suffolk, Dutchess and Albany counties were also ranked highly, with 609, 519 and 466 cases, respectively. Data from the CDC shows that in 2010, 94 percent of Lyme disease cases were reported from just 12 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York.

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have a higher risk of being exposed to ticks.

Here are some simple ways to stay safer: • Wear light-colored clothing, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants tucked into socks; • Use insect repellent with DEET, only as directed; • Avoid areas with tall grass and brush; and • Always shower after outdoor activity, preferably within two hours.

• Conduct regular tick checks, paying close attention to the armpits, groin and neck • Toss clothing in the dryer on high heat to kill any ticks • See a doctor if a reaction occurs to a tick bite that lasts longer than a few days Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria that can be transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick. Many people don’t remember being bitten by a tick and are unaware of the possible infection. The tick must be attached to the host for at least 12-24 hours before they begin to transmit the bacteria which cause Lyme disease, so early detection and removal is important.

If you have been bitten and the tick is still embedded in your skin, use tweezers to grip the body close to the skin.

Pull directly outward, without twisting or squeezing, until the tick releases itself. Apply an antiseptic to the bite area, and kill the tick by placing it in alcohol.

Your doctor may want to see the tick, so save it.

After being bitten by a tick, always watch for signs of Lyme disease. The most common symptom is an enlarged, red “bull’s eye” rash at the site of the bite. The rash usually develops within three days to a month after exposure.

Flu-like symptoms may occur as well, including fever, headache, sore throat, and sore and aching muscles and joints.

Even if the symptoms and rash disappear, Lyme disease can cause long-term health problems for joints, the nervous system and heart if left untreated. At the first sign of these symptoms, see a doctor.

This article contains information compiled from the NYS Department of Health website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, and an article written by Laurie Tarkan for Fox News.

For more information, visit: http://www. cdc.gov/ticks/.

For farm safety and health information, check out our website: www.nycamh.org. A Spanishlanguage article about ticks and Lyme disease is also available from NYCAMH. If you wish to schedule a free farm safety survey or on-farm safety training session, please contact me at 800-343-7527, ext 291 or email me at ameyerhoff@nycamh.com. NYCAMH, a program of Bassett Healthcare Network, is enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury.

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Page 7 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Stay safe during tick season!

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 8

Marketing to schools and institutions

by Bill Rose Does it sound intimidating to sell produce to schools and institutions? Well, it does not have to be, according to David Conner, assistant professor with the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont in Burlington.

Schools, institutions and hospitals can provide significant opportunities for diversification and risk management for fruit and vegetable growers.

Says Conner, “Institutions tend to really be very stable markets. They buy pretty much the same amount of things in the fairly large amounts, and many farmers find they're really a great outlet for their number two produce-- not quite cosmetically ideal stuff.” This is because much of the produce used by institutions gets sliced and diced and processed inhouse. Farmers should also realize that schools provide more potential sales than just school meals. Once you are an established vendor at a school, there may be opportunities to sell produce at fundraisers, and at concession stands. You may also be able to use the schools for CSA networking, or to sell directly to school staff and parents. Be creative!

According to Conner, you can recruit schools and institutions as produce customers if you understand their special policies and requirements. For instance, there can be a lot of paperwork involved with institutional sales. Also, many schools want delivery to more than one location, which can really

drive up delivery costs. Schools can be slow to pay-often 30 days or more. And even though they will pay a fair price, they usually will not pay top dollar due to budget and funding constraints.

Conner points out that schools typically get less than $3 in funding per student meal. Of that, only about a dollar is the actual food cost, and of that, only about 10 or 20 cents goes toward the fruit and vegetable component of each serving.

Questions to ask yourself about marketing to schools and institutions: Do you have adequate liability insurance? Many institutions require at least a million dollar liability policy. Do you have third party food safety certification? Many schools don't require ityet, but the demands for such certification from institutions will only increase, given current trends. Are you willing to show up in person at the school for educational events to put a “face” on farming? If you are willing, this can be a great way of promoting your farm and your brand in the community. Are you willing to host field trips to your farm?

If you are considering taking the plunge into institutional produce sales, a good source of ideas is the 47page Michigan Farm to School (MIFTS) marketing guide from the University of Michigan. It is available as a free downloadable pdf file at www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu. In it, you will find a host of helpful resources, such as a farmer self-assessment for school sales, samples of product availability,

pricing and bid questionnaires, and an example of a questionnaire that schools use to screen vendors. On such a questionnaire, they might ask you to fill in a product availability chart, including information such as variety, count, how it's packed, condition, price, quantity, delivery details, and when the product is available. The questionnaire might ask if you are willing to deliver to more than one location, how much liability insurance you have, whether you expect to be paid at the end of the month or for each delivery, whether you are willing to go to the school and meet with the students, or to host field trips.

For those who want to investigate further, another helpful resource is the National Farm to School Network, whose website is at www.farmtoschool.org/states.php. This website has links to farm-to-school contacts in

all 50 states and 8 regional lead agencies. Of these regional agencies, the mid-Atlantic farm-to-school leader is the Food Trust, based in Philadelphia.

According to Conner, “The idea of farm to institution and farm to school is increasing the sales and consumption of locally grown foods and vegetables at a variety of institutions, schools, universities and hospitals.

What really excites me about this and why have spent a lot of time on it is, it can really help address the big lingering problems in our food system.”

Chief among these is the under-consumption of food, fruits and vegetables, which leads much diet related illness. Conner notes that since many institutions have an educational mission, they can help put the farmer's face on the food and create the connection between the farmer and eater.

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by Craig Regelbrugge The United States Supreme Court

heard oral arguments the week of March 26 in the cases challenging the

constitutionality of aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). There were six hours of presentations over three days. While the Court traditionally takes a break over the summer months, and a decision is possible in late June, there is no guarantee the justices will issue their opinion then. The Court is considering a series of constitutional questions: • Whether Congress had the power under Article I of the Constitution to enact the minimum coverage provision.

• Whether the suit brought by respondents to challenge the minimum coverage provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is barred by the Anti-Injunction Act. • Does Congress exceed its enumerated powers and violate basic principles of federalism when it coerces states into accepting conditions that it could not impose directly by threatening to withhold all federal funding under the single largest grant-in-aid program, or does the limitation on Congress’s spending power that this Court recognized in South Dakota v. Dole, 483 U.S. 203 (1987), no longer apply?

• May Congress treat states no differently from any other employer when imposing mandates as to the manner in which they provide their own employees with insurance coverage, as suggested by Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority, 469 U.S. 528 (1985), or has Garcia’s approach been overtaken by subsequent cases in which this Court has explicitly recognized judicially enforceable limits on Congress’s power to interfere with state sovereignty.

• Does the PPACA’s mandate that virtually every individual obtain health insurance exceed Congress’s enumerated powers and, if so, to what extent, if any, can the mandate be severed from the remainder of the Act? • Whether the PPACA must be invalidated in its entirety because it is nonseverable from the individual mandate that exceeds Congress’ limited and enumerated powers under the Constitution.

• With respect to the Anti-Injunction Act (AIA), it was passed in 1867. It currently states: “No suit for the purpose

of restraining the assessment or collection of any tax shall be maintained in any court by any person, whether or not such person is the person against whom such tax was assessed.” What this means is that you have to wait until a tax is paid and then file suit for a refund or to stop enforcement. If the penalties in PPACA are “taxes,” then the Supreme Court could opt to “kick the can down the road” since the penalties do not begin until 2014 and the first penalties would actually be paid in 2015.

• Of the questions before the Court, perhaps the most interesting from the small business community’s perspective is, if the individual mandate is found to be unconstitutional, does the rest of PPACA have to be invalidated because the rest of it depends on the individual mandate? If the Supreme Court rules the individual mandate is unconstitutional, but also decides it is severable, the employer mandates would stand.

This summary was produced by the American Nursery & Landscape Association in collaboration with the Small Business Legislative Council.

Page 9 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Health care — what’s going on, what’s next?

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 10

The Garden Factory: a destination in the making

by Jennifer Wagester ROCHESTER, NY — When Robert and Patricia Martell purchased Kodisch’s Garden Center in 1974, it consisted of 5.2 acres with a few modest buildings. They were optimistic about making the business successful. However, at that time, they did not envision it becoming one

of the largest garden centers in the eastern United States.

The garden center started with seasonal operation. It offered a variety of annuals and perennial flowers, along with trees and shrubs, and an assortment of gardening accessories.

Over time, the product line grew and nearby

During the Flower and Garden Showcase, Don Ward of Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia shared his fruit tree and berry plant experience with participants.

Photos by Jennifer Wagester

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land was purchased as it came for sale. The garden center’s growing facilities were expanded, allowing the Martell’s to grow more of their own product. This allowed them to ensure only topquality plants were being offered for sale. It also gave them more control over their product lines.

The retail space was also enlarged over time to accommodate the growing

selection of sale items.

Kodisch’s Garden Center of 1974 has been transformed into The Garden Factory. The business is located at its original site — 2126 Buffalo Road. While the original buildings are no longer recognizable, the sturdy construction of one building is incorporated into the retail complex and is used as staff office space. Today, The

Garden Factory is comprised of about 36 acres, which includes a large indoor shopping area, tropical greenhouse space, greenhouse facilities, and an outdoor nursery area.

Patricia Martell is still involved with operating the business; however, a majority of the managerial tasks are now conducted by the Martell’s three children — Rick, Randy, and Jackie.

Rick is considered the innovator. He reviews sale trends and directs growth in facilities and product lines. Randy is the grower and oversees all aspects of the nursery and greenhouse space. Jackie is instrumental in business administration and manages the office. While each family member

Factory A14

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

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

Sandblasting is typically a technique used to remove paint or rust from a metal surface. By using a “soft” grit that is also a natural material, such as corncob residue or nut shells, this technique can be used agriculturally.

These additional uses for agricultural residue could also increase the value of the parent crop.

When sandblasting weeds, grit from a compressed air tank is aimed at the weeds growing near the bases of corn plants. To determine at what point in the crop cycle this weed control was most effective, sandblasting was per-

formed from the one- to five-leaf stages of corn growth. Some test crops received second and third treatments of abrasion.

The corn plants were unaffected by the procedure, while the weeds were eliminated with varying degrees of success. This research found that multiple sandblasting at the one- and five-leaf or the one-, three-, and five-leaf stages produced consistently high levels of weed control throughout the growing season. Single applications or multiple applications of grit at other times in the growth cycle did not produce satisfactory results.

While sandblasting proved to be a viable technique for weed control, this experiment did not prove it to be a cost-effective one. Expenditures could be reduced, however, if a farm were to collect and mill its own corncobs rather than purchasing grit. Another option might be to substitute an organic fertilizer, such as seed meal or crushed limestone, as the grit, thereby achieving two purposes at once.

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

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Page 11 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Sandblasting tested as a means of organic weed control

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 12

BioSafe Systems announces new and improved ZeroTol 2.0 BioSafe Systems introduces ZeroTol 2.0® Algaecide/Fungicide. The new labeling provides an updated active ingredient statement, an increased number of controlled pathogens and new labeling instructions for the treatment of artificial turf. ZeroTol 2.0 is used to treat and control plant pathogens on ornamental plants and turf.

ZeroTol 2.0’s active ingredients include 27 percent Hydrogen Peroxide and 2 percent Peroxyacetic Acid. Due to its fast acting oxidation process, mutational resistance of harmful organisms is not possible.

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Page 13 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 14

Factory from A10 plays a unique role in operating the business, they agree that making The Garden Factory a shopping destination is vital for future success.

Developing a shopping experience that attracts customers has taken a great deal of hard work and changes to the business in a variety of areas. The retail store has gone from being open 10 months per year to welcoming customers year round. Its layout has become spacious and attractive.

Product lines have been expanded to include garden-related items such as patio furniture, grills, specialty foods, and pet supplies. A coffee shop has recently been added as well to give guests an opportunity to connect with friends and linger. The Garden Factory hosts seasonal events throughout the year to attract customers. This year, a Flower and Garden Showcase was added.

It was held March 31-April 1 and provided a variety of educational workshops on gardening and outdoor cooking topics, a large trade show, and children’s activities. Attendees were able to ask questions, learn from experts, and sample a variety of products.

Forty-four vendors showcased products for landscaping, lawn care, gardening, grilling, and outdoor entertaining.

They represented com-

panies from throughout the United States and Canada. Several local companies based in Rochester, Buffalo, and Batavia also attended.

During the Flower and Garden Showcase, the Martell family greeted visitors while managing “behind the scene” details.

All family members were onsite along with managers Dennis Keady and Bill Blish. Providing a fun, value-added shopping experience helps customers view The Garden Factory in a positive way.

Building connections with the community is another key component to making a destination.

By growing a large portion of their plant material, The Garden Factory provides its customers with an option to buy local. Customers can support a business that employs 140 of their community members and charitably gives to community organizations.

This year, over 19 organizations have been assisted with cash and item donations. The Garden Factory also offers a fundraising program for local organizations, which can earn $5 per $25 gift card sold.

A prime retail location and excellent customer service have also assisted the Martell family with building a successful business. The Garden Factory is located just off I-490 at exit 7A and serves the greater Rochester community.

While shopping, cus-

tomers can expect a friendly welcome and assistance with their purchases. Walkie-talkies help staff communicate

to quickly help customers and knowledgeable staff share growing tips and advice. A website also provides educa-

tional videos and articles to help customers successfully care for their purchases after the sale.

While The Garden Fac-

tory has grown throughout the years, the Martell’s have stayed true to their family values and serving the community.

The Garden Factory staff keeps floral displays looking beautiful by frequently restocking and arranging items.

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by Pat Malin SYRACUSE, NY — Farmers are the first to recognize that flooding can cause significant damage to their crops and livestock. So why

would they need a seminar telling them so?

First, because of the steps they need to take to restore their fields to viability and how to apply for government assistance. A

second reason is how to dispose of contaminated crops under state and federal guidelines.

This was one of many educational lectures presented during this year’s

Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo and annual Becker’s Forum at the Onondaga County Convention Center. Experts from Cornell University, Cornell Coopera-

tive Extension, and the New York Vegetable Growers Association presented valuable information about the flooding.

A third reason for the seminar, according to

Cornell University, is that “mistrust about modern food production is increasing because of real-life situations like contaminated produce or concerns about intensively-raised livestock that cause the public to question how food is grown.”

Beyond studying the type of contamination found in the sludge, experts can also help farmers prepare for future flooding by building controls (buffer zones) and planning for evacuation.

Richard Ball, firstgeneration owner of Schoharie Valley Farms, gave a presentation in which he referred to flood research conducted by Peter Bergholz of the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. Ball said he and other agricultural specialists were prepared in advance of Hurricane Irene to study the effects of flooding in Schoharie County.

It was the hardest hit area in New York State on Aug. 28 and 29, with some 43,000 acres flooded, according to Ball.

Some homeowners and businesses are just now returning to normal in towns like Esperance that were not in the flood plain, but were nonetheless “devastated.”

The day after the hurricane struck, Ball and his associates took 40 different sample sets, four inches deep, equivalent to 30 yards of soil, to use for testing. Ball said 175 acres were under water. Months later, researchers were still studying the effects of ecoli bacteria and microbial contaminants.

Though they know that fecal contamination occurred, the question is what was its impact on vegetables such as kale and sweet potatoes that were still in the growing season. The location of a farm in relation to Schoharie Creek was important, too, and research determined that the farmland farther from the creek tended to be more contaminated. (Because, like the glaciers that created this landscape eons

Flood A16

Page 15 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Last year’s flood presented a learning “opportunity” for Schoharie County farmers

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 16

Flood

from A15

side of safety.”

She said the seminar helped her to anticipate consumers’ questions regarding the safety of her produce when she reopens this spring. She destroyed all her crops, she explained, rather than worrying about safety. If her customers question her methods, she asks them to trust her because she, too, consumes the same produce, and “the health of my family comes first.”

What once was a fertile corn field is now filled with rocks and debris after Hurricane Irene.

Photo by Joan Kark-Wren

ago, the heaviest solids were left behind when the waters receded.)

Following the presentation, Ball said this wasn’t the first flood his farm experienced, but the water levels were 10to 15-feet higher than in any previous storm. “I think we’ll be fine. We’ve picked up the debris and tested the soil. We’re going to get through this.

Some scars remain, but the rural community is steadfast. We still need agriculture. Our customers are also our suppliers and our neighbors.

The flood is an opportunity to learn something.”

Michelle Smith, a member of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and a visiting professor in the food and safety program at the University of Maryland, discussed rules on handling fresh produce following a flood. “Flooding events can present a potentially hazardous public health risk,” she said.

Smith said a flood is defined as the “overflowing of a field outside the grower’s control.”

Farmers should not be concerned about adhering to a strict set of guidelines that recommend disposing of the crops.

These guidelines are not set in concrete and are continuing to evolve, she emphasized, thanks to research conducted in previous years, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and later storms.

“These guidelines represent the FDA’s current thinking and are intended to be a living document,” she noted. Farmers can actually help the federal agency by providing their own input. “These are recommendations, not requirements. There are op-

tions,” she added.

“In response to questions from farmers, we revised existing FDA guidelines and looked at existing science,” she explained. “However, we also know that growers are responsible for ensuring the safety of flood-affected crops.”

Factors to consider in determining the likelihood of contamination: the amount of contaminants absorbed by the plants; the degree and duration of crop exposure to flood waters; the type of crop and their stage of growth when damaged. Smith advised growers to contact their local and state FDA specialists for details on proper testing techniques and learn how to dispose of contaminated food crops.

Schoharie County received a lot of attention and visits from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as well as from key agricultural and political leaders such as senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.

“I was very happy with our government support.

They were outstanding,” Ball said of his high-profile visitors. Although the state has made flood assistance funds available, Ball pointed out that “there are challenges whenever an extreme event like this flood occurs. There’s lots of frustration and the wheels have to turn in Washington (first).”

Another Schoharie County farmer, Cindy Barber, remarked that the timing of the flood wasn’t as bad as it could have been. “If this had happened in spring, instead of fall, it would have been worse. We were lucky, but still, I always err on the

Richard Ball, a farmer from Schoharie County, NY, center, discussed the impact of flooding on his crops with Dr. Michelle Smith of the FDA, left, and fellow farmer Cindy Barber following a flood seminar at the Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo in Syracuse. Schoharie County was the hardest hit area of New York State when Hurricane Irene struck the Northeast last August.

Photo by Pat Malin

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

Voice of the customer

by Melissa Piper Nelson Customer feedback stands as one of the most important business tools.

Known in marketing strategies as the voice of the customer, feedback uncovers problems, generates new ideas and helps meet production objectives.

Businesses that fail to utilize the power of feedback may produce a product or service, but never fully connect with their target audiences.

Before the Internet and social media opened new lines of communication between buyers and sellers, obtaining good customer feedback represented a more complex and costly system of market research tactics, such as hiring third party analyses organizations to develop surveys, focus groups and point of sale interviews.

Today, even small businesses are able to tap into new feedback mechanisms

like online quick survey sites, information exchange services and informal response accounts that pinpoint rapidfire customer feedback. While these more immediate feedback centers may not produce the formal results gleaned through more scientific research methods, they do offer a window into customer likes, dislikes and trends.

Most businesses understand the importance of finding out what their customers like about a product, or what must be done to meet customer needs.

Using advertising responses, online survey systems, in-store interviewing services, couponing, and other feedback mechanisms are also almost universal as well. The real question for many businesses is what to do with the information once you have gathered it?

Using customer feedback represents a potential trapping point unless a business has already planned the next steps. Depending on the information

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our feedback was not important to them, they would continue to operate as they think works best for them.

Profitable businesses, however, know that customer response dictates the playing field.

Agricultural-based businesses are competing with other food, fiber and service stores that do listen and respond to the voice of the customer.

While we may have produced the same product for generations and sold it the same way as our parents and grandparents, owner-operators see customers trending to the new and rapidly changing way in which they make decisions about purchases.

With many new and easier ways to get customer feedback, businesses are able to use this information to make changes along the way that keep them competitive and able to either adjust to target audiences, or seek new customer bases in their communities.

Making sure you are gathering feedback, deciding how best to use the information and responding in a meaningful way, signals to your customers that you value their opinions and feedback and that their voice is important to you as a producer.

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

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Page 17 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Today’s Marketing Objectives

gleaned, would your business be ready to re-tool if necessary, change packaging, include more user-information, extend a growing season, add more labor, change hours of operation, or develop new marketing incentives?

An owner or manager should plan for these types of changes, depending on the voice of the customer and what he or she says about the product. Another issue is how quickly a business is able to respond to necessary changes and how that will be communicated with customers.

National pizza chain stores are producing commercials on a daily basis talking about how they are responding to customer feedback — better pizza crusts, more cheese, better toppings, shortened delivery times and online ordering and tracking.

Just a month ago, a major national department store advertised its new logo and strategy to lower prices daily instead of competing with other stores which feature weekly specially themed sales.

As consumers we recognize these changes as businesses responding to customer feedback in a very competitive environment. We could order pizza or shop at any number of department stores, but we gravitate to those operations that seem genuinely interested in what we have to say about their product or way of doing business. If

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 18

MCTA celebrating 50th with two-day event The Maine Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its incorporation this year.

To mark this milestone, the association will join the New England Christmas Tree Alliance in celebrating with a two day event beginning Saturday Sept. 8 at Piper Mountain Christmas Trees in Newburgh, Maine.

The focus of the day will be on marketing, with featured speaker, Catherine Wright Howard, publisher of Christmas Trees Magazine. After lunch, Dr. Rajasekaran R. Lada and Dr. Mason MacDonald from the Canadian Christmas Tree Research Centre will clue us in on their needle retention

study. The pesticide credit is already approved in all the New England states and the association is working on approval for its Canadian friends.

The Saturday night dinner will feature well established Christmas Tree farmers speaking at an informal grower’s forum after the meal. Sunday, attendees will gather at Finestkind Tree Farms in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. In the morning, Bill Urbanowicz from Spectrum Analytic Inc. will demonstrate how to take soil and foliar samples.

Immediately following Urbanowicz’s outdoor presentation, the LaCasce family is planning a guided tour of their farm, which promises to be in-

formative and educational.

With nine awesome speakers and three great auxiliary presentations lined up, the weekend promises to be

well worth the trip to central Maine.

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ITHACA, NY — Cornell’s newest and darkest strawberry variety — Purple Wonder — made its debut at the Philadelphia International Flower Show on March 5 through an exclusive licensing agreement with seed giant W. Atlee

Burpee Co. “Purple Wonder is sweet and aromatic, with outstanding strawberry flavor,” said Courtney Weber, Cornell small fruits breeder and associate professor of horticulture. “But the color is something you won’t be

able to find in any grocery store.”

The medium-sized berries reward patience in picking: Berries turn from creamy-white to red before ripening into an intense burgundy.

“The color develops all the way through the fruit,

which might surprise consumers accustomed to supermarket fruit with color mostly on the surface,” said Weber. “And letting the fruit ripen on the plant just makes the berries sweeter.”

The berries and their purple juice can also be

used to produce deep colored preserves and strawberry wine, and Purple Wonder’s high antioxidant content gives them a healthy boost.

Burpee’s lead horticulturist Grace Romero approached Weber last March, seeking some-

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thing new and different to offer to home berry growers. The variety was market-ready, having been selected by Weber in 1999 and evaluated by growers in New York, Michigan and Illinois.

Because the plants do not produce many runners, they are particularly appropriate for container gardening. Hardy enough for central New York, Purple Wonder should do well across temperate areas in the United States.

According to Jessica Lyga, the Plant Varieties and Germplasm Licensing Associate for the Cornell Center for Technology Enterprise and Commercialization, a plant patent will be filed for Purple Wonder later this year. Purple Wonder is the 42nd strawberry variety released by the Cornell small fruits breeding program. Other recent releases include the ‘Herriot’ strawberry, a high-yielding midseason variety, and the ‘Crimson Giant’ raspberry, suitable for high-tunnel cropping systems and November harvest.

Weber breeds for adaptation to the temperate climates of the Northeast and Midwest as well as disease and insect resistance but readily admits that good flavor is the ultimate criteria.

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Page 19 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Prepare to meet the sweet, new Purple Wonder

Amy Hinkle had her first entrepreneurial encounter with flowers when she was 11 years old, selling them at her local farmers market in Columbus, Ohio.

When she was 9 years old, her family started selling goods from their produce farm at that market. Hinkle noticed that only one other person there sold flowers — and he could not keep up with the demand.

By the time she graduated from high school, her family’s stand was selling about 20 different kinds of field-grown annuals.

Hinkle, a senior horticulture major with a business production focus, came to Penn State because of its strong agriculture program, and because it was far away from her home.

She is a member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flowers, through which she met the U.S. representative of a lily bulb sales company based in Holland. He recommended her for an internship at Longwood Gardens, designing, cutting and arranging displays for their flower display “Lilytopia.”

“Lilytopia is a showcase for the products of the Dutch lily-breeding efforts,” said Hinkle. “I got to work alongside the world-class Dutch floral designer Dorian van der Berg as one of her personal assistants.

“I did what she told me to do, which involved designing, cutting and arranging flowers,” she said. “Dorian spoke English well, but her other assistants did not, so I did a lot of work based on being shown and not told.”

The showcase took place in Longwood’s East Conservatory, an indoor greenhouse, and used over 10,000 cut flowers. Last year, the show attracted more than 55,000 people, and that number increased this summer. It was a one-day event that included huge arches, pillars, vases and other displays.

“The whole space was covered in lilies,” said Hinkle. “We had four days of set up and two days for refreshing the display after the heat started to get to the flowers. We did almost everything while the public wasn’t able to view it.”

She said the most challenging part of the experience was communicating with everyone else working on the showcase.

“There were people from Holland and South America present,” said Hinkle.

“Communication sometimes was difficult because we had English, Dutch and Spanish going on — all at the same time.”

She said she learned to have patience, especially when working with other cultures. She needed to maintain a high level of coordination and endurance throughout the event.

Hinkle has been a teaching assistant for HORT 352, a class for flower arranging, completed internships with Bear Creek Farms in Stillwater, OK, and spent the remainder of the past summer at a flower farm in Iowa.

She wants to pursue a career in cutflower growing and plans to go into the floral industry after graduating. In five years, she wants to open her own specialty cut-flower farm and sell her products to florists.

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Horticulture major ready to watch career bloom “Hard work is really important in this business,” she said. “You really have to be dedicated. And people are

especially important — it’s who you know as much as what you know.”

Many farms and agribusinesses operate as a DBA (“doing business as”) or an “assumed name.” Many businesses in the state of New York, including those involved in the food and agriculture industry, are not properly registered. Pursuant to Section 130 of the New York General Business Law, no person or entity can “(i) carry on or conduct or transact business in this state under any name or designation other than his or its real name, or (ii) carry on or conduct or transact

business in this state as a member of a partnership” unless a certificate is properly filed.

If the person or entity is not a corporation, limited partnership or a limited liability company, then this person or entity is required to file a certificate and $25 filing fee with the county clerk of each county in which such business is conducted or transacted.

In this instance, the Certificate of Assumed Name must set forth the: (i) name or designation which business is being

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conducted, (ii) address within the county in which business is being transacted, and (iii) full name(s) of the people conducting or transacting business. If the entity is a general partnership, the Certificate must also contain the names and residences of all partners.

The age of any person less than 18 years of age must be included. This certificate must be signed and duly acknowledged by all persons conducting the business.

To illustrate, Curt and Pam Rincker d/b/a Rincker Simmentals, Cari Rincker d/b/a Blackacre Ranch Photography, or Farmer Jane and Farmer John d/b/a Catskills Agritourism Partnership should all file certificates with the county clerk. If the name of my law practice was the Law Offices of Cari B. Rincker, a certificate of assumed name would not need to be filed because I am a lawyer and my name is Cari B. Rincker.

If the entity is a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, then the entity is required to file the Certificate of Assumed Name with the New York state Secretary of State that must set forth: (i) its real name, (ii) its assumed name, (iii) business structure, (iv) its principal place of business within the state of New York, (v) names of every county in which it does business or intends to carry out a business, and (vi) the street addresses for each place where it carries on or transacts businesses in the state. This certificate of assumed name shall be signed by the corporation’s officer, limited partnership’s general partner, or a limited liability company’s member/manager. See GBL § 130(1)(b). An example of this scenario would be if Farmer Joe, Inc. was doing business under the name Redacre Farm. The “real name” would be Farmer Joe, Inc. and be-

cause it is doing business under a different name then a certificate should be filed.

There is a $100 filing fee for each county in which the corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company transacts or intends to transact business.

Please note that corporations, limited partnerships and limited liability companies, require filing documents with the New York State Secretary of State upon formation.

If a partnership has not filed limited partnership papers, then it is a general partnership and should file a certificate with the county clerk instead of the New York State Secretary of State.

The certificate of assumed name does not need to be renewed; however, pursuant to Section 130(3), farms and agri-businesses are required to file an amendment within 30 days of any changes. A certificate of discontinuance should also be filed once the business is no longer active. A certified copy of the original certificate, or if it has been amended then the amended certificate, must be conspicuously displayed on the premises at each place where business is conducted.

Importantly, it is a misdemeanor to “know-

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ingly make a false statement” in a certificate of assumed name or make a fraudulent omission (e.g., failure to disclose name/address of partner). Furthermore, any person or entity who fails to comply with this law will be prohibited from maintaining any action or proceeding in any court in the State of New York on any contract, account or transaction made in a name other than its real name until the entity has complied with this statute. In other words, if Farmer Jane and Farmer John above sign a contract under the name Catskills Agritourism Partnership but they fail to properly file a certificate of assumed name then it cannot enforce a breach of contract until Farmers Jane and John have properly filed the certificate.

It is easy to overlook details like this when getting a business off the ground. It is even easier to push aside details once a farm or agri-business has been operating for several years without properly filing a certificate of assumed name. “It hasn’t caused any issues so far, so why do it?” It might not have been an issue yet but it may create issues in the future.

Take a few minutes and look at whether your farm or agribusiness is in compliance with this statute. If you have questions, seek counsel from an attorney licensed in New York to guide you through the process.

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Page 21 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Does your farm or agri-business need to file a Certificate of Assumed Name?

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 22

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

AUCTIONEER PHIL JACQUIER INC. Southwick, MA 413-569-6421 www.jacquierauctions.com BUFFALO VALLEY PRODUCE AUCTION Mifflinburg, PA 570-966-1151

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

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

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

EXTON, PA — Beginning farmers often have the same two frustrations: limited access to land and money. Leasing land can help overcome those obstacles by allowing farmers to build equity without the burden of initial purchasing costs. PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) recently launched its new land leasing program, Farm Lease Connection (FLC), to address these concerns and bring farmers and landowners together in the creation of successful farm enterprises.

FLC is best described as a blend of eBay and eHarmony that introduces new or expanding farmers to landowners of all kinds, from private homeowners to municipalities and land trusts.

The program uses web technology and

personal communication to bring both parties together. Parcels of land as small as a few acres up to hundreds of acres are all potentially eligible for inclusion. At this time, there is no cost to farmers or landowners to enroll in FLC. “Over the past several years, market demand for locally grown food has grown exponentially,” said Marilyn Anthony, PASA’s Eastern Regional Director. “There’s never been a better time to be a farmer. PASA created Farm Lease Connection to enable the next generation of farmers to get a solid start in agriculture, by linking them with that most precious resource, underused and affordable land.”

To see where the matches get started, visit www.farmleaseconnection.org. The

Tuesday, May 1 • 5:00 PM: Greenwood (Steuben Co.) New York. “Warrinerdale Homestead.” The estate of Wayne Warriner, Sr. Farm Equipment. Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc., 585728-2520 www.pirrunginc.com

Friday, May 4 • 11:00 AM: Lakeview Holsteins, 2456 Rt. 14, Penn Yan, NY. Selling complete dairies and registered & grade cattle. Hilltop Auction Company, Jay Martin 315521-3123, Elmer Zeiset 315-729-8030

Saturday, May 5 • Rt. 125, East Middlebury, VT. Annual Spring Machinery Auction. Addison Co. Commission Sales E.G. Wisnowski & Sons, 800-339-COWS or 802-388-2661 • 9:00 AM: Fraley Farm Complex, Muney, PA. 4th Annual Lawn & Garden Event. Everything for your farm, cabin, river lot, garden & home. Shrubs, trees, 100’s of hanging baskets, flowers, plants, lawn furniture, lawn tractors, RTV’s, trailers, campers, boats, tools, etc.

Fraley Auction Co. 570-546-6907

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site allows farmers and landowners to set up anonymous profiles to protect confidentiality while advertising their farming experience and goals. The site also offers a list of helpful resources and classes, an event calendar and recommended experts to help in the leasing process.

Since it takes time to find the right combination of people and land, FLC encourages participants to apply at least two years before they are ready to break ground on a new farm business. In the meantime, farmers are asked to create strong business plans and landowners are encouraged to visit area farms to get a real sense of what a farming enterprise would look like on their land.

www.fraleyauction.com • 10:00 AM: Boonville, NY. Advance Notice - Kelleher Annual Equipment Auction. Please call with consignments. One piece or full line. An auction that for years has been very sccessful for both seller and buyer.

Trucking available. Kelleher Auction Service, 315-8230089, John 315-868-6561 cell

Saturday, June 9

Wednesday, May 9 • 5:15 PM: Prattsburgh, NY (Steuben Co.). Peter Connors Estate Auction. Pickup, Kubota, boat, Jeep, guns, tools. Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc., 585-728-2520 www.pirrunginc.com

Saturday, May 12 • Burke, NY. Miller Family Spring Consignment Auction. Contact Paul Miller 518-483-6804 (No Sunday Calls). Delarm & Treadway, 518-483-4106 • 9:00 AM: 3080 Spangle St., Canandaigua, NY. Estate of Tom Oliver. Excellent farm collectibles, signs, 2 Oliver 66 tractors. Dann Auctioneers, Delos Dann, 585-396-1676 www.cnyauctions.com/dannauctioneers.htm • 10:00 AM: University Dr, Torrington, CT. Estate Auction. Ford 2810 tractor w/loader, Hay & 3 ph equip., Farmie winch, storage trailers. Jacquier Auctions, 413-

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Friday, June 1 • 11:00 AM: Lakeview Holsteins, 2456 Rt. 14, Penn Yan, NY. Selling complete dairies and registered & grade cattle. Hilltop Auction Company, Jay Martin 315521-3123, Elmer Zeiset 315-729-8030 • North Bangor, NY. Craigmoor Farms Dispersal. Eric & Joel Craig. 140 head of reg. Guernseys, reg. Jerseys & reg. R&W Holsteins. Complete line of machinery. Delarm & Treadway, 518-483-4106 • 9:00 AM: Don Rice Jr., 5761 Barber Hill Rd., Geneseo, NY. 15 MM farm tractors & parts, 150 MM farm toys, MM & gas signs. Dann Auctioneers, Delos Dann, 585-396-1676 www.cnyauctions.com/dannauctioneers.htm

Produce and Flower Auction every Tuesday & Thursday at 9:00 AM,

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Shrubbery Sale at 10:30 AM on Thursdays

Initially focused in Eastern Pennsylvania, FLC will be rolled out across the state in the next year with the goal of eventually including participants from around the Mid-Atlantic region.

Thursday, July 26 • 6:00 PM: County Highway Maintenance Facility, Geneseo, NY. Livingston County Tax Title Auction.

Thomas P. Wamp/Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc., 585-7282520 www.pirrunginc.com

Friday, July 27 • 10:00 AM: Haverling Central High School, Bath, NY. Steuben County Tax Title Auction. Thomas P. Wamp/Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc., 585-728-2520 www.pirrunginc.com

Saturday, August 4

For All Your Mother’s Day Needs!

• 10:00 AM: 1507 Pre-Emption Rd., Penn Yan, NY (Yates Co.). Real Estate Absolute Auction. 103 acre DeWick farm w/100 acres tillable, farmhouse, shop 2 machine sheds. Thomas P. Wamp/Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc., 585-728-2520 www.pirrunginc.com

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• 9:00 AM: Penn Yan, NY. Finger Lakes Produce Auction Farm Machinery Consignment Auction. Pirrung Auctioneers, Inc., 585-728-2520 www.pirrunginc.com

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Saturday, September 8 • North Country Storage Barns. 2nd Annual Shed and Shrubbery Auction. Benuel Fisher Auctions, 518-5682257

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Page 23 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Farm Lease Connection: A new kind of online relationship

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 24

Capitol Comments: Farmland assessments rise again

by Larry DeBoer, professor of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University Here comes this column topic again: Property taxes on farmland are increasing. The base rate for the assessment of an acre of farmland was $1,290 for taxes in 2011.

It will be $1,500 per acre for taxes in 2012. And Indiana’s Department of Local Government Finance has announced the base rate will be $1,630 for taxes in 2013.

Farmland is assessed starting with this base rate. It is multiplied by a soil productivity factor, which varies from about 0.5 to 1.3, based on soil type. Some acreage is adjusted by an influence factor, a percentage reduction that accounts for factors such as frequent flooding. The result is the assessed value of farmland. That assessment times the property tax rate, less any credits, is the tax bill.

The base rate is adjusted each year with a formula. The DLGF offers the details on its website, at www.in.gov/ dlgf/7016.htm. It’s complicated, but three of its features tell the story.

First, it’s a capitalization formula. It divides the estimated net income earned from a farm acre by an interest rate to get the amount that a “rational” investor would pay for that acre. For example, in 2008 the DLGF estimated that a landowner renting the acre, or an operator growing corn or beans, could earn an average of $165. The Chicago Fed-

eral Reserve reported several farm-related interest rates that averaged 6.56 percent. Divide the earnings by the interest rate and (after some rounding) the result is $2,508.

Now imagine an auction for an acre that earns $165. The first bid is $1,000. Earnings of $165 on an investment of $1,000 give a rate of return of 16.50 percent.

That’s a really great deal, because our rational investors get a rate of return of only 6.56 percent on other investments.

They bid more, say $2,000. That’s a rate of return of 8.25 percent, still a good deal. At a bid of $2,508, the rate of return is no better or worse than other investments.

A rational investor would not bid more.

The second important feature of the base rate formula is that it’s a sixyear rolling average. For taxes in 2011, capitalization results from 2002-2007 were averaged together. For 2012, the years are 2003-

2008. The base rate changed because the results for 2002 were dropped, and the results for 2008 were entered.

Back in 2002, corn and bean prices were pretty low, and the net income estimate was only $63. The interest rate was higher — 7.02 percent — so the capitalization result was only $890. That low number was dropped from the average for 2012 taxes.

Here’s where a new quirk in the formula comes in. The DLGF drops the highest value of the six from the average. The General Assembly changed the formula for 2011 taxes, to make the increases in the base rate a little smaller. For 2011 taxes, they dropped the highest value of $1,927 from 2007 data. The 2008 value is higher, so now it is dropped, and the 2007 figure enters the average. For 2012 taxes, the base rate average dropped the value $890 and added the value $1,927. The base

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rate increased from $1,290 to $1,500.

Without dropping the highest value, the base rate for 2012 taxes would have been $1,670.

The calculation change reduced the base rate by about 10 percent.

The third important feature of the formula is the four-year lag. The DLGF used data from 2004-2009 for the 2013 calculation of $1,630.

We know the data for 2010 and most of the numbers for 2011. That means we can project what will happen to the base rate for 2014 and 2015.

Commodity prices have remained high and interest rates have remained low. So for taxes in 2014, the base rate will be about $1,760. For taxes in 2015, the base rate will

be about $2,030.

The six-year average and the four-year lag have another implication. The expected high prices and low interest rates in 2012 will first enter the formula for taxes in 2016 and will remain in the formula for six years, dropping out in 2022. The base rate is likely to increase and remain high for a long, long time.

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Page 25 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 26

Trapping program helps track movement of Emerald Ash Borer The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced recently that it is working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) again to conduct a statewide survey to determine the extent of areas infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This is the fourth consecutive year for the EAB survey.

As part of the 2012 EAB survey efforts, USDA has again contracted with Delta-21 Resources Inc. to install approximately 2,300 traps throughout portions of central, southern and western Virginia. The traps are easy to identify. They are purple in color, triangular in shape and measure 14" wide by 24" long. The traps are baited with natural plant oil attractant and covered with a non-toxic glue to catch the EAB. The traps are especially useful for revealing new infestations that would otherwise remain undetected.

The EAB larvae kill ash trees by feeding on the inner bark and disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. EAB was introduced acci-

dentally into the United States, most likely in wood packing materials coming from Asia, and was first detected in Michigan in 2002. The first EAB detection in Virginia occurred in Fairfax County in 2003, at an elementary school where infected ash trees originating from a nursery in Michigan had been planted. To prevent the spread of EAB, all ash trees within a half mile radius of the school were cut and chipped. Over the next few years, surveys for EAB were negative suggesting that the infestation had been contained and effectively eradicated.

Unfortunately, EAB was detected again at multiple sites in Fairfax County in 2008. This resulted in the establishment of a quarantine for 10 northern Virginia counties and independent cities, including the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. The quarantine was expanded in 2010 due to additional EAB detections

and now also includes Frederick and Clarke counties and the city of Winchester. The quarantine restricts the movement of articles capable of transporting EAB from quarantined localities to non-quarantined localities in an effort to slow the spread of this destructive beetle. The regulated articles, which include ash trees, green (nonheat treated) ash lumber and ash wood products, as well as hardwood firewood, pose a significant risk of transporting EAB. Along with the trapping program, VDACS and USDA have been urging campers not to move firewood but to buy it at the camp site. Movement of firewood is a known factor in the artificial spread of EAB and other insects and diseases such as Asian Longhorned Beetle, Gypsy Moth and Thousand Cankers Disease.

In 2011, Delta-21 surveyors placed 5,500 traps around the state. There were no positive traps found, indicating that the quarantine may have

helped slow the spread of the borer.

The survey is continuing in 2012 in an effort to detect new infestations.

VDACS Commissioner Matthew J. Lohr explained the reasons for continuing the EAB survey, which will begin April 1 and will run through September, “Although we hope the spread of this highly destructive pest has been contained, we cannot afford to let down our guard. The damage caused by this invasive insect can mean the loss of millions of dollars for homeowners, landowners and our nursery and forest products industries. It is extremely important to track the movement of EAB in order to help slow its spread and to work with localities to help them make informed pest management decisions.”

Find additional information about the EAB at www.emeraldashborer.info/.

Additional information regarding specific trap locations can be obtained by calling Delta-21 Resources Inc. at 877207-9406.

New irrigation planning checklist

by Lyndon Kelley, Michigan State University Extension When planning a new irrigation system for your farm a little organization can help avoid mistakes. The following check list has been collected from several well-seasoned irrigators and irrigation sale people.

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

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

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

Make sure to evaluate available flow the summer before you start irrigating.

In most areas you may not delete stream flow to the extent that it negatively impacts neighbors or the environment. If not, consider part of the water of the states, drainage ditches flow, may be depleted. Remember there can be major contamination challenges impacting food safety in using surface water for vegetable irrigation and cooling.

Water rights and regulation Make sure you understand your rights and obligation to use water in

your State. Example: Michigan operates as a riparian state for surface water use allowing only the property with legal description adjacent to the surface water to receive the water, but well water may be transferred between properties.

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

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

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

Power sources - Identify available power sources — a three phase power line in close proximity (1/2 mile or less) to potential water source(s) is the cheapest. Liquid fuel storages located near wells and surface water pose potential environmental risks, along with higher equipment, maintenance and fuel cost, leaving engine power as a second choice for most situations.

Get multiple bids - Use irrigation professionals to your advantage. Take your best ideas to at least two irrigation sales/design people. Many will have access to excellent mapping and planning software tools, plus they will have far more experience than most

producers in irrigation system design.

Compare potential designs on a cost per irrigated acre basis (for an average years irrigation). This process will help equalize investment in equipment with energy cost and labor.

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

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

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

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

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

This article was originally published online at http://news.msue.msu.edu, MSU Extension News for Agriculture website.

For more information on the article visit http://news.msue.msu.edu/news/article/new_irrigation_planning_checklist Source: Michigan State University Extension News

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Page 27 - Section A • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

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May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section A - Page 28

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GROWER

Section B

Cider, wine or vodka: Apples are the key ingredient

by Tamara Scully Beak and Skiff Apple Farms has been growing its apple orchard for a century. Located in Lafayette, NY, just outside of Syracuse, the farm was formed in 1911, when the two families decided to plant apple orchards in a joint venture. With the fourth generation operating the farm today, and the fifth generation joining the business,

the Beak and Skiff families are now farming approximately 300 acres of orchards, with a yield of over 200,000 bushels each year. They have seen, and adapted to, a lot of change in the industry, affecting both the growing and the marketing of their apples.

Once completely focused on wholesale markets, the farm has added direct sales ventures, which continue to

V A L U E expand. While wholesale apples account for the majority of sales by volume, it is the retail end of the business that brings in much more profit per bushel. Beginning in 1975 with a upick orchard of about 70 acres and expanding the next season to include a retail market, Beak and Skiff has continued to enhance its direct sales.

A small cider press was added to

A D D E D augment the visitor experience on the farm. But cider sales soon took on a life of its own. A larger cider mill was built and flash pasteurization allowed for the development of wholesale cider accounts, as well as retail sales. Making cider soon led to the production of alcoholic beverages made right on the

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Page 1 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Country Folks

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 2

Apples from B1 farm, exclusively from their own apples. Liquor sales — hard apple ciders of several varieties, varietal apple

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wines, and now, vodka distilled from apples — are helping Beak and Skiff to maximize the return on its crop.

Expanding to beverages After attending wine making workshops at the

New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, Steve Morse, husband of Candace Beak, saw opportunity in the fermentation of the apples. Morse did some further research in Eu-

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Visitors can see the equipment that distills the farm's apples into vodka, right on the farm. A 450- liter copper pot was crafted in Germany, and is the centerpiece of the operation.

Photos courtesy of Beak and Skiff rope. With the existence of an old, unused farmhouse on the farm, readily available for a low-cost renovation into a winery,

along with an ample supply of apples, Beak and Skiff’s expansion into alcoholic, apple-based beverages, began.

The farm added the production of apple wines and hard ciders in 2001. They’ve had to expand every year to meet the demand for their beverages. In 2009, the farm added a distillery, making vodka from their apples. Today, the onfarm winery offers three types of apple wines, sparkling hard ciders, and traditional hard ciders. All are made exclusively with Beak and Skiff apples.

The sparkling variety of cider is 4.5 percent alcohol, and is a semi-dry product, comparable to a champagne. The farm offers this beverage in three flavors: apple, apple-raspberry, or appleblueberry. A more traditional-style hard cider is offered in three varieties, ranging from 2.5 percent alcohol in the French, sweet cider, to 6.5 percent alcohol in the semidry American or dry British hard ciders. The French style, Morse said, is a big seller.

Apples B3

The farm’s apple wines are also quite popular. The wines are made from fermented apples, which have additional sugar added during the process. But there is a lot of regional competition in the apple wine business, Beak said, although the wines are good sellers. The wines here are made from three varieties of apples: Gala, Empire and Northern Spy. Each wine is crafted to emphasize the unique, inherent flavors of each variety of apple.

The ever-growing success of the hard ciders and apple wines led Morse to

Page 3 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Apples from B2 consider the potential of distilling vodka from the farm’s apples. The state would not allow the sale of the distilled beverages to occur at the same location as the wines and hard ciders, so they built a distillery on another parcel of farmland. The distillery is located across the highway from the farm winery.

The distillery does not produce an apple-flavored vodka, but rather a vodka made from apples, instead of grains or potatoes, which are more commonly used. At Beak and Skiff, the apples are fermented and distilled in a multi-step

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One of Beak and Skiff’s two cider presses and storage tanks. The cider mill makes about 1 million gallons of sweet cider per year and all of the raw juice used in hard cider, apple wine and vodka production. process, involving two distillations and resulting in a pure ethanol, with no flavors. This is then “cut” with de-ionized water, to an 80 proof vodka. It is a smooth, clear product. It takes one bushel of apples to make two 750 ml bottles of vodka.

A 450- liter copper pot, which was crafted in Germany, is used in the distillation process. It is designed to allow the making of exquisite small-batch artisanal vodka, and other spirits.

Beak and Skiff will, undoubtedly, be adding apple brandy and other beverages to its product line soon.

Selling the brew Ninety-five percent of the farm’s alcoholic beverages are sold on the farm, with a small portion offered at nearby liquor stores and available in restaurants. The winery and the distillery are about 1/4 mile away from the Apple Hill Country Store, cider mill and upick orchard. Creative marketing, however, has helped to overcome this potential problem.

The farm hosts a beverage trail, giving customers a card which is

Apples B5

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 4

What’s so special about Pomona’s Universal Pectin?

Submitted by Mary Lou Sumberg, Partner, Workstead Industries Pomona’s is a unique pectin because it jells well with low amounts of any sweetener.

With Pomona’s, I’m free to make cooked jam and jelly and freezer jam sweetened to my taste. I usually sweeten with honey or agave or xylitol (or a combination), but other possibilities are sugar, stevia, fruit juice concentrate, or any artificial sweetener. Pomona’s is different from other pectin because its jelling power is activated by calcium (comes with the Pomona’s), not by sugar content. Regular pectin requires jam or jelly to be 55-85 percent sugar to set firmly.

Pomona’s is also different because it contains no sugar or preservatives - it is 100 percent citrus pectin - and because it allows me to double or triple batches as well as to make small batches. I love Pomona’s because it gives me complete control and allows my jam-making creative juices to flow.

To top it all off, Pomona’s is economical - one box makes 2 to 4 batches.

Whether you are a seasoned or a first-time jam maker, you are likely to fall in love with Pomona’s once you try it, just like I did.

Often strawberries and rhubarb are the first fruits of summer. Together they make a truly tasty, tart and sweet, luscious cooked jam. I enjoy this jam with toast and low-fat cream cheese for breakfast.

Cooked Low-Sugar or Honey StrawberryRhubarb Jam This recipe is written to be made with Pomona’s Universal Pectin.

Ingredients 2 cups mashed strawberries 2 cups cooked rhubarb (chop rhubarb, add a little water, cook until soft, measure) 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 to 1 cup honey or 3/4 up to 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons calcium water (included in the Pomona’s box) 2 1/2 teaspoons Pomona’s Pectin powder Directions 1. Prepare fruit and measure into saucepan with lemon juice.

2. Add 2 teaspoons calcium water to the fruit

(see Pomona’s directions for making calcium water) and stir well.

3. Measure sugar or cold/room temperature honey into separate bowl.

Thoroughly mix 2 _ teaspoons of pectin powder into sweetener.

4. Bring fruit to a boil.

Add pectin-sweetener mixture to fruit and stir vigorously 1 to 2 minutes while cooking to dissolve the pectin. Return to boil and remove from heat.

Fill jars and process 10 minutes using the water bath method. Makes about 5 cups. Lasts about 3 weeks once opened.

Another favorite recipe for early-ripening cherries.

Cooked Low-Sugar or Honey Sweet Cherry Jam This recipe is written to be used with Pomona’s Universal Pectin.

Ingredients 4 cups pitted, chopped, and mashed sweet cherries 1/4 cup lemon or lime juice 1/2 to 1 cup honey or 3/4 up to 2 cups sugar 4 teaspoons calcium water (included in the

Pomona’s box) 3 teaspoons Pomona’s Pectin powder Directions 1. Prepare fruit and measure into saucepan with lemon or lime juice.

2. Add 4 teaspoons calcium water to the fruit (see Pomona’s directions for making calcium water) and stir well.

3. Measure sugar or cold/room temperature honey into separate bowl.

Thoroughly mix 3 teaspoons of pectin powder into sweetener.

4. Bring fruit to a boil.

Add pectin-sweetener mixture to fruit and stir vigorously 1 to 2 minutes while cooking to dissolve the pectin. Return to boil and remove from heat.

Fill jars and process 10 minutes using the water bath method. Makes about 5 cups. Lasts about 3 weeks once opened.

If you have Sour Cherries, you don’t need to add the lemon/lime juice and you only need 2 teaspoons or pectin and 2 teaspoons of cal-

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cium water for 4 cups of mashed fruit.

Optional: to soften firm fruit, bring to a boil with _ cup of water, simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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How to find and influence today’s consumer will be the focus of the keynote presentation that TV personality Joe Lamp’l will give during this summer’s OFA Short Course, horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace. Joe’s presentation, “Can You Hear Me Now? Voices from Beyond the Greenhouse,” will be on Sunday, July 15 at 8 a.m.

Lamp’l, aka joe gardener®, will share strategies to reach today’s consumers and what to say when you do. Joe will take a look at the products and services we sell, and offer a valuable consumer perspective that challenges product relevance, marketing messages, and if we are even using the right vehicles.

With his eyes and ears on today’s

home gardener, Lamp’l helps homeowners succeed with a wide variety of home garden projects. You can see and hear Joe on “Fresh from the Garden” on DIY Network, “GardenSMART” on PBS, and his latest series, “Growing a Greener World,” also on public television. Joe also shares his know-how on NBC’s “TODAY SHOW” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Ball Horticultural Company is sponsoring Lamp’l’s participation.

Apples from B3 punched at each location: the country store and cider mill, the winery, and the distillery.

Once all three locations have been visited, guests are given a free commemorative shot glass,

ALL AMERICAN MADE BASKETS!!

Beak said. The shot glasses change each season, enticing customers back every year.

“We give away an awful lot of shot glasses,” she said. The promotion has encouraged customers to explore all of the retail aspects of the farm, despite their not being located together.

The value-added sales of alcoholic beverages have allowed Beak and Skiff a higher return on their apples than tradi-

tional wholesale or even retail apple sales can bring. While the initial cost, particularly for the distillery, was substantial, it was an investment that will more than pay for itself, over time. Because the farm has an ample, available supply of apples, they will be able to expand production as the demand increases and can readily add new products to their line, using the existing equipment.

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The skills needed to make the Beak and Skiff Apple Farms’ hard ciders, wines and spirits takes passion, time and labor. Because of the division of labor on the farm, with different family members overseeing different aspects of the operation, Morse was able to devote the attention needed to develop the alcoholic beverages, without detracting from other farm operations. Obtaining all the necessary licenses and meeting state and federal regulations and

requirements concerning alcoholic beverage production and sales can be time-consuming, Morse said.

For Beak and Skiff Apple Farms, it is all about the apples. Utilizing the crop in a variety of ways — retail, wholesale, u-pick, and valueadded — makes sense.

With only one crop, they have found a way to diversify while doing what they do best.

For more information visit www.beakandskiff. com or call 315-677-5105.

www.facebook.com/cfgrower Gett mid-week k updatess and d online classifieds,, pluss linkss to o otherr agriculturall organizations.

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Page 5 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Joe Lamp’l announced as OFA Short Course keynote speaker

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 6

Recipes sought for New York farmers’ market contest Nobody knows their fresh, local ingredients like farmers do. And we’re guessing they know just how to cook them, too. That’s why the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York (FMFNY) is inviting all farmers, vendors, market managers and market sponsors from farmers markets all across New York state to submit their best original recipes featuring their favorite fresh, local ingredients to determine New York’s favorite farmers’ market recipes.

FMFNY believes this recipe contest will help promote the use of local, fresh ingredients, while encouraging conversations between customers and farmers.

“Farmers are very

proud of the products they raise and love to talk about them,” said FMFNY Executive Director Diane Eggert. “They’ll tell you how their products were raised, how best to preserve them and give you ideas on how to prepare them.”

When customers build a relationship with their farmers they build a comfort level with the food they’re eating and tap into a wealth of knowledge on their nutritious, fresh ingredients.

Entries will be judged by a panel of New York chefs and food enthusiasts based on how well they showcase New York ingredients, their ease of preparation and, most importantly, taste. One winner will be chosen in each of the five cate-

gories: appetizers, entrees, desserts, snacks, and a fifth “other” category for those recipes that are delicious, but don’t fit neatly into a category.

Winners will be featured at the Farmers’ Market at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY, throughout the 12 day run of the Fair. Their recipes will be promoted and distributed to fairgoers, encouraging them to try the recipes with local foods from their own community farmers’ markets. Winners will also be publicized via press releases and their recipes will be featured on the Farmers Market Federation of New York’s facebook page, on www.snaptomarket.com and in various newsletters published by

Sweet Side: Second Place, Dondero Orchards, South Glastonbury, Bread & Butter Pickles.

Wine - Blush: First Place, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen Sunset Blush 2010.

Wine - Dessert: First Place, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen Midnight Ice. Second Place, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen Pyrrha’s Passion 2008. Third Place, Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford Epiphany Reserve.

Wine - Dry Red: First Place, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen St. Croix 2008. Second Place, Hopkins Vineyard, New Preston Cabernet Franc 2008. Third Place, Jones Winery, Shelton Cabernet Franc Vintner’s Selection 2010.

Wine - Dry White: First Place, Jones Winery, Shelton Pinot Gris

Vintner’s Selection 2010.

Second Place, Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford Seyval Blanc. Third Place, Jones Winery, Shelton Stonewall Chardonnay.

Wine - Fruit: First Place, Jones Winery, Shelton Black Currant Bouquet.

Wine - Other White: First Place, Hopkins Vineyard, New Preston Westwind 2010. Second Place, Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford Cayuga White. Third Place, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen Cayuga White 2010.

Wine - Rosé: First Place, Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen SMV Rosé. Second Place, Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford Whirlwind Rosé. Third Place, Jones Winery, Shelton Rosé of Cabernet Franc Vintner’s Selection 2010.

Winnters from B4 Turkeywoods Farm, Mystic Shagbark Syrup.

Second Place, Turkeywoods Farm, Mystic Hickory Nut Syrup.

Third Place, Turkeywoods Farm, Mystic Hickory Ginger Syrup.

Jam: First Place, Chaplin Farms LLC, Chaplin Apple Pie Jam. Packaging: First Place, Turkeywoods Farm, Mystic Shagbark Syrup - Fancy Bottle.

Savory Condiment Other: First Place, White Silo Winery, Sherman Rhubarb Mustard.

Third Place, White Silo Winery, Sherman Quince Mustard.

Savory Condiment Relish: First Place, Dondero Orchards, South Glastonbury, Green Tomato Relish.

Savory Topping: First Place, Dondero Orchards, South Glastonbury Arugula Pesto.

FMFNY. In addition, winners will receive professionally printed display signs to showcase their victory and promote their booth at farmers’ markets. They will also receive recipe cards of their award-winning recipe to distribute to their market customers.

Participants can download the recipe submission form at http://nyfarmersmarket.com/me mbership/benefits-description.html and sub-

mit up to five recipes, one in each of the five categories, by e-mailing them to deggert@ny-

farmersmarket.com or by faxing them to 315637-4691. Deadline for entries is April 30.

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Recipe to Market — Friday, May 18 Good Manufacturing Practices for the Production of Acidified (Pickled) Foods — Saturday, May 19 Are you a farmer who has extra product each year in the field or

hanging on trees each growing season and want to maximize your business’s income by processing the product into a value added product? Do you have a special recipe everyone tells you you should bottle and sell? Food manu-

facturers, small-scale processors of specialty foods, and farmers interested in value added processing or any one interested in starting a small-scale food manufacturing business should attend these upcoming workshops.

On Friday, May 18, the Recipe to Market workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Proudfit Hall on Route 22 in Salem, Washington County, NY. The workshop will provide future food entrepreneurs with knowledge of critical is-

sues needing consideration before launching a food manufacturing business. Participants will obtain a good grounding in food business basics and a road map pointing to where they need to go before launching that business.

On Saturday, May 19, the Good Manufacturing Practices for the Production of Acidified (Pickled) Foods workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Battenkill Kitchen Inc. on 58 East Broadway in Salem, Washington County. The workshop will provide hands-on practical training designed to provide current and future small processors with the basic elements needed to understand the main processing steps, critical control points and record keeping to safely manufacture specialty food products for the marketplace. Both technical information and practical training will be demonstrated by the production of BBQ-type sauce and pickled vegetables at the workshop.

This is a hands-on workshop with lab exercises.

The workshops are presented by the New York State Food Venture Center, Department of Food Science & Technology at Cornell University. The workshops are hosted by the Battenkill Kitchen Inc and Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga and Washington County. Registration for each class is $50 and includes materials.

Participants should bring their own lunch.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Workshops are limited in size and the deadline to register is May 11.

For more information about the workshops and the Battenkill Kitchen Inc. visit www.battenkillkitchen.org or call Trish Kozal at 518-854-3032 or Steve Hadcock, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, at 518-380-1497.

Page 7 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Food workshops to teach how to start a food business and process pickled foods

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 8

UConn hosts annual Perennial Plant Conference

by George Looby, DVM High on the list of harbingers of spring is the Perennial Plant Conference held annually at the University of Connecticut. Coordinated, managed and developed by the UConn Ornamental Plant Extension Team, this event attracted over 300 plant professionals to the Storrs Campus for updates on that which is current in the world of perennials. The team members are Mark H. Brand, extension specialist, Nursery Crops Management; Donna R. Ellis, extension educator, Integrated Pest Mangement; Richard J. McAvoy, extension specialist, Greenhouse Crops; and Leanne S. Pundt, Cooperative Extension educator, Commercial Horticulture.

Held in the Lewis Rome Center on March 15, the program was structured so that there were two concurrent lectures going on in the morning and two in the afternoon allowing attendees a wide range of subjects from which to choose.

Leading off in the morning in Session A was Luke Kreye, president of Emil Kreye & Son Inc., East Norwich, NY, who spoke about building rock gardens.

Michael Powell, president of Create a Scene, Malvern, PA, then addressed issues that he faces in dealing with landscaping along the shoreline. The last speaker of the morning in Session A was Sydney Eddison of Newtown, CT, who presented his thoughts regarding changes that take place in the garden over time and how to deal with them.

During the same time, in Session B Randy Prostak from the University of Massachusetts was addressing his au-

dience about ways to control weeds using methods that meet the growing demand for ecologically responsible and environmentally friendly management programs. Randy suggested several low tech methods of weed control that can be employed without causing undue harm to the environment. With the unseasonably warm winter, most weeds will be quick to germinate and it was suggested that mulches are the first line of defense, especially when used with landscape fabrics. Piling mulch around the trunk of trees is not recommended.

In regards to mulches, light is better than dark, coarse is better that fine and inorganic is better than organic.

Suzi McCoy, president and founder of The Garden Media Group, Kennett Square, PA, spoke about the seven C’s of Social Media. The seven C’s as presented

by McCoy are create a grand plan, create a clear path, create a valuable “why,” create an engaging personality, create magnetic content, create customer hubs and create the buzz. Social media has dramatically changed the way in which business connects with the customer.

This often mystifying topic was designed to help those who are challenged by the vast array of possibilities. McCoy says it’s best to simplify them to make them a useful business tool.

Winding up the morning in Session B was Kelly Norris who offered tips on how to prepare for the needs and interests of Generation Y gardeners. Norris came to the meeting from Ames, Iowa, where he operates Rainbow Iris Farm in Bedford, Iowa, and Gardens by Kelly

L to R - Dawn Pittinelli, James McInnis, Donna Ellis, Leanne Pundt, Suzi McCoy, Kelly Norris Photo by Dr. George Looby, DVM Productions in Ames. In his overview he did not paint an overly bright picture of Gen Y, those between 11 and 34 years of age, as potential gardeners as there has been an overall decline in the number of households gardening. Gen Y’s may be characterized as liking mentors, they want instant gratification, are impatient if delayed, but are highly adaptable, attracted to large social movements, and are adept at multi-tasking.

The speaker suggested that extension centers need to update their methods to

deliver information to meet the expectations of this group.

Following lunch, the leadoff speaker in session A was Ethan Roland, permaculture designer, AppleSeed Permaculture, Stone Ridge, NY. Roland had a list of the top 30 edible landscaping species for the Northeast and the permiculture practices that a gardener should employ to insure a season long supply of fruits, vegetables and berries, as well as flowers. Herbs,

UConn B9

scrubs and trees can all contribute their particular product to add to the diversity that can be found in almost every yard, some are very familiar to the householder while others may take a bit of study and experimentation to find their way onto the dinner table.

Winding up the afternoon presenta-

tions in Session A was Professor Doug Tallamy, chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE. Tallamy’s message was as we move forward greater attention must be paid to re-establishing our native species of plants and trees in order that a high lev-

el of biodiversity be maintained. Imported or alien varieties are sometimes more aggressive than native varieties and often crowd out native stock. Insects and birds have highly developed needs when it comes to their preferences for food and disruptions can lead to an upset in their established patterns.

Barbara Balgoyon,Customer Service and Technical Consultant, Walters Gardens Inc., Zeelend, MI, offered her group some new varieties of perennials for consideration. She showed many new plants including Baptisia, Coreopsis, Echinacea and more.

Concluding the session was Kelly Norris who had made a presentation earlier in the day about generational issues. He spoke about the almost endless vari-

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eties of Iris that are available for sale and the basics of cultivation.

Conferences such as this directed at a very specific audience cannot help but benefit the audience but those that they serve as well.

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Page 9 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

UConn from B8

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 10

May 5 is deadline in Delaware to apply for disaster loans ATLANTA — The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes that May 5 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans available in New Castle County, DE, as a result of excessive rain, excessive heat, flooding, flash flooding, high winds and hail that began May 14, 2011.

“This county is eligible because it is contiguous to one or more primary counties in New Jersey. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration

are included,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” Skaggs added.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers.

The loan amount can be up to $2 mil-

NE W CONSTRUCTION O R R E N O VAT I O N. . .

lion with a 4 percent interest rate for eligible small businesses and 3 percent for non-profit organizations with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the

SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may also apply for loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than May 5.

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

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May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 12

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FOR SALE: Greenhouse 30x96’ new slant fans with louvers and controls, 2x10 treated baseboard and one plywood end wall. $3,200.00 607-8655150. sassy339@gmail.com

G R E E N H O U S E G OT H I C 28x96, complete, winter trusses, must dismantle, lots of extras, $8,000 value, sell for $4,000. Stony Creek,NY 518696-2829

Drip Irrigation Meeting • May 24TH • 5PM

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

Nursery Equipment

MANTIS Deluxe Tiller. NEW! FastStart engine.

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

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 TOMATO STAKES, hardwood, with or without points, available 1”x1” to 1½”x1½” sq. and 36” to 72” long, one pallet or tractor trailer load picked up or delivered. Erle D. Anderson LUMBER PRODUCTS INC., www.woodstakesupplier.com Located in Virginia. 804-7480500

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 Stock

Real Estate For Sale

Seeds

16 WELLMASTER used shipping racks, 44”x46” w/5 steel mesh shelves, excellent condition, $300/each OBO; Also, 50,000 (1 Gal.) containers, .05/each OBO. 607-279-8172 Ithaca,NY

SPECIAL DIG YOUR OWN

# # # # #

BOULDIN & LAWSON 1 yard batch mixer, peat fluffer w/mist, 15’ conveyor, like new.

5 0 6 - 3 2 5 - 2 7 0 1 www.foxbrand.ca

Other Evergreens Available Call For Pricing and Availability

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

Seeds, plugs, cuttings.

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

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

Roofing

Roofing

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

700 acres of quality field grown material. 40 years experience. Roger Coffey & Sons Wholesale Nursery P h : 8 2 8 - 3 9 4 - 2 2 5 9 Fa x : 828-758-2240 email: sales@rogercoffeyandsons.com www.rogercoffeyandsons.com 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)

LARGE B&B EVERGREENS Below Wholesale Prices

7’-18’ Spruce, Pine, Arborvitae, Fir

Call for size, price & delivery We accept Visa, Mastercard & Discover

Stoudt Nursery • 570-366-2686 Friedensburg, PA

Nursery Stock

Norway Spruce

7-14’ $1500 each (minimum purchase - 50)

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

717-677-6816 • www.showerstreefarm.com Orchard Supplies 20 bu.apple bins for sale, approx. 200 $30.00/bin f.f. $25.00/bin ju. 315-536-0480

Parts

L

K

13.5 acre established, successful u-pick blueberry and raspberry farm in East Dorset, Vermont. Includes dwelling and guest cottage. $479,000.00. Preview at http://youtu.be/Ru2iLf2KTjk 603-801-3325

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

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

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

Shipping is FREE if picked up at the Lititz store.

Real Estate For Sale Nursery Stock

Real Estate For Sale

G R E E N H O U S E OPERATION for sale, Loudon, NH. Historically solid & financially stable business offered for $625,000 - 25% below appraised asset value.

Low risk venture with great expansion opportunities.

Visit website: www.ledgeview-greenhouses.com.

For additional information contact: Kevin, Weeks Commercial, 603-5283388, ext. 305; email: ksullivan@cbcweeks.com.

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

Sprayers

Sprayers

Real Estate For Sale

Nursery Stock

Fruit and Vegetable Sprayers • Mosquito (West Nile), fly & tick control!

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

High Performance PTO & Engine Driven Mist Sprayers, Blowers, Foggers, Parts & Accessories

DON’T MISS OUT ON SPRING SALES! Limited Supply of Bare Root Plants in Our Coolers, Still Available for Shipment

Spray Under Trees...Roadside Ditches... Forestry Weed & Pest Control...

Refrigeration

Refrigeration

Strawberries, Asparagus, Blueberries, Rasberries, Blackberries, Grapes, Roses, Peach, Pear, Plum & Cherry Trees

3 Pt Terminator

VISIT US AT WWW.KELLYWSN.COM Bareroot - Containerized - Packaged Small Minimum Orders/Free Color Picture Tags

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

Phone: (216) 426-8882 • www.awrco.com

Call us today for your Subscription to

Country Folks Grower

Serving All Aspects of Commercial Horticulture

888-596-5329

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

Page 13 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

Country Folks Grower Classifieds

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 14

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 Sprayers

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

717-677-7416

Trees

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

White Pine Norway Spruce Arborvitae

5 EASY WAYS TO PLACE A COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER CLASSIFIED AD 1. PHONE IT IN - Just give Peggy a call at 1-800-836-2888

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

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

Blue Spruce Serbian Spruce Frazier Fir

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

Trucks

Trucks

Martin’s Farm Trucks, LLC

3.

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

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

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

4.

2001 Isuzu NPR SA Reefer, 4 Cyl. DS, Auto, 12,000GVW, 12’ Reefer, Truck Engine Driven Reefer, 107k Mi. $8,500

1997 F/L FL70 SA Reefer, 5.9L Cum, 6 Spd., Air Brakes, Spring Susp, 20’x96” Morgan Reefer, 33,000GVW, 302k Mi. $7,900

888-497-0310 Tree Equipment

Vegetable Supplies

FOR SALE: CT10 Mechanical transplanter for Christmas trees. 413-267-3396

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

Call 800-836-2888 to place your classified ad.

Calendar of Events E-mail announcements of your regional event(s) to: jkarkwren@leepub.com We must receive your information, plus a contact phone number, prior to the deadline that’s noted under the Announcements heading on the 1st page of these Grower Classifieds. *** JUN 19-20 Retail Growth Solutions: A Mini-Conference for Florists Cherry Hill, NJ - Philadelphia Metro Area. Contact Laura Weaver, 800-3364743 or e-mail lweaver@safnow.org.

JUL 14-17 OFA: 2012 ShortCourse Greater Columbus Conven-

tion Center, Columbus, OH. Call 614-487-1117 or e-mail ofa@ofa.org. On Internet at http://ofa.org/shortcourse info.aspx JUL 26 Annual Flower Trial Field Day Penn State Southeast Research and (Landisville Farm) . As always, there will be exceptional speakers, fabulous weather and the stars

5.

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

$9.25

$9.55

$9.85

$10.15

$10.45

$10.75

$11.05

$11.35

$11.65

$11.95

$12.25

$12.55

$12.85

$13.15

$13.45

$13.75

$14.05

$14.35

$14.65

$14.95

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

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

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

(Phone #’s count as one word) # of issues to run______ Total Cost $________ Zone(s) to run in: J East J Midwest J West of the show, the Flower Trials. Call 814-865-4700. On Internet at http:// extension/psu.edu AUG 8-10 NCLA Summer Green Road Show Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, NC. Call 919-816-9119. On Internet at www.ncnla.com AUG 8-11 National Christmas Tree Association Convention & Trade Show Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA. More than 350 Christmas Tree growers, wholesalers, retailers, Choose & Cut farmers and related industry members from around the world. On Internet at www.christmastree.org/ convention2012.cfm AUG 17-20

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

NAFDMA 2012 Advanced Learning Retreat Tanners Orchard, Speer, IL. On Internet at www. nafdma.com AUG 22-25 Virginia CTGA Summer Meeting Waynesboro Best Western Hotel, Waynesboro, VA. Contact Jeff Miller, 540-3827310 or e-mail secretary@ virginiachristmastrees.org.

On Internet at www. virginiachristmastrees.org AUG 23-25 VA Christmas Tree Growers Assoc. Annual Conference & Trade Show Waynesboro Best Western Inn. Call 540-382-2716. On Internet at www.

VirginiaChristmasTrees.org

(MM/YY)

Required w/Credit Card Payment Only

AUG 26-28 38th Annual FARWEST Show Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR. On Internet at www.farwestshow.com OCT 10-13 IPPS Eastern Region 62st Annual Meeting Brandywine Valley, PA. Contact Margot Bridgen, 631765-9638 or e-mail ippser@gmail.com.

On Internet at www.ipps.org/ EasternNA NOV 2-6 2012 Irrigation Show & Education Conference Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. C a l l e - m a i l info@irrigationshow.org.

NOV 7-8

Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo DCU Center, Worcester MA. Call 802-865-5202 or e-mail info@negreenhouse.org.

JAN 9-11 MANTS Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. Call 800431-0066 or e-mail info@mants.com. On Internet at www.mants.com JAN 10 VNA Horticulture Research Foundation Research Gala / Auction Order tickets with MANTS registration www. mants.com. For info e-mail research@vnla.org.

Call 800-476-0055.

GROWER

HELP YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Country Folks Grower is the only publication reaching the fruit, vegetable, greenhouse and nursery growers and sellers every month with just one publication!

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of web. t Foodan even greater numberthe ing on the 2002 the Gourme In 2001 and and 29 the customers. Most of Gourmet On June 28 ip came togeth their last year will membersh its first the Maine SFP’s will stage Food vendors from and we exand completed ifying MG& again Gour met ucerand’sexhibit erstrate History of 2 Annual in- be back have many new Prod gic plan ident to includ- Festival. Last year 25 Food ty to- pect en to be Trade Show the three major goals ial at happ came posicts inec you a If ote members a susta to bers produ trip And Sp And to prom g the ing, Creating tent on ones. a s- trepid pro- mem

94 Bull Rd., Otisville, NY 10963 845-386-5681 FAX: 845-386-8752 sales@wesselsfarms.com www.wesselsfarms.com

nd

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Gritty Deta vements will be work be password be limThe Nitty Marketing and the impro de a will will Seminar it will provi search and June 13 Portl ons will focus on selland access completed bringing with processor locati of serv- ed alist, two food level in r ito Speci ct placement ar held iate much highe and ited years of exper , out and produ This semin and assoc restaucustomers him seven ct from roll , media alty stores, e members It will provide produ ice to our eting speci to your resum mark cts ing shows, corWe will produ ence in members. line gement. He members.

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Stefano will Specialty food conferencing will market rethe Maine proce informaand other ing extensive ding on-line producers industry. g as able as deterinclu servin h, to needs searc l In addition marketing tiona bers. for d by the mem a showplace will mine products it member’s

Private Label Available

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Calendar

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We Ship Anywhere in the USA

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Fir Countrn are Vermont Is of the Associatio orThe members col

Products Priced For Your Profitability

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and you with lush ready to serve sizes and assortment of ful trees in an s, grown Fir and Fraser m lsa Ba es. typ the most untain air, are in our cool mo of trees available to es ieti var r ula ds. pop to meet your nee you in quantities your order with our ce pla you en Wh rmation get accurate info m the growers, you directly fro rs we ans est and hon custom cut as order will be will farmer. Your e as possible and dat ry ive del close to the k of condition. working with pea the in n locatio experienced in arrive at your sale growers are er you are a garden center, Vermont whole eth p e retailers. Wh zation, let us hel all Christmas tre lot or a fund raising organi trees. Orders as ner farm stand, cor high profit Vermont Christm ile. sm , and a you with quality l be handled with efficiency wil large and small bility Asso

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ciation

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for June

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d Availa For Prices an The Contact as Tree lesale Christm Vermont Who Association at s er ow Gr s.org tchristmastree www.vermon “PROFIT” You CAN Get There From by the VT Here Co-Sponsored ure Dept. of Agricult

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Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Also visit these Web sites: www.virginiagrown.com — Virginia Grown produce and nursery products • www.vctga.com — Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association www.vnla.org — Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association • www.vafinest.com — Virginia’s Finest products

(608) 742-8663 Fax (608) 742-8667 Wisc. Christmas Tree Producers Assn.

Dept. C, W9833 Hogan Rd, Portage, WI 53901

For More Information Contact Your Local Representative or Country Folks Grower, PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 • 800-218-5586 Advertising and Print Jobs: Dan Wren 517-673-0117 • Email dwren@leepub.com Editorial: Joan KarkWren 518-673-0141 • Email jkarkwren@leepub.com

Page 15 - Section B • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • May 2012

HOW CAN

? ?

Country Folks

May 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS GROWER • Section B - Page 16

Country Folks

GROWER SWEEPSTAKES

John Deere Gator 825: 4x4

3

Enter Now To Win A John Deere Gator!

Ways To Win!!!

3 Ways To Win!!!

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

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

1

Buy a subscription to Country Folks

2

Name ______________________________________________ Business/Farm Name ____________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City ___________________State _______________Zip Code ___________ PHONE ( NEW

) _____________ RENEW

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

Payment Method Check (#

)

Cash

Exp. Date __________

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

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

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

PAYMENT RECEIVED BY: _____________________DATE ____________

Place a Classified Ad in Country Folks 5 EASY Y WAYS S TO O PLACE EA Y FOLKS S GROWER COUNTRY D AD CLASSIFIED

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

Discover customers...

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

3.

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

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

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

(Phone #’s count as one word) # of issues to run______ Total Cost $___________

$8.60

$8.00

$8.30

$8.90

$9.20 $10.10

$9.50

$9.80

$10.40

$10.70

$11.00

$11.30

$11.60

$11.90

$12.20

$12.50

$12.80

$13.10

$13.40

$13.70

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

Signature_______________________Date________ Payment Method

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

This Sweepstakes 3 Mail in Entry Form

Name Co./Farm Name

_ _ _

Address

_ _ _

City State Phone( ) E-Mail Birth Date

Zip

/

_ _ _ / _

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

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