Grower Marketplace Summer 2012

Supplement to Country Folks GROWER

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE BAG YOUR OWN MULCH Economically priced mulch bagger, ideal for point-of-sale bagging of mulch and related materials. Allows Garden Centers and Nurseries to buy mulch in bulk and bag it as needed. 1 person can fill up to 100 bags per hour - double the output with 2 people.

For more information contact

Weaverline, LLC at 877-464-1025 Quality Since 1983

Network of Service

WHOLESALE * RETAIL

PRIVATE LABEL * VALUE ADDED CONTRACT PACKAGING 100% JUICES & CIDERS ** NO SUGAR ADDED WE MAKE OVER 600 PRODUCTS INCLUDING JAMS, JELLIES, SAUCES, RELISH, PICKLES & BAKERY ITEMS

— HONEY AVAILABLE — 105 Mitcham Circle, Tiger, GA 30576 www.hillsideorchard.com

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE Do summer intern and apprentice programs work?

by Sanne Kure-Jensen Hands-on learning is the best way to find out if you are suited to farm life.

“The USDA says labor costs can be up to 18 percent of production expenses. To improve profits, you need to be more efficient or you need to reduce your labor costs.” said Amanda Brown of the UMass Extension Vegetable Program. Interns and Apprentices may be cheaper, but you will spend more time training them and supervising beginners. You must determine if the reduced cost can be offset with more production overall. Brown shared her

farm experience working with students while speaking at the Beginning Women Farmer Conference at UMass, Amherst, MA. She distinguished between Interns and Apprentices and their appropriate compensation.

Legal definitions Brown offered these legal definitions according to the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Small Farm and Direct Marketing Handbook but stressed that all growers should check with their state Labor Departments for local regula-

tions before seeking certain types of farm labor.

An Intern can be unpaid if ALL of these qualifications are met. The Intern • Is enrolled in accredited educational institution like a college, community college or university • Benefits from training as they would at the educational institute • Pays the educational institution to be in the program

• Receives academic credit for their work.

• Is not replacing paid employees, but work with them • Is not promised a job at the end of the internship The accredited educational institution is exempt from paying wages, Unemployment Insurance tax and is required to provide a safe work environment. The

Intern 6

CHRISTMAS TREES & CEDAR POSTS CHRISTMAS TREES HIGH H QUALITY Sheared d & Naturall Christmass Treess up p to o 12'+

Balsam and Fraser Fir

CEDAR POSTS POSTS: 7', 8', 12' 4x4 POSTS: 8', 9' RAILS: 12'6" (pheasant fencing) 16" shingle block 2011 1 Forestryy Stewardship p Award Duane e orr Janett Olson n Phone:: 715-623-6590 E-mail: olsonsbalsams@hotmail.com Website: www.olsonsbalsams.com

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Brought to you by: Country Folks, Country Folks Grower, Wine & Grape Grower, Hard Hat News, Mane Stream Waste Handling Equipment News, North American Quarry News, Small Farm Quarterly and by Lee Publications Inc. Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 www.leepub.com (800) 218-5586

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE Your Source For Corn & Berry Supplies Everything For Wholesale or PYO • Baskets • Vex Caps • Paper Bags • Shippers • Custom Printing Available • Trays • Tills • Poly Liners • Produce Bags • Private Label Programs

STANLEY PAPER COMPANY

866-380-3509 Toll Free • 518-453-6203 Fax

Call for a Farm Market Catalog ~ No order too small Visa and Mastercard Accepted

Professional Grower Mixes - Bedding Plant, Germination, ELLE Pot, Hydroponic, Forestry Bulb, Mum, Poinsettia, Custom Blend Quotes Professional Sphagnum Peat Moss - Greenhouse Soil Blenders, Nursery, Mushroom, Water Retention Projects, Blueberries, Environmental, Livestock Retail Products - Lambert & Canadian Gold Peat Moss and Potting Mix, Independent Private Labeling Quotes, Major Brand Private Label Quotes.

OMRI Certified

VeriFlora Certified

Jeff Bishop - Cell: 315-480-1900 • Office: 315-472-7952 • Toll Free: 888-632-8808 Email: lambertpeatmoss@aol.com Website: canadapeatmoss.com lambertpeatmoss.com • Toll Free: US 800-463-4083, Canada 800-462-1313

See us at OFA booth #901, PANTS booth #5039, IGC booth #230

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

Plug g Dislodger

Vandana s Seeder Tubeless

Designed to accommodate several sizes of plug trays, using a common frame.

See Us At OFA Show Booth #1301 and FARWEST Show Booth #20067 & #21068

Sows entire tray at one drop Templates easy to change Will handle any tray size.

Travelling Irrigator Custom-built to fit your greenhouse or crop shelter from the highest quality component parts.

Growing g Trays Available in many sizes and styles to match a wide variety of needs.

Growing g Systems,, Inc. 2950 N. Weil St. Milwaukee, WI 53212 Ph (414) 263-3131 Fax (414) 263-2454

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE

Wessels Farm

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

WE GROW Plugs Spring Garden Plants Wes Select Premium Annuals Summer Annuals Fall Mums Poinsettias Convenient Shipping, Volume Pricing, Easy Pick-up

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE Intern from 3

employer providing training must not derive immediate advantage from interns’ actions.

Generally, there is no minimum wage requirement for agricultural laborers as long as they are not engaged in processing value added products or selling. An Apprentice receives a personal education plan proposed and approved under state/federal law.

Apprentices can potentially create this training/research plan for the next year’s Apprentice as part of their seasonal project.

An Employer of Apprentices must: • Have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) • Pay at least minimum wage with merit raises • Pay workers compensation insurance for work-related injuries • Pay Unemployment Insurance tax • Provide safe work environment • Provide set number of hours of instruction annually An Employee is subject to scheduling by the employer and the employer must: • Have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) • Pay wages • Pay workers compensation insurance for work-related injuries • Provide safe work environment • File payroll tax forms There are volunteer resources such as World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). Their website lists interns and apprentices looking to earn their room and board. Each state has slightly different definitions, rules and per diem rates. Be sure to check with your local Department of Labor for applicable regulations.

Selection criteria How to select (applications and interviews) and how best supervise Interns and Apprentices • Have written application • Ask why interested in

farming, background and experience, academic training and success • Have current or past workers interview new recruits • Maintain consistent labor standards across farm • Check references; ask “Would you hire them again?”

Policies and procedures Communication is critical in all working environments. Be sure you set clear expectations: hours, responsibilities and pay/or not. Create and make available an Employee Handbook with expectations, grievance procedure, wages, hours/schedules, breaks, NO smoking and educational contracts/ learning plans. Brown and conference participants recommended that all staff cell phones be turned in to supervisors during working days and returned only at lunch breaks and after the work day. Emergency calls should be directed to supervisors or to the farm office. She also recommended a no headphone policy to improve safety and encourage human interaction. To further this goal, she has students interact with buyers in person (not via email or by phone) and make deliveries.

Post and follow an organizational chart with names/rolls. Cross train people; swap tasks weekly and have students be responsible for different tasks or areas.

Be sure to meet regularly (daily and/or weekly). Mix in some fun along with the drudgery of weeding and hoeing.

Post “Done” list of accomplishments not just the “To Do” list. Always develop and share a Plan B. If the team runs out of things to do, finish early or has crop failure, what is next thing on the “To Do” list or backup plan?

Resources Brown recommended these links and references for more information and finding applicants: • U.S. Department of Labor: www.wagehour.

dol.gov or call their helpline at 866-487-9243.

• World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) lists available interns, apprentices and openings: www.smallfarms.org • National Sustainable Agricultural Information

Service (ATTRA) offers a directory of sustainable farming internships, apprenticeships and onthe-job learning opportunities at www.attra.org • Agricultural, nursery and landscape jobs and internships at www.

GreenJobsNE.org.

• “The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff - and Making a Profit” by Richard Wiswall includes recommendations for hiring and training apprentices.

Brown also recommended watching “Digital_nation,” a 90 minute Frontline report on the changing way people interact, for a better understanding on the way today’s students think and act.

SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

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MARKETPLACE Gardner Pie Company is dedicated to baking and selling only the very best pies. We use only the finest and freshest ingredients and adhere to time-honored, old-fashioned recipes.

Located in Akron, OH. we’ve been family owned and operated since 1945. We provide a wide variety of quality pies to farm markets, in-store bakeries, and the food service industry.

For ordering information call: 330-245-2030

Advertise in Country Folks

Gardnerr Piee offerss moree than n 50 0 piee varieties: Traditionall Fruitt Pies b Topped d Pies Crumb Topped d Fruitt Pies d Fruitt Pies Mixed Harvestt Addition n Pies

Sou uth h off thee Borderr Pies m Pies Cream No o Sugarr Added d Pies Coloniall Pies Savoryy Vegetablee Pies

Visitt ourr Websitee at:: www.gardnerpie.com m forr specificc varietiess in n each category,, ass welll ass completee nutrition n information.

To Reach The Buyers You Need Regional or Coast to Coast Starting December 2005

• Since 2001 •

• Since 1991 •

(preserves, butters, jellies, sauces, mustards and salsas)

WWW.DILLMANFARM.COM • 800.359.1362 {label design by: www.flow-design.com}

PAGE 1

Supplement to Country Folks GROWER

This Could Be Your Ad

MARKETPLACE

SEPTEMBER • Organic & Sustainable • Christmas Deadline August 16th

Country Folks Grower Will Have A Marketplace Glossy Section In The October Buyer’s Guide Issue

Full Coverage Special Rates Great Look

DON’T MISS THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES

SUMMER EDITION • July 2011

OCTOBER There is limited space available so contact us early to reserve your spot.

Deadline August 24.

For more information 800-218-5586 • 518-673-3237 dwren@leepub.com

• Buyer’s Guide • Christmas • Alternative Energy Deadline September 13th

Contact (800) 218-5586 dwren@leepub.com

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SUMMER EDITION • July 2012

MARKETPLACE Kurt Zuhlke & Assoc. Inc.

PO Box 609, Bangor, PA 18013-0609

email: sales@producepackaging.com

Over 55 Years In The Industry For over 55 years, Kurt Zuhlke & Assoc., Inc. has been a part of the many innovative packaging concepts utilized by the produce industry.

High Quality Products And Services Our packaging is designed to protect produce, provide excellent visibility to the consumer, reduce shrinkage and enhance the product.

We also offer professional labeling design and application.

Earth Friendly Packaging Made of Recycled PETE

Esta

blis 199 hed 1

Hand Painted Custom Wood Signs For All S easons & Crops

Spring N Summer Fall N Christmas ~ Photo Ops ~ Educational ~ Information ~ Road Signs

KEEPING IT GREEN Our Clamshells are Recyclable!

Whether you are ordering a case or a truck load, you can rest assured that we have the ability and capacity to service your orders quickly.

www.producepackaging.com

Signs of the Seasons

Email: sgilmore@signsoftheseasons.com Phone: 219-866-4507 www.signsoftheseasons.com