MYSTIC, Conn. — The long-term success of a family farm depends on ongoing succession planning, said a farm business consultant. Erin Pirro of Farm Credit East in Enfield, Connecticut, advised delegates at the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association here Feb. 7 to start early. “It’s not going to happen overnight and you don’t want […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Strong marketing plan key to success
MYSTIC, Conn. — People spend so much money developing their new products that they often don’t leave enough to get them to market. Gary Morton of SKUFood and Morton Horticultural Associates in Coldbrook, N.S., said most don’t realize the challenges of launching a new enterprise. “Sitting on the loading dock, they’re only 10 percent of […] Read more
Bring them in with tours or taste testing, mazes or contests
MYSTIC, Ct. — While pumpkin patches remain popular for families seeking country retreats, unique culinary events are growing in popularity. “Buying local and being connected to food and the farm are very trendy right now,” said Sarah van Heeswijk, a board member with the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association. That includes long table or […] Read more
Winderberry Farm diversifies as children bring in new skills
WINDERMERE, B.C. — The tiny begonias emerging under grow lights could pass for almost any of the bedding plants started at the Winderberry Farm. Glenda Wah, her husband, Jack Steedman, and their daughter, Anna Steedman, plant these seeds before Christmas in a basement on their farm in B.C.’s East Kootenays before transferring them to a […] Read more
B.C. growers relish hot and spicy life
WINDERMERE, B.C. — Saunders Family Farm’s cranberry jalapeno and raspberry pepper jellies might never have been made if the processors swam with sharks in Thailand in 2004. Faith and Gordon Saunders, market gardeners from Windermere, B.C., were enjoying a Christmas vacation there with family when a tsunami struck and killed 280,000 people. “We were so […] Read more
Take control of your online brand
Saskatchewan Women in Ag participants told a positive online reputation can help with personal and business dealings
Social media posts can derail a young professional’s best intentions or a farm’s business reputation, said a business adviser. During a Saskatchewan Women in Ag coaching session Jan. 11 in Saskatoon, participants moved between a dozen tables to discuss topics as varied as farm succession, mentoring and property management. Daria Malin, owner of Boost Strategic […] Read moreFarmers, industry need to take control of ag story
Rancher shares information and photos about farm life and writes a blog to correct misleading information on agriculture
Starting a conversation with consumers about agriculture can be as easy as showing farm photos to a seat mate on an airplane. Adrienne Ivey, who spoke at the Saskatchewan Young Ag Entrepreneurs conference in Saskatoon Jan. 5, uses those opportunities along with her blog, View From the Ranch, to influence public opinion and correct misleading […] Read moreTap available resources for value-added ideas
If you don’t have what it takes to turn oatmeal into smoothies, find someone who does. Godwin Pon of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s value-added unit detailed the resources available to fledgling businesses during the Saskatchewan Young Ag Entrepreneurs conference in Saskatoon Jan. 5. He suggested seeking help from his unit, which can advise on resources and opportunities […] Read more
Restaurant gets food from the source
As a young chef, Blair Lebsack questioned why most food arrived in boxes on a truck from a central supply depot. “I always asked the driver where it came from and he didn’t know,” he said. Lebsack had grown up on a mixed farm near Red Deer where they raised livestock and garden produce for […] Read more
An arrangement that says ‘wow’
TORONTO — Fillers and thrillers are essential components of homemade Christmas crafts. Kelly Musters of Sandhill Nursery in Huntsville, Ont., who led seminars on creating festive containers and wreaths at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November, said supplies can come from greenhouses, craft stores or your own backyard. “Go for a nice […] Read more
