August 8, 2013 by

Farm Calls: Which fruit crops are best suited for Pick-Your-Own?

Last week Meredith Melendez, Mercer County Ag Agent, fielded this question from a grower who currently runs an organic CSA and is considering adding PYO (pick-your-own) fruit to the farm’s portfolio.

Raspberries are a good option for PYO

Raspberries are a good option for PYO

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agents, including the Agritourism Team, weigh in with specific answers and solid advice.
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Filed Under: Articles, Farm Calls, Growing Crops, Organic Farming
February 5, 2013 by

Farming 7,500 acres by Cell Phone

This month in Sustaining Farming on the Urban Fringe:
First Generation Farmer of the Future – 7,500 acres conventional & organic cash grains by cell phone.

We dig deep into the nature of ag entrepreneurship, and how to profit using a non-judgmental approach to both conventional and organic production by supplying different markets. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Economics, Newsletters, Organic Farming, Political Economy
August 10, 2012 by

Organic Farm Calls: Evidence-Based Agriculture and Aerated Compost Tea

Compost Tea Brewer

Compost Tea Brewer

This month we received a request for tech support on “farm-scale” Aerated Compost Tea (ACT) brewing. This request brings up the larger issue of evidence-based agriculture practices. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Evidence Based Agriculture, Farm Calls, Organic Farming
June 3, 2012 by

Organic Farm Calls: @#*%$! Flaming Weeds

This week a Jersey grower asks why his high BTU vapor phase propane weed flamer doesn’t kill all his weeds. He reports that it seems to work fair – most of the time – on broadleaf weeds, but doesn’t do an adequate job on grasses. Why are his results so variable?

Optimizing Propane Flaming Weed Control

Weed Flame Implement

Weed control implement with vapor phase propane burners

Here’s a weed control tip: If you use flaming weed control with vapor phase propane burners, perform your work in the afternoon, beginning at least eight hours after sunrise.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Farm Calls, Organic Farming