The debate of artificial vs. real Christmas tree is still going strong, but two business professors are getting to the bottom of it. Dr. Lauren Hearit and Dr. Kevin Chastagner, associate professors of management at Hope College in Holland, MI, recently discussed the results of a two-year grant funde...

“Grants can address specific projects or challenges for your farm or food business. These funds are not ‘free.’ They often come with requirements. It’s important to know how to navigate that terrain,” said Laura Biasillo (CCE Broome), exploring what funding can accomplish for farm operations. What t...

Imagine a guest at your winery breaks an ankle on uneven ground. Or a severe thunderstorm rolls in during an evening corn maze. Or a foodborne illness concern is reported on social media. Stacey Stearns, a communications specialist for UConn Extension, wants agritourism operations to have an emergen...

Strong teams grow from strong communication, but communication is about far more than simply speaking the same language. Claudio Pasián, associate professor emeritus at Ohio State University, challenges growers and greenhouse managers to think beyond vocabulary lists and translation apps. His messag...

At a presentation sponsored by the National Agricultural Law Center , lawyer Audry Thompson from the Penn State Center for Agricultural & Shale Law discussed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations for minors employed on farms. Passed in 1938, the FLSA established federal minimum standards f...

Hipcamp is a popular app for discovering and booking unique outdoor stays including tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses and glamping. They partner with landowners in all 50 states, Canada, Australia and the UK. Hipcamp likes to call their service camping-based tourism. According to Cassandra ...

What’s the number one challenge every farmer faces? Ask this question of a group of farmers, and a few nominees will likely rise to the top: weather, regulations and everyone’s favorite, money – particularly the lack of it. So which of these do I think is number one? None of them. I won’t deny that ...

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), organized by USDA’s National Organic Program , has helped farmers navigate the transition process from conventional to organic production with the help of mentors and organic farming resources. Three Michigan farmers who benefited from the progra...

A farm bonfire has a certain magic. Hayrides roll in from the fields, boots crunch across the ground and a crackling blaze gives families a warm place to gather as the evening cools. For farms offering agritourism events, that combination can turn a simple autumn night into a memorable experience. B...