Once again, it is that time of year. Farmers toil in the fields, families meander through corn mazes and neighborhoods prepare for masked and hooded goblins and superheroes. Windows flung open, welcoming the crisp, fresh air of autumn. Everything becomes pumpkin-flavored and… * cough, cough * Oh, no...

The 2026 America’s Farmers Market Celebration™ by American Farmland Trust is underway and runs through Sept. 30. The celebration is the only annual ranking of the top farmers markets in the U.S. as voted on by the public. The 18th annual AFMC runs Aug. 1 - Sept. 30 on markets.farmland.org . The even...

Looking for a colorful, low maintenance plant that attracts pollinators? Consider smooth ironweed ( Vernonia fasciculata , which grows best in Zones 4 - 9)⁠. Tall, lanky and charming, this prairie native looks right at home in any informal garden with its tousled purple flowers.⁠ Its natural habitat...

Join other forward-thinking graziers at the National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) 2026 “Ultimate Northeast Grazing School,” hosted by John Burns’s Evermore Farms , 8475 Morgan Creek Rd., Lindley, NY, Sept. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For the great value of only $50 for both days, the school fea...

As some Northeast gardens peak in July, growers are trimming plants, pulling spent vegetables, mowing lawns and managing an increasing amount of yard waste. Now is the ideal time to start a compost pile that can help recycle those materials and prepare households for the large influx of leaves that ...

The Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) is accepting nominations for its “Conservationist of the Year” award for 2026. Each year, OCCA awards the Conservationist of the Year to the individual, community group, nonprofit organization or business or government entity that has made an outstan...

Seniors are vulnerable to mental health issues. The World Health Organization says around one in five older adults experience psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety and dementia-related mood changes. While various therapies can help, seniors may discover volunteerism can be a surprising anti...

Is something chewing on and creating holes in your plant leaves, but you can’t find any insects? Does new damage continue to appear? This is a true case of whodunit. This is a common question, particularly in early summer, and the absence of a pest with continued damage suggests a nocturnal pest or ...

The U.S. bird population has been declining by the millions for several decades. Thankfully, there is a growing interest in managing sugarbushes as an ecological support for our diverse bird populations. Steve Hagenbuch, the lead on the national Audubon Bird-Friendly Maple program, shared ideas of h...

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with dear family and friends. One of the things we spoke on, amongst other things, was the difference between regular milk and A2 milk and lactose-free milk. I’ve also had many others recently asked about the difference, so this inspired me to research and ...

Gardening is a rewarding hobby that provides a great reason to get outdoors. Getting one’s hands dirty in the garden often pays off with a colorful, awe-inspiring and aesthetically appealing finished product. Perennials are plants that live multiple years. Even though perennials may die back above g...

On most small farms, the difference between a peaceful night and a pasture full of panic can come down to one thing: a guardian animal you trust with your flock. Predator pressure is a reality for nearly every sheep or goat farmer today, whether the threat is coyotes slipping through fences, neighbo...

During June Dairy Month, Dairy Together, a national coalition working to educate farmers, eaters and lawmakers about how managed growth based on market demand can create a viable dairy economy, is calling on Congress to pass policies and make new investments that meet the moment of the dairy farm cr...

We do not need huge tracts of land in order to keep livestock. Industry professionals like to use general guidelines of one acre per animal, but this is, well, general. If someone is truly dedicated to good pasture management (and not just looking for excuses to hoard animals) acreage doesn’t matter...

One topic that seems to be on everyone’s lips this time of year is spring planting. Whether you are a big-time farmer with hundreds of acres or a small local producer, planting time dominates conversations in the grocery store, hardware store or café. It’s on everyone’s minds. Even the hobby gardene...