People will always want pretty plants, but of late, there has also been a big push to propagate species that are more pollinator- and planet-friendly. “It isn’t about good versus bad. It’s about making better planting decisions with what we know today,” said Matt Guthrie during a presentation at thi...

From a cultural spark to a customer sale, plant popularity follows a path that begins long before a shopper enters a garden center. Trends take shape through conversations, communities and changing lifestyles. They gain momentum through media, storytelling and social sharing before eventually influe...

While some forms of renewable energy are quietly accepted by the public, the mere mention of industrial-scale solar construction on farm acreage is frequently met with protests. In some cases, integrating solar with an agricultural enterprise such as vegetable crops, hay, pollinator habitat or lives...

“Visitors are coming to your website with specific questions: ‘Can I trust this place? Is it worth the trip?’ Your website will be their first impression, and it needs to answer those questions. Good user experience means making it easy, clear and inviting,” said Molly McManus, the agritourism and m...

The statistics are sobering: cybercrime was a $14 billion business in 2024. Worse, cybercrimes are no longer the work of teenagers in basements gaining access to others’ computers. Dr. Doug Jacobson, director of the Iowa State University Center for Cybersecurity Innovation & Outreach, explained how ...

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...