Country Folks
Posted on March 4, 2026
Hello, farm family! Have you noticed extra stress in your on- and off-farm relationships lately? Perhaps you find yourself: • Avoiding “hot topics” with customers (or even family and friends) • Feeling uncomfortable in family get-togethers • Wrestling over how “personal” or “political” to get in soc...
News
Courtney Llewellyn 
Posted on February 25, 2026
A recent shift toward more restrictive weed control measures along with new, mandatory pesticide application rules has been mandated by the EPA. Wesley Everman, Ph.D., Iowa State Extension weed specialist, began an explanation of the rule changes with a brief history of what brought the EPA to devel...
Country Folks
Beef industry B13 
Posted on February 25, 2026
The Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show’s (ERJAS) 2026 event, “Fallin’ for Angus in the Empire State,” will take place June 18 - 21 in Hamburg, NY, at the Erie County Fairgrounds. ERJAS is the second largest show of the National Junior Angus Shows. It rotates around the eastern U.S. annually to allow...
Country Folks
by Andy Haman 
Posted on February 25, 2026
Multiple streams of income can bring financial success for any business owner. Agriculture is no different. Evolution is important if you want to “stay in the game.” However, a game plan is vital for those who wish to do so. Diversification can be driven by several factors, says Penn State Extension...
Country Folks
by Sally Colby 
Posted on February 25, 2026
The largest rodent in North America is the beaver. It lives in nearly all 50 states, and it’s the official mammal of New York State. Their strong jaws allow them to decimate trees quickly, and just one animal can chew down several hundred trees every year. Beaver dams flood farmland, timber and road...
Country Folks
Crop Comments
Posted on February 25, 2026
Fertilizer burn is seedling injury caused by high concentrations of salt, nitrogen or ammonia in fertilizer applied too close to the seed or in-furrow. This causes dehydration, yellowing, stunted growth and delayed maturity. Nature boasts two ways for getting rid of surplus moisture. The most common...
Country Folks
by Sally Colby 
Posted on February 18, 2026
Many dairy cows go on to a second career as beef, and it’s the responsibility of everyone on the farm to care for them properly until they leave the farm. Veterinarian Dr. Julia Herman, who consults on animal health for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), says dairy farms have a lot to...
Country Folks
by Joseph Armstrong 
Posted on February 18, 2026
For many small processors, getting beef officially graded can be a challenge. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has developed a Remote Beef Grading Program (RGP) that is removing much of that burden by allowing plants to submit carcass information digitally rather than relying on in‑person...
Country Folks
Horse Tales
by Judy Van Put 
Posted on February 18, 2026
It’s been a hard winter so far, with lots of snow and frigid temperatures. We’ve seen many days of wind chills well below zero, and so having a few days in the 30s is always a welcome respite! However, there is still more winter to come – and it’s a good time to utilize any break in the weather to p...
Gardening Farming
Courtney Llewellyn 
May 4, 2026
Trees are very important to our world. They help with landscape aesthetics, shade, food production, wildlife habitat and much more. Now is a great tim...
Events
Courtney Llewellyn 
May 2, 2026
The Adirondack Railroad Beer & Wine Trains are getting ready to roll in for a new season. In addition to the Utica Beer & Wine Train, two new offering...
Lifestyle
Courtney Llewellyn 
April 30, 2026
Great nature photography doesn’t start with expensive gear – it starts with paying better attention. In just 15 minutes, you can train your eye, sharp...
Lifestyle
by Sam Mazotta 
April 28, 2026
Dear Paw’s Corner: I want to take my 2-year-old dog Halley on hikes this summer, but I’m terrified that she will get Lyme disease. What will happen to...