Farmer Stories

Fourth-generation Ruesch Century Farm is surrounded by a shrinking dairying community, but their small-scale organic cranberry marsh is growing. See the video of their modernized version of an historical tool that Brian Ruesch says makes all the difference with their cranberries.

HOOPHOUSE HOW-TO, PART 1: Hoophouse dreams -- building a beginning Anchoring your farming dreams in the bedrock of your own soil

Worm farming can be lucrative, says Jack Brantley of Bear Creek Worm Farm … but it’s like any other live-animal feeding operation. It takes experience, skill and patience. He recommends starting small.

An ethical harvester of wild plants ponders the best way to preserve and protect the wild plants he depends on.

Iowa organic farmer finds his niche with a long-season favorite

Ohio couple develops mushroom hobby into viable second career

Over 60 fruits and vegetables on 10 acres, a remote location, a short growing season and a pernicious pest: There are plenty of challenges for organic growers Doug and Michelle Nimchuk. But business is good.

Mike and Diane Madison sell 20,000 bunches of cut flowers a year through direct market and retail. They also grow clementines and high quality olives for oil. An innovative member arrangement—picking olives in exchange for oil—allows them to avoid the headaches and anxieties of being employers.

Phil Coturri has been growing organic wine grapes in Sonoma for 25 years, and 10 years ago helped set the trend for organic olive oil production in California. For both crops, his management principles center on diverse cover crops, composts, careful use of irrigation and constant attention to the flavors of the final product.

Bottle beautiful