In 1999, Vicki Westerhoff took over her family’s 20-acre farm in St. Anne, Illinois and established a farming partnership called Genesis Growers, Inc. By 2015, Genesis Growers was a 65-acre certified organic farm with sales at farmers markets, wholesale to restaurants, and a CSA. Westerhoff was growing approximately 350 varieties of herbs and vegetables, until … Read more
Many farmers know that when you buy a farm you are also buying insects, weeds and a lot of time figuring out how to get a pesticide applicator license. As weeds and insects are not seen as typically beneficial to farms, pesticide use has become a big part of farming. As a result, many states … Read more
Weeds are so frustrating. They keep popping up in the field or garden without heeding your desire to grow the perfect vegetable and to earn money. Sweet Corn Weeds Read about: Greenhouse Crops for the Off-Season It’s fair to say that weeds compete for light, nutrients and space for crops, such as sweet corn, which is the … Read more
Insects can be so cute and colorful or dark and creepy. No matter which category they fall into, growers would rather not see most of them unless they are beneficial. For growers, pests are pests, and it’s the grower’s job to control them. Following are a few of concern: Strawberry Insects Read about: Winners Announced for the … Read more
Peppers and tomatoes are major crops in many vegetable production areas, and growers are always seeking ways to maximize both yield and quality. One method of increasing both fruit quantity (number and size) and fruit quality is by the use of black plastic mulch in combination with trickle irrigation. Research has shown that, in addition … Read more