March 2007 Edition
Feature Article
"Modern technology has helped us increase the amount of sap harvested in the same amount of time...replaced visual grading estimates with tools, decreased the amount of water in sap before it even gets to the evaporator, offered choices in fuel, and more."
Feature (March 5): Robin Follette kicks off March with a feature on the advances made in harvesting, storing, processing, and grading the Northeast's prime crop during this season - maple syrup. You can learn all about vacuum pumps, Reverse Osmosis machines, and refractometers in: "Modernization of Maple Syrup"
CSA Farmer
"...'I saw large lots of land everywhere and it came to me that we should have many little farms instead of one big one, bringing the farm to the people,' Donna recalls. 'I knew I was on to something...'"
CSA Farmer (March 12): This month, Heather Grant brings us an inspiring story of American agricultural ingenuity, wherein a new CSA model is born that, instead of bringing the customer to the farm, brings the farm to the customer, in: "Your Backyard Farmer: A New Model for CSA"
Heavy Horses
"Charley, our young Suffolk Punch gelding, turned 18 months old in October and is growing into a very handsome and good-natured horse...Charley came to our farm just over a year ago, and it seems a good time to reflect on some of the progress we´ve made together."
Heavy Horses (March 12): Kate Scarlott tells us of the successes and difficulties of training a new horse for life on a working farm, documented with love, respect, and a true understanding of the relationship between human and horse, in: "Charley's Training Progress"
Backyard Gardener
"Henry James Byron was a prolific author of drama, burlesque and pantomime at Cambridge Theatre in the late 1800s. He wrote, 'When young sow wild oats but when old, grow sage.' As I get older and perhaps a bit wiser, I look for plants that can take care of themselves occasionally. Sage is such a plant."
Backyard Gardener (March 19): In March, all things 'sage' are on Keith Bellinger's mind. Get introduced to some of the 500 varieties and how to grow and process them. Medicinal, ornamental, psychotropic - even Pineapple-flavored - sages are yours to explore in: "Sage Advice"
Flower Gardener
"There is a notion among many gardeners, that herbs should be grown in a bed devoted to just herbs...However, culinary herbs constitute only a small number of available herbs. There are many other lesser-known herbs that make great perennial plants."
Flower Gardener (March 19): Desegregation comes to the garden! Kate Copley will guide you in how to comfortably and successfully blur the distinction between the herb bed and the perennial bed in: "Herbs That Make Good Perennials"
Market Farmer
"It’s called Farm to School or Farm to Cafeteria. It’s all about getting locally grown food into local school systems. For farmers that are in need of additional markets or are interested in diversification, it may be an ideal situation."
Market Farmer (March 26): Farm-To-School programs are popping up all over the country, benefiting farmers and students alike. Emily Jackson gives a good luck at the many different flavors of Farm-To-School programs, in: "Schools as Potential Markets for Farmers"