Nurturing Your Field

Spring is a beautiful time of renewal. Those tiny buds are breaking free to bring about new life. The soil is warming up and you can smell the nutrient rich soil. The clear sunny days are getting longer and you can begin nurturing your field.

You’ve made this decision to farm. You have thoughts and hopes for the upcoming season and you are focused on the tasks at hand. Days are spent pruning, digging, planting, cleaning, pulling supplies and equipment out of storage and organizing staff. Perhaps you notice that your hand has its first blister. Does this sound familiar?

This time of year can bring about fresh ideas too. When you take a moment to step back and take a look at your field, buildings and your business, what are some of the thoughts that come to mind for the year or two down the road? Can you remember some things that you wanted to implement when you first began, do they still apply, or do you have new ideas up your sleeve?

Sometimes a new idea can be another way of working more efficiently, or growing a different crop, reconfiguring a tool, purchasing a few new products, or obtaining the service of a much needed professional. Inside this edition, you’ll see advertisers throughout the magazine and inside the Buyer’s Guide Directory. Study it closely, as these companies are equally as dedicated and devoted to bringing in the latest and best quality products and services.

Also dedicated are the writers at Orchard & Vine, who spend endless hours researching, interviewing, and attending conferences and tradeshows to cultivate and develop the information gathered for the articles valuable to you. This year, since it’s our 60th year, we are looking at some pioneering farm families and enjoy very much keeping their stories alive. Hope you like them.

Lots happening at the start of this new season and there’s lots to read here. Best wishes for a good spring with ideal weather.

Enjoy the magazine!