Low Cost Conundrum

This story will be brutally honest. You’ll soon know all my shortcomings.

Advice from a Farmer, Grassfed, Local FoodJS PortJuly 23, 2021Grass Farming, Small Farm, Eco-Agriculture, Small Business Comment

Leadership Misdirection (Don't be fooled.)

The first farmers on this continent made a mistake. 500 years later, we’re making it worse.

Advice from a Farmer, Grassfed BeefJS PortJune 25, 2021Grassfed BeefComment

Memberships Constrict Creativity

Creativity cannot be taught. It must be won, torn out of our minds in desperate moments when proper procedure is exposed as a ghost and abstract ideas become a possibility.

Small Business, Small Farm, Advice from a Farmer, CreativityJS PortAugust 5, 2020Small Farm, Small BusinessComment

Soundproofed

By accepting distress, I can operate the baler very effectively using my own abilities. Inside a soundproofed cab, I felt vague and disconnected, clawing at my ears as if the motion would somehow clear an obstruction.

Advice from a Farmer, Farm LifeJS PortJuly 9, 2020Farm Life, Advice from a Farmer Comment

DIY

One doesn’t have to be too perspicacious when reading agricultural reports to realize that farmers are quite dependent on Washington for survival.

Advice from a Farmer, Beef, Clarion PA, Farm Life, Farming, Food, Grassfed, Local FoodJS PortJune 10, 2019Farming, Real Farms, beef, Grassfed Beef, Independence, Food SecurityComment

5 Tips to Thrive at a Farmer's Market, Week 5: Perfection

Goodness, I think we can all use a dose of wholesome over fake flawless. I yearn for a little reality on the dinner table – do you?

Farmer's Market, Advice from a Farmer, Small BusinessJS PortNovember 22, 2018Clarion Farms Beef BarnReal Food, Farmer's Market, Food Quality, food dollars, GroceriesComment

Take Out Tuesday: Prohibition Pastries, Pittsburgh

I've been to her bakery only twice, both times within the past several months. It immediately became one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh, and I don't hand out such praise lightly.

Restaurants, Advice from a Farmer, Small Business, Where to eatJS PortNovember 13, 2018Prohibition PastriesTake Out Tuesday, food dollars, Road Trip, Where to Eat, Advice from a Farmer, Dining, Date Night, Small Business, Eat Well, Local FoodComment

5 Tips to Thrive at a Farmer's Market, Week #4: Market First, Grocer Later

Grocery getting habitually fits in on the way home from work, and the result is a full larder when market day rolls around.

Advice from a Farmer, Farmer's MarketJS PortNovember 12, 2018Clarion Farms Beef BarnFarmer's Market, food dollars, Real Food, Advice from a Farmer, Small Business Comment

5 Tips to Thrive at a Farmer's Market, Week #3: Give a little Grace

Remember, many farmers are learning, too, and their practices may not have fully caught up to consumer desires.

Farmer's Market, Advice from a FarmerJS PortNovember 5, 2018Clarion Farms Beef BarnLocal Food, Buying Local, Shopping, Small Business, Advice from a Farmer, Eat Well, Farmer's Market, Food Quality, food dollarsComment

Five Tips to Thrive at a Farmer's Market, Week #2: Be Aware

This is a tough one to sort out, as it exposes our vulnerability from preconceived notions about farmer’s markets.

Advice from a Farmer, Farmer's MarketJS PortOctober 29, 2018Clarion Farms Beef BarnAdvice, Farmer's Market, Small Business, Groceries, Advice from a Farmer, ShoppingComment

5 Tips to Thrive at a Farmer's Market, Week #1: Be Flexible

I can’t count the number of times I’ve stood patiently as a customer, suddenly off-guard and sputtering, stared wide-eyed at their grocery list as though a piercing glare might miraculously change the recommended cut inked permanently on their recipe card.

Advice from a Farmer, Farmer's MarketJS PortOctober 22, 2018Clarion Farms Beef BarnFarmer's Market, Buying Local, Advice from a Farmer, Real Food, Beef, ConfidenceComment