The Fruit Growers News

Gathering at Busti’s Cider Mill & Farm Market, a roadside stand near Jamestown, N.Y., 50 growers boarded a sleek silver bus for the daylong trek into Pennsylvania and New York state’s most western county. Diane Eggert, New York State Farm Direct Marketing Association (NYSFDMA) executive secretary, was among those on the tour. “The summer bus tour offers marketers a look at other farms and businesses to gain new perspectives and develop new ideas for their own businesses. It gives marketers an opportunity to network with each other, which may be one of the most valuable benefits of participating in the tours. “But, beyond their businesses, the summer bus tour is a welcome break from the hard work each marketer is doing at home. They enjoy each other’s company, visiting other markets, and just have fun for a day away from the farm,” Eggert said. Bob and Judy Schultz met the group at their Cider Mill and Farm Market location. The group bonding began with hot coffee, juice and the best pastries. “People just love these. Judy uses our fresh fruit crops for these,” her husband proudly proclaimed encouraging everyone to sample one. “She baked them for you this morning!” Indeed, the raspberry-filled were memorable. During the bus ride to the next stop the group viewed a video on the Greenfield Basket Company operation just over the state line in Northeast Pennsylvania. The company is a major supplier of fresh market baskets of all shapes and sizes. Its customer base extends throughout the country. “I buy good logs and have them transported to our factory. We cut them to length and peel the bark away. A large lathe shaves thin layers of wood that are cut into strips and finally formed into baskets,” explained Dave Foster who owns the operation along with his wife, Rose. Tour participants took advantage of the large bus undercarriage storage compartments, buying quantities of baskets while at the factory, although Greenfield Baskets Company will ship anywhere. With the group back on board, the bus wound its way through the grape-growing region along the southeastern shoreline of Lake Erie. Vinewood Acres Sugar Shack was the next stop. Rows of grape vines framed the neat wooden store with a spectacular Lake Erie vista just a short walk along a wooded pathway. The group learned about local vegetation and protected plant species as they accompanied Gail Black, owner and nature interpreter. She highlighted elderberries, herbs, and other plants that are used in special recipes for value-added products available at the farm store and gift shop. After a catered lunch, it was back to the bus and continued conversation not only about the first three stops, but also there was considerable sharing about the participants’ own market operations. Notebooks in hand, participants willingly shared novel marketing ideas. Arriving at Scotts Farm, a fresh market, father-and-son operation in Sinclairville on Route 60, the group dodged showers as they viewed rows of peppers and other vegetables under cover in row after row. Inside the recently remodeled farm store, there was a colorful array of strawberries and early summer squashes. A greenhouse resplendent with colorful flowers connected to the main building. Maple syrup was also available here made from sap drawn from a neighboring sugar bush and boiled down in a modern evaporator attached to the back of the building. A varied selection made this stop of special interest to all. Now thunder and lightning punctuated the drive to the next farm market, Abers Acres near Falconer, N.Y. a short distance from Interstate 86. Sue braved the pouring rain and climbed aboard to direct the tour to the Pick Your Own Strawberry Patch. With the rain subsiding the group disembarked and learned first hand about the Abers operation that generates 10,000 quarts of strawberries per acre. A brief drive brought the group back to the Abers Farm Market Stand and home. Fields of lush green bushes of raspberries, blackberries, and even fava beans filled the area between the house and the stand. Thirty minutes later, the happy, tired, and well-fed group arrived back at the Busti Market. The daylong trip was filled with valuable information, marketing tools, networking and just plain good fun. For more information about joining the 200-member strong NYSFDMA or to learn more about farm direct marketing and association events, call Eggert at (315) 475-1101, or e-mail diane99@dreamscape.com. Planned events include an annual conference in February, the summer bus tour, regional meetings, quarterly newsletter, and special group rates for health insurance.