When we asked what insect pests were bugging you, we got so many questions it turned into two podcast episodes! So, this week we sit back down with Dr. Anna Wallingford of New Hampshire Community Supported Research to answer the second half of the bug questions submitted by the audience. The first half of this podcast ran the week of 7/7/26 so you can still listen to that one if you haven’t yet. There’s also a free article linked in the show notes- cabbage aphids come up in the interview, so we linked to Dr. Wallingford’s article from the June/July Growing for Market Magazine, “Scouting guidelines for brassica crops so you know what’s OK and when to act.”

In this week’s interview we compare some of the organically-approved pest control options, like the difference between clarified and cold-pressed neem oil, and why only the former has azadirachtin. On that tip we also talk about why sub-lethal doses of some pesticides can make insects reproduce even more, and why BT is so well targeted to just the bugs that are damaging your plants. We also talk about controlling thrips, cabbage aphids, whether ants can be a farm pest, garden flea hoppers and tarnished plant bugs, cyclamen mites and more in this episode of the Growing for Market Podcast!

Connect With Guest:

Website: New Hampshire Community Supported Research

The Serious Grower Podcast

Instagram: @nhcsr_ipm

@seriousgrower

Read Dr. Wallingford’s article from the June/July Growing for Market Magazine:

“Scouting guidelines for brassica crops so you know what’s OK and when to act.”

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based supply company focused on serving market gardeners and has been in business for 35 years. Their catalog includes a comprehensive selection of approved-for-organic fertilizers, pest & disease controls, growing mixes, cover crop seed, and more. They offer custom fertilizer blending and seasonal cooperative purchasing opportunities, and their experienced team is ready to help guide you to the best solution for your farm’s needs. Growing For Market listeners are eligible for an exclusive discount. Visit 7springsfarm.com/GFM or give them a call at (540) 651-3228.

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!

This week we have the pleasure of learning from Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley, author of the new book, The Black Girl’s Guide to Building a Boutique Farm: Practical Advice to Keep Your Business Cute, Profitable, and Sustainable. In the book and interview, Cee tells us how she built her own Green Heffa Farms in North Carolina. She uses her background as a marketing and fundraising expert to provide practical guidance on launching and growing a farm brand rooted in authenticity and community.

In the interview we talk about how to establish a brand identity and then scale it as your farm grows to be economically viable and culturally impactful. We discuss the essentials of brand-building for farms, including market positioning, storytelling, and cultivating a community presence. Cee has made her brand an extension of the farm, and we learn how to use our own farm brands to establish profitability, community impact and personal fulfillment.

Connect With Guest:

Website: Green Heffa Farms

Instagram: @greenheffafarm

Podcast Sponsors:

Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:

BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.

Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day.Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.

If you grow for market, you know performance is everything. That’s why so many farmers are turning to Burpee’s Farmers Market. Dedicated to professional growers, Burpee is now offering non-GMO seeds in larger quantities – bred and selected for standout flavor, strong yields, and the kind of visual appeal your customers crave. Burpee’s been doing this for 150 years, and they’re still creating new varieties with growers like you in mind. You can check out the full lineup at Burpee.com/FarmersMarket.

For more on veg and flower market farming, subscribe to Growing for Market Magazine!