Essex County farmers adapt to survive

September 29, 2011|By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff

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“That’s my big, big money,’’ he said, looking at the tall corn stalks. “Those two [crops] bring in the big money.’’

He hopes to extend the fall harvest until late next month. Strawberries that do not require as much daylight as usual are sprouting. Tomatoes may be picked until the first frost. After that, they’ll take root in one of 10 greenhouses.

“You try to get as much out of the season as you can,’’ he said.

The farm employs 15 people, including eight field workers from Guatemala and El Salvador. Area high school students will be hired for October to help run the corn maze.

After November, Michael Marini will sell Christmas trees brought from Canada. In winter, father and son will travel to agriculture conferences and trade shows. “You have to keep up with what’s happening everywhere,’’ Mario Marini said.

The farm is slowly going green, a buzzword in the industry. To conserve water, new machinery purchased last year chisels deep into the ground, where seeds can be planted in moist soil.

Two corn stoves purchased last year with the help of a $6,000 state grant burn bushels dried from the maze.

The stoves have generated enough heat for two greenhouses. Oil costs have dropped 10 percent.

“You have to watch every cost,’’ Mario said, holding corn left over from last year. “A farmer takes every darn penny he makes and puts it in the soil. Then he prays to God he makes it back.’’

Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @GlobeKMcCabe.