Social Media and Farming Go Hand in Hand at Marini Farm

Mike Marini is rarely seen without his tablet or cell phone during the workday, as he is always ready to be in position to capture the next photo to share what is growing at the farm. He enjoys using social media to tell the farm’s story; give updates during the harvest season; promote the CSA; provide calendar updates on farm family events; answer consumer inquiries and more. It is a powerful tool in Mike’s tool box, as the farm’s 6,539 Facebook followers are actively following every planting and harvesting motion. Weekly engagement for this week was 13,869 which indicates that people want to know what the farm is up to.

Farming is a visual industry, so Mike enjoys having the community follow his workday and see in real-time what is happening at the farm. A recent post showing the first 20 acres of corn planted, was followed the next day by a photo of snow-covered acres. This type of post allows consumers to follow the challenges faced in everyday farming, so people feel as if they have a direct connection to the farm. Social media posts also allow Marini to show its commitment to producing the best quality crops possible.

The farm has been in the Marini family for four generations, so family is at the core of everything they do. Therefore, their social media presence reflects their real-life values - gratitude, family, good food and quality of life. The recent Facebook post, “Took a break from farming for another family wedding; the Marini’s dance like nobody's watching,” showed the Marini children dressed in matching colorful floral wedding attire dancing and having fun. The post received 12,028 views and 528 likes, making it the highest engaged photo of the year thus far.

Farmers now have their own term for a selfie on the farm and are posting their ‘felfies’ next to their favorite sheep, crops and tractors. During harvest, Farmers Weekly gets thousands of pictures via Twitter and Facebook and some farmers have become top social media celebrities on Instagram and YouTube. There is even a blog - Farming Selfie - set up by a UK farmer @willwilson100 that shows all the latest felfies from around the world. According to the book Future of Farming, 76 percent of farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 use social media to share knowledge, connect with consumers, and promote their business. Social media offers farmers a unique way to educate the general public about what they do, the practices they use, and the challenges they face. During harvest season, Farmers Weekly gets thousands of pictures via Twitter and Facebook.

Just like with new farming techniques, Mike is always learning about, and incorporating new social media tools. He saves everything to EverNote, a management platform app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use and lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders and save important documents. Mike reports that EverNote captures his every move, and is an app he simply can’t live without.

In 2013 Marini developed a new app for their customers to get updates on all the events and activities at the farm. They're free, and keep you up-to-date on the happenings at Marini's farm throughout the season and they are available for both Apple and Android devices. You'll know when the delicious Marini strawberries are ready to be picked, and when the corn is in, without having to go to the website. The Marini app also provides lists of events; CSA info; nutritional info; loyalty coupons; a way to share photos with the farm; access to Marini's Facebook page; a gallery of pictures of happenings at the farm; the history of Marini Farm; a fun "Fruit Salad" game to play, and more.

“Social media is a visual playground showing our love for farming and commitment to provide customers with the best quality produce possible,” states Mike Marini. Some of Marini’s favorite Facebook posts thus far in 2014 were:

Prepared by Lightning Consulting

Mario Marini Loves Every Minute Of Every Day On The Farm

“I love what I do”, was the most common response during our inspiring interview with Mario Marini. You just want to learn more and more about his love for life, family and farming. There was never a time when Mario Marini thought about changing his career path. From his childhood years growing up on the farm, to his 78th year living on the farm, Mario has loved every minute of farming the 200 acres at Marini Farm. According to Mario, there is always something to do, new challenges to resolve, and new developments in agriculture to learn about.

Mario Marini checking on his corn burning stove in his home

Mario rises each day excited to get on his tractor and see the progress being made in the crop fields. It is clear when you have a deep rooted passion for farming as Mario does, the term “hard work” never gets mentioned. He feels good about what he does and loves that the customers have trust in him. “A farm is always changing. There is no such thing as finished. Work comes in a stream and has no end”, says Mario.

It all started in 1928 when two brothers and two cousins emigrated from Italy to the United States. They first settled in Ipswich, but in 1938 two split to start a farm in Wenham. Marini Farm started as a chicken wholesaler until 1972 when Gina Marini set up a roadside stand to sell strawberries.

How did you first get introduced to farming?
 
I was born and brought up in a farming life and have worked ever since I was a kid at the age of ten. Farming will “make a man out of you”, my dad would always say. My dad died when I was 18 years old, so I transitioned into the management role very quickly.

Was there ever a time you thought of pursuing another career?
 
No, farming is a good life and all I know how to do.I worked hard and got the education needed to run the farm and incorporate the best techniques for crop management and sustainability. I graduated from the The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, and took over the farm at age 21.

What wisdom did you learn from your father? 
 
How to grow crops and get out and do what was needed to be done. I love what I do! Ever since I was ten years old I was learning about planting and spraying and everything else. It was long hours from sunrise to 11:00 PM most days of the week.

What was your biggest challenge?
 
Surviving financially. We worked long hours for a little bit of money. I enjoy everything about farming and don’t view anything as a challenge, but instead an opportunity to improve. I love what I do and handle the challenges the best that I can.

What was your biggest accomplishment?
 
Building a roadside stand. That was when things changed financially.It was in the front yard and mom ran the stand selling fruits and vegetables. We stuck to it and it got better and better and bigger and bigger.

What advice do you have for farmers today?
 
I was fortunate and owe a lot to my family for continuing to farm and not sell our property. Today it is harder to buy land and start a farm, so I am blessed my family stayed committed to farming. I owe a lot to my parents.

What is the best thing about farming life?
 
 It is a good healthy life. You can push hard in the summer and relax in the winter. You start with a seed and if you take care of it well you eventually have a good crop. Different crops require different care, so I love the diversity of the farming process.

If you had a crystal ball twenty years from now, how do you think farming would look?
 
They would be more advanced in improving the quality of crops. Corn is different today than it was 20 years ago. There is a big difference in flavor and taste. You’ve “got to get the water boiling before you pick the corn”, was the way it used to be.  Corn would lose its flavor during the cooking process, but today it stays sweet and maintains its flavor.
.
What do you enjoy doing the most?

I like all that I do! I like the challenges of farming and enjoy studying and getting into it all. I like to figure out why something is not growing well and determine what to do to make it better. I go to agriculture conferences and am continuously learning about agriculture and techniques for improving the quality of our crops.

You must be considered a local role model for regional farmers. How does that make you feel?
 
Yes, a lot of people call me for advice. I utilize the best resources which help make Marini farm look good. I love to help people and know we can all learn from each other.

What sustainable techniques do you use? 
 
We have five greenhouses heated with corn burning stoves. The cost of oil affects us financially, so we are doing all we can to manage those costs. I am heating the original farmhouse with a corn burning stove, and have cut my heating costs by one-third. 

What is your favorite part of farming?
 
Being on my tractor! I just love tractor work, especially the new modern tractors. Life doesn’t get much better than plowing, harrowing, seeding, cultivating and irrigating the fields. If you want to stay with it, you have to change with the times!I also love contributing daily to the welfare of society.

What age are you planning to retire?
 
NEVER! I love being committed to my profession and doing the best job I can. Sitting around at coffee shops or diners simply doesn’t excite me. I like to keep moving!

What is your favorite crop?
 
Corn. It has changed so much over the years. Also, I love my strawberries and having the first crop of the season. It’s always great to outdo our fellow regional farmers.

What else excites you about farming?
 
I love seeing how the irrigation can quickly change the fields to be more alive, and I can watch crops literally come back to life in front of my eyes.

What’s the coolest thing you have done?
 
I grew a half acre of corn on Hog Island for the movie “The Crucible”, staring Danielle Day Lewis. It was a challenge giving the island weather, irrigation challenges and transportation issues. It was pretty exciting that they approached me directly to grow the corn.

Mario spoke throughout the interview about how blessed he is with his beautiful family. He has been married for 52 years, has four children and eight grandchildren. “The good lord gave me Michael to take on the farm, and keep the momentum going", states Mario. He feels lucky to have the life he has and owes a lot to his parents for staying committed to the farm.

“There is no better feeling than taking on a challenge and doing it better than the next guy”, says Mario. He loved referencing the farm’s victory in the World Championship Punkin Chunkin contest, and how their pumpkin went the furthest at 4,693 feet.

His eyes light up when he speaks about the customers and how he welcomes their waves of appreciation. He feels responsible for making a better life for everyone. He is a steward of creation and sees farming as ever changing the quality of the world we live in.

“The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrect or, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, and death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.”
- Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture

Written by Lightning Consulting/Blogger Pros

Mike Marini's Love For Family, Farming and Life

There is no doubt Mike Marini is happiest being with his family on the farm, and he wants his three children to experience the same work and family values he did growing up on the farm. Mike Marini is in action many mornings hours before sunrise, and continues to work until dusk, which can be a fifteen plus hour day, but every step he takes he realizes how fortunate he is to be able to provide his children with the same amazing childhood he experienced living on the farm.  His children are at home on the farm following their dad from field to field and greenhouse to greenhouse, learning the Marini farm culture along the way.
 
We recently did a short interview with Mike Marini so people could learn about what farm life and raising a family on the farm meant to Mike. It is clear Mike is in awe with the beauty and abundance of farm life and providing a good quality of life to those around him.

What is the best thing a customer has ever said about you?
 
At a recent children’s birthday party at the farm, a mother said “I watch how you interact with your kids and can see you were meant to be a dad.”

What three words describe you best?
 
Hard-working, motivated and passionate

What things would you never change about your job?
 
Nothing! I am doing what I love to do and am happy doing it every day all year round! I learn from the environmental, social and economic challenges local farming presents and know I can always improve upon the quality of the produce I am producing. I am driven by the opportunity to continue to create a better system.

What motto do you operate by?

I learned early on from my father, Mario, that nothing should ever get me down. Every day brings new challenges, new achievements and new successes, all of which I learn a lot from. Taking on new challenges makes us stronger, more confident and more aware of alternative management practices.

What is your favorite vegetable to plant?
Field house and greenhouse tomatoes as they are important with everything we do.

What is your favorite event to do when you are not farming?
 
When I am not farming, I would rather be with my kids and family on vacation at Disney World. I love creating new family memories.

Walk us through a typical day at the farm…
 
The business is so seasonal and is always changing, so no two days are alike. New challenges and new accomplishments happen every day, but I love the thrill of making things better. Some days, like when I have market deliveries, I am up at 4:00 AM, and in the summer I am in the fields at 6:00 AM and stay until dusk. The work is never done and new goals are set at the start of every day.

What motivates you?
 
I love seeing the results with a fresh crop of corn and tomatoes and stand back and see what I have accomplished. I see the seeds grow into crops and see the clients enjoying the beauty and bounty of the produce we bring to market. It is rewarding seeing the excitement generated over the first corn of the season or the first picked field house tomatoes. I like seeing people better informed as to the importance of fresh food in their life.

If someone met you, they probably would never guess…
 
I have three kids and never ate vegetables until I was in my 20’s.

What is your #1 pet peeve?
 
When I see jobs that are half done. I like to see projects getting completed and see consistent progress being made. It drives me crazy when I am surrounded by jobs that are half finished.

When you are not working you are most likely to…
 
go to the gym and do cardio and weight lifting. I just love working out and getting stronger, so being healthy and fit are big priorities of mine.

What is one thing everyone can do to create a better, stronger food system?
 
Support the local food movement. It helps our food security. It helps our own health. It helps our local businesses, restaurants, farmers and community.

What is your favorite vegetable?
 
Asparagus cooked all different ways.

What is the best thing about farming?
 
No two days are ever the same and the best thing about farming, is that it is always changing. There is no time to ever be bored with my job.

What has been your biggest achievement?
 
My biggest achievement has been keeping the third-generation family farm going. I have had to be creative and develop ways to control the costs of production and adopted a diverse farming culture. It is a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but the rewards are staring at me each and every day.

There is no doubt Marini feels he has the best job in the world and is passionate about connecting us all to the abundance and beauty of farming. Learning from his dad's work philosophy to "take things as they come and roll with the punches, enables him to embrace each day with confidence, passion and commitment. As Marini knows, the skies can turn dark, but the earth has immense power to renew itself, to heal, and to give abundantly, and this more than anything is what gets him out of bed before the sun every day.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm Corn Maze Has Miles of Thanks!

The 2013 corn maze, “T-Rex on the Loose”, had a record number of maze travelers this season. Marini is also happy to report that the maze received a 95% approval rating through Groupon from the surveys customers completed. One comment, “it was a great educational experience”, was the type of comment we love to hear as education is a key focus of the overall maze experience.

From selecting the maze design to selling the last ticket on November 2nd, the maze management is an eight-month process. Our maze team makes it all happen! They booked parties, schools and outings, blew up the inflatables, supervised the maze on the bridges and pathways, sold tickets, organized all the marketing and sponsorship relationships, supported the social media activities, managed the maintenance, kept everyone heading in the right direction, and provided educational programs about dinosaurs and the farm. Our daily operations staff successfully managed the process with crowds which could reach as many as 2,000 per day. Tracy Hamilton, the maze manager, was responsible for hiring the maze staff, organizing the work schedules and overseeing the day-to-day operation for the 55 days the maze was open. With thirty guides involved in the process, it can be a busy job juggling the schedule to make sure there are people in position on the lookout bridges and throughout the maze’s ten miles of pathways to guide people in the right direction.We are so appreciative of Tracy, and her staff for making the 2013 maze season a stellar season!

Kim Marini, was busy in the months before opening and during the season, booking field trips for schools, scouts, corporate, church groups, scheduling birthday parties and special outings, and taking reservations for our special events. As a result, this season had more first time visitors, had groups of all sizes booking outings and had visitors coming from greater distances to conquer the maze.

Each year our mission is to add to the maze park attractions, and in 2014 we have some new structures which will add more excitement to the interactive experience. This was our first year having a rock concert event, and next season we will plan additional entertainment programs and events.

Our staff has fun making you have fun! In the next two months we will be selecting our design for the 2014 maze and would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks again to all our customers, staff and sponsors for making “T-Rex on the Loose” the giant of all maze seasons!

The Marini Corn Maze Park is Growing!

The maze park is action packed! Reach great heights on the 70-foot jumping pillow, search for hidden dinosaur bones in the corn house and slide down and explore inside the giant inflatables. As you enter the corn maze park, you can hear the swish of the balls being sunk in the basketball inflatable, the boing of kids rebounding in all directions off the jumping pillow, and the rubbing of the corn stalks as people second guess their route in the 10-acre corn maze.

Make it a family outing and stay for the day. The Marini Park Corn Maze Park continues to expand with new fun activities and outdoor attractions for all ages. This year the farm pushed back the maze by 100 feet to make room for the giant inflatables and maze park.

 

The Corn Maze Park now includes the following attractions:

• Gigantic 70-foot jumping pillow
• Corn house
• Basketball inflatable
• 5-in-1 Princess house
• Disney inflatable
• Sand lot
• Rope maze
• Tile maze
• Finger Fortune Maze
• Tunnel play structure
• Car spot inflatable with slide
• Mickey Mouse jump
• Duck races
• Trick or treat hayrides
• Concession stand
• Pumpkin patch
• Flashlight nights
• Special entertainment concert event (scheduled for October 20th)

Not ready to take the challenge of our 10-acre maze? The smaller 1-acre version of our corn maze and rope maze are great for younger maze explorers or first timers!

Come experience the bountiful harvest spirit and excitement at Marini Farm from now until November 2, 2013! For information on special events and attractions please visit our website.

We would love to see your photos and hear about your thoughts on your experience at our Corn Maze & Family Fun Park on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm Hosts Anti-Bullying Awareness Concert Event

Marini Farm brings music to farm in recognition of national anti-bullying month. The corn fields will be alive with music on October 20th for a special anti-bullying concert event. Spookley the Square Pumpkin, the official “Spokes Pumpkin” for National Bullying Prevention Month is present at the farm. Thousands of students across the country and Spookley will join forces to send an important very large orange message of support to students who have been bullied. A large inflatable Spookley greets maze visitors as they enter the maze park. The book, The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, is the story about a very special little pumpkin who teaches children that you can't judge a book, or a pumpkin, by its cover, and how being different is okay and how we shouldn’t tease others. Spookley invites you to “Dare to Be Square” and embrace the beauty of being different!

At the Marini Farm concert event, young performers will take the stage and perform their original anti-bullying songs along with other popular pop/rock music. Headliner, p.o.p. ALERT, will do a two-hour concert event which will include other solo performers who work hard to support anti-bullying programs. The “p.o.p.” in their band name represents the “power of people.”  This teen band is dedicated to anti-bullying awareness and prevention. They have performed to over 10,000 students at anti-bullying events in NY and New England, and they also support several other children’s charities.

p.o.p.ALERT is a co-ed band with layers of raw talent, rare vocal depth and fresh energy that attracts audiences of all ages. They are a five-member Boston based teen power-pop/alternative rock band comprised of four boys and one girl; Cameron, Johnny, Jesse, Alex, and Rachel. They range in age from 13 to 18. The band is female fronted, has two backup vocalists, and four award-winning musicians. The band was formed in November 2011 from an open audition process which attracted the best of the best teen performers from the greater New England area. The objective was to form a band which had male and female vocal depth, strong and well-balanced musicality, and be in a standalone class for its extreme raw talent. Since they started, they have performed in over fifty engagements and have been nominated for many music awards.

Under the guidance of their Manager, Patty Duffey, owner of The Young Performers Club and Music On & Up, they will be positioned to rise up the charts as a top co-ed teen pop/rock group. The music is upbeat teen rock/pop songs with a bit of country spark. Also, working with the band as their Music Director is Marc Delcore, who is also Brittany Spears Music Director.  As the management team says, “This is raw talent all together!”  The band breathes a fresh new style and teen class to the pop/rock music scene.

They have also been nominated for numerous industry awards for their anti-bullying song, “I Don’t Deserve It”, and recently released a follow-up song, “One Day”, which provides the message that positive thinking can make a difference. At the concert event the band will debut their newest song, “High Five”, also an inspirational and positive energy song. They work with top industry writers and producers and will be adding several new originals in the coming months. They were awarded the Limelight Magazine “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” in 2013. Recently, The Bully Movie nominated them as “Upstander of the Week” for their dedication to supporting anti-bullying programs and spreading their message with their music and videos.

The concert event starts at 11:00 AM on October 20th in the corn maze park area next to the anti-bullying mascot, the square orange pumpkin Spookley. Marini has participated in the globally-recognized Spookley the Square Pumpkin bullying prevention program for the last several years. Stop by and dance, sing and breathe in the fresh fall air at this interactive concert event. Prizes will be provided for dance contests and other fun contests organized by the band.  To learn more about the concert headliner, p.o.p. ALERT, visit their social sites below:

Reverbnation

YouTube

Facebook

T-Rex Is On The Loose at The Marini Farm Corn Maze

The cornfields are buzzing with activity and fall spirit at Marini Farm! On September 7, 2013 Marini Farm opened its 11th corn maze, “T-Rex on the Loose.” The new maze design which features the giant of all dinosaurs, T-Rex, challenges seasonal maze travelers with winding pathways that create directional confusion. Each year the number of visitors grows, new activities are added and new and exciting maze challenges presented. This year the farm pushed the maze back 100 feet and made room for the new maze park which is a great gathering spot for families. The new maze park includes duck racing, a kid’s corn box, hayrides, apple cannon, inflatables and a large rope maze. “Our goal is for families to have a great experience and leave our farm happy. We hope they share their pictures and memories with their friends and family,” stresses Mike Marini, owner/operator.

Top twenty things to know about the Marini Farm corn maze:

• The maze was just rated the 4th best maze in the country by Family Travel Files
• It is one of the largest corn mazes in MA at 10 acres and 10 miles of pathways, and this is the 11 year anniversary for the maze
• It takes 6 hours to cut the corn maze, depending on the complexity of the maze design, and it is done through GPS mapping technology which is placed on the tractor
• They have spotter flags to help people maneuver the maze and get some directional help
• The maze gets over 10,000 visitors each maze season
• The 2013 maze opened on 9/7 and closes on 11/2
• This is the first season the maze is opened 7 days a week for a total of 46 hours
• The 2013 design, “T-Rex on the Loose”, is of a life size T-Rex with a baby on his back
• The average time to get through the maze is 2 hours, and the best time recorded is 1 hour
• The maze is designed to be both educational and interactive, with about 20 clue stations (all about dinosaurs)  strategically placed throughout the labyrinth to help adventurers conquer the nearly 10 miles of paths.
• Flashlight nights started Sept. 20th (every Fri./Sat. night) from 6:00 PM-10:30 PM
• The maze opened with Doggy Days (all dogs free) on September 7/8. Donations were provided the local Ipswich Humane Society
• The Maze was cut July 5th in just six hours and each intricate cut was made by a GPS system.
• Every season we try to make our mazes challenging enough to make it difficult to navigate, however, not so challenging that you give up.
• The maze is a carnival of activities for all ages and has inflatables, a finger fortune maze, sand tunnel, duck races, a rope maze and corn box
• Each winter during dinner the family bounces ideas off each other until they agree on a creative theme for the upcoming season
• The corn maze is the Farm’s biggest annual event
• This is the first year they have had national beverage companies (Polar Cola, Honest Tea) provide product samplings.
• Marini Farm is an official participant in the globally-recognized Spookley the Square Pumpkin bullying prevention program.

Marini would like to thank the 2013 “T-Rex on the Loose” sponsors:

Roof Lizard Sponsors: Sorrento Dental, Honest Tea, Dairy Queen of Ipswich, Pomodori, Polar Beverages, and Ipswich Ale Brewery.

Dino-Bird Sponsors: Ipswich Country Club, Ipswich YMCA, North Shore Kids, Ipswich Ale Brewery, Dr. Edmund Goolsby, Pingree School, Chrissie's Cafe and the First National Bank of Ipswich.

We will be having some online and onsite maze contests for two special prizes donated by Ipswich Country Club and the Ipswich YMCA. STAY CONNECTED ON THE FACEBOOK PAGES TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO PARTICIPATE.

Answers to questions like “Which body part made dinosaurs faster than reptiles?”  will provide maze visitors with clues to advance to the next location in the maze. So make sure you study up on your dinosaur history and facts to save some valuable time.

No better spot to celebrate the spirit of autumn! Come and make a day of it and take a hayride, pick up your pumpkins and mums, cruise the maze and relax and enjoy the beauty and splendor of fall.Tickets are $10.95 for the maze park daytime admission and $12.95 for flashlight nights.