Owners Troy and Tracy Heald, along with their children, Taylor, Tristin, and Tiana, have operated Country Blossom Farm since 2009. Located in Alexandria, MN, the 100-acre operation grows strawberries, pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as its most popular feature, apples, and raspberries. Like most growers across the country, the Healds buy their equipment and tools to save time and money, both of which are usually in short supply around the farm, they say. Scan the photo gallery below to see favorite pieces of equipment at Country Blossom Farm.
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Owners Troy and Tracy Heald, along with their children, Taylor, Tristin, and Tiana, have operated Country Blossom Farm since 2009. Photo courtesy of Country Blossom Farm
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New Plus 45 three-point mounted sprayer (Cima SpA)
“My second-favorite piece of equipment is my Cima air sprayer with a five-row head. We use this item mainly on our strawberry fields. We were having issues getting our sprays into the canopy with our regular sprayer. Now, with the Cima air sprayer, we do not have a problem. Best of all, I can spray 6 acres on one tank.”
David Fruit inter-row fertilizer spreader (Eurospand)
“My favorite item is the Eurospand model David Fruit fertilizer and seed spreader. We used to spend a few days hand-fertilizing our fruit trees. Now I can get the fertilizer spread in rows in about four hours, covering 10,000 trees. With a quick adjustment, I can do full-field fertilization. They also have an amazing app for calibration.”
Various pruners, including Sana Sly pneumatic shear (Lisam)
“My next-favorite tools are the Lisam Sly pruners. We had silver leaf show up in our orchard and determined it was being spread through pruning. I learned about this pruner that actually sprays a sanitizing solution on the blade after every cut. Problem solved.”
“We installed our Monnit system last spring to monitor cooler and freezer temps, CO2 levels, and soil moisture levels. No more worrying about freezer or cooler temperatures when we are not at the farm. We can monitor all these and more remotely.”
“I have battled crows in our orchard and berries for years. Tried bird distress noises, shiny things, inflatable eyes, nothing seemed to work. Last season I ordered some bird scare kites. They have been amazing to keep crows away. Year 2 of using them, and still work great.”
January 17, 2024 
