One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Opportunities in Vegetable Production

1. One Size Doesn’t Fit All:Opportunities in Vegetable Production R. Allen Straw Area Specialist SW VA AREC

2. Pre-Program Questionnaire

3. Goals • To develop a better understanding of production “requirements” for vegetable and small fruit operations. • To identify potential production operations in your County / area.

4. Size Matters! • One size does not fit all!!! • Not every grower can be a 500 acre tomato grower! • If all of our growers were 1 to 5 acre producers selling direct to the public, we would starve to death!

5. Land Resources Capital Resources Equipment Availability Water Resources Labor Resources Time Commitment Marketing Opportunities Age of Producer Personal Preferences Factors Influencing Size

6. Very Small Acreage May be limited to one or two enterprises May need to focus on “high” value crops Intensive cultivation practices may be needed Protected culture may be an option Opportunity for direct marketing Larger Acreage May have more options May be able to diversify Be careful not to spread too thin May need to start small and increase acreage Wholesale marketing or a blend with direct Land Resources

7. Evaluate the proposed site: Is it tillable? Is it suitable for fruit production? Is it suitable for vegetable production? Can equipment be driven on it? Some people have developed elaborate models: Slope Aspect Elevation Use common sense! Site Selection

8. Slope • Level sights are less subject to erosion. • However: • A slight slope toward the South hastens: • Warming in the spring. • Drying in the spring. • A slight slope enhances air drainage, reducing potential frost/freeze damage.

9. Soil Type • Generally we desire: • Deep • Medium textured • Well drained • Fertile soils • But we can learn to use what we have

10. Soil (cont.) • Undesirable characteristics • Soils extremely high in clay (fine-textured or tight) • Hard to work • Form clods • Crusts after rain • May be poorly drained, Which can: • Delay planting • Result in low fertility • Result in low ph • Encourage plant diseases

11. Soil (cont.) • Undesirable characteristics (cont.) • Soils extremely high in sand: • Tend to have poor water holding capacities • Tend to have poor nutrient holding capacities

12. Low pH Blueberries Wetter soils Raised beds for warm season crops Sandy soils Root crops Low fertility Sweetpotatoes Raised beds can be used in the fall to create suitable spring planting environment Drip irrigation and plastic can be used throughout the season Ways to Optimize Our Soils

13. Sunlight • Full sunlight produces the most productive crops! • Six hours of daily sunlight is the minimum requirement for good production. • Avoid trees and hedges, as they compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients.

14. Many higher value crops may require a significant investment before a return is ever experienced: Tree Fruit Grapes Berry Crops Blueberries Strawberries This investment can be in both: Time Money Some producers may need to begin with annual crops and then add perennials as revenues allow Available Capital

15. Many small start-up producers have little or no equipment Three options: To go buy all of the needed equipment To contract or hire the work done This is difficult to do in our area Three options (cont.) Grow crops that require little equipment, especially specialized equipment Or some producers may hire some specialty things done, and then do simpler things themselves Available Equipment

16. Bedding Equipment

17. Water Wheel Transplanter

18. Hole Punch Hole punching tool for planting plug plants made of 1” PVC

19. Large Irrigation Pump

20. Smaller Irrigation Pump

21. Water Resources • I would not try to grow fruits and vegetables in Virginia without irrigation! • Some crops like annual plasticulture strawberries should not be grown without overhead irrigation for frost/freeze protection! • Even during wet seasons, there is sometime during the year that we would benefit from added water!

22. Drip Irrigation Lower volumes More efficient Typically uses: 16 to 36 gallons of water/A/min. Can be zoned to accommodate small systems Over-Head Irrigation Usually requires more volume Is less efficient For frost/freeze protection: 70 to 100 gallons of water/A/min. Water Requirements

23. Family and Volunteer This can work on a small scale Family doesn’t always work cheap Volunteers are not always dependable Children can be an asset or a liability Hired Source? Local? Migrant? For many producers, H2A is the only dependable migrant source. Expensive Housing Transportation Labor Source

24. Pre-Picked Requires more labor May be difficult for small producers Very little loss Greater returns/A (?) Other considerations Some people desire a farm experience U-Pick Requires less labor Can work well for small producers Greater losses Lower returns/A (?) Other considerations Parking Driving Distance Transportation Overseeing Type of Operation

25. Population • Local population or distance from a population center can influence: • What should be grown • Type of operation • Pre-picked • U-pick • Marketing strategy • Know your demographics!

26. Time Commitment • How much time will you have to commit to this enterprise? • Full-time? • Part-time? • One person? • Two people? • Children? • How many?

27. How are they going to sell there products? On farm Wholesale Retailer backhaul Retail On-Farm Market CSA Niche Markets Organic Off-Farm Wholesale Broker Direct to Retailer Retail Roadside Stand Farmer’s Market CSA Food FAIRS Marketing Opportunities

28. Age of the Producer • The average age of the farmer in the U.S. continues to increase • Many older producers are reluctant to change • Maintain production practices • Reduce acreage? • Younger producers often don’t have the “resources” to get started

29. What does the producer really want to accomplish? Sole income Supplemental income Hobby Something for the kids to do College fund What does the producer “enjoy” doing? Farming Hobby farming Marketing Interacting with people Personal Preferences

30. On farm Wholesale Chain Stores Retailer backhaul “Fruit” Stands Retail On-Farm Market CSA Agritourism Niche Markets Organic Off-Farm Wholesale Broker Direct to Retailer Retail Roadside Stand Farmer’s Market CSA Food FAIRS Production Opportunities

31. What is Happening? • Direct Marketing • Demand for organic is increasing! • Price limiting in some areas? • Demand for “local” may be increasing more! • We may see an in increase demand for “local organic”? • CSA’s are becoming more and more popular • Some areas can use more CSA’s! • Demand at Farmer’s Markets is increasing!

32. What is Happening? (cont.) • Agritourism • Seems to be gaining in popularity in some areas. • Seems to be losing popularity in other areas. • Rising fuel prices seem to be keeping people closer to home for “recreation”. • But the sluggish economy seems to be limiting non-essential purchases. • Too many in a given area (competition) • BE CAREFUL!!!

33. What is Happening? (cont.) • Wholesale • Demand for organic is increasing! • Price limiting in some areas? • Demand for “local” may be increasing more! • What is considered local? (400 miles?) • We may see an in increase demand for “local organic”? • Produce auctions seem to be gaining in popularity. • Shenandoah Valley is a great example

34. Specific Wholesale Opportunity #1 • Dole • New processing facility in Gastonia, NC • Costing them $5,000 to $6,000 per truck to ship in product from California • One to two loads per day and expecting to expand • Looking for cabbage and lettuce grown in the Eastern U.S • Romaine lettuce on Blue Ridge Plateau

35. Specific Wholesale Opportunity #2 • Walter P. Rawl • Interested in producing “greens” at higher elevations in the summer months • 2007 – Blue Ridge Plateau • Kale • Collards • Bought peppers and broccoli • 2008 – Blue Ridge Plateau • Kale • Collards • Squash • Peppers • Broccoli • Other crops

36. Specific Wholesale Opportunity #3 • Broccoli and Cauliflower • Grocery chain in SW VA wants locally grown broccoli • Limited production in previous years • In 2007, worked through a Broker in the Hillsville area • Producer in Carroll County grew most of the summer and was very pleased with outcome • Two producers off the Plateau grew in the fall with mixed results • Winter production in GA and brought to Hillsville to pack • Want to add cauliflower for 2008

37. Specific Wholesale Opportunity #4 • Wholesale Sweet Corn Production • Virginia Produce • Opportunity to sell sweet corn to local chain store as well as Military Food Group and a wholesaler • Has to be hydro-cooled (rented for 2007) • 2007 poor to fair results • Neither the chain store or military took the amount of product indicated • Wholesale corn was cheap • Will likely revisit in 2008 • New hydro-cooler to be put at Farmer’s Market in Hillsville

38. Specific Wholesale Opportunity #5 • Organic Corn Production • A food processor in the Bristol area is looking for several million pounds of organic corn • Blue • Yellow • White • Would like it grown in VA • Issues • Growers • Land • Harvesting Equipment • Cleaning and Storage Equipment

39. Specific Wholesale Opportunity #6 • Black Gold Potatoes (Frito-Lay) • Looking for summer production of potatoes • Especially at higher elevations • Trucking Costs • Close to several processing plants in the SE US • Even some interest by Frito-Lay for seed production in the right location

40. Berry Crop Opportunities • The sky seems to be the limit for berry crops. • Blackberries • Blueberries • Raspberries • Strawberries • Pre-picked • U-Pick

41. Other Opportunities • Cut Flowers • Landscape Plants • Local Small Orchards? • Value Added Processing • Vineyards and Wineries • What can you name?!

42. Scenario #1 • “My family and I gave just bought a farm and we would like would to start farming? What should we grow?” • Knowing your area and being professional, what is your response?

43. Scenario #2 • “My family and I gave just bought a small farm and we want to get rich. What should we grow?” • As a professional, what is your response?

44. Scenario #3 • A prospective grower has just purchased a small farm. During the initial walk through you observe the following: • Very little cleared land (1.5 to 2 acres) • A well that supplies 12 to 15 gallons of water/A • A small tractor that could be used for mowing and spraying • What type of crops would you recommend to this grower?

45. Scenario #3 (response) • I would look at marketing opportunities and if feasible then recommend: • Blueberries • If not in a hurray for income • Brambles • If income is needed more quickly • Combination of Blueberries and Brambles • Some quick income, long term crop

46. Scenario #4 • A grower has purchased 40 acres of cleared land in a dry valley. The soil is relatively deep and fertile. But there is not a stream or well or any type of water. • What types of crops would you recommend? • Would you even recommend fruits or vegetables?

47. Case Study #4 (response) • This one is difficult. One could grow snap beans or possibly early sweet corn. However, if you are in a “dry valley”, you may be in a frost pocket. • If it could be marketed, they might be better off growing a high value forage. • Could you grow selected crops for a CSA?

48. Case Study #5 • A grower has several acres of land available to fruit and vegetable production. Some of the land is relatively flat, but in a frost pocket. Other portions of the farm are on a 2 to 4% grade. Some North facing, others South facing. There is a small river bordering the farm. • What might you suggest to this grower?

49. Case Study #5 (response) • Since water is available, tree fruit or berry crops could be grown on the North facing slopes. • Early season vegetables could be grown on the South facing slopes. • Lower level portions of the farm that are likely in a frost pocket could be used for summer vegetable production. • Great for CSA or a blend of different marketing methods. • One could even do wholesale production with this farm.

50. Questionnaire