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Alternative Agriculture Opportunities. Vaughn Hammond Extension Educator University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kimmel Education & Research Center Nebraska City, NE vhammond2@unl.edu. Grapes. Vineyards. Pruning Canopy Management Harvest Vineyard floor management. Table Grapes.
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Alternative Agriculture Opportunities Vaughn Hammond Extension Educator University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kimmel Education & Research Center Nebraska City, NE vhammond2@unl.edu
Vineyards • Pruning • Canopy Management • Harvest • Vineyard floor management
CSACommunity Supported Agriculture • A socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution • Community of individuals that pledge support to a farming operation • Growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production • Also known as “subscription farming”
Nebraska Statistics • 63 communities have a registered Farmers Market • Over 70 different markets • Early 2000’s 666,184 households in Nebraska • If each spent $10.00---6.7 million $ • If each spent 10.00 once a month for 3 months---20.1 million$
Historically • 1931 Nebraska Unicameral passed a law ordering the removal of cedar trees to slow the damaging affects of Cedar Apple Rust on area apple orchards • Brownville Orchard Company announced their 100 acre peach orchard was bearing crop for the first time. Averaged 500 bushel in sales a day.
Tree Fruits • Apple • Peach • Pear • Plum • Apricot • Tart Cherry
Why Opportunity Now? • Trend toward families buying more fresh food • Rising fruit and vegetable cost • Increased awareness of food safety and nutrition • Local Foods • Urban Agriculture
Small Fruits Most Common • Raspberries • Blackberries • Strawberries
Less Common • Elderberry • Currants • Gooseberries
Even Less Common • Sea Buckthorn • Saskatoon • Sand Cherries
Woody Florals • Woody florals include any woody plant species that has a colorful or unusually shaped stem, persistent bud, flower, fruit or leaf.
Marketing • Direct Sales to Florist • Farmers Markets • Nebraska Woody Florals Coop
Economic Returns2 Year Average per 1000’ of Row • Scarlet Curls Willow $2991.00 • Corkscrew Willow $2035.00 • Pussy Willow $2982.00 • Bailey Dogwood $2257.00 • Yellow Twig Dogwood $1063.00
Aronia • Has traditionally been a landscape plant generally used for wildlife and bird habitat. • Native plant in Missouri and may stretch into Southeast Nebraska. • Native Americans used the berry as a dye as well as a food source. • Extremely high in Vitamin C and antioxidants which makes it attractive to homeopathic practitioners. • Midwest Aronia Growers Association
Very cold hardy • Late blooming—avoids frost problems • Jams, jellies, juice, syrup, wine • Stable red food coloring
Yield Potentials • Approximately 700 plants per acre • 700 x 38 (yield potential)= 26,600 pounds • 26,600 x $2.00 = 53,200.00 • Certified organic---3.50/lb.
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.