Small Farms and Alternative Crops
Farmers in the Suwannee Valley area of north Florida have been diversifying enterprises continuously for the past 10 to 20 years. Traditional dependable enterprises such as tobacco, grain crops, swine, and others have all declined in north Florida. A stable and dependable income from a crop like tobacco is difficult to replace. Alternative crops have been successfully adopted by many growers while others have been unsuccessful. Adoption of alternative crops and alternative marketing strategies for that crop need to be considered.
UF/IFAS Research and Extension programs at the North Florida Research & Education Center - Suwannee Valley near Live Oak give growers opportunities to see first hand, possible alternative crops in the area. Demonstration are maintained during the year for several alterative horticultural crops. The alternative crops can be divided into three major categories: field vegetable crops, fruit and nut crops, and greenhouse crops.
The first step in beginning the process of evaluating alternatives is to determine the market strategy for that crop or enterprise. Growers in the area have adopted marketing strategies that include:
- Wholesale market outlets including chain store distribution centers, broker sales contracts, or terminal markets.
- Direct marketing options including, U-pick operation, roadside stands, local produce stores or other outlets, community supported agricultural (CSA) or other subscription sales programs, farmers markets, marketing cooperatives, restaurant sales, Agritourism, farm-to-school sales, or e-commerce (web-based sales).
Specialized products such as: value-added, heirlooms, organic, or hydroponic produce, locally produced for instance, are options increasing in popularity.
Factors to consider when evaluating alternative crops include:
- Level of difficulty to enter market place
- Time required for marketing
- Initial investment required
- Potential income
- Price stability
- Specialized production equipment needed
- Level of risk expected
- Management level required
- Post-harvest and handling requirements
- Labor needs
- Cash flow
- Availability of information
- Attention to detail required
- See "Keys to Successfully Choosing Enterprises That Suit Your Small Farm" for more information
Alternative crop demonstrations over the years at the North Florida Research & Education Center - Suwannee Valley have included vegetable crops such as: oriental vegetables, specialty lettuces and other greens, cantaloupe, seedless watermelon, specialty watermelon (ice box types or personal-sized watermelon), sweet onion, carrots, specialty peppers, specialty tomato (heirloom, pear, grape, and plum types), eggplant, pumpkins, calabaza, okra, specialty potatoes, sweet corn, and snap beans.
In addition to field crops, several herb crops have been evaluated, such as basil, dill, mint, thyme, oregano, parsley, marjoram, and chives. These herb trials have been conducted in the field and greenhouse. Other greenhouse hydroponic crop trials have included: cluster tomatoes, regular and mini seedless cucumbers, colored bell pepper, edible flowers, cut flowers, herbs, lettuces, and specialty greens. Organic field and greenhouse trials are currently being done for fresh cut herbs in the greenhouse and cucumber in the field.
Alternative fruit and nut crop demonstrations include: strawberry, oriental persimmon, muscadine grape, chestnut, plums, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, and cold hardy citrus.
Recently, a field desmonstration area has been established for perennial specialty crops and woody specialty cut crops.
The success of a grower adopting an alternative crop has usually been more related to the marketing aspect, rather than the production aspect of the enterprise. A feasible alternative for one grower may not fit that potential for another grower.
More Information
For further information on alternative crops and marketing, visit the Web site for North Florida Research & Education Center - Suwannee Valley, or contact Bob Hochmuth or Steve Olson.