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3. 2013 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference

Specialty Crops

Hezekiah Gibson and Frances Gibson

Summary

This presentation will show the benefits of growing specialty crops for maximizing production, profit, and sustainability, particularly on small farm operations. United Farmers USA has shown new and beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged, veterans and seasoned farmers how specialty crops will provide an increase in their income production through outreach, education and hands on demonstrations.

Specialty crops are considered to be fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture) that are intensively cultivated. The farmer should have a well thought out plan of what he/she want to see happen on their farm. United Farmers work with the farmers in the following ways:

Outreach--A well-designed and properly detailed plan for cultivating specialty crops was obtained by the farmer through workshops, meetings or one on ones.

Education—Classes were held to educate them on watering systems, specialty crops suitable for their region, and developing a farm plan to start the process of success.

Demonstrations---The key to working with farmers is the hands on experience and rewards they get when it is time to reap the harvest. Farmers received an overview of using farm machinery properly and safety precautions and demonstrations by experience farm crews.

As a result of educating some of the farmers in South Carolina’s rural area they have experience not producing enough vegetables in drought seasons to gardens full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Another benefit was a better watering system such as drip/trickle irrigation and using the proper equipment.

Details

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