Alternative Agriculture Strategies for Rural Community Sustainable Development Northampton County, Virginia

This project included a diverse group of grower-managed demonstration plots using alternative technology or producing alternative crops, within the context of the grower's whole farm strategy and business plan. Despite the extreme drought conditions in 1997 and 1999 and hayman potato crop disaster in 1998, several of the demonstration plots provided important production information and enough crops for initial test marketing. This project has assisted growers in exploring economically and environmentally sound management strategies and improved marketing opportunities for several crops, including hayman sweet potatoes, organic seedless watermelons, and everlasting and cut flowers. Complementary agriculture research station plots have developed important support information for the expansion of hayman production by additional growers and varietal information for more traditional broccoli and lettuce crops, and experimental feasibility information for a non-traditional kenaf crop. Economic analysis, including interactive economic computer model and grower or crop specific business and market feasibility studies, have provided information to support an entrepreneurial approach to value-added marketing strategies as part of community-based sustainable development initiatives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Hayman Potato:

A joint effort between growers, the Corporation and Eastern Shore Agriculture Research & Extension Center developed hayman "Best Management Practices" as a pre-requisite to qualify for this value-added, branded marketing of Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ haymans. These BMPs (see appendix III) included lower input and environmental impact strategies and specific practices for harvesting and storing haymans.

Current wholesale market development and distribution of the Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ haymans has expanded from 1996-97 with one retail grocery chain/13 stores in two states to 1999 with 6 retail grocery chains/245 stores in 9 states. The pounds of haymans marketed were 14,000 in 1996-97, 13,000 in 1997-98, and 70,000 in 1998-99, with final harvest figures unavailable for this year.

To expand market season beyond fresh market and explore value-added shelf-stable hayman food products, 1998-99 included production, marketing and distribution of Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ Hayman chips in 12 lb. tubs. The 1999-2000 season includes tubs and expansion to Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ Haymans chips in 5 oz. bags. The tubs are being distributed by direct-mail-order through publicity, Internet and specialty food distributors and the chips will also be tested in retail markets.

This branded Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ haymans marketing campaign and product development research includes many results (see samples in appendix III):

* terminal market research to determine optimum "Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢" size classification, which overlaps rather than corresponds directly with traditional size classes (US#1, canner, and jumbo) for sweet potatoes.
* development of hayman soup recipes for future value-added product expansion possibility, although market research indicated it was not economical profitable at this time
* hayman chip production/taste/quality testing, including different oils used and potato storage times
* nutritional analysis for "Nutrition Facts" labeling in accordance with NLEA 1990 and Federal Register specifications Vol 58, No.3, Jan. 6, 1993
* "Virginia's Finest" Trademark Program standards for hayman sweetpotatoes determined by industry and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's Division of Marketing
* application for PLU (product look-up number), to assist retail stores in proper pricing at check-out; application denied due to small area and acreage of production, but encouraged to reapply in future
* production of store promotional materials: recipe cards, in-store signs, individually branded (stickers) potatoes , press kits mailed to food editors in store advertising area
* grocery in-store customer taste sampling for major retailers
* restaurant menu development for press luncheon in each city with new market introduction (Red Sage, Washington D.C., Nov. 14, 1996; Brasserie Perrier, Philadelphia PA, Dec. 15, 1997; Gramercy Tavern, NY, NY, Nov. 11, 1998; Salamander's, Boston MA, Dec. 7, 1998),
* new market exploration with Internet Web page
* development of chip tubs and bags designs

A highly visible hayman demonstration plot in 1998 & 1999 offered opportunity to share the project with the local community and enlist additional growers for future expansion. A Hayman field day on Oct. 12, 1998 with 18 participants included: on-farm discussions of production and management - past, present and future; research station discussion of insect management, foundation seed program & hayman planting study; lunch meeting sharing economic potential of value-added marketing and opportunities for expansion. During 1998, when several growers new to hayman production joined the program, a grower-support informational newsletter series, "Hayman Heads Up!" was edited and produced by the Corporation and the Conservancy (see appendix III). This newsletter was shared with all participating hayman growers and others interested in the new enterprise. They will continue to provide a concise source of hayman-specific information for new growers in the future. A hayman crop budget was developed to help growers considering this new enterprise (see appendix III).

Results from Agriculture Research & Extension cultural and entomological studies provided important grower support information (see appendix III). None of the cultural manipulations (bed height, vertical or horizontal sprout root planting, and spacing) have consistently resulted in increased marketable yield of Hayman. The early planting in 1999 was significantly lower in US#1 size roots compared to later plantings. This may be due, in part, to the deer feeding on the foliage early in the season when food was scarce or because of the cooler temperature that prevailed early in the vegetative growth stage.

Several combinations of pre-plant and layby treatments (including Lorsban 4 EC + Garlic Barrier) resulted in a lower percentage of damaged roots than the check in 1997. In 1999, using Garlic Barrier alone resulted in insect injury similar to the untreated check. G Lorsban + Garlic Barrier was less effective than other combinations in the 1999 trial. This damage results in unmarketable product, often even for chip production, so a viable alternative needs to be found before organic production of haymans becomes feasible.

Prefoundation seed roots given to the foundation seed grower resulted in 88 bu (50 lb.) of Hayman foundation seed available to local growers in 1997; 115 bu in 1998 and 93 bu in 1999. Foundation seed sprout used directly in market production fields produces a bottleneck for acreage expansion. An educational effort was made to explain the prefoundation-foundation-certified seed program to growers and marketers (see appendix III). One grower is expanding his enterprise to grow certified seed for certified sprout sales to other interested Shore growers. In the future, this may permit increased acreage by current growers or expansion to new growers, while protecting the genetic quality of the hayman crop. Availability of facilities for high quality curing and storage is another limiting factor. The Nature Conservancy was able to commit and adapt some farm buildings on one of its seaside farms specifically for this use by two different growers in the 1999 season.

The publicity associated with the value-added Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ Hayman marketing campaign has also accomplished valuable education and outreach locally, regionally, and nationally related to the goals of this SARE project (see sections G & H). The marketing of Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ hayman chips has also provided an opportunity for complementary marketing of another SARE demonstration product - everlasting flowers. The dried flower grower was able to produce small dried-flower bouquets (1500 in 1998; 4,000 projected for 1999) which are included in every tub shipment of Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ hayman chips. A gift tag tells the story of the SARE project, how hayman chips and dried flowers are adding value to crops grown using sustainable methods, and how consumer's purchase is helping find creative ways to save the family farms that protect the unique natural ecosystem of the Eastern Shore (see appendix III).

Everlasting & Cut Flower:

The annual and perennial everlasting flower demonstration plot has provided an apparently viable new business opportunity as a second income for the participating grower. The grower increased production acreage cautiously, with business planning to avoid expanding too quickly. A technical team charette explored feasibility of coupling the dried flower enterprise to other marketing and separate value-added local enterprises, resulting in the linkage to Eastern Shore Selectâ„¢ hayman chips mentioned above. The grower was able to develop some local and regional wholesale market contacts, with one potentially developing into an almost sole-buyer arrangement in the future. The grower was also able to market some of the flowers as fresh-cut to local florist shops.

The on-farm dried flower demonstration field day in 1997 taught interested people about specific everlasting species, production requirements (spacing, fertilization and irrigation, insect and disease problems, etc.), stage of harvest, bunch size for marketing, and drying requirements. Dried flower species included: celosia, yarrow, tansy, artemesia, sweet annie, strawflowers, annual statice, german statice, echinops, salvia, lavender, gypsophilia perfecta, globe amaranth, split personality amaranth, helipterum, xerathemum, ammobium, craspedia, lonas, nigella, pearl millet, chile peppers.

The cut flower demonstration grower was able, after an unsuccessful first year, to discover the production and management strategies for delphinium which would permit production specifically adapted to the Eastern Shore. Bed preparation was most important, to avoid hard pan which can easily occur with Eastern Shore soils. Good root establishment in fall transplants before winter and sufficient mulching to keep roots cool in spring/summer produced good results. The expected spring bloom in May produced short stems, but mulching and management into summer produced marketable 3 to 4 foot flower stems in June. Varietal trial demonstration plot of sunflowers has been coupled with customer feed-back market research and post-harvest quality determination. The two red sunflower varieties were in most market demand. Pollen drop was the biggest customer complaint from regular species, however, the non-pollen varieties would wilt too quickly. Of 10 put in water, 2 would wilt the first day, 3 the next and only 2 would last beyond that. Repeat customers were difficult to cultivate with this quick wilting. The grower will probably keep prado red sunflower as part of the whole farm product mix and would like to experiment with searing stems to seal the bottom. Research into why some flowers wilt and others don't would be useful. Their part-time family flower farm operation may eventually expand into a full-time enterprise.

This grower has completed organic certification, 5 year business planning, conservation and wildlife habitat enhancement on farm, and is conducting direct marketing, including home delivery, special events, and road-side "day-old" sales. Cut flower species included: delphinium, larkspur, gladioullus, sunflower (variety trials - sundance kid, valentine, sonja, italian white, tohoku yae, sunbeam, prado red, pacino, velvet queen, autumn beauty).

Outreach helped develop community interest in this area, as demonstrated by local participation in sponsored programs (see section H) and development of networks with local artisans, garden clubs, and community-based groups. The filled-to-capacity dried flower arranging workshops, using this grower's and another local flower farm's crop, allowed participants to make their own dried flower arrangements or wreaths and learn how they could purchase more flowers locally to support sustainable agriculture The fee charged payed for most of materials, demonstrating a potential outlet for future direct marketing if participation would not decrease with a fee increase. Both the fresh and dry flower growers were able to successfully market some of their product at the newly established Nassawadox Farmer's Market. Sample crop budgets were developed for both everlasting and cut flowers and may be useful to an entrepreneur considering this as a new enterprise (see appendix III).

Seedless Melons:

Grower records from the part-time grower managed seedless watermelon demonstration plots (low-input and organic) indicate an average of 95% survival of transplants with 43% of the plants producing marketable product. Production results from different growers on different years indicated the critical need for proper irrigation.

Marketing remains the biggest concern, with 63-70% of the crop being marketed successfully. The organic seedless watermelon grower was able to conduct local and regional test marketing, receiving a per-pound price advantage from organic certification. Premium price averaged from $2 to $4 organic versus $.50 to $1 for non-organic. "Test Marketing of Seedless Watermelons in Ukrop's Supermarkets" by A. Hankins, (see section G and appendix I) provided growers with vital information about consumer demands, transportation costs, and specific retailer details like use of PLU stickers, delivery bins, etc. Large tomato plasticulture production agri-businesses on the Eastern Shore also produced seedless watermelons in the second year of the demonstration plots, creating a local road-side market glut by field laborers. This made local market development more difficult than anticipated for this crop when first selected as a SARE demonstration product.

Sample crop budgets were prepared for organic and low-input watermelon production (see appendix III). The budgets are a multi-year, multi-grower compilation and average, so they are intended only as a guide for an entrepreneur interested in this as a new enterprise. The inclusion of both low-input and organic seedless watermelon production demonstration plots provided important comparative production and economic information. An informational extension publication on "Organic Production of Watermelons" was also produced by A. Hankins during this grant project (see appendix III). It explains organically certifiable insect, disease and weed control and fertilization strategies, which will be useful for anyone else considering this enterprise.

Organic Vegetable Production:

Five growers obtained Virginia State Organic Certification for their farms during this project. Other growers were managing organically without certification. Organic crops included seedless watermelons, mixed vegetable and herb production, cut flowers, soybean, wheat, and organic pastured natural beef production.

Business analysis for Quail Cove Farm showed that their business has the potential to become a high-volume, vertically-integrated, source-based, "farm-centered" provider of organically-grown and naturally-produced grocery items to an ever-expanding customer base (see appendix III). They have a solid base of intensely loyal customers, home-schooled families scattered throughout Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. They are unique in also offering home-delivery via a network of volunteer "host homes."

Quail Cove Farm has provided a vital marketing link for the other organically certified and organically growing farmers involved in this SARE project. They and another organic buyer in Virginia Beach have provided value-added pricing for seedless watermelons (up to $4 per melon compared to $1 to $2 per melon), natural beef, soybeans, wheat (up to $4 per bushel compared to $2 per bushel ), and other vegetables grown by these growers.

The economic analysts on the technical team feel this success demonstrates the need to further explore and develop marketing efforts on the Eastern Shore of Virginia for the individual middle man - flexible and personal distribution systems. They believe these are the systems that can handle specialty and value-added products by exploiting a personal client base with very specific purchasing needs and wants. By limiting the number of people and profits involved between the farming and the retailing stage, the system allows for better margins and control for the limited number of parties involved and better quality product for the end consumer.

Bayview Community Garden:

The Community Garden harvest has been very successful, feeding about 30 people in the community each year. The garden also provided valuable organizational information by determining the residents' ability and willingness to plan and operate the community garden and distribute the vegetables. They also identified equipment needs and established a partnership with local farmers and agri-business to contract for services beyond the scope of community labor.

Crop data spreadsheets, garden layout diagrams, garden tasks calendar with linkages to other community events, and plant-harvest table with successional plantings were developed to guide the community garden management (see appendix III). The spreadsheets and tables were developed into a linked Excel computer file so changes and future planning will be easy. The technical team also provided assistance during all stages of garden management. A research review of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) models was conducted to help the community consider its options for organization and expansion.

The "Economy...Sustainable Agriculture... and You!!" survey was distributed with 650 "Shoreline" newsletters by a local grass-roots organization, Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore (see appendix III). Bayview Citizens for Social Justice received about 12% response from the mailing. The results indicated 55% of the respondents were willing to pick up their own produce, 33% were interested in more information, and 41 % were interested in attending an organizational meeting. The average family size was 2.1 people. The top six crops preferred by respondents were: strawberries, tomatoes, asparagus, sweet corn, leaf lettuce and cantaloupe (see appendix III). In response to these results and community interest, economic analysis of strawberry and asparagus establishment costs and marketing potential was completed to help the community make decisions for best use of limited resources (see appendix III).

Bayview Citizens for Social Justice now has a mailing list of over 75 potential customers for a subscription-type program. Additional surveys continue to come in slowly. Other partnering grass-roots organizations' membership can also be surveyed in the future. The results also indicate the need to reconsider the crops produced, since the survey results differed some from the community selected initial plantings.

The Nature Conservancy and Bayview Citizens for Social Justice has just received a $40,000 General Motors Community-Based Conservation Fellowship Grant to implement a working example of community-based conservation and grass-roots compatible development on a large scale commercial farm operation. The groundwork laid with the SARE grant community garden project was instrumental in successfully competing with other communities across the country for this community-based conservation grant. The new grant will help with the transition from the small community demonstration garden supported by this SARE grant. On the larger scale, there is also potential for linking to the hayman value-added marketing (above) since several residents have previous experience in labor required for hand-planting and -harvesting haymans.

The Bayview Citizens for Social Justice leadership is also experienced in, and skilled at, communicating their experiences and inspiring others with the benefits of compatible economic development and community-based conservation. They have already inspired another nearby community, Sunnyside, to start its own small community garden in the spring of 1999. They will continue to participate in outreach to the local community, state and national agencies and organizations.

Holly Buffer:

Because of the time required to produce marketable holly berry stems when starting with bare-root or small pot plants, we were unable to test market product during this grant period. A deciduous holly buffer budget compiled from grower-managed records includes only cost of establishment (see appendix III). Some regional test marketing has been done and can be conducted when this demonstration plot begins to produce marketable berry branches (Hankins, pers. com.).

This demonstration plot identified a major production problem -- deer nibbling on young holly plants and stripping of berries off older plants. A variety of "deer deterrent" methods were tried, all with minimal success, often providing deterrent initially but deer quickly became adapted. Deer fence was not tried, since its use in a limited holly orchard might be economically feasible but not in an extensive buffer strip application, which was the intent of this demonstration. This barrier would need to be overcome before this method could be applied more broadly as an economically viable buffer strip.

However, in Virginia, the production of holly has been identified as a potentially profitable new horticultural crop and locally, new sources of cut holly are needed (Bhardwaj, et al, 1996; Appleton, et al 1996). In theory, marketing of annual or biennial pruning (harvesting) of aerial portions of the holly could still provide an economic incentive for other farmers to use this type of buffer as part of their integrated nutrient management strategy. By helping offset the expense of maintaining the conservation buffer and loss of crop production acreage, growers might even establish holly buffers at widths in excess of minimum legal requirements.
The direct nutrient surface and sub-surface reduction (above and below buffer) was not monitored, again because of time required to establish a full-grown buffer. The results from indirect environmental monitoring within this watershed (see below) indicate sufficient buffering is occurring in the agro-ecosystem.

Agriculture Research Station Plots:

Agriculture station research kenaf trials were developed to support the economic evaluation of kenaf as a potential new crop for the wheat/soybean segment of the two crop scenarios developed by the linear economic model. In 1998, there was a significant difference between plantings in total yield, with the estimated yield for the first planting, second and third planting being 2.2, 2.1, and 2.0 tons/A, respectively. Neither planting date or plant population had a significant effect on the proportion of bass to core fiber. In 1999, plant population but not planting date affected the yield. Estimated yield was 6.2 tons/A at the low population; 9.0 tons/a for the high population in 1999. Yield was appreciably higher in 1999 but was still substantially below the target of 17 tons/A needed to make kenaf a viable option as calculated by the economic model.

Several broccoli cultivars have shown good yield potential combined with acceptable stalk quality. The cultivar Nomad has exceptional stalk quality and appears to have heat tolerance (germination) as well. Results from 1997 & 1998 were published in VA Cooperative Extension Vegetable Growers News. One grower has increased production of broccoli for local sales. Another successfully grew broccoli in 1998 for a lightly processed product. However, he tried three times to establish direct-seeded broccoli in fall of 1999 without success. Estimates of broccoli head quality and yield for early and main season cultivars in 1999 were anticipated from agriculture station research trials.

Unfortunately, the planting schedule could not be met because of hot weather in early August and multiple hurricanes in late August and September. This study will be replanted in fall of 2000 to address grower concerns.

The 1999 spring lettuce trial was to be repeated in the fall, using two target populations of pearl millet as the summer cover crop, with lettuce direct-seeded rather than transplanted. However, adverse weather conditions delayed planting for more than a month. The fall study was abandoned since lettuce is a 6-week crop and the results would not be applicable to commercial conditions. In 1996, differences in plant establishment were noted for the three lettuce cultivars, but no significant differences were found between treatments. Top-dress or banded treatments, particularly straw and vermiculite tended to be scattered by wind after planting, which may have reduced effectiveness. Sand movement into the crowns of the plants early in the growing season resulted in grit in the harvested heads. In 1997, Boston lettuce tended to be more difficult to establish from seed than Romaine lettuce, but response to treatment was inconsistent. Marketable yield was not significantly influenced by pre-plant treatments. Grit in the crown was a serious concern for Boston lettuce that has a more flattened growth habit than Romaine. Under prevalent conditions on the Eastern Shore, stand establishment of direct-seeded lettuce is a concern, particularly in the spring. Strip-tillage was simulated prior to hand planting transplants in the 1999 trial. For Boston lettuce, the greatest yield was noted for bare ground, but sand continues to be a problem in all treatments. Either killed rye or wheat cover resulted in greater marketable yield of Romaine lettuce than bare ground. Less sand was found in heads grown in rye cover. The potential for growing commercially acceptable Boston lettuce on the Eastern Shore appears to be questionable. However, with careful management to minimize sand movement, the potential for Romaine and other leaf lettuces with an up-right growing habit is more promising. Cover crops have been planted to repeat the 1999 spring study in 2000.

Watershed Environmental Analysis:

From the three years of studying chlorophyll we have only a rough framework of how and why chlorophyll varies temporally and spatially. Daily phytoplankton production was strongly correlated with ambient nitrate concentrations and inversely correlated with salinity, emphasizing the importance of freshwater inputs as a nutrient source in this system. While chlorophyll concentrations were normally lower than more northerly coastal lagoons in Delaware and Maryland, the level varied by two orders of magnitude caused by the complex interaction of tidal dilution, rain events, coastal ocean weather, fertilizer application to surrounding watershed, and tide-sunlight interactions. Only on one occasion, in the three year sampling, was a large direct effect of fertilizer addition measured when the fertilizer coincided with a record, three-times normal rainfall event.

This research suggests that Green's Creek is capable of assimilating further nutrient inputs and produce even larger phytoplankton standing crops (see appendix III). The chlorophyll in the waters of the lagoon represent the food source for the grow-out of aquaculture produced clams and oysters, as well as other harvestable resources from the bays and coastal waters.
However, caution must be taken since increases in biomass and plankton community structure could favor toxic bloom species. Thus control of nutrient inputs from freshwater sources remains an important management issue for the Green's Creek and other seaside watersheds. Further implementation of sustainable land-based agriculture will thus help protect the vital water quality which supports the growing business of aquaculture, which is another sustainable agriculture product from Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Economic Analysis

The earlier economic model was modified and provided the necessary tool for fully evaluating the potential economic and environmental impacts of introducing new crop production alternatives. One goal was to examine the demands on resources, the economic potential and the environmental impact of two specific cropping systems - wheat / soybean and selected vegetable crops with wheat / soybeans. Several scenarios were generated, and the two models which maximized net returns to land and management were evaluated for environmental impact. The vegetable / wheat / soybean model economically exceeded the potential increased environmental impact, with recommendations to utilize nutrient management, crop rotation and integrated pest management to manage these impacts (see appendix III).

Market window analysis proved a valuable tool in identifying the potential profitability of individual commodities. Another goal was to identify crops with highest profit potential given terminal market prices over the last five years. Romaine and Boston lettuce were consistently selected as the most profitable alternatives while the traditional crops offered little competition. However, marketing and product quality (sand accumulation) need to be carefully considered before production of lettuce on the Eastern Shore (see complementary research station trials above).

Kenaf was thought initially to be a crop that could offer both high profits and have low impact on the environment. Application of the model showed that currently, kenaf is unfeasible for production on the Eastern Shore and offers only marginal environmental benefits (see appendix III). This evaluation saved growers from a trial-and-error economic loss with experimental crop production and identified the price, yield and transportation to processing necessary to make kenaf financially viable for Eastern Shore growers (see complementary research station trials above).

Economic modeling predicts that the adoption of new vegetable crops can be a substantial part of the efforts to ensure economic and environmental sustainability. As the profit margins of traditional vegetable crops have declined, many farmers have shifted production into wheat and soybeans. The model shows that this shift can hardly be sustained economically, given low profitability, nor environmentally, with regard to pesticide leaching and runoff. Some of the new vegetable crops studied have shown a good potential for changing the direction of this shift. They appear to provide good economic and environmental incentives to revive vegetable production in the region and assure long term sustainability. However, the introduction of new vegetable crops is not an easy undertaking. It requires a careful marketing strategy, as well as knowledge of the production process. The assumption that the farmer is both willing and able to produce the crop is the main assumption implicit in this economic analysis.

With funding by Virginia Farmers'Market Board, this model has been further adapted and extended into an Excel file format for use by extension agents and growers directly (see appendix III and disk). The program can be used interactively or used as a "read only" resource for all of Virginia, not just the Eastern Shore. Since all options are linked, growers can examine the impact of changes on the whole economic analysis. A manual is being developed for distribution with the disk as a REAP publication. Exhibition at the January 2000 Eastern Shore Agriculture Conference will provide publicity and facilitate hand-on demonstrations to familiarize growers with its potential as a tool to manage economic risk.

As mentioned above, under individual crops, results from participating growers' production and marketing records were used to develop sample enterprise budgets. Evaluation of enterprise budgets from these demonstration plots is limited, but they do provide important risk assessment so that these growers can more confidently consider expanding beyond the demonstration plot level as part of their farm operation. They also provide realistic input information for other growers interested in exploring these crops as a new enterprise.
Also mentioned above, under organic production and hayman sections, specific, in-depth business planning was conducted for some businesses. All participating growers were encouraged to complete a farm business plan. A "Step-by-Step Guide for Eastern Shore Farmers" was developed (see appendix III). Additional economic and marketing research information was gathered by graduate student projects covering diverse topics of interest to the growers: asparagus, chickens, corn, cover crops/green manure, flowers, ginseng, herbs, hogs, holly, kenaf, mushrooms, organic grapes, organic farming transition and certification, organic fruits, rare essences, small woodlot income alternatives, sorghum, soy, sustainable agriculture organizations and networks, sustainable vegetables and sustainable beef. Some information was shared with interested participating growers while remainder was compiled as a "Topic Resource File" for the local extension agent office.