Organic Sweet Potato as a Commercial Crop in South Texas

Project Overview

FS17-299
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2017: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 03/14/2019
Grant Recipient: Farmer
Region: Southern
State: Texas
Principal Investigator:
Lois Kim
Email
Farmer

Information Products

Commodities

  • Vegetables: sweet potatoes

Practices

  • Crop Production: varieties and cultivars
  • Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research
  • Farm Business Management: feasibility study
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: Possible summer time cover crop for 9b region of south Texas.
  • Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems

    Proposal summary:

    Sweet potato has not been grown commercially in South Texas. However, a recent trial at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Center - District 12 has seen very positive results. His research, however, was to determine the level of chemical residue and not for feasibility of commercial production. PPC Farms would like to trial a larger scale sampling of organically grown sweet potatoes to determine commercial feasibility. If successful, the sweet potato can be added to the number of organically grown products in this region, adding to crop diversity and income potential. The most promising part of this proposal is the ability of local farmers to extend the growing season by several months if this heat tolerant crop can be successfully grown.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    PPC Farms would like to trial a larger scale sampling of organically grown sweet potatoes to determine commercial feasibility.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.