Assessing myoga viability as a case study to promote Asian heritage crops

Commodities

• Additional Plants: other

Practices

• Crop Production: cropping systems
• Farm Business Management: market study
• Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems

Sonoma County is a vibrant agricultural region with extensive diversity of microclimates and topography, lending itself to a great array of agricultural growing. Local food continues to be in high demand, but despite a burgeoning, mixed local food scene, there is lack of local access to heritage crops of the Asian diaspora. Myoga, a perennial herb also known as "Japanese Ginger," is culturally significant and nutritious crop consumed in China and Japan. It has gained some recognition in the west, especially in the culinary landscape, but there is lacking research. Anecdotal conversations with local Japanese elders and a handful of chefs prompted the interest to explore growing Myoga locally. This research will investigate the following questions 1) What are the ideal growing conditions of Myoga that make it a viable crop? 2) What is the demand of market outlets to assess Myoga's economic viability as a specialty crop? and 3) Does the current local Asian specialty crop production lend itself to Myoga becoming in demand that would also increase interest in more diverse crops of the Asian diaspora?

The research will be carried out by comparing different growing conditions between in-ground and raised boxes inside a hoophouse. Observations and tracking will be captured via quantitative field notes with careful climate tracking, plant health metrics, as well as labor hours, and cost of production. Secondly, we'll conduct surveys on market interest to assess demand and sales outlet opportunities. Lastly, we'll conduct surveys of local Asian American Farmers experience in bringing Asian specialty crops to market and analyze their hurdles and strategies to overcome market challenges. 

The research outcomes will conclude if Myoga can be successfully grown as a viable heritage crop as well as a high value crop like ginger, thus creating a economically competitive crop of interest to other growers.

1. Compare in-ground vs. container
   production of Myoga to assess effects on crop production and
   associated costs.
2. Assess several market outlets
   for selling myoga and ascertain the crops economic viability in
   a small-farm diversified vegetable operation.
3. Survey the current Asian
   American farmer experience in marketing and selling Asian crop
   options in order to assess any hurdles and barriers as well as
   strategies they used to overcome market challenges.