Enhancing cut flower production and marketing for produce growers: Methods of diversification into proven niches, part II

View the project final report

• 2007 annual report
• 2008 annual report

Commodities

• Additional Plants: ornamentals

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage
• Crop Production: fertigation, foliar feeding, irrigation, tissue analysis
• Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, networking, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research, workshop
• Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, agricultural finance
• Pest Management: biological control, chemical control, cultural control, field monitoring/scouting, integrated pest management, mulching - plastic, row covers (for pests), sanitation
• Production Systems: transitioning to organic, holistic management, organic agriculture
• Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, sustainability measures

Of the more than 180 cut flower growers that attend the annual Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference, cut flower field days, and ASCFG regional meetings, at least 50% will use cut flower cultivars and pest management practices identified in this program as superior. This same group will increase marketable material per production area by 25% and increase pest management using biorational material and techniques by 50%. In addition, new grower-based programs are an important part of this program, of the 20 clients that begin developing business models, 8 will actually start cut flower based enterprises in 2008 and 2009. Cut flower production and marketing has the potential to greatly increase the sustainability of small- and medium-sized farms. Cultivar evaluation, pest management, and new grower support are the three primary needs to increase the number of successful cut flower businesses. This project in partnership with the cooperators and in association with the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers will directly influence the Mid-Atlantic cut flower industry. Using a combination of field demonstrations on four sites coupled with off-season seminars and schools, we will create an environment that greatly facilitates the adoption of project goals.

Milestone: At least 50 participating growers will adopt five or more cut flower cultivars that are demonstrated at field days for the next growing season. This milestone will be replicated each year of the project although the participating growers may shift.

Milestone: At least 20 participating growers will adopt biorational pest management methods to gain control of powdery mildew and beetles as demonstrated at project events. This milestone will be replicated each year of the project although the participating growers may shift.

Performance Target: Of the more than 180 cut flower growers that attend the annual Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference, cut flower field days, and ASCFG regional meetings, at least 50% will use cut flower cultivars and pest management practices identified in this program as superior. This same group will increase marketable material per production area by 25% and increase pest management using biorational materials and techniques by 50%.

Milestone: At least 40 clients will attend the new growers schools in January 2007 and October 2007. Of those attending, 20 will follow through and begin developing business models based on information gained at the program and in follow up consultations later with the project coordinator.

Performance Target: Of the 20 that begin developing business models, eight will actually start cut flower-based enterprises in 2008 and 2009.