Research Projects

Wholesale Produce Auction

Small Farmers urgently need alternative marketing strategies ifthey are to achieve the goals of a more a sustainable agriculture.This study was a survey of nine Pennsylvania wholesale produceauctions, all established between 1984 and 1998. The main goals ofthe auctions were to serve local communities, provide high qualityproduce to local consumers, and make profits. The results showedthat the auctions typically employ an average of 7-10 people pergrowing season. The five most common commodities sold werecantaloupe, watermelon, tomato, pumpkin, and sweet corn. Asparagusand onions were the least sold during a regular growing season. irrigating fields In terms of marketshare, roadside market operators purchased the largest proportionof produce (40%), followed by farmers (27%), chain food stores(16%), independent grocery stores (11%), and restaurants (6%)making up an average annual gross sale of $3.5 million per auction.The study revealed that the nine Pennsylvania produce auctions weresuccessful in meeting their goals. The reasons for success includedprivate ownership, excellent quality and freshness of produce, goodlocation, local produce recognition, clientele availability andcustomer-oriented business. The auction managers identified someweaknesses including inconsistent and poor grading, limited spacein the auction facility, produce unavailability and limited volume,lack of cooling facility, price fluctuation, and slow service. Thestudy indicated that local wholesale produce auctions are a usefulmarketing alternative for small farmers in Pennsylvania byproviding marketing outlets and convenient shopping centers forsellers and buyers; by securing a source of fresh and locally grownproduce not found in traditional wholesale terminal markets; and byallowing exchange and networking among farmers and buyers. Giventhese benefits, a non-traditional marketing alternative such as awholesale auction can be a model for other small farm and ruralcommunities. Authors: Stephan Tubene and James Hanson.

Agricultural and Demographic Changes in the Mid-AtlanticRegion: Implications for Ethnic and Specialty Produce

Will Mid-Atlantic farms survive recent changes in agriculturaland population patterns? Rapid change has led to concern about thefuture of farms in the region. Urban development and rapidpopulation growth are having a significant impact on Mid-Atlanticfarmers and farming practices. Remaining farmers must adapt tothese changes in order to survive in this competitive market. Manyfarmers are looking at high-value crops, as well as alternativemarketing strategies, innovative management planning, andvalue-added enterprises, to make the difference between success andfailure.

Ethnic and specialty produce presents a significant opportunityfor Mid-Atlantic farmers-as high-value alternative crops and anexcellent source of income for farmers. on a hay ride For consumers,ethnic produce is not only a source of food and fiber but also asource of cultural values in a foreign land. These products can beproduced by farmers in the region and sold through wholesalers,retail grocery stores, farmers' markets, and restaurants.

This fact sheet is the first of a series of fact sheets onethnic and specialty produce. While this publication emphasizes thetrends in the Mid-Atlantic agriculture and population, and theirimplication for ethnic and specialty produce, subsequent factsheets will discuss market potential, production guidelines, andnutritional aspect of ethnic vegetables in the Mid-Atlantic region.Author: Stephan Tubene.

Ethnic and Specialty Produce in Maryland

Shifting from a "one-crop/tobacco" economy to an "alternativecrops" economy has favored the creation and implementation ofdiversifying farm enterprises for southern Maryland growers. studying crops The shifts inpopulation indicate that ethnic produce could be a source ofrevenues for these and perhaps other growers. A two-year researchproject has been established to study the production of a varietyof ethnic vegetables and herbs in southern Maryland; develop aproduction handbook to be used by growers there, and to introduceethnic and specialty produce to Maryland consumers throughnutritional education sessions.

Preliminary research findings indicate that ethnic and specialtyproduce respond positively to Maryland weather/soil conditions andcould be locally grown to supply local markets. Maryland directmarketing and wholesaling outlets have expressed the desire toorder the produce, and consumers respond favorably to the new tasteas the produce is introduced to the public at large. Authors: S.Tubene, R.D. Myers, C. Pergeson.

Maryland Specialty Crops Program

This program seeks to develop a diverse but comprehensiveprogram for production, marketing and education for specialty cropsin Maryland. It includes nine projects conducted by the Universityof Maryland, the Department of Agriculture, and commercialagricultural professionals. Seven projects address the production,marketing and education research of specialty crops while two otherprojects provide special seminars on specialty crops. The programincludes research on production systems, season extension, marketanalysis, and variety trials for a variety of specialty crops inmultiple locations in Maryland. In addition, project investigatorswill conduct seminars on production and marketing of organicproducts as well as aquaculture.

Specific alternative crops include specialty and ethnicvegetables, unique fruits, cut and potted flowers, and annualbedding plants. Season extension Research and Extension (R&E)includes utilization of high tunnel technology to extend theharvest season. Educational activities include specialty workshopsfor individual production systems and crops, specific sessions andpresentations at annual regional winter meetings. A significanteffort will be placed on market analysis, as well as marketing and"exposure" for these new and unique crops.

The program will (1) test the potential for growing these cropsunder one or more of the many diverse environments in Maryland; (2)evaluate their market potential in the state; (3) and providevaluable production and marketing guidelines to producers,retailers, wholesalers, and agricultural professionals. The cropstargeted have either shown high productivity in other comparableenvironments or fit in well with the existing marketing,processing, and dissemination systems already present in the state. in the kitchen The targetingcrops are all high value specialty crops or are amenable toprocessing into value added products for specialty and or high-endmarkets. The uniqueness of the crops chosen is that these cropshave high demand potential with little danger of saturating themarket. There will also be opportunities to export and exploitdistant/regional markets.

Careful attention to recording detail of resource inputs andlabor will be accumulated to construct enterprise budgets. Some ofthe crops in the project are labor intensive at some periods ofproduction but requirements are consistent and/or complementarywith existing labor demand of other agricultural enterprises in theregion. Major investigators: S. Tubene, J. Bouwkamp, J. Fiola,et.al., 2002.

U.S. Small Farm Structure and Classification

The complex nature of the U.S. small farm sector makes it difficultto provide a homogeneous and unambiguous definition of the smallfarm. Small family farms vary in size and other characteristicssuch as business organization and arrangements, production methods,success measurement, source of household income, financial returns,and government payment shares. A farm typology developed by theUSDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) categorizes small familyfarms (sales less than $25,000) into 4 groups for policydevelopment and evaluation purposes. These groups includelimited-resource, retirement, residential/lifestyle, andfarming-occupation. The implication of this typology is thatpolicies are to be targeted to specific groups of small familyfarms taking into consideration their specific needs. Critics thinkthat this typology leaves out other significant groups of smallfamily farmers such as immigrant farmers, beginning farmers, farmsin transition, and seasonal farmers whose needs are totallydifferent from those of the mainstream widely recognized groups.This paper discusses issues facing small family farmers in the 21stcentury, and suggests recommendations (intended to better servesmall family farmers) to land grant universities, federal agencies,small farm service providers, and policy makers. Author: StephanTubene

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Last updated: 03/10/2009