Rotating Extension Article

For: Week of April 26, 2004

By:  Daniel E. Mullins

       Extension Horticulture Agent

       Santa Rosa County

 

Santa Rosa Horticultural Producers Gearing Up for Another Season

 

            Horticulture covers the commodity areas of fruits, nuts, vegetables, ornamental plants and turfgrass.  Santa Rosa County is fortunate to have a diverse commercial horticultural industry as well as much activity and interest in residential horticulture.

            Nursery production is a multi-million dollar industry and is one of the fastest growing agricultural industries in the county.  Most producers specialize, rather than attempting to offer a full range of plant material.  Some grow woody trees and shrubs.  Others specialize in natives, herbaceous perennials, sod production and even coastal or wetland plants.

            There are approximately thirty-five fresh market vegetable growers in the county, producing a wide range of crops including watermelons, cantaloupes, beans, peas, tomatoes, squash, peppers and strawberries.  Most individual vegetable farms are relatively small by south Florida standards but many are employing high tech practices such as the use of black plastic mulch, trickle irrigation and pest monitoring techniques.

            Most vegetables grown within the county are sold within twenty-five miles of the farm.  Some are sold wholesale, but most produce is marketed through direct farm sales, roadside or through organized markets.  In Milton the Riverwalk Market offers a good location and a greater opportunity for consumers and growers alike.

            The Riverwalk Market is located at the corner of Berryhill and Willing Streets in downtown Milton.  It is scheduled to open on Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 a.m., and will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at that time as long as products are available.   There will also be a grand opening at 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 6.

 

            Santa Rosa County has the potential for more production of fruits and vegetables when sufficient high volume market opportunities can be developed.  Several possibilities are being investigated including value added products and frozen vegetables for shipment.

            Landscape Installation and maintenance is also a fast growing industry in the county.  There are over two hundred such firms that are involved in establishing and caring for both commercial and residential landscapes.  These businesses provide a needed service and are important to the local economy.

            This is an often overlooked industry as it is frequently lumped into the broad horticultural category known as the “green industry,” which includes nursery production, retail garden centers, landscape design services, lawn and ornamental pest control and all of the allied services and products involved.

            The future looks bright for the commercial horticulture industry in Santa Rosa County and Northwest Florida.  There are some challenges, but we have the people, the soils and the environment that are needed to see much growth.   

            Dan Mullins is Extension Horticulture/Vegetable agent for Santa Rosa County.

            Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin. The use of trade names in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of the product name(s) and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others.