Rotating Extension Article

For: Week of May 13, 2002

By: Dan Mullins

Extension Horticulture Agent

Santa Rosa County

A Vegetable Marketing Pilot Program

Santa Rosa County vegetable growers have begun harvesting for the local fresh market. The earliest squash was picked during the third week of April. Onions and Irish potatoes are also being harvested. Within a few weeks we expect other crops to begin maturing. In June watch for locally grown green beans, lima beans, cantaloupes, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, southern peas, peppers, squash, tomatoes and watermelons.

Thirty-five known vegetable producers in the county sell most of their produce within about 30 miles of the farm. Very little is shipped to other areas because we lack processing facilities, and the volume to compete presently.

Getting perishable food products from the producer to the consumer is one of agriculture’s biggest challenges. Locally, we have the soils, the growers and the technology to produce a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, but it is difficult to enter the complex regional and marketing system.

A local group is working to see if a market for processed vegetables can be developed. Months of work have gone into this effort. Meetings are being held at the Team Santa Rosa Economic Development Council, and include grower representatives, private citizens and agricultural officials.

The effort is headed up by County Commissioner Don Salter. Sandy Wyatt, a local builder is helping to support these efforts. Travis Kelley, of the USDA Farm Services Agency keeps us advised concerning farm programs as they relate to vegetable and fruit production. Extension Agents Mike Donahoe, John Atkins and Dan Mullins provide information about local production and potential crops.

The Florida Department of Agriculture is represented by Mrs. Vickie Miller, who provides information about current state marketing efforts. Several farmers including Bruce Holland and Marty Griswold have attended meetings and provided information.

The University of Florida’s Research and Education Farm in Allentown is cooperating by providing land and expertise for future projects. Dr. Jeff Mullahey, Center Director, and Doug Hatfield, farm manager are involved, as are other employees at the Farm.

The pilot production and marketing of frozen vegetables is our first effort. Two acres of lima beans have been planted at the Research and Education Farm. We estimate that the yield will be approximately 3,000 pounds of shelled beans. They will be mechanically harvested, blanched, packaged and quick frozen. Hom-Ade Foods Inc. of Bagdad, Florida is providing technical assistance with processing.

The final stage will be marketing. We are attempting to learn more about the system of selling processed vegetables. If successful, this could lead to increased farm income in the county.

Stay tuned as we proceed through the growing, harvesting, processing and marketing of the lima bean crop. This project is already proving to be an adventure.

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.

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