As more traditional crops are being challenged by pests and diseases, increasing costs, and foreign competition, growers are looking for alternatives to diversity their operations, reduce down time and to make more efficient use of their land. Growers are also looking for alternative crops to diversify and find new markets.
To assist north Florida farmers with this effort, FAMU’s Cooperative Extension Program, in the College Food and Agricultural Sciences, recently held a public workshop at the FAMU Farm in Quincy, FL to expose landowners, farm operators, and other interested parties to the latest information about adding new crops to their production mix.
To assist north Florida farmers with this effort, FAMU’s Cooperative Extension Program, in the College Food and Agricultural Sciences, recently held a public workshop at the FAMU Farm in Quincy, FL to expose landowners, farm operators, and other interested parties to the latest information about adding new crops to their production mix.
FAMU extension agents shared their expertise with local farmers to take some of the guess work out of what alternative crops might work in this area, and what crops might not. FAMU's extension and outreach efforts are a part of the university's mission as one of Florida's two land-grant universities.
FAMU agents discussed alternative crop production systems such as organic production, opportunities for producing a biofuel crop, low-cost high tunnel production of strawberries, and alternative fruit production.
With the growing popularity of craft beer, microbreweries in Florida, locally grown hops is another new crop famers should consider. Artichokes, and pomegranates are just a few of the other crops local farmers might need to look at. Pomegranates have several market advantages. They have grown in popularity due to their health benefits. And, there is very little production of the fruit in the Southeast.