Offering Alternatives to Tobacco Production:
Grapes, Vegetables and Cut Flowers
Ben BealeExtension Educator
St. Mary’s Co.Maryland
Tobacco in the Last 30 years
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 19982003
Acres Harvested
Lbs (inthousands)
Maryland Tobacco Buyout
• $1 per lb based on average production over a 10 year period.
• Agreement never to raise tobacco again• Requirement to remain in agriculture
production• Does not involve any quota system.• Buyout administered through the Southern
Maryland Agricultural Development Commission
Maryland Tobacco Buyout: Results
• 86% of eligible Maryland producers exited the tobacco industry. This equates to approximately 800 growers.
• Remaining growers have switched to Burley production under contract
• Production of tobacco has stabilized at about 1 million pounds
Introduction to the Presenter
1953
1982
1992
In 1997, the median farm size was 62 acres which generated an average farm gross income of $33,906. In St. Mary’s County, 98% of all farms generated less than $250,000.
Summary:
• In the last 10 years, Southern Maryland has undergone rapid and un-precedented change.
• Local non-farm Environment: Rapid population growth, escalation of land values, influx of new cultures not familiar to farms, expansion of Naval base
• Farm Environment: Rapid change in tobacco industry as result of tobacco buyout, Consolidation in other commodities
Extension’s Role:
– Cooperative Extension is looked to provide opportunities/ alternatives for producers.
– Assist growers with both:• Production• Marketing
– Potential Roles:• Education regarding new crop opportunities• Research on new crop opportunities• Crop budgets and marketing and feasibility plans • Assist growers evaluate new enterprises
Fresh Market Vegetables
A popular choice readily accepted by growers– Marketing and production system
are complex and unforgiving.
Meeting Production Needs
– Expand on existing framework– Held an annual vegetable conference with
area specialist and agents– Twilight Tours to area farms– Developed informational booth with relevant
production manuals and fact sheets.– Distributed production manuals at convenient
locations. Included books as part of registration at vegetable conference.
– Organized tours to various field days
Quality and Consistency: Getting things in the right place!
Tomato Fruit Disorders
Meeting Marketing Needs
• Reinforce the notion that producers must have a home for the product before they grow it.
• Networked with growers and Agricultural Commission to set up Round-Table Talks with area wholesale food companies or distributors.
• Worked with local farmers to develop a wholesale produce marketing auction.
• Developed Enterprise Budgets for local area.
Farming Tour
Grab your boots, get your camera and bring an open mind for this fun and exciting tour of various agricultural operations in the Northern
Neck of Virginia.
Wednesday, August 8, 2001 Tour Bus will leave Leonardtown at 7:30 AM (more pickups along the
way) and will arrive back around 6:00 PM
Free of Charge- Register Now Lunch will be provided
Call the St. Mary’s Extension office at 301-475-4484 to register
Tour Stops Include: Northern Neck Farmers Market H. S. Powell Beef operation Westmoreland Berry Farm Lois’ Produce Farm Ingleside Vineyard and Winery See and experience successful farming operations firsthand. Learn new ideas and make contacts with other farmers in the region. Be sure to register early-these seats wont last! This tour supported through a grant from the Tri County Council Agricultural Development Commission
Equal Opportunity Programs
Where are you selling your produce?
Talk with area wholesalers about opportunities for selling local produce, selling and buying arrangements, and quality standards. Learn about the wholesale industry and whether it will be a good fit for your operation.
May 3, 2001 11 AM
Laurel, Maryland Transportation Available
Seating Limited- Call to reserve a space Ben Beale 301 475 4484
Equal Opportunity Programs
Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland Working together to Build
One of Americas Great Communities
Loveville Produce Auction
•60 growers, many new to vegetable farming•600 buyers•2nd year sales over $1 million
SELLER RULES 1. A permanent grower’s number is required.
2. Seller must fill out consignment forms, listing
seller number, name, address and type of items and quantity to be sold.
3. Seller will tag individual lots with tags provided by Loveville Produce Auction stating the seller number, item and quantity.
4. Unloading of produce is responsibility of GROWER/SELLER.
5. Payment period runs from Monday to Friday
with checks available at the auction on the following Wednesday.
6. Any misrepresentation of produce will be
cause for adjustment. 7. Selling of produce on grounds by the auction
ONLY! 8. Produce of inferior quality may be rejected by
the Loveville Produce Auction. 9. Standard uniform boxing required. 10. Out of Tri-County area consignors with
permission only. 11. Produce raised in Tri-County area will be sold
first. 12. 10% commission charged on all sales. 13. Sellers may not bid or declare “no sale” on
their own produce. 14. By requesting GROWER/SELLER number,
SELLER agrees to these terms and conditions.
We are located at 40454 Bishop Road Loveville, Maryland
Busy Corner Road
Bishop Road
Point Lookout RoadRoute 5
Lov
evil
leR
oad
Ro
ute
247
To
Rou
te 2
35
Loveville Produce Auction
Parsons Mill Road
Driving Directions from the North: Take Maryland Route 5 South to St. Mary’s County. At the Route 5/235 split, bear right to continue on Route 5 for approximately 5 miles. Turn left onto Loveville Road/Route 247. Travel approximately 0.8 miles and turn right onto Bishop Road. The Loveville Produce Auction is approximately 0.1 mile on your left.
LOVEVILLE
PRODUCE AUCTION
Fresh Produce Picked Daily
Located at 40454 Bishop Road Loveville, Maryland
Mailing address: Loveville Produce Auction
24025 Brubacher Lane Leonardtown, MD 20650
APRIL 2005
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
MAY 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
JUNE 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
JULY 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
AUGUST 2005
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
SEPTEMBER 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
OCTOBER 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Auction sales scheduled to begin Mondays at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.
Buyers and Sellers should be registered before sale time.
BUYER RULES
1. Cash or pre-approved checks only. 2. BUYER is to pay in FULL on day of auction. 3. A buyer’s number must be obtained before
bidding. Regular buyers will be given a permanent number.
4. Inspection of produce prior to purchase is
responsibility of BUYER. 5. BUYER is responsible for produce after
purchase. 6. BUYER agrees that Loveville Produce Auction
serves as an agent of the seller only and is not responsible for accident, injury, or inferior products.
7. NO SALE OR RESALE OF PRODUCE ON
GROUNDS, EXCEPT THROUGH THE AUCTION.
8. Any adjustments for produce rejected must be
transacted prior to produce leaving Loveville Produce Auction.
9. ALL produce will be sold in the quantity stated
on the tag of that lot. We do not split lots. 10. By requesting BUYER number, BUYER
agrees to these terms and conditions.
Loveville Produce Auction Fresh Produce Picked Daily
Over 40 growers representing 125+ acres
Located at 40454 Bishop Road Loveville, Maryland
Mailing address: Loveville Produce Auction
24025 Brubacher Lane Leonardtown, MD 20650
Many other specialty items too numerous to mention.
Auction sales scheduled to begin
Mondays at 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.
April 22&29 Bedding Plant Sales
May2-Oct. 31 Regular Sale Schedule
Product
Apr
il
May
June
July
Aug
ust
Sept
embe
r
Oct
ober
Bedding Plants Peppers Beans
Broccoli Cabbage
Cauliflower Cantaloupes Cucumbers Cut Flowers
Eggplant Hanging Baskets
Kale/Turnips Pumpkins/Gourds
Sweet corn Tomatoes
Watermelons Summer Squash
Cut Flowers
Meeting Production Needs
• New crop for the area with many unknown production variables
• Set up grower trials for varieties in specific areas.
• Simplify pesticide recommendations and provide information on crop use and labeling requirements
• Network growers with other areas,• Conducted cut flower conferences and twilight
tours
Meeting Marketing Needs
• Establishing market contacts in this business is critical. Do not recommend growers start until markets are identified.
• Network growers with potential buyers. Arrange for tours of facilities and company operations
• Provide growers with information on new varieties on the market
Wine Grape
Production
Why Grapes?
• Small acreage requirement– Up to 5 acres: Part-time venture– 5-10 acres: Part-time plus seasonal hired help– 10-15 acre: full time potential
• High Dollar return per acre– $3000-$7000 per acre gross returns
• Labor demands are spread throughout the year– Harvesting requires additional help– Dormant Pruning in winter time, training and spraying in spring –
summer,
• Soil and climate seem suitable• Low water reguirement
Production Needs
• Established a research and demonstration vineyard at Experiment station
The vineyard was comprised of 27 varieties.
A volunteer vineyard team was formed to aid the care and management of the vineyard.
The research vineyard also served as an excellent teaching and outreach tool as volunteers became involved in viticultural practices in the vineyard.
Production Needs
– Twilight Tours on three occasions to 168 growers– 1 day Beginning Grape Growers Workshop for 85
producers– Farm Walking Tour on 5 occasions to 120 producers– Area vineyard tour for policy makers on 2 occasions
to 49 attendees– Field visits and individual on-site consultations on 150
occasions– Presentations at regional conferences at 7
conferences to 300 producers
April 16, 2001
May, 2001
Matching Vine Grant Program
A joint collaboration was formed with the Southern Maryland Agricultural Commission to offer a matching grant program for purchase of vines.
Extension developed a set of criterion for evaluation of each applicant, evaluated each applicant, conducted site visits, organized the vine order and provided the educational training component.
Wine Cooperative
• The program helped to initiate and continues to support a regional Southern Maryland Grape Growers and Winery Association.
• This association works to promote the grape and wine industry in the region and serves as a networking and teaching opportunity
Why Grapes?—It’s the market!
• Market availability is the critical factor for successful wine grape production.
• Market demand for local grapes exceeds supply. Linked to law requiring wine labeled as Maryland wine to have percentage of Maryland grapes.
Why Grapes?—It’s the market!
• Grapes have political connections– Vineyards attract people who like to spend money
making them attractive agritourism sites– Vineyards and wine go together.
– Wine is a constant proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin
– Wine is bottled poetry. - Robert Louis Stevenson
So get ready, hold on and enjoy the ride. The trying is half the fun.
And after all the hard work, you get to reap the benefit of your efforts!
The End
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