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The
popularity of the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" campaign and Ala-bama’s
farmers market nutrition programs has increased demand for locally grown
produce and created new opportunities for the state’s farmers,
according to the state Farmers Market Authority (FMA).
"In
1999, we had 17 farmers markets in Alabama; today there are 95,"
said FMA Director Don Wambles. "This has created a great
opportunity for farmers, whether they are part-time farmers or run a
cattle or poultry operation looking to diversify."
But
Wambles said the popularity of these programs and a renewed interest by
consumers to "buy local," has created a shortage of produce at
some markets. "About 25 percent of our farmers markets are in
serious need of more producers," he said. "Demand is so high
that, in some places, farmers are selling out in one or two hours, and
customers who arrive later in the day are being turned away." Brian
Hardin, director of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Horticulture
Division, said the development of new markets and a new customer base is
a good thing for Alabama agriculture.
"A
lot of times, we see the need for new markets to accommodate the
production we have," Hardin said. "Now, we are in the
situation where it is reversed. Our markets are outpacing our produce
supply, and that is a positive for Alabama farmers looking to
diversify."
Farmers
don’t have to make a huge investment to tap into these thriving
markets. In fact, Wambles said a one-acre, irrigated vegetable plot is
enough for most farmers to get started in the produce business.
"Vegetables
are a high-priced crop, and there’s a lot of money that can be made on
an acre of vegetables," Wambles added. "That’s because you
can get two, sometimes three, crops off one acre during the course of
the growing season with vegetables."
Wambles
estimates it would take about $750 to put in an acre of drip irrigation
with plastic mulch, plus another $300-$400 for seed and fertilizer –
if the farmer already has the land and small tillage equipment. With
that kind of an investment a farmer might expect to make as much as
$2,500 on an acre of vegetables, if he markets what he grows.
Irrigation,
however, is a must if you are going to successfully grow produce in
Alabama, Wambles said.
"I
would encourage someone getting into the produce business to look very
seriously at drip irrigation and possibly plasticulture," he said.
"We’ve got to take rainfall out of the equation. Dry weather
cannot be a limiting factor in fruit and vegetable production."
Wambles
added that fruit and vegetable growers can double or triple their
customer base by attending two or three different farmers markets within
about an hour of their farms each week.
For
more information about production practices, contact Hardin at
1-800-392-5705, ext. 4217 or BHardin@AlfaFarmers.org
or your local Extension agent.
For
marketing information, contact Wambles at 1-877-774-9519 or don.wambles@fma.alabama.
gov. A list of
farmers markets and online certification for the farmers market
nutrition programs is available at www.fma.alabama.gov. |
