Vegetable Industry Allies Sound Off on the Latest Issues
July 18, 2023 American Vegetable Grower makes a point to include opinions of more than growers in its annual State of the Industry survey.
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Here are some of the more intriguing responses from suppliers, academics, and consultants:
What excites you about the vegetable industry?
“We have soil moisture in the West!” — most frequent supplier sentiment
“New varieties.” — most frequent researcher response
Consistent grower admiration:
“It amazes me that we can continue to produce quality vegetables with all the obstacles in the way,” an east coast nursery official says.
“There is not a more dynamic, resilient group of commodity growers in the country. Vegetable growers and the supporting industries are quick to make adjustments to handle any major challenge facing them from year to year. It is definitely the competence of people in this everchanging industry that excites me most about its future prospects,” a University of Georgia professor says.
Researchers relish technology, citing:
- Agriculture 4.0
- CRISPR
- Genetically modified seeds
- Autonomous solutions/mechanization
- Soil, water, and plant tissue analysis
- Protected cultivation
- Agrivoltaics
- Biosolutions
“People are eating healthier; therefore they are increasing their vegetable consumption,” a Florida wholesale importer and exporter says.
“Not only is the food we provide very nutritious, it is just what doctors say we all need to eat more of. So in a real sense, it is just what the doctor ordered!” a sustainable agriculture specialist in Texas says.
New blood:
“We’re seeing more young people and women entering the industry,” a former pumpkin grower says.
“There are individuals still interested in getting into the industry,” a New Jersey researcher says.
“New family growers,” a Michigan researcher adds.
Bucking the status quo:
“Some people are beginning to realize that we should not be dependent on other countries for the basics, such as produce,” a fertilizer supplier employee says.
“Breaking the market control of large-scale farm production and distribution would excite me,” an Idaho supplier of application equipment says.
What trends you are seeing? (this can be designed as a couple of lists)
Supplier Top 5
- Organic growing (“More locally grown, more organic, and more focus on quality.”)
- Rising costs (“Too high of input costs.”)
- Consolidation (“Lots of consolidation.”)
- Labor shortage (“Difficult labor availability and quality.”)
- Soil health (“Lots and lots of new soil enhancement products are being introduced. But do they work?”)
Researcher Top 5
- Locally grown (“Locally grown is increasing. Traceability is increasing.”)
- Organic growing (“Increasing organic production and increasing pressure to decrease use of conventional pesticides.”)
- Rising costs (“Farmers are getting out of the business due to high costs.”)
- Irrigation advances (“There’s better irrigation and water-wise awareness.”)
- Labor shortage (“There’s more emphasis on efficiency because of lack of labor and some down-sizing.”)
Scroll the slideshow above for 10 Quotes to Live By.
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