Specialty crop protection highlighted in new project

The University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA) is in the midst of a multi-year project that helps Tennesseans make informed decisions on the production and marketing of specialty crops, according to a release.

The project — ″Chronicling Tennessee’s Specialty Crop Landscape″ — focuses on Tennessee producers that grow and market at least one of six specialty crops: cut flowers, persimmons, blueberries, elderberries, garlic and microgreens. As producers look to diversify their operations and streams of income, specialty crops have become an increasingly important segment of Tennessee’s agricultural production. The state’s climate and topography promote a variety of production conditions.

Rob Holland, director of the CPA, joined forces with a team of UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) Extension specialists to conduct the study on the six specialty crops. Researchers surveyed Tennessean growers and UT Extension specialists, generating a list of 50 specialty crops. The study’s collaborators then narrowed the list to six crops that would represent the whole of specialty crop production in Tennessee.

″Earlier this month, UTIA researchers and Extension specialists contributed to an annual report to the governor detailing the contribution that the agricultural and natural resources industry makes to the state’s economy: approximately $4.4 billion in cash receipts. Specialty crops make up a growing segment of that economy,″ explained Carrie Castille, UTIA senior vice chancellor and senior vice president.

After determining the six crops that would be the focus of the study, the team interviewed Tennessee growers. The information gathered, which includes a variety of crop profiles that emphasize lessons learned from each grower, was then utilized to form education and outreach for producers across Tennessee.

Karen Hightower of K&K Farms in Greene County is featured in the first profile. Hightower grows cut flowers and sells flowers and vegetables at K&K Farms, as well as the local farmers market. Her profile will be used in a multitude of upcoming educational workshops.

″I don’t think I would sell all my flowers if I didn’t have vegetables,″ said Hightower in the profile.

Her insight highlights the significance of marketing, a component the team found to be a key to success for all six crops.

″Some common marketing themes that emerged across crops are the use of social media and word-of-mouth promotions, growing and providing what consumers want and making purchases convenient for buyers,″ explained Holland.

The project’s educational outreach will kick off this month, with cut flower workshops featuring CPA experts held in Lebanon, Jackson and Maryville. The workshops will also feature panel discussions with local farmers.

″Farmers learn from other farmers,″ continued Holland. ″This project shares specialty crop experiences, successes and challenges that are local.″

Future workshops and publications will include lessons gleaned from the project on blueberries, elderberries, garlic, microgreens and persimmons. The project was funded in part by the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant and in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.