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1. Alternative Agriculture- What
Is It?
By Jim Peterson, UNL Extension Educator
Alternative Agriculture has a variety of meanings depending
upon who you are and what you do. To the farmer, it might
mean the growing of popcorn rather than the traditional
hybrid corn crops. To the acreage owner, it might mean
the growing of pasture or range fed poultry, growing shrubs
for the floral industry, or growing grapes for a rapidly
expanding wine industry here in Nebraska. Alternative
Agriculture can be defined as the growing, and/or marketing,
of crops or livestock outside of the traditional commodities.
These commodities include such crops as soybeans and corn,
and such livestock as beef and swine. Alternative Agriculture
may, however, include the unusual marketing of meat animals
such as beef and pork through direct marketing.
Alternative Agriculture has many different focus areas.
This can range from direct marketing products to the consumer,
to agri-tourism or the use of the product or farm for
entertainment purposes, to the growing of unusual and
different crops or livestock, to fee hunting, to the sale
of shrubs and trees for floral purposes.
Direct marketing products to consumers is often a common
thread among alternative production. Rather than taking
the product to the local elevator where it is sold, the
products produced are often, but not always, sold directly
to those who are making use of them. This could range
from selling range fed poultry, beef, or pork directly
to the consumer to the sale of grapes directly to the
winery for the making of wine. It is a challenge, particularly
for farmers used to selling products to the elevator,
as many are not comfortable working with the public to
sell their product.
Agri-tourism is also a segment of Alternative Agriculture
Production. Here, a farmer or acreage owner will open
up his or her farm for tourism. Pumpkin farms, corn mazes,
haunted houses, farm bed and breakfasts, fee hunting as
well as others fit into this category. It can be a very
profitable enterprise, but the individuals doing it must
have the proper temperament to handle the general public.
The production of buffalo, emu, ostriches, buckwheat,
amaranth, sunflowers, popcorn as well as other crops and
livestock fit into the segment on alternative crops and
livestock. In beginning such enterprises, the individual
must be fairly sure about the marketing of these products.
As an example, the sale of breeding animals can be very
profitable, particularly if you are at the beginning of
the pyramid, but can be very unprofitable if you are at
the end of the pyramid. Be sure that there is an end product
that can be sold before venturing into any alternative
agriculture enterprise.
Selling many shrubs for the floral industry has two purposes.
First of all raising the shrubs in areas that most crops
cannot be grown increases the conservation of the land.
Second, it can be very profitable. Some shrubs that can
be sold include dogwood, corkscrew willow and others.
Acreage owners can make use of alternative agriculture
enterprises to better utilize the potential for their
land by increasing the profits and by conserving and improving
the land for future generations. Prior to beginning their
enterprise, they need to spend some time researching it
out, particularly the marketing of the product. However,
it can be done.
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2. Community Supported Agriculture
By Jim Peterson, UNL Extension Educator
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a very interesting
form of direct marketing of vegetables and animal products.
Started in Europe and very common on both coasts of the
United States, it is not common in the Midwest. In Nebraska
today there are two or three farms that engage in this
form of alternative agriculture.
Basically, the focus of a CSA is to sell shares to the
urban audience in the winter and spring of the year. In
return, the farmer agrees to pay shareholders with vegetables,
meat or both each week during the growing season. This
is generally a grocery bag or some equivalent that is
filled to be given to the shareholder. Depending upon
the particular CSA, the shareholder can come out to pick
up their bag each week or the farmer can take the bags
to a predetermined location in the urban area to be picked
up.
In this type of agriculture, the shareholders and the
farmers share the risks commonly found on the farm. If,
for example, the carrot crop dries out, the shareholders
are not going to have carrots. If the spinach crop is
good, the shareholders risk having more spinach in their
bags than they may want. It provides a wonderful education
to the urban population on the risks involved in agriculture.
Many CSA's have festivals, picnics, and other types of
entertainment where the shareholders are brought out to
the farm to look at their produce and how well it is doing.
In many cases, the farmer provides recipes to their shareholders
telling them how to prepare many of their products. Generally
CSA's look at organic or sustainable methods of production.
Many of their shareholders are particularly interested
in utilizing an organically grown product.
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3. Direct Marketing Of Alternative
Agriculture Products
By Jim Peterson, UNL Extension Educator
Besides Community Supported Agriculture, there are a number
of other methods of marketing products directly to the
consumer. These include, but are not limited to, such
methods as farmer's markets, pick-your-own farms, farm
stands, entertainment farming or agri-tourism, cooperatives,
restaurant sales, mail order or Internet, and the direct
marketing of meat.
Farmers Markets are found in many communities in Nebraska.
They may meet once or twice a week, often on a Saturday
morning. Farmers Markets are a benefit to both the producer
as well as the buyer as it provides a medium to sell wholesome
products grown locally to interested consumers. Besides
the products that are sold, Farmers Markets provide consumers
and venders an opportunity to meet, talk, and have some
fun.
Products for sale at a Farmer's Market include vegetables
and fruits grown locally by producers. However, vendors
can also sell a variety of other products including bread,
fruit pies, decorative gourds, scare crows, handmade decorations,
as well as many other products.
Most Farmer's Markets do have a requirement that products
sold be locally grown or made. The Nebraska Department
of Agriculture also has rules regarding how products are
labeled, as well as waiting periods for any pesticides
that are applied to the fruits or vegetables. Be aware
of those requirements before bringing products to the
market. Visit the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture Foods website with rules
and regulations for Farmers Markets. This site also has
the telephone and address in case someone has a specific
question not addressed on the website.
Pick-your-own farms were very popular a few years ago,
but have since seemed to decline in popularity. For a
reduced price, the producer would allow consumers to come
in and pick their product right out of the field. Some
of the more popular products in pick-your-own operations
include strawberries, raspberries, apples, peaches, along
with other fruits and vegetables.
Pick-your-own enterprises are a lot of fun and saves money
for the consumer. They also can save a lot of time for
the producer. The downside is that the producer does need
to maintain current liability insurance for the farm or
acreage, must be able to respond well to supervising customers
and having a good farm-side manner. If this type of venture
is successful, the acreage or farm will have customers
at all times of the day during the growing season.
Farm stands are another method of direct marketing. They
may or may not be located on your acreage or farm. Farm
stands should always feature a high-demand product such
as fresh-picked sweet corn along with the other vegetables
being grown. It is also important that the stand be located
near a busy road where customers can be found.
With a farm stand, it is important that the producer be
aware of all the regulations governing food products.
This can be obtained from the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture Foods website. There are
many sites on the Internet where further information can
be obtained about farmers markets. The USDA/
Agricultural Marketing Services has another good website
for Farmer's Market growers.
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4. Opportunities In Alternative
Agriculture In And Around The Omaha Metropolitan Area
By Jim Peterson, UNL Extension Educator
What is the potential for alternative agriculture enterprises
in and around metropolitan areas? This was the focus of
a survey of potential consumers and producers by Mindi
Schneider, a graduate student under Dr. Chuck Francis
with the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the
University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Mindi's focus is on
Washington County, Nebraska, located just north of Omaha.
Washington County is feeling the effects of urbanization
from Omaha. Although the study is not yet complete, preliminary
results are very interesting.
Looking at consumers first, 207 people, or 37% of those
polled, responded to the survey. Sixty-four percent were
not native to Washington County. Forty-two percent lived
within the city limits of Blair, Kennard, Herman, Arlington,
or Fort Calhoun; 25% lived on farms, with an additional
33% living on acreages in the county. Sixty-three percent
returning the survey reported having a farmer in their
family.
One of the questions in the survey was, "Which of the
following locally grown or produced foods has someone
in your household purchased? If an item has not been purchased,
if available locally, would you purchase this item?" Ninety-eight
percent of those returning the survey reported that they
have (63%), or would (35%), purchase any locally grown
foods if available. In many cases, the results depended
upon the availability of the item being purchased. For
example, only 30% reported that they had purchased pork
locally, but an additional 62% indicated that, if available,
they would purchase pork locally.
What would the consumers be willing to pay for these locally
grown products? Fifty-eight percent indicated that they
would be willing to pay typical prices for such items.
Another 36% indicated that they would pay up to 10% above
typical prices. Two percent indicated that they would
be willing to pay more than 10% above typical prices.
Thus 96% of those responding would pay similar or higher
prices for locally grown produce.
A much different view point surfaced with the farmers
that were surveyed. In this case, the data is based on
returns of 158, or 33%, of the farmers surveyed.
One of the questions on the survey asked "How interested
would you be in using the following local markets for
your crops and/or farm products?" Overwhelmingly, the
farmers discounted the idea of selling their products
locally. For example, 66% indicated that they were not
interested in selling produce at farmer's markets, 48%
were not interested in direct sales to consumers, and
69% of those surveyed were not interested in direct sales
to local grocery stores.
This is understandable, as most farmers who sell corn
and soybeans would find it difficult to sell it directly
to consumers. However, it does open up an avenue for acreage
owners and small farmers to develop markets in alternative
agriculture for local consumption. It seems the market
is there but the producers are not.
Although the focus of this survey was on Washington County,
it would most likely apply to most counties surrounding
the metropolitan areas of Omaha and Lincoln. It is certainly
an interesting survey.
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5. Agroforestry As An Alternative
Agriculture Enterprise
By Jim Peterson, UNL Extension Educator
The growing of shrubs for sale in the floral industry
is one of the alternative agriculture enterprises that
is particularly well suited for the acreage owner. Shrubs
such as corkscrew willow, dogwood and others can be grown
for cuttings to be sold either directly to florists or
to wholesale outlets supplying the floral industry. Currently,
florists depend upon materials coming from both coasts
to provide for their needs. These types of materials,
however, can be grown quite successfully here in Nebraska.
Locally grown materials are greatly preferred by Nebraska
florists because they are much fresher and easier to work
with.
In general, these shrubs are harvested every two years
in late fall after the leaves have dropped. They have
the luxury of regrowing from the roots and so can be harvested
several times from a single planting.
In addition, these shrubs serve in a dual purpose. For
the acreage owner that has a stream going through his
or her property, these shrubs can be a part of the riparian
buffer strips serving to reduce erosion on that stream,
protecting the water quality.
Further information regarding agroforestry opportunities
can be obtained by contacting Scott
Josiah, a forester with the Nebraska Forest Service.
His telephone number is (402) 472-6511. Scott has conducted
research work on the cost effectiveness and the cultural
aspects of growing these shrubs. He is very knowledgeable
about this enterprise.
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6. Information About Alternative
Agriculture Enterprises
By Jim Peterson, UNL Extension Educator
Where can I find information about an Alternative Agriculture
enterprise including profitability, how to grow or raise
the products, as well as other information? One of the
best sources of information is the Internet. If you have
a certain enterprise that you have an interest in, make
a search for that enterprise on the Internet. You may
be surprised at all the information that is available
on that particular topic. Visit the Acreage
& Small Farm Insights- Specialties webpage.
The Internet can be used extensively to examine the concept
of Alternative Agriculture. There are links with the United
States Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska
State Department of Agriculture, along with many others,
that work just with Alternative Agriculture.
Other areas that you might contact would be the Nebraska
Sustainable Agriculture Society and the Center for Rural
Affairs located here in Nebraska. The Nebraska
Sustainable Agriculture Society does look at a variety
of alternative agriculture programs for small farmers
and producers who are interested in sustainable concepts.
The Center for Rural Affairs
provides information on a wide variety of enterprises
more so for the small farmer, but it can be used by acreage
owners also.
Cooperative Extension of the University of Nebraska has
a wide variety of information that can also be used by
acreage owners looking at alternative agriculture. Although
just beginning to look at alternative agriculture, there
are many publications that will assist producers with
their enterprises. Stop in or call your local Cooperative
Extension Office for this information. University
of Nebraska Cooperative Extension publications can
be found on the Internet.
For more information on alternative agriculture enterprises
visit:
Alternative Farming
Systems Information Center
Sustainable Agriculture
Network
USDA
List of Alternative Crops and Enterprises for Small Farm
Diversification
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8. Winter Care Of Strawberry
Plantings
By Sarah Browning, UNL Extension Educator
Ground plantings. Strawberry plantings must be
mulched for winter protection to produce consistently
in Nebraska. Mulching prevents or reduces winter damage
to the strawberry crown and flower buds. Most unprotected
strawberry cultivars are injured at temperatures of 15°F.
Plant vigor, moisture conservation, weed control and improved
fruit quality are benefits from mulching that continues
through the summer.
Apply loose mulch to a depth of four inches in late November
or early December after the soil has frozen to a depth
of 1/2 inch, or the daytime temperature has dropped consistently
to the 20s. Do not apply the mulch too early in the fall
as it can delay hardening off, making plants more susceptible
to winter injury, and increasing crown rot. Suitable mulches
include newspapers, coarse sawdust, straw, hay or any
loose mulch that will not compact heavily.
Remove the mulch in the spring after new growth begins
to appear. While one can delay blooming by maintaining
the mulch layer, waiting too long for removal will reduce
yield.
Row covers are an effective alternative to mulch. Unlike
straw mulches, light penetrates the row cover material,
increasing the number of blossoms formed by the strawberry
plants, and consequently, increasing overall yield. One
disadvantage to floating row covers is that they accelerate
flower development, so be prepared to protect blossoms
from late spring frosts.
As early spring flowers begin to bloom, remove the row
covers or mulch to allow for pollination, but recover
the plants at night when frost is predicted. Be sure to
remove only enough mulch to expose the leaves. Place this
excess mulch in the walkways between the plant rows. Partial
removal of the mulch allows for plant development but
delays blooming by keeping the soil cooler and slowing
plant growth.
Container plantings. Because plants growing in
a pyramid, barrel or strawberry pot are elevated above
ground level, and therefore are highly exposed to cold
winter temperatures, additional winter damage can be expected
to roots, crowns, and fruit buds. Consequently, care must
be taken to provide adequate winter protection.
- Pyramids should be mulched with 6-8 inches of straw
after the soil is frozen.
- Ideally, strawberry barrels should be moved to an
unheated garage for the winter. If the barrel cannot
be moved, protect plants with a burlap covering. For
especially cold winters, enclose straw in the burlap
for added insulation. However, even with careful mulching,
some plant jury can be expected during severe winters.
- Strawberry pots should be moved to an unheated garage
for the winter.
Providing adequate winter protection for your strawberry
planting is an important step that will aid in better
fruit production the following year.
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