Vegetable marketing ideas, details seeded

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Extension Agent John Turner told Four States Ag Expo goers that vegetable production is a $20 billion industry. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

February 27, 2003 -- With February here and March not far behind, many people are thinking about planting their spring vegetable garden. If the season provides an abundance of vegetables, what options does the grower have?

Miller County (Arkansas) Extension Agent John Turner told producers at the recent Four States Agricultural Expo in Texarkana, "sell. The vegetable industry makes $20 billion each year. It is a perishable commodity, and has new opportunities every day."

There are different areas to market your vegetables: farmers market, direct sales, grocery sales, distribution centers, speciality markets, web, mail order and catalog.

Turner stressed using the accessible farmers markets in the area "You gotta make it sell. Find a niche. Go to the farmers market. People love fresh vegetables. "

"The farmers markets in East Texas are good areas to market your vegetables economically," said Dr. Greg Clary, Extension economist at Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, Overton. "There may be a flat fee for a space but it is not usually that expensive. There are usually good quality products and a variety of products at a farmers market. You also are supporting your local community."

Clary also said if a producer is going to have a road-side stand, "You better have a good location.

"That's another good thing about a farmers market. It (the farmers market) will promote itself, and the farmer won't have the expense of promotion. " Clary added.

But before there is an opportunity to sell vegetables, they have to be grown. Turner said good site selection is required for producer's vegetables.

"Choose a good soil type. Perform a soil test (a soil test kit can be picked up at any Extension office or your local feed store) and know the soil fertility," he cited. "There needs to be slope and internal soil drainage. Also, there has to be enough hours of sunlight for the vegetables to grow."

The top 10 selling vegetables, according to the Extension experts, are: 1) tomatoes, 2) peppers, 3) okra, 4) greens, 5) squash, 6) sweet corn, 7) green beans, 8) southern peas, 9) melons and 10) pumpkins.

"Market tomatoes are a $6 billion industry every year," Turner added. "Tomatoes common problems are early blight, tomato fruit worm, and the tomato spotted wilt virus."

Turner suggested using a drip irrigation to water vegetables, which will help prevent foliar diseases.

"Put water where the roots are but don't over water. Tomatoes like water but not wet feet," Turner concluded.

For growers who want more information about growing and marketing vegetables, contact the local Extension office in your county.