Small Farm Conference and Rural Living Expo covers Vegetables and Crop Production

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

May 8, 2003 -- Vegetable and crop production on small properties was one of the many topics discussed at the North Zulch Small Farm Conference and Rural Living Expo, which took place April 26 in North Zulch.

Dr. Frank Dainello, professor and Extension horticulturist with Texas A&M University, discussed the importance of having a market when growing vegetable and crop products. Milton Woods, a vegetable and crop grower, talked about the hard work and dedication a person must have if they want to grow and market produce.

"In order to be successful in selling produce, you must make the product you're selling match the amount of money you want to make," Dainello began. "I have seen small growers only grow a certain crop that they like. The problem is if a person wants to buy the crop you're producing."

He gave four basic factors that a farmer must think of if he or she wants to produce a successful crop. These factors are irrigation potential, adequate soil type, desirable environment, and adequate labor supply. He also stated that the rule of thumb is that one must have one inch of good quality water per week.

"Vegetables like sandy type soil, so it's better to have lighter soil on your land.

"A fifth factor that most of you will overlook is the market you are in. This is a main pitfall that some of you will fall in, causing you a lot of problems. Before you plant that seed, you must find your main market and create a market plan."

He explained that with the marketing plan, a farmer must know what to do with their product. They must have the acreage to produce the product and the product must be available to them.

"You must understand that you will lose some of your crop going into this industry," he added.

"My family and I are small farm producers," Woods explained. "We are extremely strong in such commodities as rice, corn, cotton, maize, and cattle.

"Before we got started, though, we were the joke of Waller County. Nobody thought we would be successful, but we have since proved them wrong."

Woods stated that the first year was a lot of work and he cautioned others that if they don't want to work hard, then they don't want to get into the farming industry.

"Our crops and livestock were successful in the second year due to the way we grew and sold our watermelon, okra, and leaf lettuce crops. We found our market."

He said that when he deals with markets, he stays away from farmer's markets and concentrates on cooperative markets.

"Our wholesale is retail. We can sell our produce and make good money off of it."