Ag Opportunities Volume 20, Number 11 November 2009 Introducing New Vegetables to Urban Consumers Local researchers and farmers are trialing specialty vegetables for niche markets. By Ted Carey Vegetable Extension Specialist, K-State Research and Extension There seems to be a trend toward greater diversity in the American diet. Just watch the Food Channel, look in the produce section of most any grocery store, visit a farmers market, flip through a seed catalog, or visit an urban farm and you’ll almost certainly find vegetables that you wouldn’t have seen ten years ago. Often these new vegetables first appear in response to demand by immigrants yearning for a taste of their own foods. With time these foods may become popular among the general population, presenting vegetable growers with opportunities to satisfy new markets. Over the last couple of seasons, in partnership with KCCUA, urban farmer Sam Davis and others, we’ve been exploring the potential for growing and selling a couple of little-known vegetable crops: sweet potato greens and moqua (hairy melon). We chose these crops through a participatory process which considered the potential of various crops to appeal to mainstream markets and to be productive in our Midwestern climate. Sweet potato greens are a widely consumed vegetable in some parts of the world--Southeast Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa in particular--but completely unknown or rejected as a vegetable in others. Because I have an ongoing sweet potato variety evaluation and selection program, it seemed an easy next step to evaluate vines for leafy green production and suitability for use as a leafy green vegetable. Moqua (Benincasa hispida) is a cucurbit that tastes a bit like a cucumber, can be eaten raw or cooked, and that, unlike a cucumber, retains its texture when cooked. To some it may look a bit strange but we thought that its culinary quality could win over new consumers. I should mention that both sweet potato greens and moqua are regularly sold at relatively low prices in Kansas City's Asian grocery stores where they arrive from distant places. Still we thought there might be a broader market for these crops, with some consumers willing to pay a premium for local, fresh and organic selections. To start our sweet potato evaluation, we asked a couple of experts, Grace Kipp--a local Taiwanese chef--and Lile Merrill--originally from Tonga--to help us select a few varieties to evaluate. Not surprisingly they looked for tender, smooth (not hairy) shoot tips and leaves. Though it wasn’t the best looking, we included the widely grown commercial variety, Beauregard, because it is readily available to local growers and gardeners. We also picked up a bag of the commercially available sweet potato greens, smooth and bright green, at an Asian grocery store and multiplied them for inclusion in our trials. We distributed sets of varieties to each of our partners and also grew them ourselves. We grew them in raised beds, planted quite densely in order to have a thick canopy of shoot tips to harvest. Some of our partners regularly harvested and sold sweet potato vines at market, providing their customers with advice on preparation. And we made up a recipe and an evaluation sheet which we gave out along with free samples to visitors at our research and extension center and to customers of our student farm. During the growing season, we evaluated the production of the sweet potato varieties in our plots, observing large differences between them with respect to leafy green production based on growth habit and vigor. We took a similar approach with moqua, assembling all the varieties that we could find for evaluation including cultivars from Kitazawa Seed Co., Evergreen Y.H. Enterprises, and Johnny’s Selected Seeds. We grew transplants and gave them to our partners with the recommendation that they trellis these vining crops. Our vines grew quickly, and we have had a heavy harvest of these hairy gourds with notable differences among varieties. As with sweet potato greens, we developed recipes and an evaluation sheet to give out with free samples to assist in the promotion of this vegetable and to ask for feedback. As a culmination of efforts for the season, we organized a sweet potato and moqua-themed tasting party where we invited people to bring dishes featuring these crops, and where we had a controlled (more or less) taste test of all eleven sweet potato varieties, cooked two ways: (1) blanched and (2) lightly fried with a bit of olive oil, garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. The samples were number-coded and tasters evaluated each variety, and had access to saltines and water to cleanse their palates between samples. At the end of the exercise, we revealed the names of the varieties and discussed them using a flip chart. Tasters could distinguish among the varieties, clearly liking the variety from the grocery store, another variety called Diane, and also liking the leaves of a purple fleshed selection from our breeding program. Coincidentally, the favored varieties are also a great producer of vines, prolifically producing many shoots for a continuous harvest. Beauregard, however, may not be a good choice for producers of sweet potato greens as it did not stand out in the taste test and was not a prolific vine producer either. We did not do a controlled taste test of moqua, but many consumers were pleased and excited to try this new vegetable. The trials and initial customer feedback make us optimistic about the market potential of these vegetables among new customers. We will continue efforts to popularize sweet potato greens and moqua by working with growers as well as with chefs seeking to include them on their menus. Reach Ted at tcarey@ksu.edu ************************************************************************** Ag Opportunities Volume 20, Number 11 November 2009 Cut Flower Workshop Thursday, November 12, 2009-10-05 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station, Mountain Grove, MO One day workshop designed for individuals interested in cut flower production and marketing with an emphasis on commercial enterprises. This workshop is brought to you by the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station, Missouri State University. Tentative presentations (order may differ from the actual schedule) Introduction to Cut Flower Production - Dr. Alan Stevens Dr. Alan Stevens is the Director of the K-State Horticulture Research Center in Olathe and leads the Extension Horticulture program for the State of Kansas. He literally wrote the book on cut flower production (as well as several KSU extension publications). Flower Farm on Wye Mountain - Beth Eggers Beth Eggers is the owner and farmer who manages the Flower Farm on Wye Mountain along with her husband, Butch, and her daughters Chloe and Collin. She hires 2 - 3 additional people to harvest. Beth grows approximately 60 varieties of cut flowers and greenery on 3 producing acres. Flower Farm on Wye Mountain has been in operation for 12 years. The farm has 18 total acres. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries have been planted this year. She sells flowers at the River Market in Little Rock, Arkansas. Two Vegetable Farmers’ First Look at Flowers - Clint Elmore and Rusty Lee Clint Elmore is a Missouri State Agriculture student who just completed a student internship at Lee Farms in Truxton Missouri evaluating cut flowers. Rusty Lee is the owner/operator of Lee Farms, a vegetable production operation. Clint and Rusty will discuss the cut flower project at Lee Farms. Marketing Your Cut Flowers - Andy Read Andy Read is the Horticulture Specialist for University of Missouri Extension. He has an undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University and a Masters from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He has been involved in horticulture for over 10 years and went into business growing and selling cut flowers before he accepted his current position. End of Day - Speaker panel ************************************************************************** Ag Opportunities Volume 20, Number 11 November 2009 Grants and Assistance Beginning Farmer Program The purpose of the Beginning Farmer Program is to help beginning farmers and the part-time farmers who now want to farm full-time. The program provides loans for the purchase of agricultural land, farm buildings, new and used farm equipment, livestock and working capital. Eligibility * Borrower must be a permanent Missouri resident and at least 18 years of age. * The proposed project is located in Missouri. * Borrower has adequate working capital and experience in the type of farming operation for which the loan is sought. * The project shall be used only for farming by the borrower or by the borrower's immediate family. * In previous five years, the applicant has not owned acreage in excess of 50% of the average size farm in the county they are farming in or own farmland with an appraised value over $450,000. * Projected farm income (not including spouse's income) must be greater than non-farm income. For more information on this loan go to http://www.treasurer.mo.gov/LDBeginningFarmer.asp SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants The NCR-SARE program of the USDA has allocated about $400,000 for the 2009 Farmer/Rancher Grant Program. Competitive grants of up to $6,000 are available for individual farmers and ranchers, and grants up to $18,000 are available for groups of three or more farmers from separate operations who are interested in exploring sustainable agriculture. NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grants provide opportunities for farmers and ranchers to use Sustainable Agriculture practices and their own innovative ideas to solve problems on the farm or ranch, and to share their ideas with others. Sustainable Agriculture is farming and ranching that is ecologically sound, profitable, and socially responsible. Sustainable Agriculture practices may include but are not limited to: * Integrated Pest Management (IPM) * Rotational Grazing (including Management-intensive Grazing & Mob Grazing) * Soil Erosion Control * Soil Quality Improvement * Water Quality Improvement/Wetlands * Cover Crops * Crop/Landscape Diversity * Nutrient Management * Agroforestry * Value-Added & Direct Marketing * Wildlife Preservation * Beneficial Insects * Poultry & Small-Scale Livestock Production * Holistic/Systems Approaches to Farming & Ranching * Organic Agriculture * Alternative Weed Control During the past 17 years of the Farmer/Rancher Grant Program, over 700 grants were awarded to farmers and ranchers studying topics such as holistic management, rotational grazing, livestock and crop production systems, waste management, weed control, alternative uses for CRP land, biological weed and pest control, organic farming, marketing, quality of life issues, water quality, and soil conservation. Farmer/Rancher Grants are for sustainable agriculture research, demonstration, and education projects; they are NOT for everyday farming expenses. * Applicants must identify specific problems and potential solutions to those problems. * Maximum duration for grant projects is 24 months. * Projects that involve whole farm systems and/or a youth component are encouraged. * Livestock projects need to comply with reasonable animal care requirements to insure that animals are properly cared for. Any farmer/rancher or group of farmers/ranchers who farm or operate a ranch in the North Central Region may apply. The North Central Region consists of 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Farmers and rancher submitting grant proposals may be just beginning the transition to a more sustainable operation or may already be using sustainable practices and want to implement additional changes. (Grants to applicants under 21 will need to be signed by a parent or guardian over 21. Youth may also apply to the NCR-SARE Youth Grant Program. Contact NCR-SARE for more information at ncrsare@umn.edu or 1-800-529-1342.) To qualify for a group project, there must be at least three farmers/ranchers involved who come from separate, independent operations. Groups submitting proposals must designate one individual farmer/rancher as group leader. The group leader will submit and sign the proposal, be responsible for reporting, and assume any tax liability associated with the grant. Grant recipients are limited to one grant annually. Previous farmer/rancher grant recipients are eligible to apply if reports from previous grant projects are up to date. Proposals from previous grant recipients will be evaluated on a competitive basis with all other proposals. The 2009 Grant Cycle August 27, 2009 Farmer/Rancher grant proposals available December 3, 2009 Farmer/Rancher grant proposals due Spring, 2010 Administrative Council recommends Farmer/Rancher grant recipients Budgets are reviewed by University accountants for Spring, 2010 compliance with USDA guidelines and grant contracts are sent out Early summer 2010 Approximate date of first payment of grant funds (50%) Progress report due. Grant recipients are eligible for March 1, 2011 a 2nd grant payment (35%) once their progress reports are approved. December 31, 2011 Project end date Deadline for submitting final report. Grant recipients March 1, 2012 are eligible for a final payment (15%) once their final reports are approved. To download the application go to http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/prod.htm If you have any questions, call KB Paul, MO Co-coordinator, Lincoln University, 573-681-5584 or Debi Kelly, MO Co-coordinator, University of Missouri, 573-882-1905. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ USDA Guaranteed Loan Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the loan limit for its Guaranteed Loan Program has been increased to $1,112,000, effective Oct. 1. The limit is adjusted annually based on the "Prices Paid to Farmers Index," compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The increased limit will enhance the agency's ability to meet the credit needs of farmers and ranchers throughout the country. The Guaranteed Loan Program allows commercial and farm credit lenders to extend credit to qualified applicants, who otherwise would not meet their standard lending criteria. Participating lenders can use the Guaranteed Loan Program to strengthen a loan's viability through a guarantee of up to 95 percent of the loan amount. Farmers interested in guaranteed loans should apply through a conventional lender. FSA also offers the Direct Loan Program as an alternative for those unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Direct farm loans are government-funded, and made by FSA. The loan limit for loans under the Direct Program is $300,000 (except for Emergency Loans). Farmers interested in applying for a direct loan should contact their local FSA office. To find an FSA office, visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Several Programs Available To Help Alleviate Costs for Small Wind Turbines By John Hay, UNL Extension Educator There is a lot of interest in renewable energy. One way people can invest in renewable energy is with a small wind turbine. A small wind turbine is a smaller system based upon a specific energy load, such as a farm, house, or center pivot. These are different than large wind turbines which are usually built in groups, are owned by a utility or community, and are meant to put all their electricity out to the grid. Small wind turbines can be an excellent source of energy and electricity. They can provide access to electricity in areas that are remote and scarce. They are one way to become involved in the ever-growing green movement. Costs of small wind turbines vary. The cost of the system depends on the size of the turbine and height and type of tower and can vary from $1,000 to over $50,000 per system. Size and height of turbines will also influence the amount of energy produced. A tall tower for a small turbine making it higher than obstacles such as buildings and trees will greatly improve the energy output over a short tower or one placed close to obstacles. However, the cost of these systems can be reduced. Recently several national and state programs have become available, such as a 30 percent federal tax credit and Nebraska’s net metering bill. For farms and rural businesses, there is the USDA Rural Development Grant. For more information about turbines, their uses, costs and grants for system production visit the BioFuels and Alternative Energy Small Wind website at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/bioenergy/14 The Community Food Projects (CFP) The Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program is the major funding source for community-based food and agriculture projects in the U.S. The Fiscal Year 2010 Request for Applications (RFA) was released September 23, with a deadline of November 19. The CFP Request for Applications describes what is funded and how to apply: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/community_food.html. There is no Letter of Intent process, so all applicants must submit a full proposal to be considered for funding. All proposals must be submitted electronically. If you plan to apply this year and are not already registered with grants.gov, it is important to start that process immediately, since it can take up to two months. More information and technical support contacts are available at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic.html. Free Assistance Available to CFP Applicants - The Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) sponsor technical assistance (TA) specialists who can provide you with free assistance with your CFP proposal. They can clarify CFP program guidelines, help you decide whether or not to apply for a grant, provide feedback on project plans, review draft proposals, and/or help you develop an evaluation plan. CFSC will sponsor up to 60 minutes of one-on-one assistance per grant applicant at no cost. Additional time may be available at an hourly rate. See http://www.foodsecurity.org/cfp_help.html for details on how to access this service. Starting early is important to ensure that you will be able to receive timely assistance. Community Food Projects Planning Guide and Other Materials - CFSC offers a written planning guide with a wealth of information about the CFP program guidelines and how to develop a strong proposal. It is available for free at http://www.foodsecurity.org/cfp_help.html (scroll down to bottom of page). The CFSC website also includes examples of successful CFP grant proposals, a guide to developing Planning Project proposals, and other information helpful to CFP applicants. Community Food Projects Program Goals - The primary goals of the CFP Program are to: * Meet the food needs of low-income individuals; * Increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; * Promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and * Meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including needs relating to 1.) Infrastructure improvement and development; 2.) Planning for long-term solutions; 3.) The creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers. ************************************************************************* Ag Opportunities Volume 20, Number 11 November 2009 In Print/On-Line/In The News The Missouri Aquaculture Association member directory has been updated and is available as a printed document from Bart Hawcroft at 573-526-6666 or bart.hawcroft@mda.mo.gov or online at www.moaa.pond.org/members/moaadirectory.htm If you would like to be included, just let him know or complete a membership application which is also available online at http://www.moaa.pond.org/moaa/moaa.htm.. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small changes can bring modest improvements in a regional economy, at least when it comes to local foods. A new economic analysis conducted by ISU economist David Swenson for the Leopold Center showed that increased local food production, processing and consumption in Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties could mean 50 to 75 new jobs. Read the report at: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/research/marketing_files/seiowa.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Agriculture and Greenhouse Gas Emissions* - G310 *An Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Markets and Cap-and-Trade* - G311 *Contracts in Agriculture* - G312 *Soil Carbon Sequestration Contracts* - G313 These 4 guides have been published recently on greenhouse gases and the markets that are opening up to landowners and farmers to take advantage of the concern over greenhouse gases. Other guides and educational materials are being developed dealing with methane capture and destruction, forest carbon sequestration, wind power, etc. These guides and educational materials are being developed as part of a grant from the North Central Risk Management Education Center dealing with new contract opportunities in agriculture. To read these publications go to http://extension.missouri.edu/main/DisplayCategory.aspx --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The number of US farmers’ markets is up more than 13 percent from a year ago. A recent update of the online Farmers Market Directory lists 5,274 markets nationwide, up from 4,685 reported in 2008. To find out if your local farmers’ market is listed go to http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Opening a Farmers’ Market on Federal Property: A Guide for Market Operators and Building Managers* to read the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service publication go to http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5079490 *************************************************************************** Ag Opportunities Volume 20, Number 11 November 2009 On the Calendar Nov 5 - 7 - National Small Farm Trade Show and Conference, Columbia, MO. Call 800-633-2535. Nov 6 - MO Vegetable Growers Association Meeting, Columbia, MO. Call 660-287-2400, errolahlers@juno.com Nov 11 - Grow Native! Plant Propagation Workshop, Powell Gardens, MO. Contact 573-522-4170, http://www.grownative.org Nov 12 - Cut Flower Workshop, Mountain Grove, MO. Go to http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/commercial/CutFlower.htm Nov 19 - Vegetable Production Workshop, St. Peters, MO. Call 636-970-3000, or go to http://extension.missouri.edu/stcharles/veg. Nov 19 - AgriTourism Conference, Marshall, MO. Call 660-886-6908. Dec 2 - Home Winemaking Workshop, Springfield, MO. Contact PMayer@missouristate.edu 417-547-7533. Dec 1 - Fertility and Soil Management Workshop, Neosho, MO. Call 417 483-8139. Dec 4 - 5 - Missouri Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. Call 660-665-9866, www.missourilivestock.com Dec 7 - High Tunnel Workshop: Is a high tunnel right for my operation? Mt. Vernon, MO. Call 417 483-8139 or eileennichols@sbcglobal.net. Dec 14 - Vegetable Production Workshop—Sales and Marketing, St. Peters, MO. Call 636-970-3000, http://extension.missouri.edu/stcharles/veg. Dec 14 - Wreath Making Class, Kirksville, MO. Call 660-665-9866. Jan 7 - Great Plains Vegetable Growers Pre-Conference Workshops: High Tunnel Production, CSA Mini School and Pricing & Profits, St Joseph, MO. Go to http://extension.missouri.edu/buchanan/GPVGC.shtml Jan 8 - 9 - Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference, St Joseph, MO. Go to http://extension.missouri.edu/buchanan/GPVGC.shtml Jan 7 - 9 - Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture Jan 11 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln NE. Call 402-472-2819. Feb 5 - 6 - Missouri Organic Association’s Annual Conference, Jefferson City, MO. Feb 5 - 6 - Missouri Nut Growers Association Annual Nut Show Evaluation and Annual Meeting, Nevada, MO. Call 417-436-2351. Feb 5 - 12 - North American Farmers Direct Marketing Conference, Lancaster, PA. Feb 8 - High Tunnel Workshop: High Tunnel Equipment and Installation, Mt. Vernon, MO. Call 417 483-8139 or eileennichols@sbcglobal.net Feb 15-17 - Missouri Agritourism Conference and the 30th Annual Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Lake Ozark, MO. Go to http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu/commercial/Conference2010.htm Feb 25 - 26 - 21st Annual Organic Farming Conference and Organic University, La Crosse, WI. Go to http://www.mosesorganic.org/conference.html Feb 27 - Food Safety from Field to Market, Neosho, MO. Call 417 483-8139 April 7 - High Tunnel Workshop: Spring High Tunnel Management, Mt. Vernon, MO. Call 417 483-8139 or eileennichols@sbcglobal.net April 10 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln NE. Call 402-472-2819. June 4 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln NE. Call 402-472-2819. Aug 20 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln NE. Call 402-472-2819. Oct 6 - High Tunnel Workshop: Fall High Tunnel Management, Mt. Vernon, MO. Call 417 483-8139 or eileennichols@sbcglobal.net Oct 23 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln NE. Call 402-472-2819. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Green Hills Farm Project Farm Walks Green Hills Farm Project welcomes all families to our open farm walks. Always bring your children! Please call ahead to advise the host family of the number attending and to get directions. The host family provides main meat course and drinks. Please bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Come on out and join us for a great time of fellowship and sharing on our farms! Nov 19 - 4pm Ben & Nancy Coleman, Callao, MO, 660-768-5743 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2009 Growing Growers Workshops Workshops are open to the general public for a fee. Proceeds help to pay program costs, including apprentice costs and speaker fees. Scholarships are available in case of financial need. Contact Ted Carey, 913-645-0007, tcarey@ksu.edu or Laura Christensen, 816-805-0362, growers@ksu.edu Nov and Dec - Farm business planning and management course. In conjunction with Growing Growers, The Kauffman Foundation FastTrac program will be holding a multi-week course designed for both current growers looking to refocus and people who are ready to begin their own sustainable farm business within the next few years. Enrollment is limited and Growing Growers apprentices, past and present, will be given priority. *************************************************************************