The Harvest Farm - Row Crops

The Harvest Farm

Introduction
Blueberries
Oranges
Peaches & Plums
Row Crops

Row Crops

In the Fall of 2000 we decided to experiment with several row crops including a few varieties of peppers and eggplant. Late November and all of December saw sizeable harvests and we were making a decent return on our investment. Our produce was first quality in visual appeal and taste. The Harvest Farm was able to employee 29 farm laborers who were paid a living wage of at least $8.50 per hour for 40 hours work each week.

However, disaster struck on New Year's Eve with the arrival of the first frost in south Florida in 8 years. The fields turned brown overnight and all produce on the vine was ruined. There were three more freezing nights before January 2001 ended.

After checking the temperature charts for the last 15 years or so, we decided there was a good possibility of experiencing consecutive years of freezing temperatures. This Fall we have decided to plant beans because they have a shorter growing season with the last harvest scheduled for the middle of December 2001.

Direct Marketing is the most exciting concept we learned from the Fall 2000 Row Crop experience. We needed to identify the market for our delicious, attractive, and socially conscience approach to the farm labor issue.

The Harvest Farm beans will be marketed in specialty grocery stores in the Naples, Florida area and we are also talking with specialty stores in New York City.

Area at the Harvest Farm being prepared for row crops.

First-year row crops shown in eggplants.