Alternative Crops and Diversification Keys to Farm Profits

Farmers can combat the tightening farm profit squeeze brought on by the current unstable global economy through diversification with alternative crops, says Dr. Obadiah Njue, Extension horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Cooperative Extension Program.

Just as diversification seems to be the key to softening economic losses in other sectors, diversifying farm enterprises can soften the impact of economic risk, offset commodity price swings, exploit profitable niche markets, improve local economy and strengthen rural communities, says Dr. Njue.

Consumer concerns with food safety strengthens the interest in locally grown produce. Alternative crops are also environmentally friendly as they break up insect pests, weed and disease cycles; supplement soil nutrients; improve soil structure; conserve soil moisture and curb soil erosion.

But, unlike conventional grain producers who use a relatively straightforward route of taking a harvested crop to the local grain elevator, alternative crop growers cannot expect a convenient marketing outlet. Instead, Dr. Njue advises they do the following:

• Research the market before planting.
  
• Understand the cultural practices of the crops selected.
  
• Develop a marketing plan with information on prices, delivery points and sales contacts.
  
• Establish relationships with potential buyers and understand their guidelines.
  
• Understand the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP).
  
• Understand Food Safety Guidelines.
  

Consider alternative crops that will be a good fit for your farm in terms of soil type, climate, labor, marketing skills and proximity to markets. Remember, diversity is the key to success of a small farm, says Dr. Njue. Grow for a diverse market and grow crops whose sales complement each other, especially when targeting local markets. Local markets include farmers' markets, farm stands and pick-your-own operations.

Alternative crops include blackberries, muscadines, persimmons, blueberries, strawberries, melon, tomatoes, peas, sweet potatoes and all types of organically grown vegetables. Other popular alternative crops are all kinds of peppers – purple, red, orange and hot; cole crops such as collards, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts; salad greens; and herbs.

Just as small farm diversification can be helped by embracing technology, changes in consumer demand, government policy and development of irrigation, roads and other infrastructure, it can also be hindered by risks in markets and prices, crop management practices and natural phenomena, says Dr. Njue.

Plant of the Week: Snow Pea (Pisum sativum)

In these unsettled times, vegetable gardens are back in fashion. In 2007, the vegetable transplant category moved from fourth place in annual sales to second place, behind only lawns. This all happened in the spring of 2007, before the economic meltdown of the fall, so no doubt even more people will be growing a vegetable garden this summer. Though it is still winter, pea planting time is just a few weeks away.

Peas (Pisum sativum) go by a variety of names—field peas, English peas, garden peas, snow peas—a testament to their long history of cultivation. They were domesticated during the Stone Age and caches of seeds in caves are used by archeologists to date the spread of mankind throughout Europe.

In Europe, the advent of agriculture more than 10,000 years ago revolved around cereal grains (especially wheat) and peas. In Asia, this two-part agricultural revolution centered on rice and soybeans; in the Americas, it involved corn and beans.

Cereal grains provided the carbohydrates needed for a healthy diet, while the legumes provided fats and proteins. This combination cropping system also worked well in early agriculture because the legumes, which fixed their own nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, grew well in nutrient depleted soils following the cereal crops.

The earliest Greek writers mentioned peas, but it was not until the Renaissance, when authors began describing the natural world in herbals, that a clear picture of the modern pea emerged. Even 400 years ago, most of the contemporary characteristics we ascribe to peas – dwarf forms, edible pods, and high sugar content – were known.

Garden peas largely differentiate themselves from field peas used for animal feed by flower color. Most garden peas have white flowers, while field peas have colored flowers. Pea cultivars with wrinkled seeds are favored over smooth-seeded kinds for garden use because wrinkled selections contain mostly sugar instead of starch.

Garden pea cultivars may be either vining plants with tendrils produced from the terminal position on the compound leaf, or freestanding bushes. The pods may be flat, as in snow pea cultivars, or rounded, as found in sugar peas or snap peas. In both cases the pods are edible, but if harvest is delayed too long past the point of "snapping," the round-podded cultivars develop a parchment-like lining inside, rendering them too tough to eat.

When selecting garden peas for the home garden, the wrinkled, non-vining selections such as Sugar Snap, Dwarf Gray Sugar, Wando and Little Marvel are recommended. Peas are cool weather plants and should to be planted when the soil temperature is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so earliness is a key to success. Successive plantings at two-week intervals will keep you in peas all spring.

A friend tells me she plants her peas in mid-February between bales of hay, making a kind of insulated mini-greenhouse to provide protection should the temperatures drop below 20. Soaking the seeds in a cup of water overnight before planting will speed emergence. Plant the seeds one and one-half inch deep, and one inch apart in the row.

Peas grown for shelling usually reach maturity (from seeding) in 60 to 70 days. But, because plants flower over an extended period, they must be harvested every couple of days to make sure the seeds don't get over-mature and turn starchy. If peas are eaten as green pods, pick the pods five to seven days after flowering, while the seeds are still about the size of a BB.

For more information about horticulture or to see other Plant of the Week columns, visit the Cooperative Extension Service web site, or contact your county Extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Thirsty? Make Water Your First Choice

While it may still be cool and blustery outside, it's important to keep hydrated to stay healthy, says Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Water makes up about 60 to 70 percent of the human body and is essential for the body to function properly, says Haley. "We need water to regulate our body temperature and to carry nutrients to all our organs," she says. Water also transports oxygen to our cells, removes waste and protects joints. It's abundant, cost-efficient and has no calories.

So, people need to drink water every day to stay hydrated, but how much?

There are varying opinions, but an average person should drink about eight to 12 cups of water each day, says Haley. This makes up for water lost through normal bodily functions such as breathing, perspiration, and going to the bathroom.

"As a general rule, 1 quart of water is needed daily for each 50 pounds of body weight," says Haley. The exact amount depends upon many other factors, such as age, gender, weight, and amount of physical activity.

Don't wait until thirst sets in to take a drink, says Haley. Thirsty people may already be dehydrated. Sometimes, the brain isn't aware that the body requires more water. This can happen more often with older people. Keep drinking water often.

Fill a 64- to 96-ounce container with water at the start of the day and sip from it often. By the time the container is empty, the body will have its daily dose of water.

In rare cases, people can drink too much water. Visit a doctor if there are any concerns about drinking too little or too much water, or frequent thirst or urination. A doctor can help determine a daily amount of water best for an individual.

Haley offers a few suggestions for keeping adequately hydrated:

• Drink water instead of soda or caffeinated drinks at mealtimes.
  
• Add lemon, lime, orange or mint to water for a flavor boost.
  
• Buy snazzy water bottles for the family and keep them filled daily.
  
• Keep a container of ice-cold water in the fridge for quick refreshment.
  

It may take others time to adjust to getting more water in their diet. The health benefits, however, are well worth the effort, says Haley.

"Once people get into the water habit, the taste will grow on them, and they'll feel healthier too because they're not filling themselves up with sugars and calories that they just don't need," she says.

For more information on drinking water and keeping hydrated, contact your county Extension office or visit the Cooperative Extension Service web site. The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Keep A Cool Head With Home Heating

Winter has a double bite – as the temperature goes down, heating costs rise. Families with home heating systems can use alternative methods to warm up and regulate their heating systems to save money, says Katie Cobb, White County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

One way to save money on home heating costs is by setting the thermostat a little lower than normal – about 68 degrees during winter. Setting the thermostat comfortably low and dressing warmly can have a similar effect without turning up the thermostat, says Cobb.

"Wear a sweater to help keep you warm," she advises.

As with any home appliance, a home heating system should have regular checks and maintenance done to ensure it's working properly. Check and replace the dust filters inside the house once a month and have a technician clean and check the home heating system every year, Cobb recommends.

A malfunctioning system could cost extra money while performing poorly.

It may also help to install a programmable thermostat. These use pre-set times to heat or cool a room to the desired temperature. Most systems can hold six or more settings and can be manually overridden without changing any daily schedules, says Cobb. Look for the most energy-efficient models.

While at work or on an extended trip away from home, try setting the thermostat down about 10 to 15 degrees. "If you turn the thermostat back for at least eight hours a day, you can save approximately 10 percent on your heating bills," says Cobb.

Natural sunlight will also help warm the room, making the heater work less.

It's a common misconception that a home heating system works harder to bring a room to the desired temperature after it's been set back, says Cobb. The U.S. Department of Energy has disproven this myth with years of research and numerous studies.

Make sure the home is properly insulated to ensure that as little heat as possible is lost through the ceiling and walls. Seal gaps around pipes, duct work, and chimneys.

Most houses have sufficient insulation installed when the house was built. Older homes, however, may not have been held to the same standard. "If you have an older home, have an inspector check the insulation," says Cobb.

For more information on energy-efficient home heating, contact your county Extension office or visit the Cooperative Extension Service web site. The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

New Extension Publication - Encountering Native Snakes

The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has a new publication available to you entitled "Encountering Native Snakes in Arkansas." This publication has nice color pictures of snakes in Arkansas and ways to avoid snakes and control them if necessary.

The publicaton can be found here in a pdf format.