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Surrounded by many thousands of potential customers, a hard-working couple develop a sustainable vegetable production system for the subtropical climate and market.
MOST FARMERS have the tremendous challenge of how to get their products to the market; few are located right in the middle of many thousands of potential customers. Here at Green Cay Farm in Boynton Beach, Florida, which used to be in a farming area, we are surrounded by homes and businesses - all potential customers for farm products. Our company, Farming Systems Research, Inc., produces vegetables for local markets on property owned by Green Cay.
When Green Cay owners Ted and Trudy Winsberg retired from farming after more than 40 years, they chose to protect their land from future development by selling it to the county as a wetlands park. On the 60 acres that will remain, they are helping us start a small farm which markets its produce locally.
THE PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Although customers often ask if the farm is organic, South Florida's climate and soil make organic farming a difficult challenge for an operation this large (organic gardens are different from farm size operations). Without a regular cold or dry period to kill them, insects are a continuing problem. Plant hosts for viruses and other diseases grow year-round. We also are a major entry point for new disease and insect pests, which means that their enemies have not yet followed them to the area. Weeds germinate and grow rapidly - 365 days a year. Our sandy soil holds little water and nutrients. Even addition of organic matter is temporary; it breaks down rapidly with heat and moisture.
However, with the help of other scientists, we are working toward developing an appropriate sustainable vegetable production system for the subtropical climate of the area. This requires constant assessment and evaluation of the system, which combines organic and conventional farming methods. For instance, we produce composts from locally generated by-products and apply them in combination with synthetic fertilizers when needed.
Despite the tropical climate, the harvest season is only from November through April. Hot humid summers encourage plant diseases and autumn tropical storms can drop large amounts of rain in a short time and completely wipe out late summer plantings.
THE MARKETING...