Growing local: Unique partnership created inner-city Crabtree Farms

Farmers in Chattanooga turned a former horse farm and dumpsite into an urban farm that is also focused on education and outreach. Crabtree Farms reaches the community by teaching the people who come to the farm how to grow sustainably and how they can start their own home garden, community garden or school garden. Click to read more.

Year of the Dragon ushers in continued interest in Asian cuisine

To continue appealing to other cultural groups seeking Asian produce, growers and retailers need to focus on consumer education and communication. Successful businesses take the mystery out of exotic-sounding fruits such as dragonfruit, guava, lychees and longans. Click to read more.

Hispanic interest makes plantains the specialty item leader

Increasing minority groups and diversifying tastes have led plantains to be one of the fastest growing items in the produce department. Backed by the Hispanic market, the growth of plantain consumption far outpaces bananas. Click to read more.

A farmer’s guide to marketing through community supported agriculture

The interest in community supported agriculture by producers and consumers continues to grow with the demand for fresh and local food. CSAs enable farmers to reduce financial risk and build a greater sense of community. Click to read more. (pdf)

Best management practices for Florida specialty fruit and nut crops

This manual, produced by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, details the approved methods to cultivate specialty fruits and nuts to conserve water quantity and protect water quality. The manual includes information about irrigation, erosion control and pest management. Click to view the PDF.

Definition of specialty crops

Legislation in 2004 and 2008 defines ‘specialty crops’ as almost everything except grains, seafood and livestock. The dropdown menu in this link lists the commodities commonly considered in categories such as fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, herbs and spices, as well as nursery. Click to read more.

Florida crops, seasonal availability

With more than 35 types of specialty produce grown in Florida, something is always available. From avocado to watermelon, Fresh from Florida’s chart tells you where crops are grown and when it’s in season. Click to read more.

Microgreens: A new specialty crop

Microgreens, one of the more obscure types of specialty crops, are plants harvested and consumed in an early stage of growth. Increasingly popular in sandwiches, salads and more, microgreens show that growers don’t need groves and acreage to produce a specialty crop. Click to read more.

What’s to love and loathe about chocolate milk?

Two remarkably separate groups love and hate chocolate milk for drastically different reasons. Endurance athletes seek the protein that milk provides to help muscles recover after a long workout, but those looking to reform school lunches don’t approve of the added sugar. Click to read more.

Chocolate milk delivers nutrition but stirs debate

While Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences Commissioner Adam Putnam persuaded the state board of education to continue serving flavored milk, his office has worked with dairy farmers to produce a healthier alternative. So far, 17 of Florida’s 62 counties serve chocolate milk with less sugar and fat. Click to read more.