Top 10 Business Concerns For Farm Marketers [Infographic]
January 21, 2016 In our recent State of the Industry surveys from American Fruit Grower and American Vegetable Grower, we asked which three topics concern you most. We combined the two surveys and filtered the responses so we could see how farm marketers responded.The results are spelled out in the infographic below.
The No. 1 concern? Government regulations, which is likely fueled by the heightened concern over food safety. Insect and disease control came next, with weather bringing up third place.
Readers chose from a list of 10 concerns. The issues causing the least amount of angst are water, access to pollinators and transportation. In contrast, those three items were of more importance to larger wholesale-only growers.
We also asked a follow up question about which single issue keeps you up at night. Here’s a sampling of your responses:
Government regulation comments
- Since we process some of our crops into food supplements keeping on the correct side of the FDA is a real pain. They keep changing what they demand.
- Since we process some of our crops into food supplements, keeping on the correct side of the FDA is a real pain. They keep changing what they demand.
- Government involvement in our operations, and all the regulations they are putting on us. They do not have a clue what it takes us to do our job.
Pest And Disease Control
- I have some serious disease issues that has caused me to stop growing several important crops.
- How to manage pests and disease without compromising organic status.
Other Topics
- This summer’s heat was almost unbearable. Makes me think seriously about not doing so much summer production.
- Drought here in California
- Changing weather affects planting and harvest schedules, adaptability of specific varieties, new insect and disease infestations, etc.
- Lack of labor availability is forcing us to scale back on our most profitable crops and explore less profitable mechanized ones.
- Nothing is keep me up. I sleep like a baby.
