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Are You Adjusting How Much Crop You Plant? [POLL]

Carol Miller Posted by Carol Miller|April 8, 2020

With COVID-19 wiping out much of the foodservice portion of the produce market, you have a tough choice to make. Do you bet on the U.S. returning to normal by harvest season? Or do you hedge and plant fewer crops?

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Share what you plan to do. We’d also like to hear why you made the decision — please leave a comment explaining why you chose your current 2020 crop plan.

How Much Are You Adjusting Your Vegetable Crop Planting for 2020?

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Carol Miller is Editor of American Vegetable Grower. See all author stories here.

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Avatar for SHARON JOHNSON SHARON JOHNSON says:
April 9, 2020 at 7:35 am

We are a specialty crop farm, with a great diversity of crops: brassicas, nightshades, everything really. We are expecting an unprecedented demand for local, nutritious food.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:05 am

That’s great to hear, Sharon. Which part of the country are you in?

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Avatar for Gail Vanik Gail Vanik says:
April 9, 2020 at 9:18 am

We cannot keep up with the demand. Local produce is perceived as a safer option possibly because it hasn’t been transported or handled as much as that in the grocery stores.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:07 am

Hi, there, Gail! How are you guys handling your winter farmers market with social distancing? And how are other growers in your area faring?

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Avatar for Jim Hansel Jim Hansel says:
April 9, 2020 at 12:08 pm

I am a little guy, grow non certified organic, have so for the last 30 years. Usually sell at 3 farmers markets. Wife uses social media and people are already asking when we start to harvest if we can notify them so they can pickup at the farm. They feel it’s the safest option. Still a few months before we have anything here in northern Illinois, but demand is already there.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:09 am

Hi, Jim. That’s interesting that people are looking a down the road and still wanting to stay away from crowds. Do you have a CSA established?

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Avatar for Greg Kemble Greg Kemble says:
April 9, 2020 at 3:25 pm

I’m betting that the demand for local produce will be higher than typical this season and am increasing production of fresh market edibles. My place is low volume, socially distanced by its nature there fore I offer a safer market experience than the grocery stores for those customers only interested in vegetables. Although I am concerned about a spike in shoplifting.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:10 am

Thanks for your comments, Greg. Has shoplifting been a problem in the past? And do you guys host a CSA?

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Avatar for Leslie Weinberg (Meeusen) Leslie Weinberg (Meeusen) says:
April 10, 2020 at 8:21 am

My husband passed away suddenly in 2018……as a result, I closed our farm market of 30 years & stopped going to the farmers market because I could no longer afford to farm (now living on my Soc. Security & a small survivors payment, as my husband’s death was brought on by the PTSD from 2 tours in Kuwait/Afghanistan).

This year……I am growing produce for the extended family members (over 20 people who are now without employment). Whatever is left will be going to the local food pantry. Michigan will not allow more than 5 people at a time on the property, so the farm stand is staying closed unless some other farmer rents it to sell their produce.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:05 am

Leslie, I’m so sorry to hear about how quickly and significantly your life changed. Do you want us to reach out to other Michigan growers to see if someone will rent the stand? You can email me directly at [email protected].

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Avatar for TERRY J DUNLAP SR. TERRY J DUNLAP SR. says:
April 11, 2020 at 10:59 am

Unfortunately I am a Fall market that deals in Pumpkins, Winter Squash, and fall decorative items. With everyone being laid off and bills piling up I am unsure of the non-essential family funds available for my products.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:15 am

Thanks for sharing, Terry. You make a good point on the decorative vegetables. Are you planning to do anything else differently beyond adjusting planting?

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Avatar for Bob Rogers Bob Rogers says:
April 11, 2020 at 12:42 pm

I have decided to reduce plantings. Because of the COVID19 and the economy.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:14 am

Thanks, Bob. What type of customers do you sell to?

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Avatar for Jim Roberts Jim Roberts says:
April 12, 2020 at 12:35 am

I’m praying that things will be back to normal . If it is or not people still have to eat . I think that the demand will be great when this is over . I sell at farmers Mkt and road side stand.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 13, 2020 at 9:16 am

Thanks, Jim. What types of crops do you grow?

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Avatar for Brad Kish Brad Kish says:
April 23, 2020 at 10:45 am

Thanks for sharing how everyone is adjusting their production during these times.

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Avatar for Carol Miller Carol Miller says:
April 23, 2020 at 10:52 am

Hi, Brad. What are you hearing from your peers in your part of the country?

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Avatar for Brad Kish Brad Kish says:
April 27, 2020 at 8:13 am

It’s been tough…we are waiting the governor’s press conference today on announcing how phase one of opening business will trickle down to us.

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