Vegetable Industry Pros Offer Advice To Grow With

When asked for a single piece of advice to pass along to vegetable growers, industry professionals didn’t hold back. Their responses ranged from practical and tactical to philosophical — but all were rooted in a shared desire to see farmers succeed.

A quick note… like the rest of the respondents to the 2025 State of the Vegetable Industry survey, we promised anonymity to this group, therefore no names are included.

Profitability Over Volume

“Don’t grow what you can’t sell,” one respondent cautioned.

Others echoed that profitability starts with understanding your market, focusing on crops with high demand, and aiming for quality. As one person said, “Grow what you grow best and be the best at it.”

Invest in Learning, Not Just Equipment

Education came up repeatedly — from staying current on the latest research to taking advantage of Extension events and field days.

One Extension agent urged growers to “attend workshops… give yourself a voice to provide feedback to research faculty.”

Others encouraged going out and networking. “You never know what new opportunities there could be in the future.”

Adapt and Embrace Technology

Many pointed to automation, precision ag, and other innovations as critical tools. “Stay ahead of the trends, especially with automation and labor savings,” one wrote.

Another put it plainly: “Embrace technology, work hard, and continue to innovate.”

Yet even as technology takes hold, simpler practices still resonate. “Keep it simple,” “Push the pencil,” and “Manage your expenses” were all common refrains.

Plan for Uncertainty — And Keep Going

Several comments reflected realism about the challenges growers face. One wrote, “It’s a difficult industry. You need to be dedicated 24/7 to make a profit.”

And while some vented about regulation and markets, others offered motivation:

“Hang in there,” “Don’t give up,” and perhaps most pointedly, “Do what you want to do — not what you think you should do.”

For all its uncertainty, vegetable farming still attracts passionate people. As one contributor summed it up: “It will grow. And pray for rain.”

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What piece of advice would you give to fellow vegetable growers? Leave a reader comment.