CCD-BG-4: Highbush Blueberries, Kentucky, 2014 (Wholesale/Retail Marketing)

Matthew Ernst | Aug. 29, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Budget worksheet.

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CCD-BG-2: Blueberry Cost and Return Estimates

Matthew Ernst | Aug. 29, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Blueberries are a crop with excellent long-term profitability potential for Kentucky producers willing to invest the time, capital, and management necessary for establishing productive blueberry acreage. Blueberries have the advantage of having lower establishment costs than other berry crops that require trellis systems for production. Once established, properly managed blueberry bushes can produce for many years.

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CCD-BG-3: Highbush Blueberries, Kentucky, 2014 (PYO Harvest)

Matthew Ernst | Aug. 29, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Budget worksheet.

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CCD-CP-13: Organic Blueberries

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Aug. 20, 2014 (Minor Revision)

The highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a perennial shrub that will do well in most areas of Kentucky as long as the soil pH is properly adjusted. Organic production requires the use of pest management and fertilization methods that do not include synthetic compounds. Growers producing and selling their berries with an organic label must be certified by a USDA-approved state or private agency and follow production standards regulated by the National Organic Program (NOP).

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CCD-CP-82: Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Jul. 3, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms are specialty mushrooms that are well-suited for small-scale production in Kentucky. Unlike Agaricus types (common button mushroom, portabellas, and criminis), which require large, highly mechanized facilities with environmental controls, shiitake and oyster mushrooms can be log-cultivated outdoors. While growers with access to a woodlot will have a clear advantage in terms of production site and log supply, these mushrooms can also be cultivated in other heavily shaded locations.

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CCD-MP-3: Pick-Your-Own (U-Pick) Marketing

Matthew Ernst | Jun. 30, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Pick-Your-Own (PYO), also referred to as U-Pick, occurs when farmers "invite the public onto the farm to harvest their own food."1 Producers searching for new crops, combined with a growing Kentucky population, renewed interest in PYO during the past 20 years.

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CCD-CP-7: Grapes

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Jun. 23, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Grapes (Vitis spp.) are suitable for either large-scale or small-scale commercial production. Typically three types of grapes are grown in Kentucky: Native American, hybrid, and European grapes. The climate in Kentucky is the limiting factor to grape production. Although American and hybrid cultivars are better suited for production in Kentucky, European (vinifera) cultivars are more desirable and potentially have the highest economic gain for grape growers and wine makers. However, vinifera cultivars are more susceptible to winter injury and diseases resulting in a lower yield, reduced fruit quality, and often vine death. Growing grapes in Kentucky can be highly successful and rewarding if the cultivars are matched to a specific site and proper production techniques are implemented.

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CCD-MP-8: Marketing Asian Produce in Kentucky

Matthew Ernst | Jun. 19, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Burgeoning Asian populations and consumer interest in Asian cuisine helped stimulate increased interest in purchasing fresh Asian vegetables to prepare at home, a trend expected to continue. Caucasian consumers tend to prefer value-added and processed vegetables, but there are market niches for fresh Asian vegetables. Kentucky producers have received inquiries to source edamame (vegetable soybean) and daikon (Chinese radish) at wholesale quantities.

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CCD-CP-27: Cool-season Forage Grasses: Tall Fescue, Orchardgrass, Bluegrass, and Timothy

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 5, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Tall fescue, orchardgrass, bluegrass, and timothy are the dominant forage grasses in Kentucky. They have potential for the cash hay market and for intensive grazing. Significant price premiums may be possible for high-quality hay. Timothy hay, either alone or in mixtures with alfalfa, is much desired by horse owners. Historically, timothy has been an important seed crop in Kentucky; however, at present only a small acreage of timothy is grown for seed.

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CCD-MP-2: Marketing Via the Internet

Matthew Ernst, Tim Woods | May. 1, 2014 (Minor Revision)

The Internet can be utilized in a variety of marketing strategies. Producers may sell their products online through e-commerce, use a website to take orders for their goods, or simply advertise their operation through a "billboard" type website. Social media and blogs provide yet another way the Internet can be used for promoting a farm enterprise. The increase in access to Web-based services through handheld devices makes many customers more immediately accessible to products and services.