| Estimated Cost |
$2200 per acre |
| Market Outlets |
Wholesale grocery stores, food services, farmers markets, roadside, processing |
| Market Potential |
Good but limited |
| Yield Potential |
10,000- 20,000 lbs/acre |
| Profit Potential |
$0 to $1,500 per acre |
| Adapted Areas |
Statewide |
| Labor Requirements |
2- 3 man-days per acre during harvest- machine harvest potential |
| Equipment Requirements |
Tractor, shredder, fertilizer applicator, disk, bedder, cultivater, insect/disease sprayer, herbicide sprayer, irrigation system (harvester- optional) |
| Soil Requirements |
Sandy or loam |
| Water Requirements |
High – 25- 30 inches/season (2 to 3 inches weekly) of high quality water |
| Minimum Size |
1 acre (20 acres for processing) |
| Risk Factor |
Moderate |
| Other Limiting Factors |
Labor availability, high labor and water requirements, viruses, insects and diseases. |
| Comments |
Processing contracts often available but need to be signed prior to planting. High nutrient demand. Transplanting is an option. |
