According to Butch Nottingham, marketing specialist for the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, headquartered in Richmond, Va., Eastern Shore potato growers are scheduled to start a little later than normal this year.
“This is due to the cool, wet spring,” Nottingham said in late May. “But we are now having really nice warm and sunny days, and things are now coming on strong. Movement will begin around June 20, and we’ll be in full swing with heavy production by early July.”
Although numerous fresh produce items are grown in the Eastern Shore region, the VDACS focuses heavily on the state’s potato crop because growers there typically produce between 3,000 and 4,000 acres of potatoes with an estimated annual value of $15 million to $25 million dollars.
Nottingham noted that one grower did not produce this year, but production remained the same as increases by other growers have compensated.
Most of the potatoes produced in Virginia are shipped throughout the eastern U.S. When northern areas are not producing, much of the crop is distributed in those regions. When the southern states stop producing, shipments are redirected to the South. Some potatoes, the amount depending on market conditions in a given year, are distributed in Canada.
Growers produce high-quality red, white, yellow and russet potatoes. One operation in particular specializes in russets, and some others produce them as a small portion of their crop.
“Dublin Farms in Horntown is one of the state’s biggest potato producers,” explained Nottingham. “Established in 1876 and still family-operated, the company offers its white, red and yellow potatoes in a variety of packaging options. It ships 12 to 15 loads daily from late June through mid-August.”
Other crops are also gaining footing on the Eastern Shore. Nottingham pointed out that there is significant acreage in tomatoes and green beans.
“Our largest green bean operation is C&E Farms in Cheriton,” said Nottingham. “Established in 1986, it is owned and operated by the Colson family and is actually one of the largest green bean operations in the nation.”
C&E Farms processes more than 750,000 bushels of beans annually off of its 5,000 acres. Its growing territory ranges from Florida to Pennsylvania, and it has packing facilities in Cheriton, Va., and in Parrish, FL. The company sells its beans under the “Red Barn” label, which is recognized for high quality. The company also works with close to 20 other farmers in Virginia, giving it a wide reach.
The two major tomato operations on the Shore are expected to produce about the same volumes of round, Roma, grape, cherry and heirloom tomatoes during this season, which runs from late June through September.
Complementing tomato production on the Eastern Shore now is Del Monte Fresh’s presence. The company purchased real estate and packinghouses over a year ago and produced its first crop last year.
Nottingham explained that Eastern Shore fresh market crops sold under the Virginia Grown locally grown initiative are distributed throughout the East Coast and as far west as the Mississippi River.
“Through our Virginia Grown initiative, we partner with growers, retailers, green markets, you-pick-them farms and roadside stands,” he noted. “We offer point-of-purchase materials, run print ads, and work with the industry on advertising. One of our primary programs is a sales initiative with chain stores where we take buyers to the farms to meet the growers. This helps create business for Virginia’s producers.”
Of the potatoes grown on the Eastern Shore, about 60 percent go to table stock and the remainder goes to chip processing.
“Fresh produce harvesting typically starts in early June, but those crops will also be a little late because of the cooler than normal spring,” said Nottingham. “Growers produce two fresh-crop seasons, except for potatoes, which have just one season.”
Nottingham also acknowledged the recent appointment of Laura K. Strawn, who joined the staff at Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Area Research & Extension facility in Painter, Va., last October.
“We need Laura’s expertise in complying with all food-safety requirements,” he said. “She is very enthusiastic, and we’re thrilled to have her on board at the center.”
Source: The Produce News