Industry Promotion

Organized grower groups have not only promoted the vegetable industry, they go to bat for growers o nissues such as labor, crop protection, and advancements in technology.

The editors at American Vegetable Grower queried state and regional growers associations across the country about their oeprations and what they bring to the table for growers and what their respective roles will be in the future. Here is what a couple of them had to say.

The New York State Vegetable Growers Association

How it started: Founded in 1911, the association is a not-for-profit corporation that serves commercial fresh market, storage, and processing vegetable growers. It is guided by a 15-member board of directors comprised of individuals who represent the major commodities produced throughout New York state.

Initial Goals: The New York State Vegetable Growers Association was founded in by a group of market gardeners in the Rochester area and professor Paul A. Work of the newly established Department of Vegetable Gardening (which became the Department of Vegetable Crops in 1924 and the Department of Horticulture in 2000) at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The association was founded in order to keep growers up-to-date on new production techniques and research at Cornell.

Changing Role: The association has become more involved in keeping up-to-date with regulations.

Today’s Accomplishments: This organization provides educational opportunities and resources for its members regarding production, management and marketing; increases public awareness of the importance and value of New York state’s (NYS) produce industry; and promotes the state’s producers and their products at local, regional, and national levels. Related research that is done through Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension is supported by this organization, as well. In addition, this association works with other agricultural organizations and government officials to promote the vegetable industry.

The New York State Vegetable Growers Association sponsors the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the NYS Horticultural Society, the NYS Berry Growers Association, and the Empire State Potato Club. The expo is held the second week of February and is a premier educational event that features current and pertinent information for growers of processing, fresh market, and storage vegetables, as well as tree fruit, stone fruit, and berries. A variety of topics are covered in these educational sessions, including sessions on cabbage, onions, potatoes, vine crops, apples, and sweet corn. A trade show and related meetings are also a part of this conference.

Grower Benefits: Benefits of membership include:

• Support and sponsorship of the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo
• Support of fresh market vegetable research
• Newsletters containing useful information, news and events
• Representation and promotion of the New York State vegetable industry and its growers
• Representation to our state and federal officials
• The opportunity to be included in the New York State Shippers Directory.

Future Plans: The association will continue to work to make sure that agriculture continues to be a viable industry and livelihood for New York growers. With the pressures facing growers today, it is important that agriculture is recognized for its economic benefits to the rural and agricultural communities as well as the state as a whole. Many opportunities continue to present themselves regarding the demand for locally grown vegetables in schools, restaurants, and supermarkets, and it’s important that our growers have the opportunity to take advantage of this. In addition, the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo continues to grow and provide continuing education to growers of all sizes. The Expo is an event that provides not only information for growers but also provides an opportunity for networking that is difficult during the busy growing and harvesting season.

Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association

How it started: The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association was formed in 1926.

Initial Goals: The initial goals of the association were to unite the vegetable growers and other members of the industry in a common organization focusing on grower education.

Changing Role: The role of the association has remained the same, for the most part, except that it has added research funding, advocacy, and promotion to its priorities. Grower education, however, remains the top priority and focus.

Today’s Accomplishments: The association publishes a monthly newsletter, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers News, co-sponsors the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, sponsors the grower twilight meetings and tours, maintains a Web site (www.pvga.org), funds $30,000 to $40,000 of vegetable and small fruit research annually, operates fund-raising booths at Pennsylvania Farm Show and Ag Progress Days, communicates industry needs to legislators, assist in vegetable promotion activities, and holds the trademark for the Pennsylvania Simply Sweet Onion brand.

Grower Benefits: The primary benefits are the education resources available via the association plus the research funding, advocacy, and promotional activities.

Future Plans: The association expects to maintain and grow its current activities, possibly adding new ones as needs arise.