High School Agriculture Business Leads To Success For Horticulture Student

Therefore, in the fall of 1995, when I enrolled in the agriculture education program at Glasgow High School, I decided to develop a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) program that would involve the production of fruits, vegetables and other plants. With the guidance of my advisor and parents, I also included lawn care in my program. Living in a small town and lacking large plots of land to work on created early challenges in getting the program started. My mother suggested that I contact several retired individuals in my community about utilizing their garden spots and an empty lot for my program in exchange for mowing and keeping the areas clean throughout the year. The landowners could also pick the fruits and vegetables they desired for their own use.

This agreement provided 1.5 acres for production in the 1996 season. I selected 20 different vegetables and fruits to produce during the first year and joined the Columbia Farmer’s Market. Since the first year, other individuals have asked me to use their lots and to provide lawn care and landscaping services.

In 1997 I expanded the program to include cut flower production and purchased my first lot on a county tax sale. This lot is now utilized for the production of asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb, perennial flowers and shrubs. In 1998 production was expanded to 80 different crops. I also added specialty products for the Asian/Indian customer base and the Columbia Farmer’s Market. This same year I also joined the Fayette Farmer’s Market to give myself the opportunity to sell produce four days a week.

In 1999, I constructed a greenhouse to produce bedding plants and expanded production to 4.5 acres. There were close to 100 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, specialty crops, hanging baskets, bedding plants and more for sale. My younger sister, Jana, also joined the business and became co-owner. In 2000, I was able to lease another 4 acres from a local farmer, which brought my total area of production to 9.5 acres. I also joined the Slater Farmer’s Market so I could sell produce Monday through Saturday every week and also sell from my parents’ home daily.

I have had major success in my business through the help of my parents, my National FFA Organization advisor, high school agricultural programs and other local growers. Setting ambitious goals has also kept me on track in expanding my business and getting through tough times with the weather. It was also necessary for me to master skills that would be beneficial in my business.

The first skill was to establish a schedule for starting seeds and developing an Integrated Pest Management program. In order for plants to be ready at the proper time, I had to establish a seed-starting schedule. Also, the control of insects is important for quality produce, but I only use sprays that are environmentally safe for vegetables and flowers and spray only when necessary.

The second skill was developing a marketing plan to establish a customer base and assure future expansion of that base. I have utilized local and regional newspapers, used promotional spots on local radio stations, developed a brochure and business card that are available at my booths, and recently listed my business on the University of Missouri-Columbia Extension Web site.

The third major skill is the proper storage and transportation of produce. Utilizing standardized containers makes it easier to transport products to market and prevents damage to the products.

My SAE stemmed from involvement in agriculture education and has opened the eyes of those that were skeptical about my succeeding in what they termed as "gardening". I do not look at it as "gardening," but as fruit, vegetable, cut flower and ornamental plant production and foresee this as the future of agriculture and the family farm. I took a risk when I first started but knew that with the development of a marketing plan and a limited amount of overhead expenses, I could succeed. Networking with other producers regarding variety of produce and harvesting techniques has provided me with the knowledge I will use in expanding my SAE. In addition, the communication and marketing skills I have acquired through the marketing of produce at the local farmers markets will help in my pursuit of becoming an agricultural education instructor. The skills I have learned will assist my future students and myself in establishing specialized SAE programs.

Currently I am majoring in agricultural education and minoring in horticulture and agriculture economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I also plan on obtaining a master’s degree in secondary administration.