Within the last 100 years, Nebraskans have gone from eating fruit and vegetables grown mostly in Nebraska to eating produce from California and Florida, strawberries from Mexico, and grapes from Chile. A group of small farmers from across East Central Nebraska wants to change that trend. They want to see fresh, organic produce grown and sold in Nebraska. In 1995, they formed Specialty Growers, a non-profit chapter of the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). OCIA is one of several organizations in the Midwest that certify farmers who are growing their crops using approved "organic" methods. As a chapter of OCIA, the group represents Nebraska’s smaller organic growers of vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.
The group formed to address the concerns of small-scale farmers in Nebraska. These concerns include marketing and distribution systems for their crops, consumer awareness of locally-grown food, and the organic practices they use on their farms. "If we can grow it here, and produce better quality food," then the consumer is better off, according to grower Billene Nemec, also manager of the Haymarket Farmers Market in Lincoln. "It is important to be close to your food source." Local food reduces transportation costs, and allows farmers to pick their crops ripe and deliver them to the consumers quickly.
During the past two years, Specialty Growers has hosted farm tours and the popular Specialty Crops Field Day in the Lincoln area. The group's activities aim to stimulate interest in specialty crops in Nebraska, among both consumers and growers, says member John Ellis. Ellis believes that there are many crops that can be grown here in Nebraska that are currently being trucked in, such as cut flowers, most vegetables and fruit, and even mushrooms. Specialty Growers wants Nebraska’s consumers to know that they can buy fresh Nebraska produce for much of the year, instead of out-of-state produce. With increased consumer interest, Ellis thinks he and other growers would grow a lot more produce in the state.
In 1996, the group sponsored a marketing workshop at Central Community College in Columbus. The workshop covered the opportunities at farmers’ markets, marketing resources, marketing to restaurants, and the pros and cons of organic production.
Specialty Growers plans to continue to respond to the changing needs of the consumer in Nebraska. They will continue to hold farm tours and the Specialty Crops Field Day in 1998. They will also investigate putting information about themselves on the internet and will prepare a brochure and display on food buying issues for consumers.
Contact: Jerry Meyer, Beatrice, 402-228-0722