Alternative Enterprises

As urban sprawl spills into rural areas, the popularity of small farming enterprises has increased due to a growing interest in improving small land tract profitability. Small farming systems include successful money-making enterprises like specialty crops and small livestock. Many of these small farm owners are newcomers to farming, and as such have a critical need for education in the basic agricultural practices of plant, soil, and livestock management. Stimulating and cultivating small farming enterprises in the state should result in increased small farm profitability, enhanced rural living, and improved environmental quality.

The topics below were recorded during a field day at the North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV) near Live Oak. They represent some alternative enterprises which may be of interest to small producers. Some include PowerPoint presentations which discuss marketing and post-production concerns. Please note, the audio for some of these videos is very loud so please adjust your speakers accordingly!

Forage & Wildlife Food Crops

• Forage Crops and Wildlife Food Plots

  • A field site was prepared for establishing plots of cool season forages and wildlife food crops. This area was used to grow these crops and provide a walking tour for the field day.

    Presenters

    • Jason Chandler is an Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension, Live Oak, FL.
    • Chris Vann is an Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Lafayette County Extension, Mayo, FL.

    Publications

    • Forage (Topic)
    • Forage Quality
    • Forage Testing
    • A Walk on the Wild Side: 2013 Cool-Season Forage Recommendations for Wildlife Food Plots in North Florida

Fruit & Nut Crops for North Florida

The fruit and nut orchard was established in 1989 and has been expanded to the current five acre site. The orchard is used to evaluate and demonstrate alternative fruit and nut crops including: peach, nectarine, plum, muscadine grape, blueberry, oriental persimmon, cold hardy citrus, and chestnut.

Note: the audio for these videos are very loud. Please adjust your speakers accordingly.

• Blueberries

  • Presenters

    • Dr. Jeff Williamson: Fruit & Nut Specialist, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Dr. Jim Ferguson: Fruit & Nut Specialists, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Don Goode: Extension Director, UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension, Lake City, FL.
    • Gary Brinen: Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension, Gainesville, FL.

    Publications

    • Blueberry (Topic)
    • Sustainability Assessment of Fruit Crops for North and North Central Florida

• Chestnuts

  • Presenters

    • Dr. Jeff Williamson: Fruit & Nut Specialist, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Dr. Jim Ferguson: Fruit & Nut Specialists, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Don Goode: Extension Director, UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension, Lake City, FL.
    • Gary Brinen: Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension, Gainesville, FL.

    Chestnut Grove Virtual Tour

    VR Instructions: To view the 360° panorama, click and drag your cursor around the movie window in any direction. For problems viewing the VR, see VR Help.

    Publications

    • Chestnut (Topic)
    • Sustainability Assessment of Fruit Crops for North and North Central Florida

• Muscadine

  • Presenters

    • Dr. Jeff Williamson: Fruit & Nut Specialist, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Dr. Jim Ferguson: Fruit & Nut Specialists, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Don Goode: Extension Director, UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension, Lake City, FL.
    • Gary Brinen: Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension, Gainesville, FL.

    Publications

    • Muscadine Grape (Topic)
    • Sustainability Assessment of Fruit Crops for North and North Central Florida

• Peaches

  • Presenters

    • Dr. Jeff Williamson: Fruit & Nut Specialist, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Dr. Jim Ferguson: Fruit & Nut Specialists, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Don Goode: Extension Director, UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension, Lake City, FL.
    • Gary Brinen: Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension, Gainesville, FL.

    Peach Orchard Virtual Tour

    VR Instructions: To view the 360° panorama, click and drag your cursor around the movie window in any direction. For problems viewing the VR, see VR Help.

    Publications

    • Peach, Plum and Nectarine Production (Topic)
    • Sustainability Assessment of Fruit Crops for North and North Central Florida

• Persimmons

  • Presenters

    • Dr. Jeff Williamson: Fruit & Nut Specialist, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Dr. Jim Ferguson: Fruit & Nut Specialists, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL.
    • Don Goode: Extension Director, UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension, Lake City, FL.
    • Gary Brinen: Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension, Gainesville, FL.

    Publications

    • Persimmon (Topic)
    • Sustainability Assessment of Fruit Crops for North and North Central Florida

Small Livestock

• Goats & Sheep

  • A temporary small livestock pen area was set up for the Field Day. Although no livestock permanently reside at the Center, cooperating local farmers brought goats and sheep and assisted in sharing information on managing small livestock.

    Note: the audio for this video is very loud. Please adjust your speakers accordingly.

    Presenters

    • Dr. Ray Mobley is an Extension Vet, FAMU, Tallahassee FL.
      
      Angela McKenzie-Jakes is an Extension Goat Specialist, FAMU, Tallahassee FL.

    Publications

    • Goats (Topic)
    • Sheep (Topic)

    Website

    • Goats - Small Farms Alternative Enterprises
    • Sheep - Small Farms Alternative Enterprises

Unusual Plants for Cut Foliage

• Woody and Other Unusual Plants for Florist Trade

  • View video with synchronized PowerPoint presentations. Note: Internet Explorer is required (only works on Windows PC!).

    • Using Woody and Other Unusual Plants as Cuts for Florist Trade

    Presenter

    • Dr. Bob Stamps

    Publications

    • Potential Cut Foliage Crops for Production in Full Sun in Florida
    • Pricing Specialty Cuts[1.88MB]