By Clint Thompson
Alabama’s fruit and vegetable industry has room for growth. But how does it get there?
It was a point of emphasis during a panel discussion at the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Industry leaders like producer Taylor Hatchett discussed specialty crops and how the industry can grow into the future. Hatchett emphasized that there are a multitude of factors to consider.
“I think you can take the approach of what legislation needs to change, what laws need to change. There’s also that personal farm responsibility of what do we need to do to grow a business?” Hatchett said. “My thought process is what you would do to grow any business. If you were selling cars or if you were selling hamburgers, what would you do to grow your business?”
Marketing’s Importance
Her mindset centers on marketing and the farmer’s responsibility of increasing demand for their products.
“I think farmers are continuing to focus on increasing demand, and I think in traditional business that would be through marketing and customer relations. I think that partnerships and cooperatives and certainly our state marketing program, Sweet Grown Alabama; it is a great program to get behind to help market that face of Alabama agriculture.” Hatchett continued, “I think continuing to tell our stories, and I think that is what makes the difference in someone wanting to choose a basket of Chilton County peaches over peaches that were shipped from California.
“It’s that local story and that local impact. I think as farmers and the agriculture industry, we need to continue to push that, and I think consumer education is critical. I think we have to make sure our consumers understand why it is important to buy local.”