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Growing Ethnic Produce
The document outlines Bob Baloch's journey in growing and marketing ethnic produce, starting from 2008 on a quarter acre and expanding to five acres with multiple hoop houses. It addresses challenges such as labor, competition, and producing a niche market for produce like okra, emphasizing the importance of scaling up production and maintaining quality. Future plans include seeking more land for production, mechanization of farming processes, and consulting services.
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Growing Ethnic Produce
- 1. Growing Ethnic Produce Experiencegrowing and marketing ethnic produce. Bob Baloch www.thefreshveggies.com
- 2. Growing Ethnic Produce •Introduction – Started in 2008 on 1/4 acre of land with thanks to FarmStart. – Expanded over years to 5 acres – 2011 added 1 Hoop house 2400 sq ft – 2013 3 Hoop houses 7200 sq ft – Okra was 2.5 acre – Rest in mix Vegetables. www.thefreshveggies.com
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- 4. Growing Ethnic Produce •Major Challenges – Weather, Machine, and Human factors – Labor Challenges – Competition with industrial jobs – Mechanized farming need scaling up to be cost effective – Look at bigger picture www.thefreshveggies.com
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- 7. Growing Ethnic Produce •Niche Market – Finding right mix of produce – Finding right Customers – Producing enough to meet demand – Harvesting on time, when produce is ready – Sizing, Packing www.thefreshveggies.com
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- 10. Growing Ethnic Produce •Okra Experience – Demand for right Variety – Variety capabilities for Local weather/growing condition – Seed/Crop failure due to seed quality, seed purity – Trial and error on large scale costly – Scaling up production www.thefreshveggies.com
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- 12. Growing Ethnic Produce •Scaling Up Okra Production – Supply and Demand – Finding Customers – Pilot project (Direct Store Deliveries to 1-5 Stores) – Working with Distributors – Meeting quality and delivery deadlines www.thefreshveggies.com
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- 14. Growing Ethnic Produce •Future – Looking for land to increase production (long term lease, with good soil and water) – Mechanizing Weeding and Harvest aid – Consulting in Okra production – Contact info: • Email: bbaloch@thefreshveggies.com • Cell: (647) 861-6150 www.thefreshveggies.com
- 15. Growing Ethnic Produce •Questions & Answers – Contact info: Bob Baloch Email: bbaloch@thefreshveggies.com Cell: (647) 861-6150 www.thefreshveggies.com