Oh Snap!
Small-scale Alabama farmers may have a new crop to cash in on thanks to the research of Auburn University horticulture professor Wheeler Foshee.
Foshee’s research began four years ago when he began experimenting with strawberries and tomatoes in greenhouse-like structures called high tunnels. High tunnels are typically used to extend the growing and selling seasons for certain crops. Early- and late-season crops give farmers an edge in the marketplace by commanding higher prices. Foshee has found that early planting in these structures can give growers a two-month jump on strawberry season and a two- to three-week jump on tomato season.
Soon after his research began, Foshee decided he wanted to work with another high-value crop that would grow in the winter months. For suggestions, he turned to Auburn University Department of Horticulture floriculture specialist, Raymond Kessler.
“Snapdragons are extremely popular in floral arrangements year-round, and most Alabama florists have to ship them in from California,� said Kessler. “Local sources of fresh-cut, top-quality snaps obviously would be extremely attractive as an alternative.�
Using 20- by 96-foot high tunnels, Foshee has found that snapdragons, a colorful necessity of the floral industry, can be grown year-round in Alabama. Using his method, snapdragons will be a lucrative crop, indeed. In a 96-foot-long high tunnel, a grower can harvest an average of 3,000 snapdragons per cutting. If 80 percent of those are market grade, a grower could gross $1,800 from planting to harvest, which is only about six to eight weeks.
“For a small-scale grower who wants to direct-market to florists and the wholesale industry, high-tunnel snapdragons appear to be a very good fit,� Foshee said. “With a limited initial capital investment and limited acreage, an individual can realize a strong return.�
Because the high tunnels can be made and maintained at a fraction of the cost of a greenhouse, they also serve as an economic benefit to small farmers. The arched, plastic-covered structures provide a level of crop protection somewhere between a greenhouse and an open field.
While interest in locally-grown snapdragons has not been formally gauged, local florists have rated Foshee’s high tunnel snaps as excellent. He predicts that demand will be high among Alabama’s 600-plus retail florists.
Foshee is conducting his snapdragon study at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland and the E.V. Smith Research Center near Tallassee. After three years of research, he has found that he can harvest snapdragons in all four seasons, not just winter as previously required. Hopefully, due to Foshee’s research, Alabama’s small-scale farmers will soon be able to take advantage of this cash cow.
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