This is a statewide program intended to involve, train and benefit all farmers, farm support agencies, environmental support agencies and agricultural school programs that wish to be a part. Financial support for the program is currently coming solely from the Grow Alabama CSA program and is now beginning its second year of operation.
In 2004 over $100, 000 worth of “sustainably” produced fruits and vegetables were asked to be grown and were purchased by Grow Alabama. The 2005 crop plan currently being contracted to Alabama growers is valued at over $600,000, based on a projected 1,000 members. Over 20 farmers representing over 1000 acres have now agreed to participate and the details of production with basic agreements on production amounts and varieties, and payment are being worked out. As many as 40 farmers may participate in the program for 2005. The crop plan for the 1,000 members calls for only about 80 acres of production, timed throughout the year. Overages may be sold by the farmer at his local markets and more may be bought by Grow Alabama for sell to restaurants and smaller grocery markets.
The crop plan consists of at least 52 different vegetables and will include over 200 varieties. Many crops will be the only commercially produced crops of particular vegetables grown in Alabama for many years, i.e., carrots, lettuce, Napa cabbages, spinach, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and several others, including fruits and berries.
With the market for production established and growing, the basis of the program is the Grow Alabama, “Get One Over the Bridge” program. In this program a grower will agree to grow one or more acres of, preferably, 4 or more different vegetable crops, with “beginning” organic methods (basically not using any organically unacceptable amendments, fertilizers or pesticides) and sell an agreed upon quantity to Grow Alabama. The organically un-certified produce, of acceptable quality, will be purchased by Grow Alabama at 20% above Birmingham market wholesale price. The ideal and the goal is that the produce will be picked up by Grow Alabama from the farm, although the grower may deliver if he wishes. Pickup from the farm will cost the farmer 20% and their needs to be enough produce to pickup to justify the effort and expense. The first step of this program is that the grower orders the organic certification manual and the Incubator Program will support him in attaining his certification while producing a crop that is already sold. Once certified, the crop would be worth 40-50% more.
The farm program is currently being setup and overseen by Jerry Spencer, Founder of Grow Alabama, and an additional man, hired by Grow Alabama. It is desired that farm support agencies, environmental support agencies and agricultural school programs will want to participate in the learning, as well as the development of this program.
Further support for this program will come from an expanded organic farm intern program called OrganiCorps. OrganiCorps will be made up of college age coeds interested in becoming productive farmers. It is expected to take no more than 10 interns into this program this year. They will have an education component, a practical component and a service component in this program. They will be sent out several days per week to work with/support the growers participating in the Get One Over the Bridge program.
