The Complexities of Specialty Crops Simplified in this New Course

The Specialty Crops Course builds on all the materials from Ag 101 and Focus on Crops by layering in hours of information and expertise in production. It builds knowledge of the complexities in specialty crops. Completing the full program results in a depth of understanding and critical thinking that will come in handy when working with customers, colleagues, etc.

The lessons in this Course include:

• FACTS & TRIVIA – Interesting facts about specialty crops including definitions, major geographies, primary crop groupings, and more. What are some of the leading states in specialty crop production and what do they grow there? 
• A YEAR IN PRODUCTION – A visual look at the various points of the season the different ways crops get established, some of the specialized equipment used in production, and movement to processing. 
• HONEY BEES & POLLINATION – One of the nation’s preeminent bee experts -- Jerry Hayes talks with us about the role honey bees play in specialty crops, how hives work, how beekeepers manage colonies, and some of the challenges they face. 
• OVERVIEW OF SPECIALTY CROPS – There are several options in specialty crops for farmers and the various markets they sell to. We discuss what that looks like and what you need to know about the supply chain. Raghela Scavuzzo is the source
• ON THE FARM – Farmer Don Cameron takes us around his farm in the San Joaquin Valley, talking about some of the dozens of crops he grows and some of the production practices that are more common with tree nuts, vegetables, grapes, and spice production. 
• BUSINESS OF SPECIALTY PRODUCTION – Growing dozens of high-dollar crops means working with a range of brands. Cannon Michael, a California farmer who does just that, helps us understand the factors involved today. 
  
• IS SORGHUM SPECIALTY OR NOT? It Depends. -- Texas farmer Scott Irlbeck discusses th way sorghum is grown and how it's moving more into the mainstream with increased market potential. 
• ORGANIZATIONS, MEDIA & EVENTS – This lesson provides a range of useful resources for people working in the produce and specialty crops segments of agriculture. 

Get More Information

We have a webpage focused on the Specialty Crops Course and various packages available for purchase. We also have a downloadable available that shows information about other courses in packages, etc.