Sustainable production of specialty crops is a profitable venture that limited resource farmers and small-scale producers can use to diversify their operations and enhance their sustainability. Our specialty crops research project has established a research and extension program on high-value vegetable and small fruit crops. This program provides crop options for farmers and trains farmers across Texas to grow these crops.
Together with the Family and Community Health Unit of the Cooperative Extension Program, we develop fact sheets for the farmers and recipes to promote the consumption of these highly nutritious crops by those who are not familiar with them. The program also provides experiential research learning for agriculture students and postdocs.
The program has led to a collaboration with a Scientist at the Instituto Tecnológico de Pabellón de Arteaga, Aguascalientes, in Mexico on the use of LED lights to produce specialty Egyptian spinach and vegetable amaranth microgreens in a controlled environment.
