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<br />allowing them to multi -crop the land if desired. Weed con-
<br />trol is critical for good bulb size, and presently, this is all
<br />done mechanically. To prevent serious insect and disease
<br />problems from developing, a strict crop rotation plan should
<br />be followed and only the best bulbs should be used for re-
<br />planting.
<br />The key to being successful with herbs is, of course, mar-
<br />keting. Because of the diversity of herbs and herb products,
<br />there are many opportunities for all size herb operations.
<br />Herbs are particularly well- suited to small, part-time, family
<br />operations where different family members take responsi-
<br />bility for growing, making value -added products, and mar-
<br />keting. No matter how you sell your herbs, it is important to
<br />educate the customer. Most people are fascinated with
<br />herbs, but they know little about them. The more they know
<br />how to use herbs, the more they buy. One way to handle
<br />this is to provide recipe cards with your herbs. If you are
<br />selling herb plants from your farm, display gardens will
<br />help make sales. Offer tours of the gardens. Describe the
<br />plants, how to grow them, how to landscape with them, and
<br />how to use them. Provide plans for the display gardens
<br />along with a list of plants needed, and have plenty of those
<br />plants for sale. Herb fairs and festivals have also proved to
<br />be excellent promotional tools and big sales events in North
<br />Carolina. During these events, demonstrations and talks are
<br />offered on a variety of topics such as how to make pesto,
<br />how to use Chinese herbs, and how to make a tussie mussie.
<br />People are hungry for herbs and herb products and we have-
<br />n't even begun to reach the full potential of what can be of-
<br />fered, from plants, to teas, to wreaths, to soaps, etc. You are
<br />only limited by your imagination and your abilities to man-
<br />age a diverse operation and effectively sell your products.
<br />The keys are to take advantage of the many opportunities to
<br />market; direct sales, wholesale, mail- order, and craft shows.
<br />Keep informed and share information through your state or
<br />regional association. Herbs can offer exciting opportunities
<br />to many people. To be successful, however, you must be
<br />willing to take a different approach to selling then maybe
<br />you have ever done before. In my experience, that has been
<br />the challenge.
<br />If you would like more information about the production
<br />and marketing of specific herbs, call Debbie Roos at 919-
<br />542 -8202.
<br />Pa e4?A
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<br />A combination of several factors has led to the change in the
<br />fee structure:
<br />• Funding for clinic operations has been cut by 25% for the
<br />fiscal year and may be cut again before the end of the year.
<br />• The position of assistant diagnostician was indefinitely
<br />frozen after being vacated effective November 1st. The
<br />clinic will therefore be understaffed for the foreseeable
<br />future.
<br />• The cost for supplies and services has continued to rise this
<br />year.
<br />• This move is in line with an increased general emphasis. on
<br />fee - for- service activities by the NC Cooperative Extension
<br />Service.
<br />Organic Sales Grow 38 Percent
<br />from "In Business "Nov /Dec 2001
<br />The Organic Trade Association's (OTA) "2001 Manufacturers'
<br />Market Survey" shows sales of U.S. manufactured organic
<br />products grew 38% during the past year -- exceeding the esti-
<br />mated 20 -25% annual growth for the organic market. Fastest
<br />categories between 1999 and 2000 were soy foods and other
<br />meat/dairy alternatives (215% growth), meat and poultry and
<br />eggs (64 %), miscellaneous canned and jarred products (51 %)
<br />and dairy (40% growth), according to the results released in the
<br />survey. Starr Track, an independent market research firm based
<br />in Arcata, CA, conducted the survey.
<br />The survey found that one of the most dramatic changes, when
<br />compared to the 1998 results, was the shift to mass market
<br />channels. In the 2001 study, less than half (49 %) of organic
<br />food manufacturers' products moved through health and natural
<br />stores, down from 62% in 1998. Mass market groceries, mean-
<br />while, accounted for 45% of organic food product sales in
<br />2001, compared to only 31% in the 1998 survey. For more in-
<br />formation, visit the OTA website at www.ota.com.
<br />Northern Piedmont
<br />Specialty Crops School
<br />February 15,2002
<br />Oxford, NC
<br />New Fee for Submitting Plant Samples - -- Press release submitted by Carl Cantaluppi, Horticulture
<br />to the NCSU Clinic Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
<br />in Granville and Person Counties.
<br />Beginning January 1, 2002, growers will need to pay S 1 to
<br />submit a sample to the NCSU Plant Disease and Insect
<br />Clinic. This new fee is necessary in order for the PDIC to
<br />continue providing disease diagnosis and insect identifica-
<br />tions in a timely and professional manner. Growers who
<br />submit samples directly to the PDIC (and not via CES or
<br />NCDA personnel) will pay S20.
<br />The Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School will hold its
<br />annual event on Friday, February 15, 2002, at the Southern
<br />Livestock Center in Oxford, NC.
<br />The meeting location has changed for the benefit of all who
<br />take part in the school. The Southern Livestock Center is a
<br />state -of -the -art, brand -new facility that will comfortably seat
<br />
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