coates harvest presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Harvesting for ProfitA “Small” Scale Vegetable Harvest System
Kent and Ruth CoatesNature’s Route Farm785 Route 16Point de Bute, NB E4L 2P1(506) [email protected]://naturesroutefarm.ca
1. Background
2. Needs Assessment3. Our System similar to “Lean” = reduce waste
4. Picking Systems
5. Discussion
Nature’s Route Farm
Outline
Nature’s Route Farm
Background1. Farming Full Time for 2 Years (Mechanical Engineer)
2. Direct Market a. CSA (52 week)
b. Farmer’s Market
3. Growing Businessa. Tripled in 2nd Year and will Double in 3rd Year
b. Started with 1.2 Acres 4+ Acres planned for 2009
Nature’s Route Farm
Needs Assessment1. Identify YOUR Requirements
a. From the Consumer’s Perspectiveb. From a Resource Perspective
2. Our Farma. Fresh (hour old) produce with minimized packaging - HIGHEST
QUALITY
b. One Person, Minimal Infrastructure, Fast, Safe, Quality (harder as you get more employees)
How OLD is your produce when you sell it?
Nature’s Route Farm Our System
1. Get Organized – Pick Just the Right Stuff!!!
White Board
Nature’s Route Farm Our System
1. Get Organized – Pick Just the Right Stuff!!!
2. Quality – QA in field a. Time of Day
b. Weather
c. Handling
Nature’s Route Farm Our System
1. Get Organized – Pick Just the Right Stuff!!!
2. Quality – QA in field - time of day – weather - handling
3. Food Safety – Segregation, Constantly Mindful
-Have a Plan
Nature’s Route Farm Our System
1. Get Organized – Pick Just the Right Stuff!!!
2. Quality – QA in field - time of day – weather - handling
3. Food Safety – Segregation, Constantly Mindful
4. Mobile Vegetable Stand – Pack and GO!!!
Nature’s Route Farm Our System
1. Get Organized – Pick Just the Right Stuff!!!
2. Quality – QA in field - time of day – weather - handling
3. Food Safety – Segregation, Constantly Mindful4. Mobile Vegetable Stand – Pack and GO!!!
5. No Packaging – sell produce “bulk” – find a way to make it fast
Nature’s Route Farm Our System
1. Get Organized – Pick Just the Right Stuff!!!
2. Quality – QA in field - time of day – weather - handling
3. Food Safety – Segregation, Constantly Mindful4. Mobile Vegetable Stand – Pack and GO!!!
5. No Packaging – sell produce “bulk” – find a way to make it fast
Constantly ImproveAsk Why?
Remove Processes
Improve Quality
Prioritize – use $ as a guide
-“Just in Time”
Nature’s Route Farm Picking System
Lettuce
Nature’s Route Farm Picking System
Carrots/Beets/Parsnips
We top our Carrots now (100cm stem)
Nature’s Route Farm Picking System
Potatoes
Nature’s Route Farm Picking System
Dried Beans – think twice…
Nature’s Route Farm Eggs
Mobile Coops (aspiration and reality)
Nesting Boxes
Nature’s Route Farm Picking System
Everything Else (no pictures)
Corn
Broccoli
Beans (green)
Onions
Swiss Chard
Vines (cucumber/squash/pumpkin)
Storage Vegetables (root crops)
Picking Schedule
Discussion