Features Production Research
Alberta vegetable, fruit production guides available

March 1, 2016, Edmonton, Alta – Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) has a number of publications available for all levels of producers interested in the commercial production of vegetables and fruits.

Gerard Vaillancourt, director of information management with AAF says the publications are extremely useful resources for those interested in commercial vegetable or fruit production.

Commercial Vegetable Production on the Prairies is a 300-page comprehensive resource and reference tool designed for all knowledge levels of commercial production.

“It’s a terrific resource for anyone who is looking at entering commercial vegetable production or someone who is experienced and just wants to get more of the tips,” he says adding that it was developed by extension specialists and researchers from across the Prairies.

The book goes through all aspects of production from seeding right through to disease, weed and insect control.

“If you’re looking for a diversification opportunity, and commercial vegetable production crossed your mind, this would be a great place to start,” Vaillancourt says.

Vaillancourt says there are also two other publications, Commercial Strawberry Production on the Prairies and the Saskatoon Berry Production Manual.

“These books are aimed at people who want to look at the possibility of going into small fruit production,” he says.

These publications go into the details that a grower must consider to be commercially successful if planning to enter the business.

“If you’re interested in taking a little bit of land and devoting it to another crop, these books would be of great use,” he says, ”The books provide a lot of information about keeping either strawberry production operation going or running an orchard over the years.”

To check out these and other publications from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, go to www.agriculture.alberta.ca/publications, or call the Publications Office at 780-427-0391.