Spring season provided hope

Kristy J. O'Hara

Exhausted is the No. 1 word growers have used to describe how they’re feeling following this year’s selling season, but the No. 2 word is hopeful.

All reports seem to indicate that this was one of the best sales seasons in recent years, and in our cover story this month we talked to you to find out how it went. With the early spring weather most of the country experienced, sales started earlier than normal. As the sun continued to shine high in the sky and threats of rain proved false, growers didn’t get the much-needed breaks they’re accustomed to in order to catch up, but few were complaining.

As growers, you seemed to try new approaches to your crops this year, whether it was trying more unique offerings and less staple items, or taking the different approach and trying to be a one-stop-shop to increase business. You also embraced better business practices and started looking at margins for products and figuring out what it will take to get to profit levels you want or need. And you tried new programs and worked with your customers to implement them successfully. It was a big step forward and provides hope for many that the worst is behind us.

But while sales were up and most are hopeful for the future now, some still have reservations because profit levels didn’t grow at the rate that revenue did this year, so we took a look at some of those concerns as well to get a full picture of the season.

But what’s on your mind regarding the season? Did you try something new this year? How did it work out? What do you want to do differently next year? What are you concerned about going into next year? We’d love to hear from you about how the season went, so please email me with a report of how sales were in your area, what you’re seeing, and what you’re hearing from other growers.

Together we can look at what went well and what needs to improve, and we can create an even better season next year by finding ways to overcome the problems and concerns that are out there facing the market. While the weather may not be as gorgeous in seasons to come, you can still be successful, and we’re here to help.

kohara@gie.net
Twitter: @GMmagEditor