Horticultural Production Options
Drip or trickle irrigation is a very efficient method of applying water and nutrients to crops. For many crops, the conversion from sprinkler to drip irrigation can reduce water use by 50 percent.
Precipitation in Pennsylvania is usually sufficient for growing many agronomic and some horticultural crops. However, irrigation often is necessary because of the uneven distribution of precipitation throughout the year, especially during critical growth periods.
Organic production is a system that lends itself well to small-scale and part-time farming operations. Although the cost of certification and the time and labor involved in managing the system are high, returns can also be, on average, 20 percent higher than conventionally produced products, provided that a market exists.
