The PMA Fresh Summit is a great opportunity for growers to get in touch with fellow producers as well as to exchange ideas and present their produce. One family farm in Arkansas are proud to exhibit their products when they attend the event for their 6th time.
Carol Ann Dominion described her family farm's history, "Old Dominion Produce have been in Arkansas since 1993 and the family's farming history goes back 90 years, beginning in 1927 in Benton Harbor, Michigan in the midst of the Great Depression. Through out the years the farm has grown sweet corn, cucumbers, watermelon, zucchini, summer squash, acorn squash, sorghum and butternut squash. Currently cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, watermelons and peanuts are being raised in what is commonly called the 'Bootheel'".
"We have two seasons each year," she continued. "The first goes from the month of June until early August, with the second being end of September to end of October," Dominion explained. "This year at the show, we will present our summer squash, slicing cucumbers, and our seedless and seeded watermelons."
Peanuts booming in Arkansas
Dominion said that peanuts are beginning to boom in Arkansas. And although they won't be presented at this year's Fresh Summit, she said she wouldn't be surprised if they make an appearance in the near future.
"This is our 3rd year for peanuts (creamers used for peanut butter)," Dominion said. "Peanuts are a relatively new commodity in Arkansas but they're making a significant impression. Peanuts and Georgia are simultaneously associated, but this is about to change. Arkansas and Georgia have similar soil and climate which accounts for the increase of Peanut production in Arkansas. In 2009 there were 600 acres of peanuts planted in Arkansas. In 2012 there were 18,000 acres planted in Arkansas and in 2017 there were 25,000 acres. Now that's a lot of peanut butter! Peanuts are not only used as a main crop but are an excellent rotation crop as well."
A 'vibrant' event to meet with fellow industry professionals
Dominion said the company enjoy attending Fresh Summit as it is a fantastic opportunity to meet up with fellow growers, as well as customers and suppliers in the industry. "Old Dominion Produce is always looking forward to attending the Fresh Summit where we meet customers, suppliers, fellow producers, shippers, logistics, and packers," she continued. "The new and innovating ideas that the PMA has every year, makes the show a vibrant and great way to keep abreast of what is coming ahead in the produce industry.""Please feel free to stop by our Booth #3971, "Arkansas Grown" and as we say in Arkansas - 'Come, relax and sit a spell'. We'd enjoy meeting you and telling you about the great state of Arkansas and its fruit and vegetable industry. And before you leave our booth make sure you pick up our great and easy recipes!"
For more information:
Carol Ann Dominion
Old Dominion Produce
Tel: +1 (269) 325-4883