The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is
continuing its efforts to provide farmers with research-based information on
locally grown specialty crops to satisfy the increasing demand.
Dr. Nadine Burton-Stubbs, an alternative crop
specialist with UMES Extension’s Small Farm Program, was a featured speaker on January
31 during the second day of the virtual 2021 Urban Farmer Winter meeting. Her topic was “African heritage specialty
crop research.” The event is sponsored by
the University of Maryland Extension’s urban agriculture department.
Burton-Stubbs highlighted alternative crops such as
callaloo, sorrel and scotch bonnet peppers as potential additions to the
current cropping system. These crops, she said, are consumed across ethnic
groups and have the ability to create niche markets. They are high-valued crops
with high yield and value-added potential, which can increase farm
income.
“By growing these crops, we are
contributing to food security,” Burton-Stubbs said. “People from varying
ethnicities have difficulty finding food they prefer, therefore, growing
specialty crops provides such consumers with safe, nutritious food that meets
their food preferences and dietary needs.”
Apart from improving food security, Burton
said, diversifying crop offerings also leads to additional benefits, such as
nutritional, economical and environmental values, which are very important assets
for crop production.
The
university continues to conduct research and identify new crops such as Jamaica
pumpkin, yucca and African garden egg along with specialty herbs that can be
grown alternatively. Findings are shared with farmers through extension
events and activities.
For more
information on alternative crops and herbs, contact Burton at the UMES Research
and Education Farm at 410-621-5450 or by emailing nmburton@umes.edu.
Top: Dr. Nadine Burton inspects callaloo.
Right: Researchers work with scotch bonnet peppers.
 |
Above: Scotch bonnet peppers (capsicum chinense)
|
|
Above: Sorrell (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)
|
|
Above: Callaloo (Amaranthus viridis L.) |
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and
media associate, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, University
of Maryland Eastern Shore, 410-621-3850, gcstephens@umes.edu.