CROP PRODUCTION

• Growing, Raising, Processing

  Resources for farmers

  Please consult with J. Sullivan on farm management, including soils, local crops/varieties best-suited for commercial agriculture in Osceola County, pest management, fertilization, navigating agricultural regulations, and Agricultural Lands Classification ("Greenbelt").

  What you need to know about our climate and land in Osceola County:

  • Our cold hardiness zones are 9b and 10a.
  • We do have frost and periodic freezes. Fruits like blueberry, strawberry, and peach may need overhead irrigation for cold protection. Tropical fruits would be very risky to grow commercially here.
  • Our "chill hours" (hours under 45°F) are typically under 120hrs. Select "low-chill" varieties of fruits like blueberry, peach and strawberry.
  • Crop pest pressure makes growing a challenge. Research the potential pests for every crop you intend to grow.
    
  • We are in the "Kissimmee Valley", so many areas of the County are historically prone to seasonal flooding. Research your land's drainage carefully before planting perennial crops.
  • Florida Agricultural Best Management Practices 
  • Florida Vegetable Production Handbook for Commercial Growers
  • Florida Citrus Production Guide for Commercial Growers
  • Florida Stone Fruit - growing peaches, nectarines, plums
  • UF Blueberry Breeding Program
  • Florida Blueberry Growers Association / the blueberry news magazine
  • Strawberry Production Guide
  • Florida Strawberry Growers Association
  • Specialty Crop Grower magazine
  • Free pesticide pick-up and disposal - for farms, ranches, golf courses, pest control services
  • Pesticide Applicator Licensing

  Resources for homesteaders

  • Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
  • Growables - information for growing Florida edible plants
  • Growing strawberries in Florida
  • Blueberry Gardener's Guide
• Farming Education
  • Osceola County Agriculture Classes and Events
  • UF Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises website
  • Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
  • Florida Organic Growers
    • Florida Local Food Project - connect with other farmers and resources
• Business Planning and Funding
  • Florida Agritourism Association 
  • Farm Business Planning Guides
  • Guía para Desarrollar un Plan de Negocios para Granjas y Ranchos - En Español (Spanish business planning guide)
  • Farmer's Guide to Business Structures
  • SCORE Orlando - Small business and non-profit mentoring and workshops
  • Small Business Development Center - Seminars, business planning assistance
  • Central Florida Chambers of Commerce
    • Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce
      
      • Coalitions Council - networking communities
    • St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce
    • The Pride Chamber
    • African American Chamber of Commerce Central Florida
    • Asian American Chamber of Commerce Central Florida 
    • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Central Florida
    • Hispanic Chamber Of Metro Orlando
  • Prospera - Seminars, Loans, and other technical assistance
  • UCF Business Incubator-Kissimmee- Provides qualifying beginning businesses with strategic planning help, legal counsel, accounting/tax help, educational programs, marketing support, networking opportunities, office space, etc. 
  • Central Florida BizLink
  • National Entrepreneur Center - Central FL small business coaching, trainings, and funding assistance
  • CareerSource Central Florida - Training programs, interns, etc.
  • Black Business Investment Fund - Loans, technical assistance
  • North South Institute - Agriculture business planning assistance, Rural Entrepreneurship Assistance Program loans.
  • National Association of Women Business Owners - Orlando
  • AscendUs - Small business funding assistance

  United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources for farm businesses

  Note: To participate in any of the following USDA funding programs, first establish a "record" with your regional Farm Service Agency. In Osceola County: FSA Osceola County office, 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee FL, 407-847-4201 x2

  USDA contacts for Osceola County:

  • USDA Farm Service Agency-loan programs
    FSA Volusia County office (covering Osceola County loan programs)
    101 Heavensgate Rd, DeLand, FL
    352-742-7005 x2
    • Farm Loan Manager - Bronwyn Bethea-Rowland 813-752-1474 browyn.bethearowland@usda.gov
    • Farm Loan Officer Trainee - Luis Jimenez 352-742-7005 luis.jimenez@usda.gov

   

  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Conservation Practice cost-share programs, Conservation easement programs, etc.
    NRCS Osceola County office
    1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee FL
    407-847-4465 x3

  • USDA Rural Development- loans and grants
    USDA RD Champion's Gate Area office (covering Osceola County)                                                                                 8390 Champions Gate Blvd., Suite 210, Champions Gate, FL                                                                                           (863) 420-4833

  *All funding programs require a business plan-start with the above resources to help you get started with business planning. These organizations and Extension can help you with your business plan and identifying applicable funding sources.

• Finding Land to Farm

  In Osceola County, contact Jessica Sullivan at UF IFAS Extension if you would like assistance evaluating a particular property for farm enterprise suitability.

  General considerations for farm properties:

  • Is there suitable access to the property? Building or reinforcing roads that can withstand agricultural equipment/trucks is expensive and often must be permitted.
  • Are there existing electric utilities on the property? Obtaining access to or upgrading electric may be difficult or expensive for some properties.
  • Is there an existing well with adequate water supply for your agricultural activities? If the property wasn't used for agriculture previously, then it's likely you'll need a new or larger well/pump. All agricultural operations must have water permits from their local Water Management District.
  • Does the property have adequate drainage for your agricultural activities? Research the depth of the water table, soil drainage, and flood potential from nearby water bodies.
  • Is there enough land to farm without eliminating or damaging native habitats? If your farming enterprise depends on destroying native ecosystems, you may increase your flood potential and may not be able to participate in USDA funding programs.
  • Is there any planned development, roads, etc. through or near the property that will hinder an agricultural operation? Osceola County is being developed rapidly and even many rural areas are planned for urban development.
    
  • Can you afford to not make money on the property? It can years before an agricultural operation makes a profit and a property owner should never depend on a new farming venture to pay off the property.

  USDA general resources

  UF Small Farms Academy

• Buy From Local Farmers/ Visit Agritourism Sites

  Fresh from Florida - Find agritourism sites, recipes, and learn about Florida farms

  Visit Florida Farms - Find agritourism sites

  USDA Local Food Directories

  Visit Florida - Find agritourism sites and events

  Experience Kissimmee Florida - Find agritourism sites and events

  Edible Orlando magazine

  Central Florida Ag News

   

• Promote Your Farm Products and Agritourism Operation

  Fresh From Florida marketing program 

  Florida Agritourism Association - Marketing and support for Agritourism Operations

  USDA Local Food Directories

  Visit Florida marketing programs

  Experience Kissimmee Florida marketing programs

  Edible Orlando magazine

  Central Florida Media Group - Ag magazine publishers and marketing firm