They often turn to the Extension Service for help. There is little information available on minor or specialty crops since Extension services have traditionally worked with large farm operations. There are many potential alternative cash crops. Fresh culinary herbs are one of the best candidates. Fresh herbs add a great deal to both flavor and presentation of foods while reducing salt and calories in food preparation.
Fresh herbs are high value crops that can be successfully grown without the use of pesticides.
Culinary herb production and marketing information is very important to farmers before they decide whether they can successfully grow herbs. Field trials and marketing research have been conducted in southern and southwestern Ohio. This report focuses mainly on the results of marketing research. Some of the results were presented at the Galaxy Summit in Cincinnati. The results were compiled from a comprehensive survey that was sent to members of The American Culinary Federation of Greater Cincinnati.