Rye cover crops can be used for organic weed control. Returns on investment-Organic foods bring premium prices. They can cost as much as 15 to 50 percent more than conventionally-grown field crops and as much as 200 percent more for fruits and vegetables. But crop losses also can be higher for organically-grown food. Returns on organic carrots and broccoli are low because of difficulty in growing them.
Prices also depend on fruit appearance.
Wormy apples don't sell whether organic or conventional. But many people are willing to pay premium if appearance is good. Specialty Crops Specialty crops include herbs, Chinese chestnuts, other nuts native to Indiana, and pawpaws. Others include many herbs, vegetables, flowers, medicinal plants, and plants for aromatics and essential oils. A growing Asian population has created a demand for food not normally grown in Indiana, including Chinese chestnuts.