Opportunities exist for converting Conservation Reserve Program acres to wine grapes, other fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, and organically-grown food. Wine grape production is not meeting the needs of Indiana's 18 wineries. Much of the CRP land is sloping, providing cold air drainage and making it ideal for production of grapes and some other fruits. This is particularly true near the Ohio River and Lake Michigan where a maritime climate enhances grape and tree fruit production. But vegetables might not be a good option on CRP land which generally is nutrient-poor and lacking in water.
Vegetables require the best of soils and irrigation.
A few acres of these crops can have good financial returns and provide an ideal way to diversify. Organic crops can be grown the first year after CRP contracts expire if no chemicals have been applied for more than three years. Markets exist but must be cultivated. U- pick markets may not be a good option. They are declining.