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Abstract
This study combines whole farm economic analysis with biophysical simulation
techniques in order to achieve a twofold objective. First, the study seeks to develop a multiple
enterprise vegetable farm model with a production and marketing decision interface and, second,
to determine optimal production practices for Kentucky vegetable growers. Three vegetable
crops are examined: tomatoes, bell peppers and sweet corn. The findings indicate that the risk
associated with vegetable production can be significantly mitigated with diversification of
production mix and with a greater number of transplanting dates. However, this reduction in risk
comes at a high cost in terms of expected net returns.