specialty crops - Ask Extension
What might be some good specialty crops for a 12-15 acre field in Geauga county?
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specialty crops #923359
Asked January 06, 2026, 9:38 AM EST
What might be some good specialty crops for a 12-15 acre field in Geauga county?
Geauga County Ohio
Expert Response
Tim
Thanks for your question. This is one I get often. The first response is what condition is the field in? Does it have grass or brush growing on it? If it has grass it may be an old hay field or pasture. This can be improved or it may have to be renovated. If it has brush and weeds growing then it most likely an abandon crop field that will take considerable work and a sizeable financial investment to bring back into production. In both cases I would need to know the level of soil fertility, the drainage on the field and the soil type, before I could make a recommendation. I assume that you are new to the area. You may or may not have the equipment to renovate the field. these are considerations.
As for what you can grow. The amount of acerage all but eliminates cash grain. It is not economically sustainable with that many acres. You could go to the horticultural side and plant brambles, blueberries or fruit trees. All of these take time are labor intensive. They are not as labor intensive as vegetable crops.Labor is the biggest consideration when it comes to growing produce.
The one crop you might consider is hay. Once it is established it is good for 5 to 10 years. You can hire someone to plant it. You can acquire equipment to harvest it yourself, or sell the crop standing in the field by the acre. There is also a good market for hay the Geauga County area.
I am not trying to discourage you but failure can be very expensive both financially and emotionally. I am here to help you succeed. Please contact your local Extension Office if you have more questions. Thank You
Les Ober
Extension Educator ANR
Geauga County.
<personal data hidden>
Thanks for your question. This is one I get often. The first response is what condition is the field in? Does it have grass or brush growing on it? If it has grass it may be an old hay field or pasture. This can be improved or it may have to be renovated. If it has brush and weeds growing then it most likely an abandon crop field that will take considerable work and a sizeable financial investment to bring back into production. In both cases I would need to know the level of soil fertility, the drainage on the field and the soil type, before I could make a recommendation. I assume that you are new to the area. You may or may not have the equipment to renovate the field. these are considerations.
As for what you can grow. The amount of acerage all but eliminates cash grain. It is not economically sustainable with that many acres. You could go to the horticultural side and plant brambles, blueberries or fruit trees. All of these take time are labor intensive. They are not as labor intensive as vegetable crops.Labor is the biggest consideration when it comes to growing produce.
The one crop you might consider is hay. Once it is established it is good for 5 to 10 years. You can hire someone to plant it. You can acquire equipment to harvest it yourself, or sell the crop standing in the field by the acre. There is also a good market for hay the Geauga County area.
I am not trying to discourage you but failure can be very expensive both financially and emotionally. I am here to help you succeed. Please contact your local Extension Office if you have more questions. Thank You
Les Ober
Extension Educator ANR
Geauga County.
<personal data hidden>
