The Adoption of Drying Added-Value Technologies in the Specialty Crop Industry

Abstract

Value-added technologies can benefit specialty crops growers by leading to an increase profitability and improving access to markets. This study categorized and explored the main characteristics of farmers on the spectrum of adoption of drying value-added technologies. Farmers were categorized as 1) considering drying, 2) currently drying, 3) stopped drying, or 4) never dried. There were more women and minority farmers drying specialty crops than farmers with genders and races/ethnicities. There was a greater proportion of diversified operations, those selling through local markets, and those using food labels among farmers using drying technologies to add value to their products.