An Overview of Specialty Crop Production in Wyoming.

Wyoming's unique growing environment presents challenges and opportunities for specialty crop producers. Among the challenges faced by producers are consistent high winds, a potential for snow any time of the year, short growing seasons, high elevation, grazing wildlife, alkaline soils, lack of precipitation and availability (quality and quantity) of irrigation water. These conditions limit which crops can be grown throughout the state. While challenges exist, specialty crop research looks at season extension in high tunnels, variety trials examining regionally adapted specialty crops including cool season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, kale, root crops, and peas, fruit such as apples, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, as well as greenhouse floriculture production. This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of growing specialty crops on the high plains and share some results from various specialty crop studies conducted by University of Wyoming researchers and extension specialists. Examples of results include extending a 90 day growing season to 150-175 days in high tunnels, high tunnel strawberry production yields over a 3 year period, cold hardy grape varieties, and cold hardy apple varieties.