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Transcript of Photo courtesy of J Bowen. We are a family owned and operated business, committed to providing the...
We are a family owned and operated business, committed to providing the freshest, highest quality green beans in the industry!
C&E Farms processes more than 750,000 bushels of beans annually
We have a partnership with 45 growers, on 4000 acres from Florida to Pennsylvania,
We have packing facilities in Parrish, Florida and Cheriton, Virginia.
USDA GAP Certified (Good Agricultural Practices) certified from the field to the cooler.
Photo courtesy of J Bowen
Who is C&E Farms?C&E Farms was established in 1986 by Phil Colson and
Lester Erlemeier in Cheriton, Virginia. These two men were the pioneers of hydro-cooling green beans, setting a new industry standard. Their innovation, along with a dedication to quality and service, have made Red Barn Label beans a top choice.
Phil’s sons Bob and Mark have carried on the values that have made C&E Farms great. Which has allowed them to become one of the largest Grower Packer Shippers of green beans in the country.
Our ProcessA planting schedule is set up over multiple regions with
the goal of having consistent supply for 8 months.Once the beans have reached maturity they are machine
harvested and hauled to our packing facility.The green beans are graded to remove any foreign
material, broken beans, or defects.Beans are then hydro-cooled and packaged.The green beans are then sold and shipped to buyers up
and down the East Coast.
Quality Control
Photos courtesy of J Bowen
• Great employees and detailed training make our inspectors conscientious of our customers’ need for quality.
• C&E Farms sets itself apart by using custom made machinery and computerized optical sorters in its grading process.
• Each lot is audited at periodic intervals to assure a USDA Grade A or better is achieved.
• Our quality control process allows us to achieve a marketable product even from fields with marginal quality.
Hydro-Cooling
Photo courtesy of J Bowen
• After grading, all of our green beans are hydro-cooled and maintained at forty degrees.
• This process takes out the field heat providing a higher quality, better tasting product and a longer shelf life.
Timely Delivery
Photo courtesy of J Bowen
• C&E Farms has its own fleet of trucks dedicated to delivering to our customers.
• C&E drivers constantly monitor green bean temperature to assure that the cold chain is maintained.
• We can accommodate our customers delivery needs, assuring timely delivery of the highest quality green beans.
Why C&E Growsin Multiple Regions
Each region has been selected based on having soils ideal for growing green beans and the availability of irrigation.
Every region has its ideal time for growing green beans. This is due to seasonal weather patterns such as temperature, humidity and rainfall.
By matching up ideal growing regions with the best seasonal conditions, we can provide good quality and consistent supply throughout the season.
Photos courtesy of J Bowen
• Varieties
Green Beans
Photos courtesy of J Bowen
Yellow Wax Beans
KY Beans
• We work with plant breeders and researchers to select the best varieties for each growing area.
• A variety has to have the right shape, size, color, shelf life, stress tolerance and yield.
What are we looking for.Growers with experience growing row crops or vegetablesGrowers should have between 30 and 100 acres they can
commit to the programPlanting date ranges are from May 15 to July 15Land equipped with irrigation
Pivots are preferred Hard hose is acceptable if the grower feels they have
the resources to apply water in a timely manner. Growers should recognize the value of diversifying their
crops.
Benefits of Growing with C&E Farms We are growers ourselves whom have dirt under our finger nails No specialized equipment needed to grow Fast payouts, means better cash flow early on in the season Ordering large volumes of seed allows us to negotiate for better prices,
consistent seed counts, and higher germination rates. Theses savings are passed on to the grower
The planting schedule is set up to keep gluts of product being harvested at one time, creating a more stable market
We sell to the top buyers and companies in the produce industry The ability to go to processors with beans if necessary Being a partner with C&E Farms means the risk is shared.
If we don’t harvest you don’t pay for the seed If green beans have to go process C&E does not take a percentage We have never sent a grower a bill
Hassel free food safety policy $14.85 Average Price/Bushel on a 4 year average
C&E Farms ResponsibilitiesFronting seed to growerPlanting scheduleDetermine time of plantingArranging scoutingCollection and testing of
water samples Arranging harvestingDetermine time of
harvestingArranging hauling from
field
Packing laborPacking machineryCrates/packagingSalesAccounts payable Accounts receivableFood safety policyFood safety costPaying grower in 30-40
days from harvest
Grower ResponsibilitiesLand rentLand preparationGrowing equipmentFertilizerPlanting per scheduleSpraying herbicide,
pesticide, fungicideInsect/weed controlIrrigation
Growing costSeed cost at settlementScouting cost (50%)Water testing cost (50%)Growing crop to the best
of grower’s abilityFollowing grower portion
of C&E Farms Food Safety Policy
Why the Split?
A 50/50 split is sales based not package basedWhen compared to custom packing operations
our program gives growers a higher return on lower sales prices
Cost of Growing Green BeansVariables such as soil moisture, insect and
disease pressure will factor into your cost per acre
Average cost of growing green beans is $700/ acre (seed and land rent 60%)
Cost such as fuel for equipment and irrigation is not included in estimate
What GAP Means for The Grower
Most requirements of the farm audit are handled by C&E to make it as easy as possible for the grower
Growers food safety requirements.Field Selection Assessment ReportHalf the fee for the water sample
In ConclusionYou don’t grow for C&E, you grow with C&ENo specialized equipment needed to grow30-40 day payoutHassle free GAP programCustomized precision machinery means
consistent pack out and grade.Risk is shared. It is a partnership. Win-win or
lose-loseSales to top buyers and companies in the
produce industry