• One of the crops we are considering is alfalfa.
  • “The global alfalfa market is projected to grow from $21.63 billion in 2021 to $35.20 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 7.2% in the forecast period, 2021-2028.” [link]
  • “The Alfalfa Seed Market size accounted for USD 593.75 million in 2022 and grow at a CAGR of 4.71% to reach USD 782.42 million by 2028.” [link]
  • “Alfalfa is most commonly grown as food for livestock animals. In humans, it's often eaten as a garnish, and seems to prevent cholesterol absorption in the stomach.“ [link] It’s commonly also used as a cover crop [link]
  • “Alfalfa’s flowers keep their reproductive organs hidden away inside a boat-shaped bottom petal called the keel petal, which is held closed by a thin membrane that creates a spring mechanism … When [bees] land on the flower, the membrane holding the keel petal breaks and the long reproductive structure pops right up and smacks the upper petal or the bee, releasing its yellow pollen. This process is called “tripping the flower.”” [link]
• Another crop we are considering is blueberry
  • “The value of the nation’s blueberry crop is estimated at more than $593 million.” [link]
  • “The fibre, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and phytonutrient content in blueberries supports heart health." [link]
  • “The combined visits by both honeybees and wild bee species … during blueberry bloom leads to better seed set, larger fruit, and higher yields. Adequate fruit size can make the difference between making fresh grade versus process grade …Blueberries that develop without bee pollination tend to be small and usually don’t reach marketable size.” [link]
  • Up to 2.5 meters tall [link]
• A final crop we were considering was pumpkin
  • “Pumpkin plants set fruit only if pollinated by insects, and fruit quality is enhanced by intensive pollinator activity. Male flowers produce nectar and pollen, while female flowers offer higher quantities of nectar but no pollen” [link]
  • “The U.S. processed pumpkin market size was valued at USD 1.34 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2021 to 2028” [link]
  • “pumpkins and other Cucurbits are monoecious, meaning they have separate male and female flowers on the same plant.” [link]