Transcript C&E Farms Inc.

Photo courtesy of J Bowen
 We are a family owned and operated business, committed
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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 Process
 A planting schedule is set up over multiple regions with
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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
• 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.
Photos courtesy of J Bowen
 Hydro-Cooling
• After grading, all of our
green beans are hydrocooled and maintained at
forty degrees.
• This process takes out
the field heat providing a
higher quality, better
tasting product and a
longer shelf life.
Photo courtesy of J Bowen
 Timely Delivery
• 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.
Photo courtesy of J Bowen
Why C&E Grows
in 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
• 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.
Yellow
Wax
Beans
Green Beans
KY
Beans
Photos courtesy of J Bowen
What are we looking for.
 Growers with experience growing row crops or vegetables
 Growers should have between 30 and 100 acres they can
commit to the program
 Planting date ranges are from May 15 to July 15
 Land 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,
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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 Responsibilities
 Fronting seed to grower
 Packing labor
 Planting schedule
 Packing machinery
 Determine time of planting
 Crates/packaging
 Arranging scouting
 Sales
 Collection and testing of
 Accounts payable
water samples
 Arranging harvesting
 Determine time of
harvesting
 Arranging hauling from
field
 Accounts receivable
 Food safety policy
 Food safety cost
 Paying grower in 30-40
days from harvest
Grower Responsibilities
 Land rent
 Growing cost
 Land preparation
 Seed cost at settlement
 Growing equipment
 Scouting cost (50%)
 Fertilizer
 Water testing cost (50%)
 Planting per schedule
 Growing crop to the best
 Spraying herbicide,
of grower’s ability
 Following grower portion
of C&E Farms Food
Safety Policy
pesticide, fungicide
 Insect/weed control
 Irrigation
Why the Split?
 A 50/50 split is sales based not package based
 When compared to custom packing operations
our program gives growers a higher return on
lower sales prices
Cost of Growing Green Beans
 Variables 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 Report
 Half the fee for the water sample
In Conclusion
 You don’t grow for C&E, you grow with C&E
 No specialized equipment needed to grow
 30-40 day payout
 Hassle free GAP program
 Customized precision machinery means
consistent pack out and grade.
 Risk is shared. It is a partnership. Win-win or
lose-lose
 Sales to top buyers and companies in the
produce industry