Mass Harvesting And Processing Of Agricultural Products In 2023 - Farming Documentary

Summary

Harvest 2023 showcases the diverse agricultural landscape of the United States, highlighting the challenges and successes of various crops. From strawberries in California to sweet potatoes in North Carolina, the video takes viewers through the labor-intensive process of farming, emphasizing the dedication of growers and the impact of weather on crop yields. It also explores the harvest seasons of lettuce, sweet corn, sugar beets, apples, grapes, and more, revealing the economic and cultural significance of American agriculture.

Takeaways

• 🌾 It's harvest season in the United States, with a focus on the hard work and dedication of American farmers across various regions.
• 🌍 80% of the food consumed in the U.S. is produced domestically, highlighting the country's agricultural prowess.
• 🏆 U.S. growers are leading in the cultivation of world-class crops, despite challenges such as weather and market demands.
• 🌡️ The success of the harvest can be influenced by unpredictable weather, such as too much summer sunshine or a wet July.
• 📊 The southwest region, particularly California, is a significant producer of strawberries, with a year-round harvest and an 8% increase from 2022.
• 🥬 Arizona is the second-largest lettuce producer in the U.S., with 26,200 acres, and faces challenges from hot weather and potential heavy rains.
• 🌽 Washington is the second-largest sweet corn producer, with about 23,000 acres, and relies on avoiding prolonged intense heat for a successful harvest.
• 🍠 North Carolina leads in sweet potato production with 111,000 acres, but the 2023 harvest saw a more than 10% decrease from the previous year.
• 🥕 Michigan's sugar beet harvest is expected to increase by 7% in 2023, with a significant impact on sugar production.
• 🍎 Washington State's apple farms, covering 172,000 acres, are expecting a 9% decrease in production in 2023 due to a long, cold spring.
• 🍇 California's vineyards, which produce 92% of the country's wine grapes, have a thriving harvest season with workers earning an average of $17 per hour.

Q & A

What percentage of the food consumed in the United States is produced domestically?

Approximately 80% of the food consumed in the United States is produced domestically.

How much of the strawberry cultivation in California is located in the Santa Maria area?

Two-thirds of the total area of strawberry cultivation in California is in the Santa Maria area.

What is the total area of strawberry cultivation in California as of 2022?

As of 2022, the total area of strawberry cultivation in California is 39,000 acres.

How has the strawberry harvest in California in 2023 compared to the previous year?

The strawberry harvest in California in 2023 has increased by eight percent compared to 2022.

What is the percentage of the U.S. lettuce production provided by Arizona's lettuce fields annually?

Arizona's lettuce fields provide about 23 percent of the country's lettuce production annually.

What is the largest growing area for lettuce in the United States?

California has the largest lettuce growing area in the United States with 87,000 acres.

What is the impact of hot weather in June and July on lettuce farms in Arizona?

Hot weather in June and July is a significant problem for lettuce farms in Arizona, and heavy rain can also damage dozens of lettuce samples.

What is the area of land used for sweet potato production in the United States in 2023?

In 2023, the United States has about 157,000 acres of land used for sweet potato production.

How much of the U.S. sweet potato production area is in North Carolina?

The sweet potato growing area in North Carolina is about 111,000 acres, which is 35,000 acres more than California, Louisiana, and Mississippi combined.

What is the estimated sugar beet production in Michigan for 2023?

The estimated sugar beet production in Michigan for 2023 is 2.8 million tons.

How much of the U.S. apple production comes from Washington State?

As of 2023, Washington State produces about 1455 apple farms with an area of 172,000 acres, and they typically harvest about 10 to 12 billion apples each year.

What is the impact of a long, cold spring on apple production in Washington State in 2023?

The long, cold spring in 2023 has led to a decrease in apple production by nine percent compared to 2021, but the total production is still high.

What is the significance of the probiotic used on apple trees in Washington State during early spring?

The probiotic is used to protect the buds from attack by insects and aphids during early spring when young shoots appear.

What is the average wage for workers harvesting grapes in California vineyards?

The average wage for workers harvesting grapes in California vineyards is about $17 an hour.

What percentage of U.S. persimmon production is consumed domestically?

75% of persimmon production in the United States is consumed domestically.

What are the largest watermelon producing states in the United States?

Arizona, Georgia, and Florida are the states with the largest watermelon production, accounting for about 27% of total watermelon production in the United States.

What is the total area used for growing watermelons in the U.S., and what is the usual yield?

In 2021, around 105,000 acres of fields were used to grow watermelons in the U.S., with a yield usually more than 1.6 million tons.

What is the U.S.'s position in global cherry production?

The United States is the second-largest cherry producer in the world after Turkey.

What is the estimated value of cherries harvested in the United States in 2021?

In 2021, the cherries harvested in the United States brought in a value of about $522 million.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Harvest 2023: A Glimpse into America's Agricultural Triumphs and Trials

The script opens with the bustling harvest season across the United States, emphasizing the country's impressive agricultural output with 80% of its food being domestically produced. It highlights the challenges faced by growers due to unpredictable weather and fluctuating consumer preferences. The narrative takes us through various regions, showcasing the harvests of strawberries in California, wheat in Texas, and sweet potatoes in North Carolina, among others. The southwest's strawberry farms, particularly in the Santa Maria area, are highlighted for their significant contribution to the nation's strawberry yield, with a notable 8% increase in harvest compared to the previous year. The importance of a cool coastal climate for strawberry cultivation is underscored, along with the manual labor of immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala.

05:00

🌱 Lettuce and Sweet Corn: Arizona's Agricultural Endeavors

The second paragraph delves into Arizona's contribution to the nation's lettuce production, which accounts for 23% of the total. It describes the labor-intensive process of growing lettuce in the lower Colorado River Valley, with challenges posed by the intense heat and potential damage from heavy rain. The lettuce harvest typically runs from mid-December through March, with a successful yield reported as of July 2022. The narrative then shifts to sweet corn, with Washington state's farming practices and the impact of weather conditions on the crop's success. The importance of the harvest period and the role of migrant workers in the success of these crops are emphasized, along with the economic and agricultural significance of these regions.

10:03

🍠 North Carolina's Sweet Potato Bounty and Michigan's Sugar Beet Surge

This section focuses on the sweet potato harvest in North Carolina, detailing the planting process, the extensive growing area, and the labor required for harvesting. It reports a decrease in production by over 10% from the previous year but still highlights the significant value and volume of sweet potatoes harvested. The script then discusses the sugar beet harvest in Michigan, noting the acreage, harvest timeline, and an anticipated increase in production. The economic impact and the process of transforming these crops into sugar are briefly touched upon, showcasing the diversity and resilience of American agriculture.

15:04

🍎 Washington's Apple Orchards and California's Vineyards: Fruitful Harvests

The fourth paragraph explores Washington's apple farming, detailing the planting process, the number of farms, and the annual harvest volume. It discusses the challenges of a long, cold spring affecting apple production but reassures that the overall output remains substantial. The narrative then shifts to California's vineyards, highlighting the state's dominance in grape production for wine, the harvest period, and the economic benefits for workers. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of these fruit harvests to both the domestic market and international exports.

20:09

🍉 Arizona's Watermelon Wonders and Georgia's Peach Paradise

The final paragraph of the script takes us to Arizona's watermelon fields, discussing the state's role in watermelon production and the process of harvesting. It then moves to Georgia's peach farms, contrasting California's production volume with Georgia's renowned taste and quality. The paragraph also touches on kiwi farming in California and cherry harvesting in Washington, along with a brief mention of tangerine farming in Alabama. The script concludes by inviting viewers to reflect on the presented agricultural processes and share their thoughts.

🎥 A Closing Note on U.S. Vegetable Harvests

The closing paragraph, although not explicitly detailed in the script, suggests a wrap-up of the video's exploration of U.S. vegetable fields and their harvest processes. It implies a summary or conclusion to the video's content, possibly with a final note or call to action for viewers to engage with the video's topic.

Keywords

💡Harvest

Harvest refers to the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. It is central to the video's theme, showcasing the different stages and regions of agricultural production in the United States. The script mentions various harvests such as strawberries in California, lettuce in Arizona, and sweet potatoes in North Carolina, illustrating the diversity and scale of American agriculture.

💡Growers

Growers are individuals or entities involved in cultivating crops. The video emphasizes the role of U.S. growers in producing a significant portion of the nation's food supply. It highlights their expertise and the challenges they face, such as unpredictable weather and fluctuating consumer preferences.

💡Crops

Crops are plants that are cultivated for food, livestock feed, or other purposes. The script discusses various crops, including strawberries, lettuce, sweet corn, and sweet potatoes, which are integral to the agricultural industry and the livelihood of growers.

💡Climate

Climate is the long-term pattern of weather conditions in a region. The video mentions how the cool coastal climate of California is preferred by strawberries, affecting crop productivity. Climate plays a crucial role in determining the success of harvests and the types of crops that can be grown in different regions.

💡Strawberry cultivation

Strawberry cultivation is the process of growing strawberries, which is highlighted in the video as a major agricultural activity in California. The script provides statistics on the area of cultivation and the number of workers involved, emphasizing the economic and labor significance of this crop.

💡Lettuce production

Lettuce production is the process of growing lettuce, which is a significant crop in Arizona and California. The video discusses the challenges faced by lettuce farms, such as extreme heat and heavy rain, and the manual labor involved in weed control and harvesting.

💡Sweet corn

Sweet corn is a type of corn that is grown for human consumption. The video describes Washington as the second-largest sweet corn growing state, detailing the planting process, harvest timeline, and the impact of weather conditions on the crop's success.

💡Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that are grown widely in the United States, particularly in North Carolina. The script provides information on the planting process, harvest period, and the economic value of the crop, which is affected by factors such as weather and production volume.

💡Sugar beet

Sugar beet is a crop used to produce sugar. The video mentions Michigan as a significant producer, with details on the harvest timeline and the impact of the previous year's production on the current year's yield.

💡Apple farms

Apple farms are agricultural operations dedicated to growing apples. The video focuses on Washington State, which has a large number of apple farms and a significant annual harvest. It discusses the challenges of a long, cold spring and the economic implications for apple growers.

💡Vineyards

Vineyards are plantations where grapes are grown, primarily for wine production. The video describes California's vineyards, highlighting the labor involved in grape harvesting and the state's dominance in U.S. wine grape production.

Highlights

80% of what Americans eat is produced domestically, showcasing the strength of U.S. growers.

U.S. farming faces challenges from unpredictable weather and changing consumer tastes.

Harvest time reveals the success or struggle of growers' efforts throughout the year.

California's 39,000 acres of strawberry cultivation, especially in the Santa Maria area, is highly productive due to the cool coastal climate.

Strawberry harvesting in California occurs year-round, with a current 8% increase in harvest compared to 2022.

Arizona's lettuce fields contribute 23% to the national production, with challenges from hot weather and heavy rain.

Arizona's lettuce harvest in 2022 was approximately 53 million pounds, considered successful.

Washington is the second-largest sweet corn growing state with about 23,000 acres.

Sweet corn in Washington takes 91 days to harvest and is considered successful if not affected by intense heat.

North Carolina's sweet potato production, at 111,000 acres, is the largest in the U.S., 35,000 acres more than the combined area of California, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

2023 sweet potato production is estimated at 1.5 million tons, a 10% decrease from the previous year.

Michigan's sugar beet harvest is expected to reach 2.8 million tons in 2023, a 7% increase from the previous year.

Washington State's apple farms, with 172,000 acres, typically harvest 10 to 12 billion apples each year.

Apple production in 2023 is forecasted to be 1.97 million tons, a 9% decrease due to a long, cold spring.

California's vineyards, covering 895,000 acres, produce 92% of the country's wine grapes.

Florida, California, and Michigan are the top states for chili production, with 75% of the U.S. chili coming from these states.

Persimmon farming in the U.S. covers about 3,200 acres with a yield of 15,300 tons, mostly consumed domestically.

Arizona, Georgia, and Florida are the largest watermelon producers, accounting for 27% of total U.S. production.

Georgia is known for its delicious peaches, with California producing 73% of U.S. peaches.

California's kiwi fruit growing area is about 4,500 acres with an annual harvest of 47,000 tons.

The U.S. is the second-largest cherry producer globally, with 266,000 tons harvested in 2021.

Alabama and Florida are major citrus producers in the U.S., with a significant tangerine harvest.

Transcripts

it's harvest time and across the United

States the race is on to bring our food

and what's fantastic about our country

is that 80 of what we eat is produced

here

growers in the United States are at the

top of their game

many of the crops grown by U.S Growers

are truly world class

but with unpredictable weather and

changing consumer tastes on a daily

basis farming is also a tough business

have we had enough Summer Sunshine for

the crop or is this year's wet July

washed away all the Harvest

this is the time of year when Growers

across the land find out whether the

Blood Sweat and Tears they've poured

into their Farms has paid off

from Acres of strawberries in California

to wheat fields in Texas and sweet

potato farms in North Carolina

we're tracking the harvests of some of

the top United States producers in three

distinct growing regions

each with its own set of challenges

who had a good year who struggled with

the bad crop now we will find out

together

this is Harvest 2023.

[Music]

the southwest of the United States is

home to hundreds of Acres of strawberry

farms

workers here are selecting thousands of

quality seedlings to prepare for a new

strawberry crop most of them are

immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala

thousands of strawberry seedlings will

then be moved to Farms to start a new

life

[Music]

as of 2022 the total area of strawberry

cultivation in California is 39 000

acres and two-thirds of that is in the

Santa Maria area

every July about 8 900 workers flocked

to California Farms to grow strawberries

strawberries prefer a cool Coastal

climate which is a major reason

California's strawberry fields are so

much more productive than those

elsewhere

[Music]

currently in California there are many

different varieties of strawberries

grown

so strawberry harvesting in this state

occurs all year round

despite the hot weather in California

the strawberry crop in 2023 is not

affected

in particular strawberry Harvest sealed

at the present time has increased by

eight percent compared to 2022

as of August 2023

California's strawberry Harvest is 1.4

billion pounds

this is good news for strawberry growers

in California and strawberry lovers

across the United States

foreign

[Music]

each year the lettuce fields in Arizona

provide about 23 percent of the

country's lettuce production

early August is when thousands of

workers flock to the lower Colorado

River Valley area to grow lettuce

growing lettuce is often done by these

Farm Workers early in the morning to

limit the heat of the weather in 2023

Arizona is the second largest lettuce

growing area in the United States with

26 200 Acres

the place with the largest lettuce

growing area is California with 87

000 Acres

in Arizona hot weather in June and July

is a big problem for lettuce Farms

in addition dozens of lettuce samples

can also be damaged if they encounter

Heavy Rain lasting several days

on some organic lettuce Farms weed

control is done manually instead of

using herbicides

the lettuce Harvest usually takes place

from mid-December and lasts until March

of the following year

as of July

2022 the lettuce harvest in Arizona is

approximately 53 million pounds and this

is also considered a successful crop for

lettuce producers

[Music]

good

[Music]

mid-march is when sweet corn is planted

in the fields in Washington

in 2023 Washington is the second largest

sweet corn growing state in the United

States with about 23 000 Acres

the largest growing area of sweet corn

is in Florida with more than 37 000

Acres

currently most sweet corn varieties

grown in Washington take about 91 days

to be harvested

[Music]

sweet corn crop in Washington will be

considered a success if it does not

experience intense heat lasting more

than 20 days

each year nearly 8 000 workers flocked

to Sweet Corn farms in Washington to

harvest

up till now the Sweet Corn Harvest in

Washington is about 757

000 tons

13 compared to the same period in 2022 I

recommend traveling to the Sweet Corn

Farms during the harvest season the

atmosphere there is wonderful and will

help you feel relaxed

thank you

[Music]

in North Carolina sweet potato planting

usually begins in mid-may

in 2023 the United States has about 157

000 acres of land used for sweet potato

production

of which the sweet potato growing area

in North Carolina is about 111

000 Acres

35

000 Acres more than California Louisiana

and Mississippi combined

after about three months from planting

billions of sweet potatoes here are

ready to be harvested

the process of harvesting sweet potatoes

in North Carolina usually takes place

from June and ends in early July

every year around 7 300 workers traveled

to sweet potato farms in North Carolina

to harvest

according to estimates by the U.S

department of Agriculture the 2023 sweet

potato production is 1.5 million tons

down more than 10 percent from last year

and bring in a value of about 613

million dollars

[Music]

this is the sugar beet Harvest going on

at Sanilac county in Michigan

in 2022 sugar beet acreage in Michigan

is about 163

000 Acres

the time to harvest sugar beet in

Michigan usually lasts in early August

and ends at the end of October

it is estimated that in 2023 sugar beet

production in Michigan will reach 2.8

million tons and finish sugar production

is about 545

000 tons

up seven percent from last year

[Music]

foreign

[Music]

s are one of the most famous fruits of

Washington

the end of February is when the apple

tree planting takes place on the

Washington Farms

these workers will plant about 650 apple

trees per acre

as of 2023 there are about

1455 apple farms in Washington State

with an area of 172

000 Acres

they typically Harvest about 10 to 12

billion apples each year

in early spring when young shoots appear

a probiotic is used to protect the buds

from Attack by insects and aphids

July is usually the time when thousands

of Migrant workers from Mexico come to

farms in Washington to pick apples the

wages of these workers will be

calculated based on the number of boxes

of apples that they collect

on average each person will receive

about 13 dollars per hour

according to the Washington State fruit

association's forecast

Apple production in 2023 will reach 1.97

million tons down nine percent compared

to 2021 because of the impact of a Long

Cold Spring this can be bad news for

Apple Growers however do not worry

because the number of apples produced

was still pretty high

in the next part of the video we will go

to some other farms in the United States

to see how the Harvest of thousands of

tons of fruit and vegetables happens

[Music]

the first place we will see in this

video is a large Vineyard in the sand

yorkin county in California

between August and October each year is

the time when tens of thousands of

workers flocked at The Vineyards in

California to harvest

the average wage for each of these

workers is about 17 an hour

according to statistics released in 2021

the total area of Vineyards in the state

of California is 895

000 Acres of which up to 73 of the area

is planted with grapes for wine

production

each year California grape Farms Produce

about 3.8 million tons of grapes

accounting for 92 percent of the

country's great production

hundreds of tons of grapes here after

harvest will be will be transferred to

the winery to produce wine

[Music]

here's what's going on in a chili Farm

in Florida

around 230 workers are hired to this

Farm to harvest the chili

currently Florida California and

Michigan other states with the largest

Chile production in the United States

in 2020 U.S Chile production is about

325

000 tons of which up to 75 percent is

produced in California and Florida

[Music]

thousands of Chili Peppers after

harvesting will be transferred to trucks

thanks to this conveyor system

[Music]

the third place we will visit in this

video is a persimmon Farm in southern

Indiana

September to November every year is the

time when the persimmon Harvest takes

place here

[Music]

Simon is a fruit with a rather hard stem

so these workers will need to use

scissors to cut it instead of picking by

hand like many other fruits

according to statistics released in 2021

the total area planted for Persimmon in

the United States is about 3 200 acres

and the yield obtained is about fifteen

thousand and three hundred tons

75 of assignment production in the

United States is consumed domestically

with the remainder being mainly exported

to Canada and Mexico

now we will go to watermelon field in

Arizona to see how thousands of

watermelons here are harvested

[Music]

currently Arizona and Georgia as well as

Florida other states with the largest

watermelon production accounting for

about 27 of total watermelon production

in the United States

yes

[Music]

[Laughter]

[Music]

[Music]

[Laughter]

in 2021 in the US around 105 000 Acres

of fields are used to grow watermelons

and the yield is usually more than 1.6

million tons

foreign the sixth place we will visit in

this video is a peach farm in the state

of Georgia

oh look at these beautiful ripe peaches

would you like to come here and pick

them yourself

[Music]

currently California produces 73 percent

of U.S Peach production

however in terms of taste and

deliciousness peaches grown in Georgia

are well known and appreciated by

everyone

[Music]

in 2021 the U.S states produced about

689

000 tons of peaches

of which up to 505 000 tons come from

California

next we will go to a kiwi Farm in Yuba

County in the state of California

every September nearly 4 000 workers

flocked to Kiwi farms in California to

harvest

millions of kiwi fruits after harvesting

will be shipped to factories for

Packaging

currently the kiwi fruit growing area in

the United States is about 4 500 acres

and the annual Harvest is about 47 000

tons

[Music]

these are pictures of a Cherry Farm in

Washington

currently the United States is the

second largest Cherry producer in the

world after turkey

[Music]

in 2021 the cherries harvested in the

United States are about 266

000 tons and bring in a value of about

522 million dollars

[Music]

foreign

[Music]

here's what's going on at a tangerine

Farm in Alabama

currently Alabama and Florida other

states with the largest Citrus

production in the United States

[Music]

at the end of this video we'll take a

look at the Harvest taking place in

several U.S vegetable fields

how do you feel about the process of

harvesting fruits and vegetables in this

video

let us know what you think in the

comments section of the video

goodbye and see you in the next video

[Music]

thank you

[Music]

foreign

[Music]