In a Nutshell
Three farmers provided enterprise budgets for cucumber production. Cucumbers were grown in a heated greenhouse (Ann Franzenburg), an unheated high tunnel (Emma Johnson), and an open field (Jan Libbey).
Key Findings
Labor was the largest expense for all farms, ranging from 56% of enterprise expenses to 93%. Trellising and pruning were the biggest labor task for Ann, while harvesting and packing was the largest portion of labor for Emma and Jan. Production in the heated greenhouse at Ann’s provided highest yield (lb fruit/ft2) and number of fruit per ft2, and also the highest net income per ft2 and per fruit. Among the three farms, outdoor production at Jan’s had the highest net income per pound.