To get fruit to consumers, a fruit grower selects fruit varieties for cultivation, develops agricultural sites, and establishes a sales and distribution network. Some fruit growers are small-scale farmers, while others work for large corporations that own or control large orchards. Growers may form partnerships with canneries and other facilities to find a market for their produce, and in some areas, they sell directly to consumers.
On a new farm, the fruit grower must choose appropriate stock while taking into account the climate and market demands. Fruit growers can also graft their trees to their specifications, and some even engage in fruit breeding to create new cultivars. This can be profitable because a fruit tree that has been successfully bred can be sold to other growers. On an established farm, the work entails maintaining existing trees and making necessary changes, such as removing unproductive trees or replacing unfashionable fruits with more marketable ones.
A fruit grower’s day-to-day tasks may include inspecting the fields, securing contracts for the crop, hiring employees, and developing marketing and expansion strategies. Some growers don’t deal with marketing and instead rely on wholesalers, canners, and other agricultural businesses to sell their crops. Others may work directly with grocery stores or intend to sell fruit at farmers’ markets and farm stands, in which case marketing plans and customer service skills are required. Obtaining licenses and permissions to sell directly to the public, as well as training employees in food safety and customer service so that they can represent the farm, are all part of this work.
For professional development, the fruit grower might attend conferences and subscribe to trade publications. This could give you access to information on new fruit cultivars and industry trends. Professional connections can also assist growers in establishing a client base and provide access to the most innovative and interesting fruit cultivars. A fruit grower may also travel to obtain new fruits for cultivation and participate in fruit industry marketing and development campaigns to introduce the public to new or modified fruits.
Fruit growers can receive professional training. Some growers pursue degrees in agriculture, business, and related fields at colleges or universities. Others may work in family businesses that they hope to inherit in the future. They can learn about agriculture in general as well as the specific needs of a particular site from their family members. A fruit grower might begin as an employee to gain experience, then branch out to start his or her own farm.