Pickle meeting targets cucumber growers

Area vegetable growers interested in producing cucumbers for pickling are invited to attend an informational grower meeting Thursday, April 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Village of Newcomerstown Office, 308 S. College St., Newcomerstown.

The meeting, From Cucumbers to Pickles, is being hosted by Vienna Beef in collaboration with Ohio State University Extension and will focus on potential grower opportunities tied to a new pickling facility coming to the region.

Representatives from Vienna Beef will share the company’s history and provide an overview of pickle manufacturing, along with detailed information on cucumber production, harvest expectations, grading standards and what growers would need to get started. The session is designed to gauge interest among local producers, answer questions and encourage discussion about grower needs and capacity.

Ohio State University Extension also will highlight resources available to support growers who may be interested in entering or expanding cucumber production for processing markets.

The agenda includes:

Vienna Beef and company history

Pickling manufacturing overview

Cucumber growing, harvesting and grading requirements

OSU Extension resources for growers

Needs related to Vienna Beef’s pickling manufacturing facility and grower feedbackQuestion-and-answer session

The meeting is open to all interested growers, including those currently producing vegetables and those exploring new market opportunities.

For additional information, contact John Torrez at jtorrez@ViennaBeef.com or 740-461-6136.