About Crop Picker

Methodology, data sources, and the scoring framework behind the Crop Snowflake.

Our Mission

Crop Picker helps farmers in the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt region make data-driven decisions about crop selection. As the grape industry evolves, many growers are exploring alternative crops — but comparing options across dozens of variables is overwhelming. Crop Picker aggregates publicly available data into a single, comparable framework.

The Crop Snowflake

Every crop is evaluated across 5 axes with 6 binary checks each, producing a score out of 30. The 5 axes are:

Market Fit— Buyers, pricing, demand, channels, and growth potential
Climate Fit— Hardiness zone, GDD, precipitation, frost, chill hours, and climate trends
Infrastructure Fit— Equipment, storage, irrigation, layout, labor, and processing needs
Financial Return— Revenue, costs, payback period, insurance, efficiency, and subsidies
Risk Profile— Pests, market diversity, establishment risk, climate resilience, regulations

Each check is a pass/fail evaluation specific to the Lake Erie region. The resulting pentagon radar chart — the "Snowflake" — gives an at-a-glance picture of a crop's strengths and weaknesses.

Data Sources

USDA NASS

National Agricultural Statistics Service — crop pricing, production volumes, and agricultural census data.

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Enterprise budgets, production guides, and pest management resources for New York State crops.

USDA PLANTS Database

Plant characteristics, hardiness zones, and botanical information.

NOAA Climate Data

Growing Degree Days, precipitation patterns, frost dates, and climate projections for the Lake Erie region.

Region: Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt

Crop Picker currently focuses on the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, spanning portions of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. This region is characterized by USDA Hardiness Zones 5b through 6b, with the moderating influence of Lake Erie providing a longer growing season than inland areas at similar latitudes.

Disclaimer

Crop Picker is an informational tool and does not constitute agricultural, financial, or investment advice. All data is aggregated from public sources and may contain estimates or approximations. Actual crop performance depends on local conditions, management practices, and market dynamics. Always consult with local extension agents and agricultural professionals before making planting decisions.

Built by Every.Farm

Crop Picker is a project of Every.Farm, building tools to help farmers make better decisions with data. We believe that the same analytical rigor available to institutional investors should be accessible to the people growing our food.