Modern agriculture often focuses on a relatively small group of widely grown crops. Corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, potatoes, and several other major crops dominate large parts of commercial agriculture. Yet agriculture has always been much more diverse than today’s most common crop list suggests.
Across different regions, farmers have traditionally grown grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, herbs, and other plants that are now less common. These crops are sometimes described as forgotten, heritage, traditional, minor, or lesser-known crops.
Growing these crops can provide farmers with an opportunity to diversify production, preserve agricultural traditions, explore specialty markets, and make use of crops adapted to particular local environments.
Forgotten crops are not automatically easy to grow or guaranteed to be profitable. Some have limited seed availability, specialized harvesting requirements, or uncertain markets. Successful production therefore requires the same careful planning used for any other agricultural enterprise.
The advantage is that lesser-known crops can sometimes provide something different from highly competitive commodity production: a unique product with a story, regional identity, or specialized customer base.
What Are Forgotten Crops?
Forgotten crops are agricultural plants that were historically grown or used in particular regions but are now cultivated on a much smaller scale.
The term can include many different types of crops.
Some are traditional grains that were replaced by modern cereal varieties. Others are old legumes, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, herbs, or plants used for animal feed.
Examples can include:
- Heritage grains
- Traditional beans
- Lesser-known peas
- Ancient grain varieties
- Regional vegetables
- Specialty root crops
- Traditional oilseeds
- Heritage fruits
- Uncommon herbs
- Local forage crops
The exact definition varies by region.
A crop that is considered unusual in one part of the United States may still be commonly grown in another region. This regional difference is important when evaluating a potential crop.
Why Are Traditional Crops Becoming Interesting Again?
Several factors are bringing attention back to lesser-known crops.
Farmers are looking for ways to diversify production. Consumers are also increasingly interested in regional foods, traditional ingredients, specialty products, and agricultural history.
Restaurants, local food businesses, specialty grocery stores, farmers markets, food processors, and direct-to-consumer sellers may create opportunities for crops that are not part of mainstream commodity agriculture.
Traditional crops can also contribute to agricultural diversity.
Growing a wider range of plants can provide farmers with additional options when weather, markets, or production conditions change.
However, interest alone does not create a viable farm business. A farmer should identify buyers and production requirements before committing significant land or resources.
Start With the Crop, Not the Trend
One of the most important steps in forgotten-crop farming is selecting a crop that fits the farm.
A crop may have an interesting history and strong consumer appeal but still perform poorly under local conditions.
Before planting, consider:
- Climate
- Growing season
- Soil type
- Water requirements
- Temperature tolerance
- Seed availability
- Pest pressure
- Disease risks
- Labor requirements
- Harvesting equipment
- Storage requirements
- Processing needs
- Potential buyers
The best forgotten crop is usually not the most unusual one.
It is the crop that fits the farm’s resources while also having a realistic path to market.
Research the Crop’s Agricultural History
Traditional farming knowledge can be extremely valuable.
Older agricultural references, seed organizations, local growers, historical records, agricultural extension resources, and experienced farmers may provide information that is not found in modern commercial crop guides.
Research can reveal:
- Traditional planting periods
- Preferred soil conditions
- Historical growing regions
- Harvest methods
- Seed-saving practices
- Traditional storage methods
- Common pests
- Traditional food uses
- Regional varieties
This information should be combined with modern agricultural testing.
Historical practices provide useful clues, but current soil, weather, equipment, regulations, and market conditions may be different.
Finding Reliable Seed
Seed availability is one of the biggest challenges when growing lesser-known crops.
Common commercial crops usually have established seed suppliers. Forgotten crops may have fewer sources.
Seed can sometimes be obtained through:
- Specialty seed companies
- Heritage seed organizations
- Agricultural conservation groups
- Regional growers
- University programs
- Community seed exchanges
- Seed-saving networks
Farmers should verify the identity and quality of planting material before establishing a larger field.
A small trial planting can help confirm germination, plant characteristics, maturity timing, and suitability to local conditions.
Begin With a Trial Plot
A trial plot is one of the safest ways to evaluate an unfamiliar crop.
Instead of planting an entire farm, dedicate a small area to the crop and monitor its performance.
During the trial, record:
- Germination rate
- Plant growth
- Days to maturity
- Water requirements
- Weed pressure
- Pest problems
- Disease symptoms
- Labor requirements
- Harvest quantity
- Harvest difficulty
- Product quality
The goal of the trial is not simply to see whether the crop grows.
A crop that grows well but requires excessive labor or has no practical buyer may not be suitable for commercial production.
Prepare the Soil According to the Crop
Traditional crops can have different soil requirements.
Some may prefer well-drained soil, while others can tolerate heavier conditions. Some may perform well in moderately fertile soil, while others respond strongly to nutrient availability.
A soil test provides a useful starting point.
Farmers should understand:
- Soil texture
- pH
- Organic matter
- Nutrient levels
- Drainage
- Compaction
- Salinity where relevant
Avoid assuming that an old crop requires poor soil simply because it was traditionally grown with fewer modern inputs.
Good soil management remains important for crop establishment and long-term productivity.
Use Crop Rotation
Lesser-known crops can become valuable components of a broader crop rotation system.
Rotation can help farmers avoid repeatedly planting the same crop family in the same field.
For example, a traditional grain may follow a legume, while a vegetable crop may be followed by a cover crop.
A rotation plan should consider:
- Crop families
- Nutrient requirements
- Root structure
- Pest cycles
- Disease pressure
- Weed patterns
- Residue management
The goal is to create a sequence of crops that supports the entire farming system rather than treating each crop as an isolated activity.
Traditional Grains and Ancient Cereals
Some forgotten crops belong to the grain family.
Heritage and ancient grain varieties may attract interest from specialty food producers, bakers, restaurants, and consumers interested in traditional foods.
Potential examples include older varieties of:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Oats
- Sorghum
- Millet
- Other regional grains
Farmers should distinguish between growing the crop and successfully selling the harvested grain.
Specialty grains may require separate cleaning, storage, milling, packaging, or transportation arrangements.
A buyer should ideally be identified before large-scale planting.
Traditional Legumes
Beans, peas, lentils, and other legumes have been important in many traditional farming systems.
Lesser-known varieties can provide opportunities for specialty markets and can add diversity to farm rotations.
Legumes can also play an important role in soil management because many legumes interact with soil microorganisms that help make atmospheric nitrogen available to plants.
However, farmers should still manage fertility according to soil tests and crop needs rather than assuming that legumes eliminate all fertilizer requirements.
Forgotten Vegetables
Traditional vegetables can be especially interesting for direct-to-consumer farming.
Some older vegetables may have unusual shapes, colors, flavors, or harvesting characteristics.
Specialty vegetables can potentially be sold through:
- Farmers markets
- Restaurants
- Community-supported agriculture programs
- Specialty grocery stores
- Farm stands
- Direct online sales where practical
The challenge is customer education.
A consumer may be interested in an unfamiliar vegetable but may not know how to cook or store it.
Providing simple preparation information can make an unfamiliar crop easier to sell.
Heritage Fruits and Perennial Crops
Forgotten crops are not limited to annual plants.
Old fruit varieties, nuts, berries, and other perennial crops can also be part of agricultural heritage.
Perennial crops require a different business plan because they may take several years to establish.
Farmers need to consider:
- Time until production
- Pollination
- Tree or plant spacing
- Irrigation
- Pruning
- Pest management
- Harvest labor
- Storage
- Long-term land commitment
Because perennial crops occupy land for many years, careful variety selection is especially important.
Forgotten Oilseeds and Specialty Crops
Traditional oilseed crops can provide another diversification option.
Certain lesser-known seeds may be used for food, cooking oils, animal feed, specialty products, or other applications.
However, processing is a major consideration.
A farmer may successfully grow a crop but still have difficulty finding a facility capable of cleaning, pressing, processing, or packaging it.
Processing infrastructure should therefore be researched before production begins.
Seed Saving and Crop Preservation
One of the most valuable aspects of growing traditional crops is the opportunity to preserve genetic diversity.
Farmers who save seed can help maintain varieties that might otherwise disappear from cultivation.
Seed saving requires careful selection.
Farmers should identify healthy plants with desirable characteristics and allow appropriate seed material to mature fully.
Cross-pollination can be a concern for some crops, so growers need to understand the reproductive behavior of the plant before attempting to maintain a consistent variety.
Proper drying, cleaning, labeling, and storage are also essential.
Each seed lot should be clearly labeled with information such as:
- Crop
- Variety
- Year harvested
- Growing location
- Harvest date
- Notes about plant performance
Good records make future seed selection much easier.
Managing Weeds in Traditional Crops
Lesser-known crops may have fewer commercial herbicide options than major commodity crops.
This makes early weed management particularly important.
Useful approaches can include:
- Clean seedbeds
- Timely cultivation
- Mulching
- Crop rotation
- Cover crops
- Appropriate plant spacing
- Mechanical weed control
- Hand removal for small plots
Farmers should research which weed-management products are legally labeled for the specific crop before using any chemical treatment.
For specialty crops, mechanical and cultural methods may become particularly important.
Harvesting Can Be Different
Harvesting is sometimes overlooked when evaluating an unfamiliar crop.
Modern commodity crops often have standardized machinery and established harvesting systems.
A traditional crop may require different equipment or manual harvesting.
Before planting commercially, determine:
- When the crop is ready
- How maturity is identified
- Whether mechanical harvesting is possible
- How easily the product separates from the plant
- How much labor harvesting requires
- How quickly the product must be processed
A crop that produces a good yield can still be difficult to manage if harvesting costs are excessive.
Post-Harvest Handling Matters
Specialty crops often need careful post-harvest management.
Depending on the crop, this may involve:
- Cleaning
- Drying
- Sorting
- Grading
- Cooling
- Storage
- Milling
- Processing
- Packaging
Some traditional foods may have unique handling requirements.
Farmers should understand the complete path from field to customer rather than focusing only on cultivation.
The harvested crop is not the finished product until it is properly prepared for its intended market.
Find the Market Before Expanding
Market research is essential for forgotten-crop farming.
A good approach is to talk directly with potential buyers.
Possible customers include:
- Specialty food stores
- Local restaurants
- Bakers
- Food processors
- Farmers markets
- Direct consumers
- Seed companies
- Animal feed businesses
- Specialty distributors
Ask buyers what they actually need.
Important questions include:
- What quantity do they purchase?
- What quality standards apply?
- When do they need the product?
- How should it be packaged?
- What price range is realistic?
- Can they accept irregular supply?
- Do they require specific varieties?
This information can help determine whether the crop should remain a small specialty product or become a larger farm enterprise.
Add Value Instead of Selling Only Raw Crops
Some forgotten crops become more commercially interesting when transformed into finished products.
Depending on regulations and available infrastructure, possibilities may include:
- Flour
- Dried beans
- Specialty grains
- Packaged seeds
- Dried herbs
- Preserved vegetables
- Specialty mixes
- Nursery plants
- Seed packets
Value-added production requires additional equipment, packaging, food-safety procedures, and possibly permits.
Farmers should understand those requirements before investing.
Combine Traditional Knowledge With Modern Technology
Growing an old crop does not require using old technology.
Modern tools can make traditional-crop production more efficient.
Farmers can use:
- Soil testing
- Drip irrigation
- Weather stations
- Crop-monitoring apps
- GPS mapping
- Digital farm records
- Moisture sensors
- Photography for crop monitoring
- Automated irrigation
Technology can help answer practical questions such as when to irrigate, where crops are underperforming, and which planting dates produce the strongest results.
Traditional crop knowledge and modern technology can work together rather than being treated as opposites.
Create a Small Specialty-Crop Business Model
A practical business model might begin with one or two lesser-known crops rather than a large collection.
For example:
Research → Trial plot → Production test → Buyer feedback → Small commercial crop → Value addition → Expansion
This approach allows farmers to learn before making a large financial commitment.
The farmer can evaluate not only yield but also labor, water, equipment, processing, customer interest, and profitability.
Common Challenges
Forgotten-crop farming has several potential difficulties.
Seed may be difficult to obtain.
Agronomic information may be limited.
Harvesting equipment may not be readily available.
Customers may need education.
Processing facilities may be located far away.
Markets may be smaller than those for major commodity crops.
Production can also be inconsistent while farmers learn the crop.
These challenges do not mean the crops should be avoided. They simply mean that planning must extend beyond the field.
A Practical Checklist for Starting
Before planting a forgotten crop commercially, ask:
- Is reliable seed available?
- Is the crop suitable for the local climate?
- Does the soil meet its basic requirements?
- How much water does it need?
- How long does it take to mature?
- Can existing farm equipment handle it?
- How will it be harvested?
- How will it be stored?
- Who will buy it?
- What processing is required?
- What are the expected production costs?
- Can a small trial be conducted first?
If several of these questions remain unanswered, a trial plot is usually a better next step than large-scale planting.
Final Thoughts
Forgotten crops offer an interesting connection between agricultural history and modern farming.
These plants can preserve regional traditions, increase crop diversity, provide new specialty products, and create opportunities for farmers willing to explore markets outside mainstream commodity agriculture.
Success depends on treating them as real agricultural enterprises rather than novelty crops. Farmers need to understand climate, soil, water, seed availability, production requirements, harvesting, processing, and customer demand.
The strongest approach is usually gradual: research the crop, grow a small trial, record what happens, talk with buyers, improve the production system, and expand only when the numbers and practical workload make sense.
Traditional crops may have been forgotten by large-scale agriculture, but they can still have a place in modern farming when their unique characteristics are matched with the right land, management system, and market.