Labor costs and availability are critical challenges for U.S. specialty crop growers. Mechanization offers potential solutions, but adoption is uneven. This article explores factors influencing mechanization adoption, emphasizing technology availability, investment in innovation, and the relative advantages of mechanized solutions.

Technological innovations present opportunities in agriculture but also pose risks that hinder adoption. This study examines transitions in specialty crops and emphasizes the vital role of extension services in reducing uncertainty and promoting technological adoption.

This article explores the adoption of labor-saving technologies in specialty crop production, highlighting how large farms benefit from economies of scale, while smaller, diversified farms need versatile, cost-effective solutions. It emphasizes the need for adaptable technologies and the role of agricultural economists in addressing diverse farm sizes and regional challenges.

Opportunity costs inherent to the human and machine co-learning environment drive low technological adoption rates and impact U.S. specialty crop competitiveness. We asses “forces of change” (Holt, 1989) and introduce “skill economies” to inform grower production choices that bridge the gap between labor-sparing technologies and progressive fresh produce systems demands.