grower

A grower is a person or organization that grows crops, plants, or other agricultural products. The term is general and applies to farmers, horticulturists, greenhouse operators, and home gardeners. It contrasts with roles that focus on processing, packaging, or distribution rather than cultivation.

Depending on context, a grower may cultivate field crops (such as grain or vegetables), fruit trees, ornamental plants, or specialty crops such as cannabis. Growers may operate on various scales—from small family plots to large commercial enterprises. Practices include propagation by seed or cuttings, soil management, irrigation, pest and disease control, fertilization, harvest scheduling, and post-harvest handling.

Specialized usage occurs in the wine industry. In champagne and some sparkling wine regions, the term grower or grower-producer (vigneron-manufacturer) refers to a producer who grows the grapes on their own vineyards and makes their wine themselves, as opposed to buying grapes from other growers (négociants). In other wine regions, “grower” is sometimes used informally to describe a producer who emphasizes estate fruit.

Economically, grower businesses range from cottage-scale operations to corporate farming. They may pursue sustainable or organic farming, adopt precision agriculture, or pursue certification programs. Challenges include weather risk, market volatility, regulatory compliance, and labor costs.

The term is widely understood in agriculture and horticulture, but meanings can vary by region and industry. In everyday usage, "grower" simply denotes someone who grows, tending to the plant’s life cycle from germination to harvest.