The good ol’ days of a grower or shipper selling the grower’s crop on a hand shake has long since passed. In order to properly protect your grower as well as yourself as a shipper, it is imperative and a best practice to have a written agreement (contract) drawn up so each party knows what is expected from each other. The agreement needs to be straight forward, transparent with no hidden agendas and most importantly, be signed by both parties prior to the start of the shipping season.