NC Cooperative Extension Small Farms Week—New Paths to Profit
March 24–30, 2024
North Carolina
Monday, March 25—Kickoff in Wayne County
Tues., March 26
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Workshops I - sessions repeat once from 11:15-12:15
Session 1: Profitable Organic Practices
What are the realities of commercially growing vegetables using organic practices and can it work on your farm? This session will include discussion of the hurdles organic growers face and how to overcome them, the reality of the organic market, and what it takes to get organically certified.
John E. Kimes, Extension Assistant-Horticulture, Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T;
Trequan McGhee, Ph.D, Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulture Specialist, Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T;
Mark W. Blevins, Ed.D, Assistant Extension Administrator (ANR), Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T
Session 2: "The Agribusiness Way"- Mo Money, No Problem
The session will benefit farmers through training that will equip them with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage finances. Farmers will learn ways to improve financial stability, stay in compliance with tax regulations, and manage their business by understanding financial matters that will put them in position to succeed and thrive in agriculture with an emphasis on loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow and financial health.
Darrell Tennie BS, MBA, MA- Chief Executive Officer: The Tennie Group, LLC
Session 3: Expand to New Markets as an EBT Retailer
Provide fresh, local nutrition to community members with limited resources by becoming a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer. In this session, you will learn about the SNAP/EBT retailer and MarketLink programs, receive technical assistance to complete your application, and obtain information about the grant through which you can get a free Bluetooth SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card reader through the MarketLink program.
Jemall Pittman, Section Chief, USDA Food and Nutrient Services- Retailer Operations;
Phil Blalock, Executive Director- NAFMNP Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP)
Session 4: Producing and Marketing High Value Calves through Cooperative Group Sales
The session will focus on factors that farmers can adopt to improve genetics and livestock management practices that can lead to diverse markets in cooperative group sales and more income for small beef cattle producers.
Ralph Noble, Ph.D., Associate Research Director for 1890 Research and Extension College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, South Carolina State University
Tuesday, March 26
12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Plenary Session
New Paths to Profit: Voices from the Field
Making a family farm profitable is about maximizing sales, growing, and being more efficient with costs and time. Today's panel will highlight the experiences of three farm families that share their connections to the land, the types of farming they are engaged in, how they can utilize different programs and services and the proactive steps they have taken to help their farm businesses thrive in a changing agricultural climate.
Moderator:
James Davis, Supervisory Agricultural Program Specialist, North Carolina Price Support Division, USDA-FSA (NC), Small Farmer of the Year 2002
Panelists:
Richard and Linette Hewlin, 4-Ever Vista Farms (Halifax County)
Joyce Martin-Bowden and Jeanette Martin-Horn (Small Farmer of the year 2023, Wayne County), J&J Martin Farm Produce
Leon Moses, Farm Superintendent at N.C. A&T University Farm (Retired)
1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Concurrent Workshops II - sessions repeat from 3:30-5:00
Session 1: Strategies to Transition into a 'Smart Farm Enterprise'
Note: This session will occur ONCE beginning at 1:45pm
Farm entrepreneurs are different from farmers or farm managers. This session will provide participants an opportunity to engage in hands-on best practices to identify gaps, niche, and resources to design and implement plans from an agro-food system perspective. We will cover exercises to link production, market, finance, and risk assessment responding to climate change and market vulnerability and leading to sustainability, profitability, and resilience.
Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., W.K. Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, N.C. A&T and Co-Director, Center for Environmental Farming Systems
Session 2: Improving Infrastructure to Connect Producers with New Markets
Even the most productive farmers can’t succeed if there is no way to get their products to market. With support and collaboration from USDA, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other key allies, the infrastructure that connects producers with new markets is expanding. This session will focus on investments being made to expand how local food is marketed to food security organizations such as food banks, food warehouses, and other distribution networks.
Mike Darrow, CFRE- Executive Director of Feeding the Carolinas
Sara Runkel, Local Food Program Director, Carolina Farm Stewardship
Session 3: Preserving Wealth through Family Land Holdings
North Carolina is losing farmland at an alarming rate. Resolving heirs' property issues can preserve vulnerable farmland. Land - next to owning a home - is one of the most promising ways to generate family wealth and subsequent assets. So, when heirs' property issues go unresolved, it can directly affect families' current and future economic trajectories – for income generation, appreciation, and sentimental value. This workshop provides knowledge and tools for families to take the necessary steps to keep or achieve a clear title and enjoy the appreciation of their land holdings.
Biswanath Dari, Ph.D., Natural Resources Specialist, Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T;
Arnab Bhowmik, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, N.C. A&T;
Kurt W. Smith, Ph.D., Assistant professor and Cooperative Extension specialist – Forestry at NC State Extension;
Noah Ranells, Ph.D., NC Farm Link Director, Eastern Region, NC State Extension;
Robert Andrew Branan, J.D., Associate professor of Resource Economics, NC State Extension
Session 4: Increasing Profit with Rotational Grazing Practices
Rotational grazing benefits agriculture by helping to maximize pasture usage, moving animals between carefully fenced areas that prevent them from overgrazing in one area, and allowing time for forages to regenerate. This practice, in return, improves the health and well-being of animals and increases profitability for ranchers over time. For this informative session, speakers will present the benefits of rotational grazing and showcase some annual and perennial pastures at the University farm's cattle unit and the kinds of materials used to set up a rotational grazing system.
Johnny Rogers, Extension Associate – Animal Sciences, NC State University;
Matt H. Poore, Ph.D., Extension Livestock Commodity Coordinator, Professor and Extension Ruminant Nutrition Specialist, NC State University;
Aaron Snider, Cattle Research Specialist/Beef and Equine Unit Coordinator at the University Farm, N.C. A&T
Wednesday, March 27
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Morning Refreshments
8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Plenary Session
Marketing Opportunities for Small & Mid-Size Farmers
Have you considered adding a new income stream through community-supported agriculture (CSA) sales, wholesales to local retailers, farmer’s market vending, or value-added products? Session presenters will share their experience with developing these business opportunities. Bring your questions to ask the experts in small group breakout sessions.
Strategies for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Wholesale Sales to Retailers
Cynthia Knudson, Area Specialized Agent Small Farms – Northeast, Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T State University
Becoming a Farmers Market Vendor
Daniel Johnson, Market Manager
Robert G. Shaw, Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
Expanding Your Reach with Value-Added Products
Lynette Johnston, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University-Cooperative Extension
10:45 A.M. Closing Remarks/Evaluation
Michelle Eley, Ph.D.
Small Farmers’ Appreciation Luncheon
Noon – 2 p.m.
Alumni-Foundation Event Center
200 N. Benbow Road
Greensboro, NC 27411
Check here for updates: www.itzy.io/sfw2024
For more information, contact Derrick Cladd at 804-892-4489 or dcladd@vsu.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.