Vern Switzer of Rural Hall is among several farmers from across the state selected as mentors for A&T Extension’s Farmer-to-Farmer Program. A regular at the downtown farmer’s market in Winston-Salem, Switzer also will be regularly assisting other Forsyth County farmers in their quests for profitable alternative crops and cost-effective production methods.
The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has added a “Community Resources” page to its website, designed to help members of the larger Greensboro, Triad, and North Carolina communities find support, especially when facing unexpected challenges.
The page links to educational and practical information offered through Cooperative Extension and college outreach programs, but primarily focuses on community resources outside the college and the university. Many, such as the Aggie Source Food Pantry and the N. C. Agromedicine Institute, have collaborated with the college and N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension staff to address critical, immediate needs and to provide long-term educational programs.
“N.C. A&T and the college are parts of a larger community,” said Radiah C. Minor, interim dean of the college. “Our research, education and outreach address very fundamental community issues, such as providing food for a growing population, sustaining an environment that can produce that food, and understanding nutrition and wellness. We are here as a resource, and it’s our hope that this page will help them navigate external resources to find the best fit and the best service for their needs.”
Do you need assistance?
Whether you are facing food insecurity, looking for transportation options, or seeking mental health support, we are here to help. We have curated a list of essential resources for our Triad and North Carolina neighbors.
Recognizing that farming today brings stress and uncertainties, the page includes mental health resources for farmers and rural families in addition to those for urban families
“Whether it’s the result of severe weather events and more droughts and floods, producing agricultural products takes its toll,” said M. Ray McKinnie, Cooperative Extension administrator and associate dean of the college. “We want our farmers and community members to be mindful of their mental well-being and know who they can turn to for help.”
Transportation resources are prominent on the page and include information on transport for those with limited mobility and senior citizens, as well as information on home delivery programs. Nutrition education resources and a resource finder section round out the offerings on the page.
Would you like to know more?
If you need more, check our Resource Finder, through N.C. A&T Extension’s NCSmall.Farm (SFRIC) initiative, which provides links to civic groups, aid organizations, Cooperative Extension experts and others who can help.
