Small farmers from across the state joined N.C A&T’s Cooperative Extension specialists and community partners to learn market strategies and financial readiness during the Small Farm Leadership 360 Initiative, a hands-on learning program offered by Cooperative Extension.

The program’s goal is to assist small farms facing significant economic challenges. Comprised of four learning modules, the initiative targets and aids minority farmers with small operations in limited-resource counties.

Fletcher Barber Jr., Ed.D.

“We’re pleased that you’ve taken time from your busy schedules to be with us and learn,” said Fletcher Barber Jr., Ed.D, small farmers recruitment specialist. “We’ve got a diverse group here, not only in age but in their locations and farming operations in the state. So hopefully, you will take something back from what we’re trying to provide with you to your farming operations and to share with your community.”

According to Barber, this is the program’s first year, with future programs to be determined based on evaluation surveys.

“The Small Farms 360 Leadership program takes great information on agricultural production, research, and business from the best faculty and partners we have and gets it into the hands of small and minority growers across the state,” said Mark Blevins, assistant administrator for agricultural and natural resources. “I want to see farms thrive and grow as a result of this experience, and I want to see growers connecting with and relying on each other because of what they have been through together and the challenges they have overcome collectively.”

Hosted June 8-10 in Kannapolis, this module – the first face-to-face conference with participants – focused on evaluating market conditions and using data to enhance farming decisions.

Participants tour the Food Innovation Lab at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.

Among the program offerings was a tour of the Food Innovation Lab at the N.C. Research Campus, where the college’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies is housed. Mark Spitzer, President of Operations for Castle & Cooke North Carolina, spoke to the farmers about the main objective of the campus and the importance of good health care to farmers and growers.

“Our mission here is very simple - to deploy science and empower three factors – individuals, families and communities – to improve their health,” said Spitzer.

Gregory Goins, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, spoke to the group about the keys to successful farming, with topics ranging from the role and structure of the USDA, land ownership and how to manage expenses in production.

“Farm infrastructure is expensive,” said Goins. “The dollar not spent is a dollar earned…you’ve got your old hay, market bills, fuel, miscellaneous infrastructure like bedding for chickens, fencing, construction. I can keep going, but those are your total expenses. You can’t be “over here” without subtracting from “over there,” but you’ve got to account for everything.”

Leonard Williams, Ph.D., center director and a professor of post-harvest technologies, addressed post-harvest disease – fungal and microbiological defects in crops that appear after harvest – and the steps needed to prevent it.

“North Carolina farmers, producers, you guys, are the backbone of our economic development,” said Williams. “But if you have a crop with post harvest disease, it’s very hard to be competitive and profitable. When you think of post-harvest diseases, they can also cause qualitative and quantitative losses in your production.”

James Oliver, Ph.D., small farms coordinator for Cooperative Extension, offered a personal mantra about the importance of making connections and learning how to negotiate.

“Everything you do is about networking,” said Oliver. “Everything you do in your life – I don’t care if you’re talking to your partner about buying a car or buying land, you’re negotiating with someone else. The better you are at it, the easier it is to transition through life. You even learn how to negotiate with different people because of their cultural background.”

Other items on the three-day agenda included seminars by horticulture specialist Sanjun Gu, Ph.D., and professor Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D., chairwoman of the Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics and Agriscience Education Department in the college. Participants also joined an question and answer session with 2022 Small Farmers of the Year Millard & Connie Locklear of New Ground Farm in Pembroke.

“The Small Farm Leadership 360 Initiative is a valuable program that offers knowledge and insight to minority farmers with smaller operations throughout the state,” said Mohamed Ahmedna, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. “We thank Dr. Oliver, Dr. Barber, the Small Farm Task Force, Cooperative Extension and our contributing faculty and partner organizations for their efforts to assist this year's participants in their agricultural endeavors.”