More than 130 guests gathered from three states to share their experience, and expertise, at Cooperative Extension’s first Regional Small Farms Conference at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion this fall.
The first annual Regional Small Farms Conference, held Oct. 7-9, gathered small-scale growers and Cooperative Extension professionals from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to learn about each state program’s activities in such areas as animal production, crop production, niche marketing for ethnic crops, agritourism and forestry. Tips for applying for U.S. Dept. of Agriculture grants and navigating the resources in N.C. Dept. of Agriculture’s Small Farm Unit Program were highlights, also.
“This is an opportunity for our farmers to mix and mingle, learn different techniques that can benefit each other on their small farms, and get great information from our speakers on how they can apply for different grants and programs,” said Hannah Talton, DPM, assistant professor and Extension plant pathology specialist.
Participating 1890s land-grant institutions – N.C. A&T, Virginia State University, and South Carolina State University – provided most of the programming.
“We ask that you engage while you’re here today,” said Extension Administrator M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D. “We have information to share, but I think the richest information will come from you engaging with one another, in conversations over lunch and dinner, and in the hallways. Out of these discussions will come the richness of what we at the university need to know to help you.”
Jeanette Martin Horn, 2023 Small Farmer of the Year and co-owner of J&J Martin Produce in Mount Olive, came to learn.
“I truly believe that we, as small farmers, cannot overeducate ourselves in all areas of farming,” she said. “I came here to learn more information about soil conservation and marketing, and other areas of small farming.”
In addition to presentations, the attendees were treated to a tour of the University Farm’s Community Garden to look at different cultivars, and learn about pest management and plant termination.
Bryant and Margaret Harrison of H&G Produce in Greenville, S.C., decided to attend the event despite damage to their farm in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
“It’s been a trying time,” said Margaret Harrison, “but I feel like, by the grace of God, are still here and we were still able to go. When we heard about this trip, we still decided that we would come, participate, and see what it was all about.”
“We’ve learned some new practices and made some new acquaintances,” said Bryant Harrison. “Events like this build morale and a support system of folks that you can call and ask questions of. It’s been most beneficial, especially learning about some of the grants and other funding opportunities.”
