Attendees of Cooperative Extension’s first Regional Small Farms Conference received a tour of the University Farm’s Community Garden to look at different cultivars and learn about pest management and plant termination.


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.”

Gallery

Hannah Talton, wearing a blue shirt with a name tag, gestures while giving a presentation in a community garden. She stands near a bed of basil plants while a group of participants listens attentively, some holding materials or taking notes. The background shows other raised garden beds, trees, and a large building under a clear, sunny sky.

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Hannah Talton, D.P.M., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Plant Pathology and IPM Specialist, gives a presentation in the Community Garden, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man with short gray hair wearing a plaid suit jacket and a light-colored button-up shirt speaks while holding a microphone in one hand and a small object in the other. He appears engaged, with a soft expression, standing in an indoor setting with blurred background details.

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Sam Cook, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, executive director of the College of Natural Resources, coordinates a Q&A session during his heirs property discussion as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Biswanath Dari, wearing a gray shirt and holding a microphone, gestures while speaking to a group of participants in a Community Garden. The group listens attentively, with some individuals wearing hats, sunglasses, and name tags. A wooden pavilion and greenery are visible in the background under a sunny blue sky.

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Biswanath Dari, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Natural Resources Specialist, speaks to a group of participants in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

An elderly man wearing glasses and a striped button-up shirt holds a microphone in one hand while placing his other hand on his chest. He appears to be speaking, with an engaged and expressive facial expression. The background is softly blurred.

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South Carolina farmer Bryant Harrison gives some input during a Q&A session at the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman is speaking into a microphone while holding a presentation remote. She is silhouetted against a bright, blurred screen displaying text and graphics.

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Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems for North Carolina A&T State University, gives a specialty crops presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Three participants, Stephanie Tisdale, Jamma Williams, and Linda Brown, closely examine a low tunnel covered in a white fabric, revealing green leafy plants inside. One participant smells a leaf while another holds a plant sample, with a sunny blue sky in the background.

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Participants, from left, Stephanie Tisdale, Jamma Williams and Linda Brown, get to check out some low tunnel production as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman with long black hair wearing an orange blazer holds a microphone and gestures with one hand raised above her head while speaking during a presentation. She is wearing a name tag, and her expression appears engaged and animated. The background shows a blurred doorway and wall, suggesting an indoor conference or workshop setting.

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Andrea Gentry-Apple, DVM, N.C. A&T State University, Coordinator for Veterinary Education, presents a session on IPM of livestock as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Trequan McGee, Ph.D., and Hannah Talton, D.P.M., engage with participants near a high tunnel during a presentation. Morgan Malone gestures while explaining a point to the group, which includes men and women standing attentively. The background shows the high tunnel structure, tools, and raised garden beds on a sunny day.

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Trequan McGee, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Horticulture Extension Specialist, and Hannah Talton, D.P.M., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Plant Pathology and IPM Specialist, share some high tunnel tips as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman with long black hair wearing an orange blazer speaks into a microphone while holding a presentation clicker in her other hand. She is wearing a name tag that identifies her as Andrea Gentry-Apple. In the background, a podium with the N.C. A&T State University logo is visible, along with a monitor, suggesting a professional conference or workshop setting.

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Andrea Gentry-Apple, DVM, N.C. A&T State University, Coordinator for Veterinary Education, presents a session on IPM of livestock as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman wearing glasses with red and black frames and a dark blue shirt sits at a table, resting her chin on her hand, listening attentively during a conference session. She is wearing a name tag that reads "Margaret Harrison." A water bottle, a yellow bag, and papers are on the table in front of her. Other participants are visible in the softly blurred background.

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South Carolina farmer Margaret Harrison listens during the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Trequan McGee, Ph.D., stands in front of a high tunnel structure during a presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference. He addresses a group of participants, some of whom have raised hands to ask questions. The scene includes the high tunnel, a sunny blue sky, a van, and a distant silo in the background.

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Trequan McGee, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Horticulture Extension Specialist, gives a high tunnel presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A young man with curly hair focuses intently while taking notes in a notebook during a conference session. He is holding a pen and appears engaged with the material. The background is softly blurred, showing other attendees and conference materials.

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Avery Lucas takes notes during the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man wearing a dark blue blazer, a paisley-patterned orange tie, and a checkered shirt speaks into a microphone while gesturing with his hand. He is standing near a Dell monitor in what appears to be a professional or conference setting. A name tag is visible on his chest.

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M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University Associate Dean and Cooperative Extension Program Administrator, makes some opening remarks as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman wearing a yellow blouse and blue-framed glasses speaks into a microphone while holding a presentation clicker during a session. She has short, styled hair and is wearing a headband. The background is softly blurred, suggesting a professional conference or workshop setting.

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Lauren Mayo, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University, Research Assistant Professor in Dairy Science, gives a presentation on dairy production as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man wearing a blue button-up shirt with a North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension logo speaks into a microphone during a presentation. He holds a presentation clicker in his other hand and has glasses resting on his shirt collar. His expression is focused as he gestures slightly with his hand. The background is neutral, suggesting an indoor conference setting.

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Chip Simmons, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, Area Specialized Agent of Fresh Produce Food Safety, talks about produce safety as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A group of three individuals in a community garden setting. A man in a red polo shirt gestures toward a woman in a floral-patterned top wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a pineapple design, who is closely inspecting a plant while holding a water bottle. A man in a dark blazer and blue shirt holds a camera and observes the interaction. In the background, several other people are walking among garden beds and greenhouses, with trees and sunny skies in the distance.

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Jimo Ibrahim, Ph.D., center, N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Agricultural Health and Safety Specialist, talks to Luciano and Maria Alvarado, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A large group of participants gathers next to a Community Garden under a clear blue sky. They stand on a grassy field, some taking photos or holding materials. In the foreground, green crops grow in rows. A wooden pavilion is visible to the right, and the scene reflects a sunny, outdoor conference setting.

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Biswanath Dari, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Natural Resources Specialist, speaks to a group of participants next to the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Morgan Malone, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a t-shirt with "NCAT Aggies" on it, demonstrates gardening techniques in a Community Garden. A group of participants stands in a semi-circle, observing attentively, with some holding bags and notebooks. The scene includes plants, logs, and a clear blue sky in the background.

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Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, does some demonstrating in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Michelle Eley, Ph.D., wearing a blue and white patterned blouse, speaks into a microphone while holding her glasses near her face. She appears engaged in delivering a presentation, with a neutral background behind her.

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Michelle Eley, Ph.D., Community and Economic Development Specialist at Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University, assists in the heirs property presentation during the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man with long dreadlocks wearing a colorful patterned shirt speaks into a microphone while holding a green baton in his other hand. He is wearing a name tag identifying him as Michael Carter Jr. A monitor displaying a presentation slide is visible in the background, indicating a professional conference or workshop setting.

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Michael Carter Jr., right, of Carter Farms in Orange County, Virginia talks about passing the baton as part of transitioning inherited farms on to the next generation during the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man with a beard wearing a blue and white checkered shirt speaks into a microphone while raising one hand during a presentation. He is wearing a name tag that identifies him as Mark Paylor. A monitor displaying a presentation slide is visible in the background, suggesting a professional conference or workshop setting.

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Mark Paylor, N.C. A&T State University, Poultry Research Specialist, gives a presentation on poultry production as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A large conference room with participants seated at round tables covered in blue and yellow tablecloths, attentively listening to a presenter at the front of the room. The presenter, standing near a podium, speaks in front of projected slides showing graphs and images related to livestock grazing. Some attendees take notes, while others look at their phones or conference materials. The room is brightly lit with ceiling lights, and additional screens display the presentation slides.

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Participants listen as Sanjok Poudel, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University, Cooperative Extension Livestock and Production Specialist, gives a presentation on livestock grazing as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Hannah Talton stands in the center of a community garden, gesturing as she directs a presentation to a group of participants. The group forms a semi-circle around her, with individuals listening attentively, taking photos, and holding materials. The garden features raised beds of plants, and the background shows an open field, a wooden pavilion, and a clear blue sky.

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Hannah Talton, D.P.M., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Plant Pathology and IPM Specialist, directs a presentation in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man with a short gray beard, wearing a black shirt, speaks into a microphone while gesturing with one hand raised, making a point during a discussion. His expression is engaged and expressive. The background is softly blurred, with other attendees and a table visible in the conference setting.

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Farmer Anthony Jones makes a point during the produce safety portion of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Morgan Malone, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, gestures toward a group of participants gathered around raised garden beds in a community garden. She speaks while the group listens attentively, standing on a grassy area under a clear blue sky. The garden features rows of plants, mulch, and fencing. In the background, a large building, vehicles, and open farmland are visible.

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Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, gives a presentation in the Community Garden, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Biswanath Dari, wearing a gray shirt and beige pants, demonstrates gardening techniques using a rake in a Community Garden. Morgan Malone, in a straw hat, assists in the background. A group of participants stands around, observing attentively, with some holding notebooks. The scene includes garden plants, raised beds, and a greenhouse under a sunny blue sky.

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Biswanath Dari, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Natural Resources Specialist, and Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, give a presentation in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man in a denim shirt and cap speaks with a woman in a floral blouse at an orange-topped vendor table in a conference lobby. The table is covered with informational brochures and documents. In the background, other participants and vendors interact at additional tables, with some standing and others browsing materials. The space is bright with natural light, featuring a blue wall on the left and a banner on the right promoting support for small farmers in North Carolina. The atmosphere is lively and engaging.

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Vendors engage participants in the lobby as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., speaks into a microphone and gestures with a presentation remote while addressing an audience during a presentation. A blurred participant's head is visible in the foreground, and a screen with text is in the background.

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Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems for North Carolina A&T State University, gives a specialty crops presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Two participants at a table engage in a game during the Regional Small Farms Conference. An older woman smiles while holding up a sheet with images of plants, while a younger man seated next to her looks at it and smiles. Papers, a water bottle, and other materials are on the table. Other attendees are visible in the background.

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Participants play a game designed by Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., director of the Center for Environmental Farming, during her specialty crops presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., speaks into a microphone while leading a group activity during her specialty crops presentation at the Regional Small Farms Conference. Behind her, participants stand in a line holding printed sheets with images of fruits and vegetables. A slide in the background reads, "Let Us Play a Game: Do You Know Your Specialty Fruit and Vegetables?"

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Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems for North Carolina A&T State University, gives a specialty crops presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat speaks to a group of participants gathered in a semi-circle around raised garden beds in a community garden. She gestures with her hands while presenting. The attendees are diverse in age and background, listening attentively under a bright sunny sky. The garden is surrounded by open fields, greenhouses, and other farm structures in the background.

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Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, gives a presentation in the Community Garden, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A group of five individuals standing in a community garden and engaged in a discussion. A man in a blue blazer holding a camera speaks with a young man wearing a black polo shirt. Next to them, a woman in glasses and a black polo shirt gestures while talking to a man with a backpack. On the left, an older man in a blue plaid shirt observes the interaction. Green plants fill the foreground, and a sunny field with fencing and trees is visible in the background.

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Morgan Malone, center, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, and Jimo Ibrahim, Ph.D., right, N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Agricultural Health and Safety Specialist, answer questions in the Community Garden, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Millard Locklear, wearing glasses and a plaid shirt, sits at a table holding a smartphone, while Alaqua Jacobs, in a striped shirt, leans over the table and smiles. Both are attending the Regional Small Farms Conference. Other attendees and a yellow banner in the background are visible.

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Millard Locklear, left, and Alaqua Jacobs pause during the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Morgan Malone, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, demonstrates gardening techniques using a pitchfork in the Community Garden. She is surrounded by a group of participants observing attentively, including individuals holding notebooks and standing near gardening tools. A greenhouse and green foliage are visible in the background under a sunny sky.

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Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, does some demonstrating in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Three men standing in a group engage in conversation in a conference setting. The man on the left has dreadlocks and a backpack, the man in the center wears a blue button-up shirt with a name badge, and the man on the right wears a white polo shirt. The background shows round tables with yellow and blue tablecloths and other attendees seated in the room.

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Alaqua Jacobs, center, joins Darius McKoy, left, and Avery Lucas, in some informal sharing as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion.

A group of participants gathers in a Community Garden for a presentation by Biswanath Dari and Morgan Malone. The group observes raised garden beds and a presenter holding gardening tools. In the background, a greenhouse, open fields, and farm structures are visible under a sunny blue sky. Attendees stand and listen, with some taking photos or holding materials.

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Biswanath Dari, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Natural Resources Specialist, and Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, give a presentation in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., leads a group activity during her specialty crops presentation at the Regional Small Farms Conference. She stands in front of a group of attendees who are holding printed sheets with images of fruits and vegetables, while a projected slide in the background reads, "Let Us Play a Game: Do You Know Your Specialty Fruit and Vegetables?"

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Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems for North Carolina A&T State University, gives a specialty crops presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man wearing a brown sweater and a name tag holds a microphone while speaking during a presentation. He appears engaged, with his gaze directed slightly upward. A blurred screen and desk are visible in the background, suggesting an indoor conference or lecture setting.

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Sanjok Poudel, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University, Cooperative Extension Livestock and Production Specialist, gives a presentation on livestock grazing as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A group of people outdoors, focusing on two men examining and smelling plant samples. One man, wearing a gray hat and sunglasses, holds a small plant close to his nose, while the other, dressed in a light blue shirt, inspects a similar sample. Other participants in the background appear engaged in conversation or observing the activity, with a green, sunny field in the background.

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Stanley Thompson, left, and Charles Jones, observe plants in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Hannah Talton, wearing a navy blue shirt with a yellow bulldog logo and glasses, gestures with one hand raised while speaking during a presentation in the community garden. A group of attendees stands behind her, listening attentively, including individuals wearing name tags and conference materials. The background includes plants, a silo, and a bright sunny sky.

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Hannah Talton, D.P.M., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Plant Pathology and IPM Specialist, gives a presentation in the Community Garden, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., holds a microphone in one hand and gestures with a presentation remote in the other while speaking to an audience. A blurred projection screen with text is visible in the background.

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Kathleen Liang, Ph.D., Director, Center for Environmental Farming Systems for North Carolina A&T State University, gives a specialty crops presentation as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Pat Smith-Jones, wearing a black hat and glasses, smiles while looking at her phone, and Charles Jones, in a blue shirt, examines a sheet with images of plants. They are seated at a table covered with papers, a plate of fruit, and drinks during the Regional Small Farms Conference.

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Pat Smith-Jones and Charles Jones participate in Dr. Kathleen Liang’s specialty crops session as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Trequan McGee, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Horticulture Extension Specialist, interacts with a farmer near a high tunnel, both looking at a mobile device. Other participants, including a woman holding a plant stalk, engage in conversation in the background under a clear blue sky.

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Trequan McGee, Ph.D., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Horticulture Extension Specialist, shares some high tunnel tips with a farmer as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man with long dreadlocks wearing a colorful patterned shirt speaks into a microphone while holding a presentation clicker in his other hand. He is wearing a name tag that identifies him as Michael Carter Jr. The background is softly blurred, suggesting an indoor conference or workshop setting.

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Michael Carter Jr. of Carter Farms in Orange County, Virginia talks about ethnic crops production as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held Mon. and Tue. Oct. 7-8, 2024, at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman in a black polo shirt speaks into a microphone while holding a presentation clicker. She gestures toward the audience, which includes seated individuals in a blurred background. Behind her is a yellow banner and a screen with an out-of-focus presentation slide.

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Cyndi Knudson, Area Small Farms Extension Associate at Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University, talks about direct marketing as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the University Farm Pavilion and organized by Cooperative Extension.

A woman wearing a white hoodie with a Mickey Mouse design and a patterned headscarf speaks into a microphone during a Q&A session. She is wearing glasses and a name tag that reads "Jamma Williams." The background is softly blurred, with another participant partially visible on the right.

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Jamma Williams speaks during a Q&A session as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A busy lobby scene with vendors and participants interacting during a conference. Several tables are set up on both sides of the room, covered with white tablecloths branded with the N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension logo. On the right, a banner displays text promoting small farmers in North Carolina and Virginia, alongside images of farming activities. Participants are seen engaging in conversations, browsing materials, and networking. The lobby is bright with natural light coming through large windows, and a blue accent wall featuring a photo of livestock is visible on the left.

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Vendors engage participants in the lobby as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A man in a plaid blazer speaks into a microphone while gesturing during a presentation. Behind him, a slide is displayed on a large screen with the title "Understanding Heirs' Property at the Community Level" along with logos and conference details.

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Sam Cook, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, executive director of the College of Natural Resources, talks “heirs property” as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Morgan Malone, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, demonstrates soil preparation techniques with a rake in a Community Garden. A group of participants stands in a semi-circle observing, with some taking photos or holding materials. The scene includes green plants, a greenhouse in the background, and a clear blue sky above.

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Morgan Malone, Urban Ag and Community Gardens Coordinator, gives a presentation in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Hannah Talton, wearing a blue polo shirt and glasses, gestures while giving a presentation in a community garden. She stands near raised beds of plants as a group of participants listens attentively, some holding notebooks or phones. The group is diverse, with individuals wearing casual attire, including hats and jackets. In the background, a building, vehicles, and fields are visible under a bright blue sky.

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Hannah Talton, D.P.M., N.C. A&T State University Cooperative Extension Plant Pathology and IPM Specialist, gives a presentation in the Community Garden, as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A group of participants walks along a gravel path from a pavilion toward a community garden during a conference. Greenhouses and a white van are visible in the background, along with an open field under a sunny sky. In the foreground, there is a grassy area with erosion fencing and a small pond.

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Participants walk from the Pavilion to the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

A woman wearing a mustard-yellow blazer speaks into a microphone during a presentation. She is standing in front of a neutral background, with part of a screen visible to the left.

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Erica Calderon, a N.C. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences (NCDA&CS) Agritourism Marketing Specialist, presents as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Alaqua Jacobs, wearing a blue shirt and name tag, performs a taste-test by sampling a plant in a community garden during a presentation. He is surrounded by other participants, including a man in a striped blue polo shirt holding a folder and sampling a plant. The background shows greenery, fencing, and an open farm setting under a sunny sky.

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Alaqua Jacobs, left, performs a taste-test during a presentation in the Community Garden as part of the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

Michael Carter Jr., wearing a colorful patterned shirt, hands a green baton to a seated participant during a demonstration of "passing the baton" at a conference session. The participant, dressed in a blue button-down shirt, reaches out to accept the baton while other attendees watch in the background. The scene takes place in a conference room with yellow tablecloths and informational banners visible in the background.

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Michael Carter Jr., right, of Carter Farms in Orange County, Virginia demonstrates the idea of “passing the baton” as part of transitioning inherited farms on to the next generation during the Regional Small Farms Conference held at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion and organized by N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.