Three are Named Regional Finalists for 2026 Small Farmer of the Year Award

January 30, 2026

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Cooperative Extension, Small Farms Week

Three small-scale farmers from around the state have been named N.C. Cooperative Extension’s 2026 Small Farmer of the Year regional finalists. They will attend the Small Farmer of the Year awards ceremony and dinner on March 24, where one will be named the statewide 2026 Small Farmer of the Year.

The three regional finalists are:

A smiling man with a beard and dreadlocks wears a blue t-shirt and a wide-brimmed hat. He stands outdoors in front of trees, exuding a friendly demeanor.

Darius McKoy

Eastern Region: 12:03AM Farm (Sampson County). Owned and operated by Darius McKoy, a first-generation farmer and Air Force veteran, this 36-acre farm produces organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey and fresh eggs. Along with innovative practices such as high tunnels, rotational grazing and trellising, McKoy is an engaged community member who regularly provides fresh produce to more than 200 families across three counties, hosts farm tours for 4-H members, and mentors beginning and veteran farmers with technical training and guidance. https://1203amfarm.com

A woman wearing sunglasses smiles in a greenhouse filled with vibrant green lettuce. She has medium-length hair and is dressed in a light-colored shirt with "FARM" printed on it.

Anna Anders

Urban Region: Anders Family Hydroponic Farm (Forsyth County). This farm, owned and operated by a widow (now remarried) and her daughters, produces high-quality produce year-round using hydroponic techniques. Customers include about 40 restaurants as well as food hubs and farmers' markets. Anna Anders has expanded the farm since its launch in 2017, and in addition to her commitment to providing fresh, locally grown leafy vegetables, she hosts farmers, school groups, veteran apprentices and others interested in learning about hydroponic growing. https://andersfamilyfarms.com/

A bearded man with glasses stands with his arms crossed, looking thoughtfully to the side. He's wearing a long-sleeved gray shirt, and there are plants and structures in the background.

Nick Dezern

Western Region: Millboro and Co. Farm (Randolph County). This farm, run by Nick Dezern, grows a wide variety of vegetables that customers can purchase online and pick up at one of four locations. Millboro Co strives to reconnect people with local farm systems and, in the process, provide healthy produce. Dezern educates his customers about food production and the inefficiencies of the food system, such as buying produce out of season and the environmental impact of trucking food long distances. https://www.millboro.co/

For more on Small Farms Week, including a registration form, visit the Small Farms Week web page.

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Founded in 1891 in Greensboro, North Carolina, N.C. A&T is the nation’s largest historically Black university and a premier 1890 land-grant doctoral research institution. Home to more than 14,000 students, A&T is nationally recognized as the top public HBCU in the country and the number one producer of Black graduates in engineering and agriculture. With over $2.4 billion in annual economic impact, the university combines rigorous academics, pioneering research, and a vibrant campus culture to prepare the next generation of global leaders.

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