Nearly 400 attendees joined Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T this year in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Small Farms Week, the annual event recognizing the state’s small-scale producers and educating the public on their contribution to N.C.’s agricultural economy. Events in the counties, at the University Farm and a dinner in the Alumni Event Center celebrated the “Deep Roots, Strong Impact” of N.C. farming.
Small Farms Week kicked off on Monday, March 23 with a reception and farm tour held in Granville County, home of the 2025 Small Farmers of the Year, Elvin and Madeline Eaton of Fairport Farms.
“I think Small Farms Week is gaining momentum each and every year,” said Associate Dean and Extension Administrator M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D. “It's been 40 years since its inception, and it is continuing to gain strength and popularity, because more and more people are finding out about us every day.
“North Carolina A&T leads this effort, but by no means does it mean it is our Small Farms Week. It is North Carolina's Small Farms Week. So, I think we have a bright future and we're looking forward to the years to come.”
Both Elvin and Madeline Eaton said that winning Small Farmers of the Year has made a big impact on their farm.
“It’s given us tremendous exposure. We’ve had the opportunity to share our growing practices,” Elvin Eaton said. “Winning [Small Farmer of the Year] has been a real honor, and we still haven’t gotten over the shock that we won.”
“It’s been a great opportunity for us to meet so many people that share our mindset, that are committed to the food system and improving access to fresh, healthy food for our community,” said Madeline Eaton.
Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T hosted a wide range of workshops, panel discussions and hands-on demonstrations March 24-25 at the University Farm, covering rotational cattle grazing and rainwater tests on soil to peer-to-peer sessions on heir’s property concerns and the advantages – and disadvantages – of AI in farm practices.
Naomi Simmons and her sister, Linda R. Tyndall, of Richardson Herbal Farm in Bladen County, said they try to come each year.
“We are always searching for the most up-to-date things that we really need to know about the farm, how it can be improved, what we can do to make things better for us, as far as a small farm,” Simmons said.
Ron Simmons, of Master Blend Family Farms and 2018 Small Farmer of the Year, left, leads a panel discussion on the future of profitable small farms at the Small Farms Week Educational Forum, held at the N.C. A&T Farm Pavilion. Panelists, to Simmons’ left, were Chef Jay Vetter, chief culinary officer, Harvest Table Culinary Group, Daniel Johnson, manager, Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, and Anthony Mirisciotta, CEO, Freshlist (Charlotte-based food hub).
“There are things that we can carry back and use,” Tyndall said. “Sometimes you come and you get just little nuggets here and there. The whole format was really beneficial.”
Abriana Johnson, owner of Black Unicorn Creative and a board member of the North Carolina Agritourism Networking Association, came to Small Farms Week to gather resources to share with association members.
“I think the presentations are so comprehensive, they were covering a large range of topics, and some topics that you wouldn't think that we would invest so much time in discussing, like the wellness of farmers and safety and mental health. I love that those are topics of conversation, but also some of those more tangible things, like the resources associated with government programs and programs at the university level.”
At the center of Small Farms Week was Small Farmers Appreciation Night, a farm-to-table reception held on March 24 at the Uni
GALLERY
