Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund
Produce
2012 Projects
Coastal Farmer’s Collaboration
Ms. Spruil is a young farmer in Dare County who has found market opportunities throughout the small local communities of the Outer Banks. She has attempted to address the community needs in her area by collaborating with several other farmers in the surrounding counties to provide locally grown food to the area’s many “food deserts.” By purchasing what she can’t produce herself from local farmers and driving up and down the three county area with a “mobile market,” she is establishing farmer’s markets in several of the small communities. She is also raising vegetable starts for sale to customers who want to raise their own food and helping them establish raised bed gardens. The funds will allow her to better establish her business and marketing plan as well as provide needed cooler space.
Storage Expansion
Mr. Sells is a former tobacco farmer looking to build his current on farm market base. He has established a successful vegetable and small fruit operation on his former tobacco land and is interested in converting an old tobacco shed to expand his storage capacity and build on his emerging agritourism business. The building will serve as a protected storage facility, a classroom for tours from the
surrounding community and local school children as well as serving as a drop point for a local collaborative CSA.
Trap Sweet Corn and Heirloom Collards
Mr. Hollowell has farmed tobacco all his life, but is now looking towards a more sustainable revenue stream for his farm’s future. He plans to shift his investments to vegetables that he can continue to use his tobacco equipment to produce, and utilize the community appreciation for his family’s heirloom collards in particular. His project will require a deep well and irrigation capacity to six acres of vegetables, half in his family’s collards and half in sweet corn. He is working with the local grocery stores as well as establishing a road-side stand to market his product.
Drip irrigation System for CSA market
Mr. Glover is a third generation tobacco farmer who has successfully integrated commercial vegetable and melon production into his farm’s business. His 90 member CSA has allowed him to make a significantly higher profit on 40 acres than other land currently in commodity production. The problem is that he cannot expand without establishing irrigation to limit the loss of income from inadequate rainfall and maximize production and quality. His project will provide the underground mainlines and pressure regulators as well as filtration that will allow him to irrigate effectively and expand his CSA to 250 shares next year.
CSA Cooler Project
Mr. Smith is a former tobacco farmer turned nursery business operator who has come back to farming full time as the nursery industry has declined. His farm employs two generations of his family, mostly through their establishment of a CSA and u-pick berries. Their CSA model is different than most in that they accept cash, check or paypal payments weekly, and allow customers to fully customize their boxes online previous to pick-up. Their project will add efficient cooling capacity to the farm business, allowing them to double their production and storage capacity and therefore double their grow income.
Carolina Gold
Mr. Dowless was raised on his father’s tobacco farm, now specializing in u-pick peaches and selling at a roadside stand. He has come back to farming with his father full-time and hopes to create a new institutional market by selling into the local public school system. His project involves planting several varieties of peaches that produce during the school season, as well as becoming GAP certified and establishing a map for other farmers to access the public school markets. He has commitments from at least two school districts that are excited to purchase his peaches and is hopeful that more schools in Southeast NC will follow.
Young Farmers Melon and Mixed Produce
Seth and Cory Saunders are 17 and 14 years old respectively. They raise five acres of cantaloupe, watermelon and sweet potato for local wholesale markets on land they lease from their grandfather’s farm. The brothers are interested in expanding their production to 7 acres and installing drip irrigation to maximize their production, as well as comparing new low-tunnels with their own cheaper designs for demonstration to their FFA and 4H peers. The pond they are currently irrigating from is too small for expansion, and they need the grant funds to purchase low-tunnel materials and dig a well to expand the pond to meet their needs.
Season Extension/ Value Added Traditional Crops
Mr. Vargas was raised on a farm in central Mexico, and worked as a crew leader for migrant farm-workers in North Carolina for several years. He along with his wife and adult son now raise 75 acres of vegetables for wholesale markets and are building on his small acreage of blueberries and strawberries. His project will invest in the establishment of traditional Latin American crops like jicama, chayote, and passion fruit, in order to be processed on-farm into sugar free jams and jellies for diabetic consumers. He will use the funds to purchase low-cost season-extension row-covers and fruit processing equipment.
Increasing the Sustainability of Oak Bluff Farm
Mr. Schuping grew up farming on his family land, and now farms small grains conventionally on ten acres as well as managing a 5000 square foot hydroponic tomato greenhouse. He is interested in moving towards more sustainable production of pumpkins and gourds, but his soils are too sandy to hold the proper nutrition and organic matter. For this reason, he is establishing a 2-4 acre test plot using new technology called a “roller crimper.” This tool will allow him to establish several rotations of cover crops that are rolled and crimped on top of the soil, leading to better soil fertility and water and nutrient management.
Silvopasture in the Sandhills
Mr. Smith is a young farmer in his second year of production on his family land. His project involves utilizing partially cleared land for a combination of fruit and nut tree production and livestock pasture. In order to establish the mixed-use production model he’s created, he will use grant funds to dig a well for irrigation and build fencing to both keep the livestock in and the deer out. He and his wife plan to raise chickens, turkeys, goats and sheep, and intensively graze the animals in the same land as the newly established fruit and nut trees.
Wind Powered Irrigation and Fence
Mr. Bellamy is a successful small scale fruit and vegetable farmer on the southernmost tip of the NC coast. His plans for expansion have been hindered by the lack of access to power on 20 acres of his farm that he wants to put into organic production. Sam turned to a local company called, Green Sky Wind Systems to determine if there would be sufficient wind to power his irrigation pump and electric deer fence on his new plot- and after some research and field testing, it was determined to be sufficient. He will offset the cost-share expense of the wind turbine with funds from USDA REAP, Federal ITC, and NC renewable energy tax credit, making the sustainable power economical as well as providing a unique marketing opportunity for his farm.
Creation of a sustainable farm using low-tunnels
Mr. Jones grew up on a tobacco farm in Eastern North Carolina before serving in the military and later working as a computer programmer and system’s analyst. He returned to farming in 2009 by participating in the Breeze farm incubator where he raised ½ are of vegetables for direct market. In the past three years he has honed his skills at raising crops organically, and is now interested in expanding from 3 to 6 acres using low-tunnel technology. His project is unique in that it will use solar energy to maintain proper temperatures within fully-mechanized tunnels- cutting down on labor significantly. Funds will go toward the design and construction of his innovative low-tunnels.
CSA wash and pack house
Mr. Howard grew up farming tobacco and small grains, graduated from the Ag Institute at NCSU, and came back to farm his family land in 2008. Since then he has raised 23 acres of strawberries, sweet corn and pumpkins, and established a CSA as well as farm-stand to sell his product. As his farm has grown, the storage, processing and packaging capacity has become inadequate for his needs. His project would model a CSA processing, sorting and packaging facility and provide the opportunity for him to store, sell, and market directly from his farm- allowing him to hire additional labor and spend more time in the field.
Chicken Tractor
Mr. Milne is a 25 year old farmer who has farmed for the past five years in various places around the state and learned from several experts in soil fertility and small- farm management. He plans to design an enclosed on-farm soil fertility system where he raises layers for egg production over his vegetable plots during rotation. This process improves the soil fertility for the vegetable production while improving the egg quality and health of his hens. The added benefits of this method include the reduction in feed costs for the hens as well as a reduction in pests that can establish in fields during rotation when nothing is cultivated. He will use the funds to build a mobile chicken tractor.
Woodchip boiler for greenhouse
Mr. Blue is a tobacco farmer who is slowly diversifying his family land that has been in production every year since 1804. His idea to use a woodchip boiler instead of LP gas as most tobacco growers in his community use, came from a combination of seeing the rapid increase in the price of LP, and through conversations with his extension agent. His project would utilize his existing tobacco greenhouses for early and late season tomato production. The woodchip boiler technology would save him at least $4,000 a season and allow him to source his fuel from his farm. He hopes that this step will make his farm more sustainable for his 11 year old son and generations to come.
2011 Projects
Miss Angels Heavenly Pies
Angela uses fruit seconds from her family’s orchard to make apple pies and turnovers. Her business has been met with outstanding consumer demand, and she is struggling to keep up with the hungry Mount Airy community. With grant funds, Angela will be able to purchase the equipment she needs to expand her production and more efficiently create her local fruit baked goods.
Organic Tomato Production in a Wet Climate
Shiloh and Jason’s customers love their flavorful tomato varieties, but tomatoes are difficult to grow in the wet Wilkes County climate. Grant funds will allow Tumbling Shoals Farm to purchase a multi-bay Haygrove high tunnel, providing protection from fungus problems. Each season the haygrove will move along with the tomatoes to a fresh plot as part of the farm’s 13 year rotation. http://www.tumblingshoalsfarm.com/
Vertical Hydroponic System for Vegetable and Fruit Production
David is constructing a vertical hydroponic system that will allow him to grow 200 plants in ¼ of the area required on bare ground. He will begin with lettuce and strawberries, but plans to experiment with squash, herbs and eggplant. Hydroponics will give him an edge on some markets, as well as providing a “no-bend” u-pick option for customers. http://www.localharvest.org/correll-farms-M28142
Sain Farms upgrade – washing and packing facility
Dustin grows 8 acres of mixed vegetables that he sells at the Charlotte Regional Market as well at the Foothills Farmers Market in Shelby. Hip to the food safety trends, Dustin is working to become GAP certified. With help from grant funds, Dustin is constructing a washing, packing, and storing facility for his growing produce business.
Fruit Popsicles
Leigh grows strawberries, elderberries and pawpaws on her 1 ½ acre farm, and is learning how to add value to her fruit by turning them into popsicles. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment that will take her bustling business to the next level, not only by speeding up the popsicle making process, but by making a more consistent, high quality summer treat.
Asian Vegetables and Flowers
Chong and his family have a successful cut flower business, and also grow Asian Broccoli, Thai Basil, and unique varieties of green beens, eggplant, pumpkins and more. Assistance from grant funds will allow them to expand their flower operation, the most profitable part of their farm. Look for their gorgeous bouquets and unique products at the Charlotte Regional Market.
Wood Heating System Grant (greenhouse produce)
Neal’s family operates a 4th generation dairy and former tobacco farm to which he has added vegetable production. However, season extension has been cost prohibitive due to high costs to heat his greenhouse. Grant funds will allow Neal to install a boiler for heating his greenhouse with wood from their land. Look for Neal’s produce at the Reidsville Farmers Market.
Nature Flower Farm -- A Sustainable Future
Wong and his family grow a wide variety of flowers, as well as Asian vegetable varieties and rice. They also make pickled bamboo and process cucumber juice on a small scale. Grant funds will make the whole farm operation more profitable and more efficient by constructing a new well based irrigation system and up-fitting a greenhouse.
http://natureflowerfarm.com/Home.php
Bamboo Shoot: Planting and Cannery Blue Print
Brothers Thay and Meng have been growing edible bamboo shoots for the past 10 years. Fresh bamboo has a short shelf life, and the demand in Asian markets for pickled bamboo has no U.S. supplier. Grant funds will allow them to expand their bamboo acreage, make plans for a cannery, and develop their pickled bamboo recipe in cooperation with Blue Ridge Food Ventures.
Lucky Leaf Gardens Expansion (microgreens)
Kate and Marc have been operating their rapidly expanding micro greens business out of a greenhouse they constructed in their backyard. A 1 oz package of their “petite” vegetables contains as much nutrients as 3 cups of broccoli, and chefs can’t get enough of it. Grant funds will assist Lucky Leaf to establish a second greenhouse and continue to expand their business. www.luckyleafgardens.com
High Tunnel Strawberries for Season Extension
John is a young farmer with several years of production behind him, and is limited by the short growing season of Cleveland County. Grant funds will allow him to construct 3 Gothic Arch High Tunnel Greenhouses in which he will grow fall and winter strawberries. Winter berries will allow him to access year round markets and capitalize on a high return crop.
Marvelus Farms-High Tunnel & Deep Well
Marvin raises wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and corn on his family’s farm. Recently, he converted an old tobacco greenhouse into a high tunnel for vegetable production. Grant funds will be used for drip irrigation and another high tunnel so that he can expand his produce operation. Marvin will sell watermelon, sweet corn, peppers, salad greens, Swiss Chard and tomatoes to grocery stores.
Off of the Beaten Path, Dalure Farms
Lulu recently returned to her family farm where she hosts agritourism events and raises about an acre of lufa, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, asparagus and squash. Grant funds will be used for irrigation equipment. Lulu is excited about the market potential of her lufa, which is easy to grow, edible, and can be dried and used for bathing and washing dishes.
Warm Weather Season Extension
Christin produces a range of chemical free produce on less than 10 acres of land and specializes in high-end salad mixes that she sells at the Wilmington Farmers Market, as well to four local restaurants. With grant funds, she will be able to construct a high tunnel in order to begin spring growing earlier and extend fall harvesting.
Produce Market Expansion
Josh and his father grow produce in addition to the 200 acres of family land in tobacco production. They would like to launch a U-pick strawberry operation in hopes of bringing in additional revenue. Grant funds will allow Josh to plant seven acres of strawberries with drip irrigation. This farm business venture will allow Josh to come onto the family farm full time.
Blueberry Irrigation System
Howard inherited his family’s tobacco farm, which he eventually transitioned to blueberry production. Between summer droughts and sustained hard frosts in the winter, his bushes and his berry production have suffered. With assistance from grant funds, Howard will purchase an overhead irrigation system, making use of his 1.5 acre pond. The system will function in a dual capacity, frost protection and watering the bushes.
Diamond City Produce Market
Herbert operates an organic transitional farm in which he cultivates 18 different varieties of herbs, along with squash, watermelons, collards, potatoes, string beans, and various fruits and nuts. He sells his wares at a road side stand located near a major highway. Grant funds will allow him to rent cultivating equipment, and supply water to his field.
Redbud Farm Certified Organic - Hoop House
Clay Smith and Nancy will be building a hoop house on skids so they can move their hoop house across their farm and capture more value at different times of the year from a single structure. The grant will be used to build this hoop house and supplies to plant their organic crops under this hoop house.
Dried Sweet Potato Slices as Pet Chews & Value Added Usage
John with the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Foundation, Inc. will be conducting a project to determine if the concept of drying sweet potato slices with existing tobacco curing technology is feasible, fits a market need, can be expanded, and offer profitable potential for sweet potato and tobacco growers. This grant will be used to assist with the research on this project and pay for the labor of college researchers working with this project at NC State.
Chinese Chestnut & Asian Persimmon Groves with a Clove Ground Cover for Honey Production
Cloverfields Farms, LLC will be planting 10 acres of Chinese Chestnut & Asian Persimmon Groves Trees while integrating clover cover crop for the production of honey. This grant will be used to assist with labor costs and supplies and materials to plant these trees.
Expansion for Greenhouse Production
J&B Herb and Plant Farms, Inc will be installing 1000 watt lamps inside of greenhouses to enhance year round production of potted plants which they sell to Ingles grocery stores and other markets. The grant will be used on supplies and materials to install these lamps.
Bio-burner
Ryan will be installing a bioburner boiler heating system that uses traditional and non-traditional sources such as wood waste, soybeans, sawdust, etc. The bioburner has the potential to heat multiple houses simultaneously, and will cut his costs to produce tomatoes significantly. This grant will be used to assist purchasing bioburner equipment to install to his greenhouse.
Oh Bea’s Sweet Apple Cider
Michael will be using his apples from apple trees at his farm to produce apple cider. This grant will be used to research regulations for safe processing of apple cider, commercial juice press and fruit grinder. www.fishingcreekcider.com
Tierra Negra Farm "Smart Starts" Organic Seedlings
Tierra Negra Farm will be building a greenhouse to produce organic seedlings for small and urban farmers who are interested in raising their own food. This grant will be used on building green house and marketing their organic seedlings product.
High Tunnel Vegetable Produce
Terrie will be building a high tunnel for organic vegetable produce for farmers’ markets. The high tunnel will allow him to capture more value from his farm by producing early and late season crops. This grant will be used to purchase supplies and materials to build high tunnel.
Organic Sox Production in Greenhouses
Mark will be using a system where organic soil can be held in mesh material called “sox” where they can overcome the 3 year waiting period to farm organically, and increase the production space in his greenhouse. This grant will be used on purchasing sox material and fertilizer injector.
Innovative Specialty Crop Production in Wilson County
Kevin is a young farmer who will be producing specialty crops of asparagus, blackberries, and blueberries to sell at grocery stores and farmers markets in an area that has v limited availability of produce at hand, especially early and late into seasons. This grant will be used to purchase a cool bot, concrete floor for cooler and other supplies and materials to store these vegetables.
Bender Blackberry Production
Jonathan will use his tobacco farmland to produce blackberries for markets in his area. The grant will be used for supplies and materials to ensure proper planting and maintenance of these blackberry plants.
Wood Waste Boiler for Tomato Greenhouses
Tim and Nancy will be revitalizing their greenhouses to become more cost effective by using wood waste instead of traditional fuel. The grant will be used on supplies and materials to custom fit this equipment for heated greenhouse production. http://www.localharvest.org/redbud-farm-certified-organic-M34166
A Full Season of Certified Organic and Biodynamic Fruit
Whitted Bowers Farms will be producing certified organic fruits on their farm, allowing them to sell organic and biodynamic fruit to farmers’ markets, on-farm, pick your own, restaurants and wholesale. This grant will be used to purchase different varieties of fruits to test various cultivars for the climate, pests and diseases. www.whittedbowersfarm.com
TuajMusZoo Farm (Come and Go Good Farm)
Touger is a farmer of Hmong heritage who will be producing Asian produce using modernized American types of production methods. This grant will be used to purchase supplies and materials and the costs of consultation for building infrastructures on his farm.
Green Roof Mat Production Fields
Patrick will be raising plants that will be used specifically by a contracting company for green roofing. This grant will be used to expand his current production in supplies like electric pump, piping, and a 3 phase converter.
DJ Sweet 'N Family Farm
Donald will be addressing the issue of packaging and freezing produce such as okra, butter beans, and squash; to eliminate produce waste. This grant will be used to purchase a vacuum packer machine, oven, food cutter, and labor to help with the mass packaging and planting of produce.
Crop Diversification
Frank will be diversifying from his tobacco crop production to include 50 to 75 acres of cabbage because of the capability to be planted by existing tobacco equipment. The grant funds will be used on producer harvester equipment and grading and packaging equipment.
2010 Projects
Specialty Crops
Ricky will renovate an old barn into a washing, grading, and storage building for his commercial vegetable operation in Pinnacle NC. The facility will allow him to increase the value of his produce and access more demanding wholesale markets. (Information: 919-323-7587)
Plastic Mulch Vegetable Farming
Billy will turn his tobacco farm into a commercial vegetable farm using plasticulture and drip irrigation. This improvement will allow him to maintain his farm after the loss of his tobacco contract. (Information: 919-323-7587)
State Line Berry Farm Pomegranate Project
The plan for this project is to use 8 acres to plant 5 acres of pomegranates (3 different varieties) and two acres of 6 varieties of apples. Pomegranates are gaining in popularity due to publicized health benefits which will also serve as a test pilot for growing pomegranates in NC. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Willis R. Byrum, Upgrade Farm Packaging Facility
Bynum will construct a washing facility that meets GAP Certification standards for food safety and stricter handling protocols. This will aid in his vegetable sells to local grocery stores and will help to open markets that are currently closed to him. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Automated Solar Powered Germination House
Brian will build a small solar powered germination house where he will germinate his seeds and grow his starts for early planting. This will eliminate his fuel and electricity costs. (Information: 919-323-7587)
Cool with Cool-bot
His award is for the purchase of a new technology that allows farmers to refrigerate a space using a traditional window-unit air conditioner for a relatively inexpensive cost. He hopes to demonstrate that the use of the “Cool-bot” will save small farmers money as they move into larger production of produce. (Information: 919-323-7587)
Float System/Overhead a Greenhouse Conversion,
Gary Fuller will convert an old style tobacco transplant green house into a structure for growing vegetable transplants. This process will reduce the expense of purchasing transplants and reduce the risk of importing diseases and pests. (Information: 919-259-4101)
Three Portable Tunnel Designs
Jones plan to test and compare three “season extension structure” designs and evaluate the trades-offs observed between the higher up-front capital cost of the permanent structure and lower up-front cost portables. (Information: 919-259-4101)
Grafted Tomato Starts,
Greener Visions Nursery plans to renovate an old greenhouse for the production of organic grafted tomato “starts” to sell to customers and to farmers at Carrboro Market. Profitability should be strong as grafted tomato starts are new to the area and are showing yields averaging 30% better which is a good for backyard gardeners and farmers alike. (Information: 919-259-4101)
Mathew Garrett Organic Transition,
Garrett is slowly transitioning a tobacco farm into an organic, diversified family farm. He has been expanding his operation over the last three years and has never been able to meet demand for his products. (Information: 919-259-4101)
From Farm to Fork-Fresh and Local
VanStallduinen started farming at the age of 5; he currently grows vegetables in a green house and plans to diversify his fall and winter produce selections. Using a biomass boiler, he can justify growing out of season vegetables, since the fuel cost is less than half for LP. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Salad Fork Entrée Kits
Molly Rouse is an artist and her husband is a chef, together they created a new product line called “Salad Fork Entrée Kits.” A typical CSA kit contains locally grown produce and products and organizes it into a complete “healthy” meal that will require minimal preparation for the consumer. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Coinjock Creek Community Farm Plots
Snowden is a fourth generation farmer that plans to establish Community Farm Plot rentals on his 5 acre farm. The plots will be of various sizes, to accommodate the needs of the lessees. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Hydroponic Lettuce System
Garden and McKeon plan to retrofit an existing greenhouse for a hydroponic lettuce production. They propose to install a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system and cool cell technology, which will allow them to produce lettuce year round. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Brothers Farm Market
The Brothers will construct a modern high tunnel that will protect their produce from extreme weather conditions and extending the growing season. (Information: 919-545-4847)
Well & Irrigation System
The proposed system will expand irrigation capacity to additional fields and allow for more acreage production. Lenoir County Extension Service, along with school groups and local establishments will offer outreach to other growers. (Information: 919-545-4847)
(Information: 919-545-4847)
2009
Certified Organic Grafted Heirloom Tomatoes
Robert's project represents a growing market of farmers interested in filling their customer’s demand for organic heirloom tomatoes. Her business is growing faster than her production capacity, which shows the opportunities that are available for growers interested in replicating her demonstration project without the fears of creating too much competition. At the time of the site visit, she had just finished the first round of grafting successfully, and had a waiting list of customers ready to order. She is looking forward to perfecting the grafting process, and holding a workshop in her greenhouse for demonstration. (information: 919-621-0534)
Late season-day neutral strawberry production
Bill is working with the Upper Mountain Research Station on testing out strawberry varieties for production on his land. They grow four different types of strawberries there on white plastic, including the late-season day-neutral variety. This variety is attractive to Bill because it would allow him to produce fresh-market berries for at least six months of the year, giving him out-of-season marketing opportunities. Because the strawberries need to be planted in the fall and over-wintered, Bill’s project is in the early phase of setting up beds and preparing the site. At the time of visit he had made some purchases toward his project, but had not been able to dig beds because of the excessive level of rainfall. (information: 919-621-0534)
Glycerine to Greenhouses
Denise’s project was intended for the use of glycerine as fuel for greenhouses. The project will support a non-profit that will utilize the substance, which is in abundance as a byproduct of biodiesel, to understand the best methods for burning it for fuel. There are two test greenhouses which will be used in the initial phase of the project, with hopes of expansion. If the project is successful, Denise’s organization will use the boilers to support several farms cut energy costs associated with heating their greenhouses. The review board was eager to see if this project could be successful because of the great demonstration value for other farmers due to fuel costs being a major concern. (information: 919-621-0534)
Forced Air Cooler for Blackberries
Brent Brown operates a small fresh market blackberry farm and sells to Sunnyridge farms about 25 miles away. The problem he faced was that in the process of loading the flats of berries onto his truck, the field heat in the center of the flats would cause the berries to turn red, and he would lose about half of his yield. Brent’s solution to this problem was to replicate the distribution center’s own forced-air cooler right on site of his farm. This would give him assurance of the quality of his product, as well as an agreed upon bonus per flat for allowing the distributor to bypass the use of their cooler when the berries came in for distribution. At the time of my visit, Brent had the cooler fully operational and anticipated the cooler would pay for itself in less than a year. (information: 919-621-0534)
Farm Expansion Project
McMurry took over his grandfather’s farm at the start of the growing season last year and has been operating it sucessfully on his own for over a year. He has taken many lessons from his grandfather’s experience, but at 18, has already demonstrated impressive results from exploring new directions. He sells at 3 local farmers’ markets and manages 7+ acres of vegetables, potted plants, meat rabbits, chickens, honey, and eggs. Dustin’s project was to build a greenhouse, update his filtration system to allow him to expand his vegetable production, and improve irrigation. He was very happy with the new improvements, and was nearly finished with their construction. This expansion allows him to extend his season, pick up new income from selling starts, and most importantly, run his irrigation system without needing to clean out the filter every hour. (information: 919-621-0534)
Appalachian Berries LLC’s marketing processing quality blackberries
Wayne grows blackberries for Sunnyridge Farms along with several neighbors in Lincoln and Cleveland County. His project is designed to save blackberry farmers money through the marketing and sale of processing quality berries. According to Wayne, “This year has been especially wet leading up to blackberry season and the need to have a back-up plan is even more pressing if berries get too wet.” Wayne’s blackberry farm was just at the point of bloom at the time of the visit. He expressed his gratitude for a chance to build some cost-reducing opportunities into his business. Wayne also led a tour of the newly built Sunnyridge distribution facility that was preparing for a big year, undertaking the huge task of insulating entire sections of the warehouse for storage and shipment. Wayne has a good relationship with the company agronomist that helps him with pest-management and was looking forward to the season getting started. (information: 919-621-0534)
Bee Hives & Blueberries
Steve Rivers has worked in a factory his entire adult life, and was introduced to the idea of growing blueberries a few years ago by his neighbor, who was a retired blueberry farmer from Florida. He quickly gained an appreciation for it and has since built a u-pick operation into his fresh market berry business with hopes that it will provide an income to support himself and his college aged son in the near future. In the process of transitioning to organic, he learned about the benefits of keeping honeybees on site to help pollinate the plants and get a much larger yield. When he applied to RAFI, he had already experimented with bees and learned the great benefit to his blueberry crop, but had to overcome the nuisance the honeybees caused to his u-pick customers. Working with his son, the two have now come up with a model for combining the two with the added benefit of marketing blueberry honey along with his berries. Last year they sold berries in the Weaver street market in Carrboro NC, and are looking forward to the added business potential the bees bring. (information: 919-621-0534)
Tobacco-to-Organic Greenhouse project
Alan has just returned from his third tour of duty in Iraq and anticipates one more before his service contract expires. His Stokes County farm has been in his family for four generations, mainly growing tobacco until the buyout. Although the farm has grown, and tobacco and row crops are still planted on parts of the 100+ acres, Alan’s mission is to turn it into an organic vegetable farm with year-round production. His project is the building of a new greenhouse in an effort to supply his community with fresh vegetables, and supply him with a viable income on the farm. At the time of the site visit, he was having the land graded and prepared for the construction of the greenhouse. He hopes to plant fall crops in it and experiment throughout the winter months on several vegetable varieties. (information: 919-621-0534)
Dessert Pears
Paul has worked extensively with county horticulture agents to assess the potential for growing and selling dessert pears in the piedmont. His interest in perennial crops has lead him to small fruit production as a viable income source, and his research with area farmers’ markets and restaurant chefs tell him that dessert pears have real potential as a money-maker. For over a year he has worked to research the right varieties for his climate and is now making that dream into a reality. He has ordered and planted over 140 trees with his demonstration funds on his small plot of land, and is hopeful that the investment will pay off giving him a reliable income, and giving farmers in the Western Piedmont a new option for perennial income. (information: 919-621-0534)
2007
Continuation of Griggs Century Farm
This grant was used for the development of a combination u-pick blueberry/bee keeping operation. The project gives Davidson County its first u-pick blueberry farm, and serves as a model for other farmers wishing to incorporate the beneficial farming technique of berries and honeybees. (information: 919-621-0534)
Berry Farm
Mary's project was designed to scale up her infrastructure and planting of blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Mary has an impressive knowledge of berries from test plots that she and her husband have grown on their poultry farm. She plans on starting her marketing in the fall and preparing for her business to start in earnest next summer. (information: 919-621-0534)
Nursery Improvement and Expansion
This project provided infrastructure that enabled Carver to add berry production to his nursery operation. The operation already produced strawberries and he added blueberries and blackberries as a complement to the strawberry production. (information: 919-621-0534)
Plantains at the Country Store
Marilyn use the grant to establish an on-farm retail outlet and for the production of plantains for sale. The project incorporates agritourism and direct marketing while satisfying an ethnic market for plantains in Davidson County. (information: 919-621-0534)
Vineyard Establishment
The project is the establishment of a half-acre wine grape plot as a pilot project and demonstration plot in a region of the state where the industry is not established. The farmer is using the pilot plot to evaluate the potential for wine grapes in the area and has worked closely with extension to demonstrate the production techniques and profitability to others. (information: 919-621-0534)
Southside Farms Blueberry Operation
This project allows this produce and strawberry farm to expand to include blueberries. A market opportunity has opened, because development has encroached on an existing blueberry business. The grant funds were used for establishment costs of the blueberry operation. (information: 919-621-0534)
Fencing System for Organics
This project has assisted the Moye’s to integrate livestock into their organic vegetable and vineyard operation. The grant purchased fencing and cross-fencing materials that enable the Moye’s to control the location and timing of livestock. The goal is for the livestock to contribute to control of weeds and insects, and to improve soil fertility. (information: 919-621-0534)
2005
Organic
Transplant Production
Alleghany County
Mr. Souther will be producing Organically Certified transplants
for market to area organic growers. Since the recent implementation
of the Organic rule, the demand for quality certified organic transplants
has greatly increased. Mr. Souther will be helping to fill that
demand in northwestern North Carolina.
2003
1998
Tobacco Greenhouse Conversion for Tomato Production and Marketing
Columbus County
This family farm has a long history of farming in Columbus County. the conversion of their tobacco greenhouse for vegetable production will be their first effort in marketing vegetables. They plan to market at the new Columbus County Farmers Market.
Catfish and Grapes
Columbus County
This project is designed to combine two enterprises, a fish-your-own catfish operation and a pick-your-own grape vineyard (irrigated by the fish ponds.) This famer also inends to market the catfish and grapes by order and will dress and clean the fish at the farm.
Tobacco Greenhouse Conversion for Vegetable Production and Marketing
Harnett County
This project is targeting off-season niche markets by expanding greenhouse vegetable production. This project will help a third generation farmer remian on the farm and be more competitive in the produce industry.
Increased Profits through Plastic and Drip Irrigation Technology
Johnston County
This project is designed to increase income from vegetable crops and reduce dependency on tobacco income by using techniques that allow for an earlier harvest when vegetables are in short supply and improve the quality of produce. The produce will be marketed at a roadside stand and pick-your-own oerations.
Tobacco Greenhouse Conversion for Tomato Production and Marketing
Johnston County
The conversion of the greenhouse will allow the farmers to market earlier in the season, which will bring higher crop prices.
Tobacco Greenhouse Conversion for Tomato Production
Johnston County
This Johnston County farmer has a history of growing vegetables for local produce wholsalers. He plans to expand into the lucrative red pepper market by building a customized greenhouse. he will market to local retailers and wholesalers.
Thorton's Historical Educational Farm and Tour site
Wake County
This project is desigend to increase farm income by hosting educational tours, family reunions and community activities. The guided tours will include historic buildings, a nature walk and the working farm with instruction on past and present building and farming practices.
Growing Vegetables with Adequate Irrigation
Wayne County
This project will use existing tobacco planting and harvesting equipment for vegetable crops. Using irrigations systems to improve production, they plan to grow 10 acres of peppers and 10 of cucumbers.
Smith Farms Produce
Wayne County
This project wil increase income from vegetable production buy using direct marketing and more sophisticated production methods. They plant to upgrade an existing strawberry stand operation to handle more produce and attract more customers. They will also improve cooling and handling of produce.