North Carolina

NC AgrAbility Partnership staffed a booth at the 2018 Small Farms AgriShop Series at the Piedmont Region on February 6th, at the Southeastern Region on February 7th, at the Northeastern Region on February 13th, and at the Western Region on February 15th. This workshop series provided small farmers with research-based information and demonstrations about artificial insemination, good agricultural practices, economics of farming and marketing, plasticulture, silvopasture, and high tunnel production. More than 200 farmers were able to learn about the NC AgrAbility project, gather information about arthritis in agriculture and back health, try the ergonomic tools displayed, and sign in to receive more information.

On February 13, 2018, NC AgrAbility Partnership participated as an exhibitor at the Farmer Buyer Exchange event at Sandhill's AGInnovation Center in Richmond County. The Farmer Buyer Exchange is a time for produce farmers and buyers to network and connect. Buyers and resource providers were on hand to answer questions and meet produce farmers one-on-one. Approximately 70 farmers were able to benefit from a large number of resource providers statewide.

NC AgrAbility Partnership participated as an exhibitor at the 2018 NC Agritunity Conference and Trade Show. This event is designed to meet the economic and environmental needs of small and large farmers. The event provided a great opportunity for farmers to learn how to increase production, improve production systems, start or expand new markets, and increase profitability, as well as providing a good environment to interact with other farmers and to gain resources available for the community. More than 100 farmers from different counties in NC attended the event.

The "Successful Small Farms Opportunities Conference" is the place where NC farmers can explore alternative enterprises by speaking with successful producers and university personnel who are already growing and researching specialty enterprises. This year the event was held on February 17th in Louisburg, NC. This educational event gives the practical, no-nonsense, hands-on advice a farmer will need when considering crop and livestock production, market development and other important business options. NC AgrAbility Partnership participated as a vendor and was able to learn about the needs of the community and to attract more farmers, educators, and other vendors interested in keeping a connection with the program.

Submitted by Beatriz (Betty) Rodriguez