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c k.rm Ste At, <br />a ' <br />X55 � C 1 dti <br />-x r <br />Lomax Center for Agricultural Education <br />Development Plan 2016 - 2026 <br />Farm Services <br />CFSA has expanded programming and staff support for farmers as part of our <br />flagship Organic Carolinas Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to build on regional <br />assets and successes to establish a world -class organics industry in the Carolinas, and <br />double the size of the organics sector in the region by 2020. <br />Lomax Farm provides CFSA the opportunity to make Cabarrus <br />County the leader in efforts to more intensely serve the <br />Charlotte Region. Key CFSA staff members work daily from <br />Lomax Farm while others are able to use Lomax Farm as a base <br />while working on specific efforts in the area. <br />The Farm Services team has three initiatives that provide <br />technical assistance to help farmers use sustainable and organic production practices <br />and get GAPs certified. They include: <br />Organic Transition Initiative Provides basic information on different certifying <br />agents that work in the Carolinas, Q & A on National Organic Program regulations, <br />guidance in appropriate record keeping, and a review of farmers your records and <br />certification application materials. <br />High Tunnel Initiative: Helps farmers implement efficient and sustainable high <br />tunnel management practices including information on planting dates, pest pressure, <br />and variety selection, ways to mitigate soil disturbance during the grading and <br />installation process, as well as changes due to runoff, and issues with irrigation and soil <br />moisture that affect production and plant growth. <br />Local Produce Safety Initiative: Helps small diversified farmers pass a GAP audit <br />by conducting risk assessments, mock audits, food safety plan review, on -site training. <br />13 <br />G -6 Page 185 <br />