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NC LOCALLY 6ROWN COOPER ATIVE ® EXTENSION � Caba u5 County Cfitster � ° UNC CHARLQI College orArts +Architecture Lomax Agricultural Learning Center Program Development Plan 2 0 1 4 - 201 7 In 2012 a community garden was add to the farm. The participants call themselves the L02Max Community Garden and the program has continued to develop as a way for citizens to learn more about producing food for their families. The garden occupies the eastern corner of the farm and has room for 24 gardeners. The established infrastructure of the farm, including the irrigation system, deer fence, office and restroom facilities help to make the garden a successful program. Some farm tools and equipment are also used to assist the community gardeners. In addition, Cooperative Extension works with the L02Max Community Garden, offering information and teaching sessions. Community Gardeners have also created productive and informative relationships with some of the farmers in training. In 2012 the congregation of Central United Methodist (CUMC) of Concord, NC developed a 5,000 square foot plot adjacent to the L02Max Community Garden. All of the vegetables produced in the plot have been distributed by Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) as part of their ongoing effort to help make food available to fight hunger. Fresh produce is at the top of the list of needed foods for this effort. In 2013 CUMC able to grow and donate more than 1,200 lbs of fresh vegetables to CCM. The Cabarrus County Beekeepers Association has maintained at least one hive at Lomax since the farm originally opened. This has helped with pollination efforts at the farm. It has also helped inspire and educate several farmers in training to become beekeepers and learn the skills they need to successfully keep bees as part of their farming In 2013 the Cabarrus Homebrewers Society established a trial of hops production at Lomax. This unique crop is in high demand due to the increased interest in the home brewing of beer and with the startup of several breweries in the Charlotte Region and throughout the state of North Carolina. This project is currently serving as trial to see if this crop can be raised in an economically viable way, adding yet another option for a diversified farming operation. This group hopes to partner with Cooperative Extension and NCSU to expand this project. Attachment number 3 G -2 Page 170 operations.