AG 2011 07 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Produce Production Viewed as Part -Time Occupation According to County Extension Agent David Goforth, vegetable farming in Cabarrus is a good source of part-time or retirement income. However, the County is encouraging new farmers through the Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm, where 14 people are making plans to enter farming as a full -time occupation. These new farmers need marketing education and access to land. Debbie Bost reports the County is working to connect landowners who want to make land available for agriculture with farmers enrolled in the Incubator Farm Program. "We have put people on land, and we have three farmers working to prepare land this year, so they will be able to farm it next year," she said. There is also some opportunity for increased fruit production. "We don't have a strawberry grower in the County, and for anyone to get started, they would need water. The main thing is to find someone who wants to do this," Goforth says. One farmer, who works full -time at Lowe's and owns a U -pick blackberry farm, is interested in scaling up production. To do this, he needs access to capital and/or grants to cover costs of land or new on -farm infrastructure. He has explored selling to Dole, which has a research facility in the Kannapolis, but said they require their berries to be chilled to 34 degrees in 20 minutes. "This takes massive chillers and a lot of labor. Plus if you don't meet their standards exactly, they won't buy the berries," he reports. Summary It is challenging for small -scale produce farmers to support themselves and their families on farm income alone. Fruit and vegetable production is often suited for part -time or retirement income. Direct marketsCSAs, food - buying clubs and farmers markets offer the greatest potential for enhancing farmer profitability. Farmers serving these markets are looking for ways to expand their business, both by reaching new customers and using new models for distribution. Scaling local food supplies beyond seasonal fresh produce sold directly to consumers will require that farmers have access to capital that covers infrastructure costs as they try to maintain or improve their operation. And new and existing farmers need access to land. It is noteworthy that few farmers interviewed expressed an interest in scaling up production. The County is building its producer base through the Incubator Farm, but needs strategies for cultivating mid -scale farmers as well. If producers do decide to increase production, they will need infrastructure that is appropriately scaled to meet their needs. This infrastructure is critical to their ability to access larger markets, such as restaurants, grocery stores and institutions. Recommendations 1. Invest in educating new farmers about ways to access different market channels and provide models for success. Two resources include NC Choices and 8 Attachment number 1 1 -1 Page 243