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Interviewees include producers who participated in the focus group, plus Laura Miller, Stephen French, Bob Blackwelder, Jane Biggers, and Chad VonCannon. Other interviewees include Christy Shi of Know Your Farmer LLC; Carolyn Davis of GO Local NC Farms; Slow Food Charlotte Leader Thom Duncan; Extension Director Debbie Bost; and Extension Agent David Goforth. Issues and Themes Farmers prefer direct markets As mentioned above, most small Cabarrus farmers sell through direct market channels, and many of these meat and produce farmers wish to continue serving direct markets. One farmer at the producer focus group commented, "I cannot think of one negative thing about a CSA. It's the best move my farm has ever made." These direct - market venues are locally -led activities that do not require statewide oversight. Again, many local Cabarrus farmers are not interested in gaining the third party certification required to sell through other market channels, such as grocery stores or institutions. Many of these farmers are operating at a small scale that would make it difficult for them to access these channels, which require larger volume. Micro- aggregators offer opportunity for growth Food - buying clubs and CSAs offer opportunities for growth. GO Local NC Farms, a food - buying club that sells beef, pork, chicken, vegetables and eggs from five producers, started with 45 people in its database in January 2010. Today the database includes more than 750 people. Extension Agent David Goforth sees an opportunity for more CSAs in Cabarrus County. Plus, Thom Duncan from Slow Food Charlotte reports there is a potential market for more CSA operations to serve Charlotte customers because CSAs in Mecklenburg County often sell out early in the summer growing season. Both CSAs and food - buying clubs require certain skills to operate. Farmers must devote time to organizing these businesses, which often include web sites complete with online ordering. They also must provide on -going customer services, which can include opening the farm to visitors, making special deliveries and providing recipe suggestions. Farmers' market sales could be stronger Cabarrus farmers who sell at the Piedmont Market value the opportunity it offers to build name recognition and interact with consumers. Still, they report sales are not as strong as they would like them to be. The market is open five days during the week, alternating between four locations throughout the County and yet farmers report that many customers find the hours inconvenient. Plus, farmers must take valuable time away from farming to attend the market, and some full - time producers report that their prices are undercut by hobby farmers. 15 Attachment number 1 1 -1 Page 250