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Cabarrus boasts strong local ownership of its farms. <br />Local farm ownership can be considered the keystone of <br />sustainable communities. Farmers who own the farms they <br />operate are more likely to participate in the local economy <br />and take care of the land and surrounding environment for <br />future generations. They also provide the human capital <br />society needs to feed itself. <br />As mentioned earlier, motivated and engaged producers are <br />critical to building successful local food enterprises. The <br />summary below includes key points taken from telephone and <br />in- person interviews with produce farmers who are actively <br />participating in the County's local food system. It also includes <br />comments made during a producer focus group. <br />Throughout the interview process, special attention was given <br />to the following questions: What are the barriers to increased <br />fruit and vegetable production? How can Cabarrus scale up fruit <br />and vegetable production? For farmers looking to transition <br />into specialty /vegetable crop production, what are their needs in <br />relation to skills, labor, equipment, and markets? <br />Additional questions that warrant further attention <br />include: What are the barriers to business success for Cabarrus <br />farmers? What programs are available to help them overcome <br />these barriers? What needs remain unmet? Which programs <br />specifically address new and beginning farmers vs. farmers <br />in transition? What strategies work best to support women <br />entering farming as a career? <br />Cabarrus County Food System Assessmentt nu 1!0 1 <br />1 -1 Page 633 <br />