How do consumers react to product recalls? #NCSU economist Mike Walden explains: [more]
• • •
Mulch is the first line of defense against annual weeds in landscape beds, and now's a good time to add it. [more]
• • •
Lots of downed trees, power lines in Western NC: Extension has helpful storm safety info. [more]

Buncombe County Small Farms Initiative

More and more farmers have been sharing with our agents their desire to continue farming, as well as the challenges they are facing in doing so. Farmers are desperately looking for ways to increase their income so they can keep their operation viable and their land preserved. Support given by our Buncombe County Commissioners and County Management has allowed the Cooperative Extension to develop a Small Farms Initiative program to aggressively work towards helping both seasoned and new farmers through:

Providing educational programs focusing on farm planning, diversified crop production, adding value to products and marketing strategies
Helping link farmers to local markets
Seeking resources and funding for farmers through grant programs
Providing assistance with value-added products through organizations such as Blue Ridge Food Ventures
Linking aging landowners with aspiring farmers through Farm Transition Programs

Recently, Melinda Roberts joined our staff as the Small Farms Agricultural Agent, the position previously held by Jean Harrison. Melinda is new to Cooperative Extension, but not to this region. She was born and raised in Statesville NC, growing up on a small farm that was dependent upon income derived from ‘Buy Local’ programs. Her educational background also lies in Western North Carolina, spanning Haywood Community College, Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University. Please contact Melinda for additional information or questions.

Melinda Roberts

Extension Agent, Agriculture – Small Farms

NC Cooperative Extension

Buncombe County Center

94 Coxe Avenue

Asheville, NC 28801-3620

(828) 255-5522

(828)255-5202 (FAX)

melinda_roberts@ncsu.edu

http://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/

Current Grant & Money Opportunities

NCDA&CS Food Safety Cost-Share Grants - Given on a First Come First Serve Basis
NCDA&CS Cost-Share Program for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) - Given on a First Come First Serve Basis
OCIA Research and Extension Micro Grants - Given on a First Come First Serve Basis
Appalachian Grown Matching Funds - Ongoing through June 2010
USDA Small Farm Funding Resources - Ongoing
FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan Program - Ongoing
Farm Credit Financial Training Funding provided by NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Grant - Currently Accepting Applications
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has several programs that offer financial and technical assistance, easements, incentive payments, cost shares and matching funds in the areas of conservation, watershed and wetland rehabilitation and protection, environmental quality, farmland protection, wildlife habitat, and grassland and grazing reserves
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) has several opportunities including research and education grants, producer grants, sustainable community grants, professional development grants and on-farm research grants.
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's Grant Listings

Project Skill-Up

A program to help you stay in farming, return to farming or get training in an exciting new career. Project Skill-Up is offered by Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and is funded through a grant from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

More Info

USDA Launches 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative to Connect Consumers with Local Producers to Create New Economic Opportunities for Communities

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced a new initiative September 15th - 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' - to begin a national conversation to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. To launch the initiative, Secretary Vilsack recorded a video to invite Americans to join the discussion and share their ideas for ways to support local agriculture. The video, one of many means by which USDA will engage in this conversation, can be viewed at USDA's YouTube channel. Producers and consumers can comment on the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' YouTube playlist, as well as submit videos or provide comments on this initiative by e-mailing KnowYourFarmer@usda.gov.

In the months to come, cross-cutting efforts at USDA will seek to use existing USDA programs to break down structural barriers that have inhibited local food systems from thriving. The USDA has already announced a small initial group of moves that seek to connect local production and consumption and promote local-scale sustainable operations: USDA's Risk Management Agency, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Farmers Market Promotion Program, and Rural Development Program have each announced recipients of millions of dollars worth of grant funding. As the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative evolves, USDA will continue to build on the momentum and ideas from the 2008 Farm Bill and target its existing programs and develop new ones to pursue sustainable agriculture and support for local and regional food systems. Be sure to continue checking the USDA website for grant updates as the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative evolves!

For the full story, click here.

Upcoming Events, Workshops and Classes

Winter Apple School: February 10th, 2010 at Quality Inn in Hendersonville, NC. Contact Ivy Olson at 828.697.4891 or ivy_olson@ncsu.edu for more information.

Pickle School: February 10^th – 12^th, 2010 at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Center in Fletcher, NC. For more information, click here.

Landscape Management Workshop: February 11th, 2010 at the NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC. For more information contact Amanda Stone at amanda_stone@ncsu.edu or (828) 255-5522.

Climate Change and Local Food and Agriculture Discussion: February 16th, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in Downtown Asheville. For more information, click here.

Western NC Winter Vegetable Conference: February 17th-18th, 2010 at Crowne Plaza and Resort, Asheville, NC.

Nursery Management Workshop: February, 25th, 2010 at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River, NC. More information coming soon!

Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Project Workshop: February 26th, 2009 at Ray-Cort Rec. Park in Burnsville, NC. For additional Information, click here.

Marketing Opportunities for Farmers Conference: February 27th, 2010 at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa. For more information, click here.

Organic Growers School: March 6th and 7th, 2010 at the UNC-Asheville Campus. For more information, click here.

Western North Carolina Turfgrass Conference: March 17th, 2010 in Asheville, NC. For more information, contact Amanda Stone at amanda_stone@ncsu.edu or 828.255.5522.

Developing a New Food Business: March 30th and 31st, 2010 at A-B Tech Enka Campus in Asheville, NC. Contact Cathy Hohenstein at cathy_hohenstein@ncsu.edu or 828.255.5522.

North Carolina Pesticide Recertification Opportunities: Ongoing; For more information, or to find a class near you, please visit the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.

For additional events, workshops and classes, please visit Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Events Calendar and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Events Calendar.

Information About Growing Hops in WNC

HARVEST TIME: Get Those Hops Ready for Some Home Brew

NCHerb.org - Dr. Jeanine Davis: Frequently Asked Questions

Hops Production Resource List

Hops Diseases and Insect Pests

Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook

Hops Cost Projection Analysis (Blackberries)

Hops Questionnaire Summary

Buncombe County Small Farms Initiative Newsletters

New!