Small Farms Week 2014: It’s a Growing Business – Innovations for the Next Generation

Small Farms Week: It’s a Growing Business – Innovations for the Next Generation
Registration Deadline – March 17, 2014
Registration Fee – $25 (fee waived for small farmers)

Monday, March 24

Small Farms Week Kickoff at Boone First United Methodist Church, Boone, NC

Tours of local farms (weather permitting)

Panoramic Tree Farm, 368 Panoramic Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607: A choose-and-cut Christmas tree operation run by Joey Clawson and his family. Joey has worked with Cooperative Extension for many years and markets his farm as a “family experience.” Panoramic Tree Farm features a petting zoo and a wreath-making shop to sell value-added farm products. Clawson practices integrated pest management, sells produce and maintains a beef cattle herd.
Moretz Mountain Orchard and Farms, 2820 Big Hill Road, Boone, N.C. 28607: Home of 2013 Small Farmer of the Year, Bill Moretz grows a variety of fruit trees and has successfully developed a method of producing on steep slopes. He grows apples, peaches, pears, nectarines, brambles and others. He sells through direct marketing and Community Support Agriculture.

Summer/Fall Cover Crops Demonstration at Otus Branch Farm in Boone
Three techniques of using cover crops to enhance soil fertility and reduce erosion are showcased at this market garden site. A summer-planted bed of millet was mowed before the fall planting of garlic now growing. Two beds of summer-planted buckwheat were allowed to frost-kill, with the crop residue left in place to protect the soil over the winter, yet allow easy spring time cultivation and planting. Three other beds were seeded in late summer to wheat and clover, which will be allowed to grow until late May, and then mowed for summer cash crop plantings.

Urban Agriculture Movie Screening “Growing Cities"  www.growingcitiesmovie.com
at N.C. A&T State University

Tuesday, March 25

Farm Tours
Tour two farms that demonstrate using agricultural innovations to grow and market their products. Transportation is provided. Tour departs at 12:30 p.m. from the United House of Prayer parking lot, 101 S. Dudley St., across Market Street from Coltrane Hall.

Farlow Farm, 2062 Ebenezer Church Road, Archdale, N.C.
 Russell and Jennifer Farlow converted a former dairy farm into a diversified, direct market vegetable farm. They raise a variety of produce for customers at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax, and Asheboro Farmers Market. They also sell to local restaurants and a retail cooperative grocer. The Farlows employ integrated pest management systems and do not use GMO products.

Smith Farm and Greenhouses, 5944 Carmon Road, Gibsonville, N.C.
 George Smith owns and operates Smith Farms and Greenhouses in northeast Guilford County, 6 miles north of downtown Gibsonville. He produces fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, and vegetable transplants for direct sale at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, and from his farm stand. George recently received a grant from RAFI-USA to install a solar collector to help heat his greenhouses, resulting in savings of more than $50,000 on gas heat.

Urban Agriculture Presentation, N.C. A&T Academic Classroom Building Auditorium
Robin Emmons, Founder & Executive Director, Sow Much Good
Charlotte, N.C. Area Urban Farmer and CNN Hero 2013
www.sowmuchgood.org
Emmons encourages students to think about their leadership and use their skill-sets to help address food-system needs in African American communities. She will share what motivated her to start Sow Much Good, what she’s learned in creating an urban farm and how A&T and universities like it can engage to build the community healthy local food- access, employment and equal opportunity.

Wednesday, March 26
Small Farmers’ Appreciation Day and Educational Forum at N.C. A&T State University
Educational/ Vendor Fair and Local Foods Tasting

Come increase your awareness of the innovative programs, service providers, and product vendors that serve the small-farm communities of North Carolina. Visit over 20 booths representing all aspects of farming. Exhibits include small farm equipment, tastings, and quick cooking demonstrations using local foods.

Small Farmers’ Appreciation Luncheon
N.C. A&T State University Alumni-Foundation Event Center 200 N. Benbow Road  


Register >>  http://www.ncat.edu/academics/schools-colleges1/saes/cooperative-extension/sfw2014.html