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Executive Summary
The primary cash crop for many of our mountain communities has been burley tobacco for many years. The continuing annual decreases in burley tobacco marketing quotas, increasing disease pressure, difficulties in obtaining reliable labor, and uncertainty about the future of the tobacco program is forcing farmers to consider other sources of income to support their families.
The ultimate goal of this project is to assist farmers and their respective communities by strategically establishing themselves economically, environmentally and socially either with diversified crops and/or agriculture tourism ventures. Economically viable farming operations enhance tourism and development by retaining open space and wildlife areas that draw people to area.
One of the most effective methods for the retention of farmland, protection of open space, protection of riparian zones, and protection or improvement of wildlife habitat is for the farm operation to remain economically viable. Diversification of income sources is a solid strategy to reach this goal of economic viability. The best means of farmland preservation is to keep the farmer on the farm actively contributing to the agriculture industry.
Our objective is to continue to provide ‘mini grants’ as an incentive to diversify farm operations that could generate new economic growth in Western North Carolina. The grants will provide financial aide to farmers who are taking risks in new markets. This could be either through other crops or even agriculture tourism efforts such as corn mazes and pick-your-own produce as examples. A formal grant application with guidelines has been designed by the steering committee with periodic evaluations occurring throughout the grant cycle.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension Centers of the West District operate the WNC AgOptions program, with direction from the diverse steering committee. Cooperative Extension Agents meet with applicants prior to submitting their proposal to help develop their project. Once awarded, WNC AgOptions recipients receive technical and marketing assistance throughout the year.
Partners include the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Science (NCDA&CS) and Handmade in America. The primary partners are NCDA&CS and Handmade in America because both organizations serve as a source of gathered information. NCDA&CS provides expertise in direct marketing to determine innovative income-generating activities and diverse farm markets. Handmade in America supplies information through the strong working relationship established over the last 5 years with mutual clients, and goals to preserve and maintain small scale agriculture. |
