The 3rd class of the Small Farmer Ag Leadership Institute training took place at North Carolina A&T State University, March 18-20.
More than 30 participants from 12 states gathered for hands-on learning in and out of the classroom. Classroom session presenters and topics included: Mike Lanier, Agribusiness agent, Orange County Center—How to Direct Market Local Farm Products; Robin Adams, director of agricultural communications, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, NC A&T SU—Make It Plain: Communication for Success; Gary S. Bullen, extension associate, North Carolina State University—Tools, and Methods of Evaluating a New Enterprise; Carmen Humphrey, chef, Marketing Grants and Technical Assistance Branch—An Overview of USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service and Programs that Benefit Small Farmers; and Michelle Eley, Extension, NC A&T SU—Establishing an Effective Marketing Plan.
The trip culminated in a small farm tour of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. The small farm tour included visits to the high tunnels/greenhouse, blueberries/raspberries, crop rotation/livestock rotation and post-harvest handling facilities. Immediately following the training session, positive feedbacks were noted on Facebook sites.
First, the North Carolina CEFS had this to say: “Thanks to the Small Farm Leadership Institute for visiting CEFS today. Thirty-one folks from MS, LA, KY, SC, OK, TX, AR, CO, NC, FL, GA, MO and Al were repre-sented.” Available online on Facebook at:Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cefspage?ref=mf
Second came the headline: Trip to North Carolina Yields Immediate Benefits from Phoenix Gardens in Georgia. “Just got back from my AG Leadership session in North Carolina. Saw a lot of great stuff and got a TON of great information,” posted Brennan Washington on Facebook.
Washington is continuing his journey as a member of Southern University's Agricultural Leadership Institute.
He continues to express his experience and knowledge gained. “The highlight of our session was a trip to a research farm jointly run by North Carolina A&T, North Carolina State University and local organizations. Among the things I saw was their swine opera-tion and their organic farm plots. Of particular interest to me were their high tunnel operations in which they were growing strawberries and other crops.”
“We learned about a growing tube that we plan to put into use in our melon growing project this sum-mer. As is always the case, I came home with information that would immediately help me in my quest to sustainably grow food here in Law-renceville, Georgia. Thanks to Southern University and North Carolina A&T,” Brennan concluded.
Visit the Phoenix Gardens site at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrenceville-GA/Phoenix-Gardens/193889153474#!/pages/Lawrenceville-GA/Phoenix-Gardens/193889153474
Dawn Mellion-Patin, PhD, agriculture specialist, is director of the Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Training Institute.
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