April 2009

Apr 21, 2009

Gary Bullen

Gary Bullen, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture, supports new enterprise evaluation, business skills development and direct marketing initiatives at N.C. State University. Most recently, Gary has developed a set of Business Development Files to assist growers interested in starting or expanding an agricultural business. Please contact your Cooperative Extension agent to begin the step-by-step process in evaluating your agricultural business endeavor. 

Apr 21, 2009

Dr. Michael Walden

Dr. Michael Walden, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, provides numerous helpful resources, including the N.C. Economic Outlook Series, You Decide, a biweekly newsletter, and Economic Perspective, a daily radio show. His NC State University faculty page includes information on state and county agribusiness values. Check it out here. 

Apr 21, 2009

Poultry Industry

The poultry industry is a leading contributor to North Carolina’s agricultural economy. Broilers rank as the top commodity for the state with an annual production value of $2.2 billion. Wilkes County leads the state with more than 91 million broilers on farms. Learn more at www.ncpoultry.org. 

Apr 21, 2009

Sweet Potatoes

North Carolina is the number one producer of sweet potatoes in the United States. High in nutrition, the sweet potato is grown in 53 of the state's 100 counties, predominantly in the coastal plain region of North Carolina. More than $104 million, or 702 million pounds, of sweet potatoes are sold each year. For more information, visit http://www.ncsweetpotatoes.com. 

Apr 21, 2009

Sixth Annual Franklin County Farm Food & Craft Tour & LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL

May 16 and 17, 2009, 11 a.m. through evening. On Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17, 2009, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., the public is invited to tour eight Franklin County farms in addition to attending the LOCAL FOOD Festival in the evening of May 16. A farm-related photography contest, youth fishing clinic and 5K Walk/Run will also be held on the weekend. For details on all the weekend events, visit www.FranklinCountyFarmFresh.com or call Martha Mobley, Agricultural Extension Agent, at 919-496-3344. http://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu and www.FranklinCountyFarmFresh.co 

Apr 20, 2009

Value-Added Program Featured

Our programs are featured in the winter issue of Perspectives Magazine. 

Apr 20, 2009

PowerPoint Presentations from Value-Added Producer Grant Workshops

A series of workshops were held across the state Dec. 8 - 11, 2008, to help producers understand how to apply for USDA-Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant. 

Apr 20, 2009

The Produce Lady Airs on Almanac Gardener

Watch The Produce Lady on UNC-TV’S Almanac Gardener this spring. N.C. Cooperative Extension agent and local foods expert, Brenda Sutton, will appear on upcoming shows. The Produce Lady is made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. 

Apr 20, 2009

Message from the Director

Value-Added Team Relocates to North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis; Receives Recent Grants 

Apr 20, 2009

The New Farm Bill: What Does It Mean to North Carolina?

Congress recently passed a new farm bill. Dr. Blake Brown, economist and policy analyst, takes a look at what it means to North Carolina agriculture and beyond.