Local Foods

This initiative is moving forward at a fast clip. The folks in Rockingham are serious about this effort and the farmers and Cooperative Extension group in Stokes County are responding very well. Tim Will and Foothills Connect received a Golden Leaf grant to support and extend his efforts to other areas and the state has set up a task force to study the situation.

I keep asking myself is it enough. Is this just a buzz word or a fad. I think on a local level the answer is no. The people that I have described above are dedicated and motivated. They understand that allowing our small farmers to fade away and become history is not an option. We need control of our marketplace, we need to know where are food is being produced that it is safe. We need our farmers to make a living wage. We need an opportunity, is they so choose for our young people to make a living on the land. This is not possible if our system remains as it is, with a few large companies holding the contracts for the govenment and private industry. Let's do all we can to reverse this trend and make farm life a real career option.

To than end, here are links to classes being held in the east and west of North Carolina. Don't continue to feel helpless, stand up and take charge of your life!

If you have been thinking about moving your processed foods beyond the tailgate and into stores and restaurants, then take advantage of our upcoming seminar, “Food Marketing in the Real World,” that gives helps you decide what it will take to make that next big step.



We offer two programs:



East – March 9, Morehead City; Access the agenda at: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/food%20marketing%20AGENDA.pdf; Get the registration form at: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/food%20marketing%20registration.pdf

Registration deadline is March 1.



West – April 20, Asheville; Access the agenda at: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/food%20marketing%20wncAGENDA.pdf; Get the registration form at: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/food%20marketingwncreg.pdf

Registration deadline is April 13.



Payment must be received to hold your registration. Contact me if you have any questions.



Regards,



Annette Dunlap



Annette Dunlap, MBA

Agribusiness Developer



2 West Edenton Street

Raleigh, NC 27601



1020 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1020



Phone: 919.733.7887 x257 - Note new extension

Fax: 919.733.0999

annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov



Agriculture: North Carolina's original green industry -------