North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s annual tribute to small-scale agriculture, Small Farms Week, will be held March 21 through March 27, 2021. This year’s theme is “35 Years: Resilience. Strength. Diversity.” Virtual events held during the week will offer a variety of educational programs to inform the public and provide research-based information to support small farmers.
A virtual kickoff was held Friday, March 19. The event highlighted agriculture in Avery County, home of 2020 Small Farmers of the Year. Virtual programming continued on March 22 with sessions about health benefits of community gardening and ways to boost the immune system during the pandemic.
Additional events include virtual education forums and pannel discussions on the following dates:
- * March 23, forum on plant production, farm management, high tunnel winter production and livestock production. A panel of N.C. A&T students will also discuss the wide variety of career opportunities available in agriculture and related fields;
- * March 24, forum on marketing and agribusiness. The day also includes the virtual Small Farmers’ Appreciation Program, with a keynote address and the announcement of the 2021 Small Farmer of the Year;
- * March 25, opportunities for young people in agriculture, panel discussion by A&T students.
In Granville County, the local Cooperative Extension Office is planning a series of events to support small farmers and make the public more aware of the importance of agriculture:
- * Drop by participating stores in Granville County this week to pick up wildflower seeds packets, recipe cards and popcorn kernels to grow your own popcorn;
- * Join in on a Lunch N’ Learn workshop (via Zoom), on Tuesday, March 23. “Your Foods: Fibs and Facts” will be held at noon to learn more about your food, organic food, GMOs, food waste, etc.;
- * Drop off canned goods for a local food pantry. The Granville County Cooperative Extension office recently participated in a Food Drive and will be delivering donated items during Small Farms Week;
- * Thursday, March 25 is “Thankful Thursday.” Thank a local farmer for all that they do;
- * On Friday, March 26, winners of the 4-H Poster Contest (middle schools) will be announced; and
- * On Saturday, March 27, everyone is encouraged to download the “VisitNC Farms” app onto their smart phones while making plans for a family outing to support a local farm.
For more details about “Small Farms Week,” please click here.