When we think of farms, we usually think of large fields, large tractors, large combines, and a lot of workers harvesting a lot of farm products. When considering livestock farms, the tendency today is to think about the large confinement animal facilities and huge pastures with hundreds of cows.

It is true that the vast amount of traditional crops and livestock are produced by large farm operations. These farms produce around 85 percent of our agricultural commodities, although only about 15 percent of the farms in the United States can be considered large farm operations. The vast majority of the farms, around 85 percent, are considered small farms, but these farms produce only about 15 percent of the commodities.

It is hard to determine the exact definition of a small farm. Some try to define small farms by the amount of income that is generated each year. Others place more emphasis on acres, while even others consider the amount of management time that is devoted to the farm operation.

Whatever definition is used, it is easy to understand that small farms play a very important role in American agriculture. Many of these farms maintain the tradition of family farms that so many of us remember. Many of them provide additional sources of income or a second income for a family. Some of them are virtually the only source of highly specialized products that are not available anywhere else. And yes, some of them simply provide a "hobby" for the owner.

As in years past, the first full week of spring will be observed as Small Farm Week in North Carolina. Although small farms are important every week of the year, March 24-30 is a special opportunity for each of us to respect and pay tribute to the many families in North Carolina who own and operate small farms. This special week also provides an opportunity to better acquaint the general consumer of the importance of small farms.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service works with small and part-time farmers in many ways, and we celebrate their successes daily. Many of the organized efforts to recognize these farmers are coordinated by the Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. Each year North Carolina A&T coordinates a kick-off luncheon on the Saturday before Small Farm Week and conducts many activities on campus and across the state during the following week.

Tradition has been that the kick-off luncheon is conducted each year in the home county of the most recent recipient of the "Small Farmer of the Year" award. Last year Burnice Blanks, a well-known vegetable farmer from Robeson County, was selected as the 2001 Small Farmer of the Year for the state of North Carolina. Therefore, the kick-off luncheon this year will be held in Robeson County.

This kick-off luncheon will be held Saturday, March 23, at the O. P. Owens Agriculture Center in Lumberton. Don Young, marketing specialist with the NCDA Farmers Market in Lumberton, will be the keynote speaker. He will discuss how NCDA and Cooperative Extension have worked together to help small and part-time farmers not only grow a tremendous diversity of fruits and vegetables but also how they have helped these farmers find and establish markets for the products they are producing.

Following lunch, those in attendance will be given the opportunity to travel to three very successful small-farm operations in the county. Each of these farms is an excellent example of what is possible on small acres and operating with limited budgets. Those individuals in the county who would like to learn more about small farms and using small acres to generate additional income are encouraged to contact the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service by calling 671-3276.

Since each of us is a consumer of agricultural products, I would like to encourage you to make a special effort some time during the coming week to express your appreciation to one of the small farmers in the county. If you don't know one personally, go to the farmers market or stop by one of the local roadside vegetable operations.

Another way you can show your appreciation to local small farmers is to get ready for fresh strawberries. It is just a matter of a few more days before strawberries will be ready to pick. There are almost a dozen small pick-your-own strawberry operations in the county, and each of them is owned and operated by a small-farm family. They are located throughout the county, so there is one not too far from your house.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 4/5/02