2013 wnc agoptions calendar featuring descriptions of 2012 projects

7/29/2019 2013 WNC AgOptions calendar featuring descriptions of 2012 projects

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Western North Carolina Agricultural Options

2013 CALENDAR


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WNC AgOptionsThroughout the YearIn January 2012, the WNC Agricultural Options program awarded

three community groups and 23 farmers grants totaling $150,000 to

assist them in farm diversication and joint marketing, processing

and distribution efforts. Four of the farm businesses received $3,000

grants and 19 received $6,000. Community groups each received

$8,000. Projects increase the economic sustainability of farm

businesses as well as provide demonstration to other transitioning

farmers. This calendar displays images from the year and descriptions

of each of the projects.

With these grants, farmers are responding to the high demand for

naturally raised and grass-fed beef. They are trying out unique

marketing methods such as home delivery systems and cooperative

distribution of medicinal plants. They are also experimenting with

innovative production techniques such as symbiotic tilapia and green-

house leafy green productionand generating impressive results.

They are creating shared infrastructure to process, preserve andpackage their produce as well as trying out crops new to their area,

such as hazlenuts and pecans.

The WNC AgOptions recipients are also ensuring the survival of their

family farms, including an 85-year-old dairy farm and a 64-year-old

trout farm. An older generation is creating opportunities for the next

generation of farmersas well as beekeepers. The recipients also

proudly share their knowledge with local farm groups, such as the

Southern Appalachian Family Farms.

Meanwhile, many recipients struggle with the challenges typical

of new endeavorssuch as delayed timelines and steep learningcurvesas well as trials not anticipated. The Wavras in Jackson

County experienced the loss of their husband and father John. In

honor of him, Joni Wavra and her children continued with the project

to diversify their Christmas tree farm with trufes. The WNC

AgOptions teams thoughts are especially with them, and with all

farmers struggling to create sustainable businesses in changing times.

Pictured let:Avery King, a uture beekeeper atAxios Farms in

Swain County


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2013 At-a-Glance

February 2013S M T W T F S

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3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28

January 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

March 2013S M T W T F S

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3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

April 2013S M T W T F S

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7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

May 2013

S M T W T F S

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

June 2013

S M T W T F S

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2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

July 2013

S M T W T F S

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7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

August 2013

S M T W T F S

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4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

November 2013S M T W T F S

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3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

September 2013S M T W T F S

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8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

December 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

October 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31


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Sydney Lambert (pictured above), daughter ofDanny(January 30)and Krista Lambert of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, enjoys her familys grass-fedcattle, a heritage breed called Belted Galloway. The Lamberts are improving their pastures with the purchase of an overseeder as well as enhancing theirpoultry operation with a plucker and scalder.Megan and Randy Smith ofSmiths Sweet Grass Farm in Polk County(January 3) are transitioning fromconventional cattle grazing to Managed Intensive Grazing so that the cattle constantly rotate to forage at the grass optimum growing state.Bobby Gragg(January 15) ofBRG Angus in Avery County is improving his cattle production with the incorporation of grain storage bins and other equipment that willfacilitate an increase in value at market. Jeanette(January 19) and Frank Wilson ofHominy Valley Farms-Land and Cattle in Buncombe County are

expanding their home delivery marketing of beef, chicken and produce with a freezer, coolers and promotional materials.


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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

30 31 1New Years Day

2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21Martin

Luther KingDay

22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 1 2

Notes


1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31


1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28

2013January


6/28

Donna Gains goats (pictured above) in Clay County are producing milk for cheese for the new creamery at High Mountain Meadows Farm(February 27).Donna is opening a kitchen certied by the N.C. Department of Agriculture. Susan andTerry English(February 4) ofEnglish Dairy Farm inMcDowellCounty are also adding cheese production to their third generation farm, which is the only dairy left in their valley north of Marion.Ryan Norris(February 8)ofGOat GREEN arm inWatauga County is increasing the number of leasing jobs and the efciency of his business with the purchase of additional fencing.His goats clear unwanted brush on his clients land.


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27 28 29 30 31 1 2Ground

HogDay

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11Martin

Luther KingDay

12LincolnsBirthday

13 14Valentines

Day

15 16

17 18Presidents

Day

19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 1 2

2013Notes

FebruaryJanuary 2013

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

March 2013S M T W T F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31


8/28

Rachelle Clark ofNantahala Farms and Nursery inMacon County is experimenting with hydroponic production of strawberries (pictured above). With theconstruction of a new greenhouse (March 23), she and her family can offer produce year-round as well as grow their own vegetable starts for their 100-yearold farm. She shares her knowledge about hydroponic growing with other members of Southern Appalachian Family Farms.The Jackson County FarmersMarket, co-led by Ron Arps(March 8, pictured with Baldwin Sanders, proessor o nutrition at Western Carolina University), is establishing a community commercialkitchen and educational venue, which will be available for local farmers and food producers to process, preserve and package foods. To complete the project,the market partnered with an existing organization called the Community Kitchen, which serves nutritious meals to local residents in need.


9/28


24 25 26 27 28 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10DaylightSavings

Time Begins

11 12 13 14 15 16

17St. Patricks

Day

18 19 20Vernal Equinox

21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28

2013Notes

March


1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

31Easter


10/28

The California Poppy (pictured above at Appalachian Seeds Farm & Nursery) is one of the crops thatAppalachian Botanical Alliance in Buncombe County istesting. The medicinal herb is sold as a remedy for anxiety, insomnia and other conditions. ABA, a cooperative of herb growers, is exploring the productionand marketing of medicinal herbs (April 24) as well as acquiring climate-controlled warehouse space and standard packaging.Kevin King ofAxios Farms inSwain County, with a little help from his son Avery (April 4), is establishing a fully operational apiary and mobile pollination trailer. They plan to transportbees to farms in the mountain region to help successfully pollinate crops. Kevin is experimenting with preferred materials to control mites and other pests . Thebeehive bodies (April 20) are constructed of a food-grade polymer plastic, which is virtually indestructible to many insects and is climate-controlled for thebees. In winter, Kevin is feeding bees fondant, a sweet substance that bakers use to decorate cakes, which delivers high quantities of sugar without delivering

excess moisture to the hive, reducing the likelihood of freezing.


11/28


31 1April Fools

Day

2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15Tax Day

16 17 18 19 20

21 22Earth Day

23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 1 2 3 4

2013Notes

AprilMarch 2013

S M T W T F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

May 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31


12/28

Traci (pictured May 7) and Joel McMahan(May 3) ofMt. Mitchell Produce inYancey County are expanding sales to Ingles Markets, the farms primarycustomer. With the purchase of a cargo transporter utility trailer, lettuce (above) can be picked at sunrise and still be fresh when delivered to the store thesame afternoon. The trailer is equipped with an air conditioner and uorescent lights and a portable generator powers the unit.Bill Hunt(May 22) ofKayFarm in Henderson County is expanding the production of an uncommon romaine, Kalura, which is outstanding in all attributessize, rapid growth, heatand cold tolerance and shelf life. It can endure temperatures in the low 20s or even lower in a hoophouse.


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1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30


28 29 30 1 2 3 4

5Cinco de

Mayo

6 7 8 9 10 11

12Mothers

Day

13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27Memorial

Day

28 29 30 31 1

2013Notes

May

June 2013S M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30


14/28

David Hughes(pictured June 4) inMitchell County is moving entirely away from growing tobacco with the addition of Kennebec potatoes (above). Yields ofpotatoes in his county are typically at least double the yields in other parts of the country. In comparison to tobacco, David expects to double his net incomeper acre as well as signicantly lower his workload. David sells directly to customers and to local produce stands, and the high demand for the superiorquality potatoes of Mitchell County continues to grow.


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May 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31


26 27 28 29 30 31 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14Flag Day

15

16Fathers Day

17 18 19 20 21Summer

Solstice

22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

2013Notes

June

30

July 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31


16/28

Harold Hunter o Rockbar Farms(pictured July 19 and 24) inMadison County is growing one acre of yellow onions (above), which he primarily marketsthrough Madison Farms. He is a third generation farmer, and his family has grown tobacco on his land since 1890. It is my sole purpose to explore ideas untilI have a farming operation that my son and his son will be proud to take over, said Harold, who is excited that his son has expressed interest in farming.Harolds concern about the future of farming in Madison County fuels his activity in the countys agricultural community.


17/28


31 1 2 3 4Independence

Day

5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

June 2013S M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

2013Notes

July

August 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31


18/28

Seth Salmon(pictured above) and his fatherAlan Salmon ofWildwood Herbal in Buncombe County are establishing an aquaponics greenhouse systemintegrated with greens production. They are transforming a 1,500 square foot greenhouse into a symbiotic leafy green and tilapia production area. Excrementfrom the sh provides nutrients for the plants in grow beds. In turn, the plants nutrient uptake cleans the water for the sh, which feeds on algae and otheraquatic plants (August 22). The Salmons are offering customers tilapia in their Community Supported Agriculture share. Sunburst Trout Farms(August 9) inHaywood County is improving the water quality of rainbow trout ponds with the purchase of an ozone generator. This project will increase the production ofsh in hot summer months. To ll the trout ponds during the warmest months, the farm accesses cool water from the lowest portions of Lake Logan.However, gasses that are harmful to sh are present in this water. With the generator, ozone is produced from pure oxygen and then introduced into the

water via Low Head Oxygenation Units. This improves water quality for the sh and boosts production.


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28 29 30 31 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

July 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

2013Notes

August


1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30


20/28

Joni WavraofTy-Lyn Plantation in Jackson County is working with her children to install oak and lbert trees (pictured above) as part of their new trufeoperation. They are continuing the vision of her late husband John (September 20) to diversify their Christmas tree farm with lucrative Black Perigord andBurgundy trufes. Mario DeLucaofDeMariano Vineyard (September 4) inMcDowell County is ramping up wine production with the purchase ofmaterials to help the family realize the value-added income from the farms grapes. New equipment includes: fermentation/storage tanks, a mist pump, hoses,

valves and connectors, oak barrels, a wine lter and bottling supplies (September 24-25).


21/28


1 2Labor Day

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22Autumnal

Equinox

23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 1 2 3 4 5

August 2013S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

2013Notes

September


1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31


22/28

James Phillips (pictured above) and Danny Edwards ofApple Valley Orchard in Graham County are establishing a one-acre fruit orchard (October 28).They are planting 200 hundred apple trees and installing an irrigation system. No other orchard currently exists in the county, and apples will be a uniqueproduct at market. They are planting a total of seven varieties of both semi-dwarf apples and Golden Delicious to encourage good pollination.Alex Brown(October 10) andVanessa Campbell ofFull Sun Farm in Buncombe County are diversifying their mixed vegetable operation with tree nuts. No other farmerin the county currently produces nuts for commercial sale. They are planning a one-and-a-half acre orchard with hazelnuts, pecans and Chinese chestnuts.


23/28


29 30 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14Columbus

Day

15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31Halloween

1 2


1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

2013Notes

October


1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


24/28

William Newell (pictured November 23) ofCherryfeld Farm in Transylvania County is expanding his lamb meat operation by increasing his herd to 40 breed-ing ewes (above).The purchase of livestock handling equipment enhances Williams ability to manage health and lower animal stress. The improvements willincrease the number of animals available to the meat market and decrease the number of days it takes to get them to marketable weight. TheIndependentSmall Animal Meat Producers Association advanced the opening of the Foothills Pilot Plant in Marion by paying for labor and sanitation supply expenses.The plant is the rst community administered, non-prot meat processing facility in the United States, tapping into the unmet demand for small-scale rabbitand poultry processing (November 18). Dewain Mackey (November 29) ofMadison County is constructing an on-site meat processing and storage facility to

better meet customer demand for pork, chickens, rabbits and turkeys.


25/28


1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31


27 28 29 30 31 1 2

3Daylight

Savings TimeEnds

4 5Election Day

6 7 8 9

10 11Veterans

Day

12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28Thanksgiving

Day

29 30

2013Notes

November


1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31


26/28

Rickey (pictured above)and Judi Postell ofFir Heavens Sake Tree Farm in Graham County are creating a unique family experience at their Christmas treefarm, which was established in part because of a 2006 WNC AgOptions grant. They are building a gift shop (December 22) with an oversized lean-to that willserve as a picture area for a Santa sleigh. The scene includes a backdrop painted by Judi, whose artwork has been published by two national arts and craftsmagazines. Visitors can take a sleigh ride through the farm, where they will see various Christmas scenes that incorporate music. Local products, such ashoney, bee products, quilts, and hand-painted ornaments (December 11) will be sold in the gift shop. They will also sell their own homemade wreaths andgarlands.


27/28


1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21WinterSolstice

22 23 24 25Christmas

Day

26 27 28

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

2013Notes

December

January 2014S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31


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Pictured right: Nantahala Farms and Nursery in Macon County

Front cover photos: Dairy goat at Donna Gains High Mountain Meadows Farm in Clay

County; lbert trees or trufes at Joni Wavras Ty-Lyn Plantation in Jackson County; bees

at Kevin and Shelley Kings Axios Farms in Swain County.

Western North Carolina Agricultural Options builds sustainable farming

communities in our mountain region by providing resources directly to farmers

who are diversifying and expanding their operations. WNC AgOptions grants also

encourage groups of farmers to solve logistical challenges in the local agricultural

system. The ultimate goal of WNC AgOptions is to protect mountain farmland

through farm protability.

Since 2004, approximately 335 producers and farm groups in Avery, Buncombe,

Clay, Cherokee, the Cherokee Indian Reservation, Graham, Haywood,

Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Swain,

Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties received mini-grants for a wide range

of capital improvements for their farms. With support from the N.C. Tobacco Trust

Fund Commission, the N.C. Cooperative Extension partnered with WNC

Communities in 2012 to administer the grants. Current and past partners include

the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, HandMade in Americaand RAFI-USAs Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund.

In 2013, WNC AgOptions continues to offer grants to assist farmers in tobacco-

dependent communities generate alternative farm income. The growers also benet

from technical and marketing assistance, business planning training, and increased

exposure to their farms. To learn more about the program, contact the Madison

County Cooperative Extension Center at 828.649.2411 x 305 or visit

www.wncagoptions.org

To learn more about the program, contact the Madison County Cooperative Extension Center

at 828.649.2411 x 305 or visitwww.wncagoptions.org

Calendar photography by Jennier Ferre, WNC AgOptions Project Manager.Calendar text and coordination by Megan E. Riley, www.wncmretc.com

Calendar design by Cindy Wheeler: www.cindywheeler.com

2013 wnc agoptions calendar featuring descriptions of 2012 projects

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