Farmer Resources
We have compiled a large selection of resources to cover most aspects of farming and agriculture, with many directed towards the USDA or NC Dept of Ag sites. We highly encourage farmers to reach out to their local, State and Federal governments for any assistance.
There are incredible opportunities and resources freely available to farmers. Whether you are a small vegetable farmer or a large pastured livestock farmer, the government is there to help and support the agricultural industry. We all have to eat!
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly if you have any further questions that haven't been answered through these resources. You can contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Technical Resources
Business Link North Carolina: Free consultations and referrals
Farm Energy Efficiency Project: Low cost energy assessments
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: High tunnel consulting; Organic certification consulting
NC Cooperative Extension County Centers
NCDA: Agronomic Field Services
"Identifying Crops in the Lower 48" USDA
NC State Extension Gardening
https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-id/
NC State Growing Small Farms | Crop Production
https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-production/
Eastern NC Planting Calendar
NC Dept of Ag | Agronomic Services Home Page | there is a ton of testing capabilites, from soil, plant tissue, water, compost, nematode and more. They can also provide you with an agronomist who will come out for free to help provide detailed analysis and solutions to your crops and farm.
https://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/
NC Dept of Ag | Agronomic Services | Soil Testing
https://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/sthome.htm
NC Dept of Ag | Agronomic Services – Plant Tissue Analysis
https://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/uyrplant.htm
NC State | Crop & Soil Sciences
https://cals.ncsu.edu/crop-and-soil-sciences/extension/services/
Farmers Supply Co | Wilmington, NC
farmerssupplyco.com | 910-763-4664
Burgaw Milling
Country Farm & Home Pittsboro, NC
chathamfarmsupply.com | 919-542-3353
Agri Supply Greenville, NC
Burgaw Milling Company
https://burgaw-milling-company-inc.square.site/ | 910-259-4460
Farmland Listings
NCDA Agricultural Review: Farmland For Sale / Wanted classifieds
NC FarmLink: Database of available farmland
WNC FarmLink: Resources for farm seekers and landowners
Farmland Preservation Programs
Black Family Land Trust
NCDA Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
Good Agricultural Practices
NC Cooperative Extension: Guidelines, self-audit tools and growers' resources
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: Consulting services, training manual and videos
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: GAP Plain Language Guide
Food Safety Modernization Act
FDA: Fact Sheet
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: Background and implications
USDA Organic Certification Home Page
https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/organic
NC State Extension Gen Requirements for Organic Certification
https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-orgcertsteps/
CCOF | The Largest Organic Certifier | Highly Recommend
OneCert | Rigorous Certifier
Biodynamic Certification | Biodynamic Cert is a step above Organic Certification, and can allow one to fetch a higher price
https://www.demeter-usa.org/certification/
Regenerative Organic Certification | CCOF offers this through their certifications as well | like Biodynamics, fetches a higher price point
Certified Naturally Grown | this is a step Below organic certification and allows for a higher price locally, but you will still be prevented from selling it as "organic"
Administrative Resources
The Tennie Group Tax & Accounting Firm | Agriculture
https://www.tennieagriculturegroup.com/
FROST, PLLC David Haskins, CPA Agriculture & Food Processing Accountant
https://www.frostpllc.com/david-haskins/
TRP Sumner, PLLC Agribusiness CPAs
https://trpsumner.com/agribusiness/
CRI: Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Agribusiness CPAs
Informational Resources
USDA: New Farmers website
Center for Environmental Farming Systems: New Farmer Toolbox
NCDA: Agribusiness Development
Educational Resources and Opportunities
North Carolina State University: NC Farm School
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group: Growing Farm Profits online course
Qualifying or Conditional Farmer Tax Exemption Certificates | this is a must if you are farming, apply now
Filing a Schedule F, the IRS's Farm Tax Form | another must, if you want to be qualified for farming incentives, grants, assistance, tax breaks and more.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-f-form-1040
slide slow for schedule f: https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/schedule-f-profit-or-loss-from-farming.pdf
Grants
RAFI: Rural Advancement Foundation International: Agricultural Reinvestment Fund
NCDA: GAP Certification Cost Share Assistance
USDA AMS: Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA AMS offers a wide range of services, check them out here
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services
Ag Market News | Livestock, Poultry & Grain | you can view current news, historical data, and current reports by commodity.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain
NC Dept of Ag | Marketing Services
Engagement/Community Resources
Northeast NC Niche Ag Conference 11/17/2023 9am-4pm | Hosted by the NC Cooperative Extension Currituck
NC Harvest Ball | Hoested by Farmer's Outreach & The Tennie Group LLC | November 3-5, 2023 at the HIlton Raleigh North Hills Hotel
https://www.farmersoutreach.org/harvest-ball-2023
Upcoming in early 2024:
Managing the Business of your Small Farm | brought to you by NC Coop Extension & Eastern NC Farmer Collaborative.
Visit our Online Marketplace to view the farmers and producers we work, feel free to contact them directly or reach out to us and we would be happy to connect you.
Meet Our Producers/Farmers
A Crop Mob is something we have done in the past to help local farmers to get large projects done, like planting or harvesting crops that need to be finished within a day. So we enlist volunteers to come out and help lend an extra hand, for free!
Contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in organizing a Crop Mob.
Informational Resources
NC Cooperative Extension County Centers
NC State University: Aquaculture
ASPCA: Farm animal welfare certification programs
Educational Opportunities
Center for Environmental Farming Systems: Workshop series - various agriculture-related topics
Center for Environmental Farming Systems: Amazing Grazing pasture-based livestock education program
Lucky Clays Fresh: Commercial aquaponics workshops
The Wilmington Farmers Market
https://www.thewilmingtonfarmersmarket.com/
Riverfront Farmers Market
https://www.riverfrontfarmersmarket.org/
Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market
https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/183/Farmers-Market
The Hampstead Farmers Market
https://www.instagram.com/hampsteadfarmersmarketnc/
Poplar Grove Farmers Market
http://poplargrove.org/farmers-market/
Carolina Beach Farmers Market
https://www.carolinabeach.org/government/departments/parks-recreation/carolina-beach-market
Kure Beach Farmers Market
https://www.townofkurebeach.org/event/kure-beach-market
Rural Health Information Hub
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/farmer-mental-health
Farm Aid Hotline | 800-FARM-AID (327-6243)
https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/resources-for-farmers/online-request-for-assistance-form/
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Dial 988
USDA Farm Stress Resources
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/farm-stress-resources.pdf
We occasionally offer farmer scholarships, so subscribe to stay informed of when we open scholarships back up.
Insurance
NAU Country Insurance
USDA Crop & Livestock Insurance Info Page
https://www.usda.gov/topics/farming/crop-and-livestock-insurance
HealthCare.gov
USDA Health Insurance Coverage Info
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-household-well-being/health-insurance-coverage/
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC
Next Insurance | Farmers Market Insurance | They also have other options for liability business insurance.
Nationwide Farm Liability Insurance
https://www.nationwide.com/business/agribusiness/farm-insurance/optional-coverages/type/liability
NC Farm Bureau Insurance
USDA Hurrican Preparation & Recovery Guides for NC Producers | They have a guide for just about every crop, livestock, etc...
NC Dept of Ag Emergency Preparedness Programs | offering a wide range of resources for disaster prep
https://www.ncagr.gov/oep/Prepare
NC Extension Duplin County Hurricane Prep for Livestock
NC Extension Growing Small Farms | Hurrican Prep for Horticultural Crops
https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-hurricanes/
NC Shellfish & Aquaculture | Storm Preparedness Best Management Practices
NOAA NC Hurricane Prep
https://www.weather.gov/ilm/hurricaneprepnc
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Hurricane Prep
https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/hurricane-resources-for-farmers/
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