Willingness to Learn Nets Farmers Award

For Immediate Release
March 28, 2001

Greensboro, NC: Burnice and Bonnie Blanks value the rural lifestyle they lead on their Robeson County farm, but they don't isolate themselves from their community or the programs available to them, and this has made them successful small-scale farmers.

Recognizing this success, the Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University honored them with the 2001 Gilmer L. and Clara Y. Dudley Small Farmer of the Year Award, on Small Farms Day, Wednesday, March 28.

The award and cash prize was presented during the Small Farmers Recognition Luncheon, held on the A&T campus, during Small Farms Week, the 15th annual statewide celebration of small-scale agriculture.

"Burnice and Bonnie are innovators on the small-scale agriculture scene," said Nelson Brownlee, an area farm management agent with Robeson County Cooperative Extension. Brownlee has worked with the Blanks for the past eight years, introducing them to a number of programs designed for small-scale farmers. "When a new opportunity arises, they are quick to assess it for their needs and enthusiastic to accept new and better ways of doing things."

Recently, the Blanks became part of the Farmers Adopting Computer Training project coordinated by the NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program. Through this program, they have access to a computer and software tailored to their needs, and have been trained on how to integrate this technology into their farm management practices.

"The computer helps us keep organized," said Mr. Blanks. "We appreciate the opportunity to learn something new and to improve our farming operation by having a better sense of crop and financial management."

Prior to enrolling in the computer project, the Blanks participated in several other programs coordinated by the NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program, including the Small Farmer Outreach and Technical Assistance Project. Through this project, the Blanks participated in several workshops designed to introduce them to farm record-keeping and management.

Reflecting the lessons they learned through this project, the Blanks now produce over 35 kinds of fruits and vegetables on their 29-acre farm. Among their produce offerings are cabbage, okra, watermelons, turnips and tomatoes. Markets for the produce include the local farmers market, area restaurants, consumers of their produce gift package, and residents of the Robeson County area, where Mr. Blanks is known to deliver produce to elderly people unable to travel.

The Blanks also used another A&T program, Ways to Grow, to enhance their farming operations. Through this W.K. Kellogg program, the Blanks received training on small farms management and a grant to add an irrigation system to their farm, which they estimate has increased their yields 100 percent on the irrigated land.

The Blanks have also become involved with the North Carolina Coalition of Farm and Rural Families, and through this organization, they lead efforts, both locally and statewide, to promote small-scale agriculture. Recently, through their work with this organization, they were integral in initiating discussion with Glory Foods to establish production and marketing contracts for leafy greens and sweet potatoes.

"Small-scale farmers have to know where their markets are, and they have to figure out a way to meet the market demand while not ignoring their bottom line," said Mr. Blanks. "If you want to make money, you have to save money where you can."

The Gilmer L. and Clara Y. Dudley Small Farmer of the Year Award is presented annually by the NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program to a small-scale farmer who exemplifies prudent stewardship of the land while optimizing resources and enhancing farm operations through Cooperative Extension programs.

Joseph L. Dudley, president of Dudley Products, Inc., established the award, as a tribute to his parents' commitment to higher education and appreciation of farming.

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For more information, please contact Nelson Brownlee, Robeson County Cooperative Extension, (910) 671-3276.