NC A&T Cooperative Extension to Honor Small-Scale
Agriculture
March 14, 1997
Greensboro, NC: The North Carolina A&T State University campus will be the hub for a number of statewide activities honoring the nearly 40,000 small scale farmers of North Carolina, during the week of April 6 to 12.
The Eleventh Annual Small Farms Week is a statewide celebration of small scale agriculture
coordinated by the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program.
During a week designated for this observance by Governor Jim Hunt and Commissioner of
Agriculture Jim Graham, organizers of Small Farms Week activities conduct programs to help
farmers improve their skills through education and to increase public awareness of the
contributions made by small-scale farmers to the economy of North Carolina.
"In addition to stabilizing communities, small farms contribute millions of dollars
to the North Carolina economy," said Dr. Daniel Lyons, chairperson of Small Farms
Week and assistant administrator of regional and county field operations for A&T's
Cooperative Extension Program.
Small Farms Week activities begin on Sunday, April 6, when a contingent of
small-scale farmers and A&T faculty will travel to Washington, D.C., to visit with
USDA officials and meet with selected congressional aides.
Campus activities begin on Tuesday, April 8, with the Women in Agriculture
Symposium. The Symposium will be held in the Carver Hall Auditorium from 1 to 8 p.m., and
will focus on issues and policies affecting the roles women play in agriculture.
The highlight of Small Farms Week occurs on Wednesday, April 9, with the
announcement of the recipient of the 1997 G.L. Dudley Small Farmer of the Year Award,
during the Small Farmers Recognition Luncheon. A plaque and cash prize accompany this
award.
Also on Wednesday, the A&T Cooperative Extension Program will host a health and safety
information session entitled Agricultural Innovations and Resources, at the Hayes-Taylor
YMCA, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Demonstrations during the session will include tractor and
machinery safety. Exhibitors from state and local agricultural agencies will also be on
hand.
On Thursday, April 10, government and non-profit agricultural agencies will discuss
ideas and achievements related to small-scale agriculture, during a Sharing Breakfast at
A&T's F.A. William's Common, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The School of Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet will also be held on Thursday, April 10. At
the banquet, outstanding contributors to North Carolina agriculture will be inducted into
the School's Hall of Fame.
On Friday, April 11, the A&T School of Agriculture will host area high school
students during the Agricultural Education Contest Program and Experiential Workshops,
which will be held in the Carver Hall Auditorium.
Small Farms Week activities draw to a close on Saturday, April 12, when Dr. Daniel
D. Godfrey, dean of the A&T School of Agriculture, delivers his annual status of
small-scale agriculture address in Ahoskie, NC.
All activities, except for the Hall of Fame Banquet and Small Farms Luncheon, are open
free of charge to the public. However, advance registration is required.
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Contacts:
Dr. Daniel Lyons, chairperson of Small Farms Week, (336) 334-7957
Mary Mafuyai, coordinator of Women in Ag Symposium, (336) 334-7024
Azell Reeves, coordinator for Hall of Fame Banquet, (336) 334-7041
Mitch Arnold, School of Agriculture news editor, (336) 334-7049