Small-Scale Farmers Finding a Niche in the Piedmont

September 24, 1998

Greensboro, NC: Though strip malls and multi-lane highways are more common than cattle and tractors in the Triad and other North Carolina urban areas, urbanization hasn't deterred some farmers. Some even view it as an opportunity.

"Farmers in urban areas face a trade-off," said Dr. John M. O'Sullivan, a farm management and marketing specialist with the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program. "Their land values and taxes are higher, but proximity to cities can equal access to more diverse and more profitable markets."

O'Sullivan points to ethnic populations who need specialty items for traditional dishes, and affluent professionals who are willing to pay more for fresh, locally grown produce as potential customers for farmers in urban areas.

Agricultural products fitting these so-called "niche" markets open to urban farmers include pasture poultry, cut flowers, goat meat, herbs and organically grown fruits and vegetables.

Two Piedmont farmers finding success in organic farming are Larry and Judy McPherson. The McPhersons grow a wide variety of organic produce at Uwharrie Farm in Randolph County, about 10 miles southwest of Asheboro. On only 2.5 acres, the McPhersons grow enough produce for the 38 families who are part of their Greensboro-based community-supported agriculture (CSA) group, and for health food stores, florists, restaurants and farmer's markets.

For the past several years, the CSA, a group of people who contract with the McPhersons for a weekly supply of fresh produce, has been Uwharrie Farm's biggest customer. However, the McPhersons plan to change their strategy in the coming year to focus on farmer's markets, particularly the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market.

According to McPherson, selling at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market is a great opportunity for small-scale producers like Uwharrie Farms to find new customers.

"We've been amazed at the reception we've been given at the Farmers Market," said McPherson. "A lot of people in the Triad area seek out organic produce, and we've been able to give that to them."

The Triad area is also home to several restaurants and health food stores demanding organically grown produce, which translates into a wide variety of markets for nearby growers who are savvy enough to meet the demand for higher priced organic produce with a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Marketing, though an important and essential part of small-scale farming, is only one skill at which farmers must become adept. Making informed financial decisions and perfecting growing techniques are also crucial to being successful at farming.

"Find out what you can grow well and then concentrate on growing it well," says McPherson. "If you're always struggling to grow crops which don't perform well, you don't have enough time to perfect those crops which perform best under your farm's conditions."

According to O'Sullivan, patience and a desire to learn are especially key to successful organic growing.

"With organic farming, there is no quick fix," said O'Sullivan. "If you encounter new diseases or pests, you can't just dump chemicals on them. You have to experiment with new ways of growing, the impact of which might not be immediately evident."

The McPhersons spent several years building the organic matter in their soil through the use of mulch and compost. For guidance and education, they read "everything we could get our hands on," and consulted Cooperative Extension professionals and other organic growers.

"We started just growing for ourselves, but we got bigger and bigger," said McPherson. "However, just getting bigger doesn't mean that you can make money. To make any money at farming, especially organic farming, you need to be well informed."

Current and potential farmers interested in learning about new income producing enterprises should contact their local Cooperative Extension Center for more information.

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For more information, please contact Dr. John M. O'Sullivan, NC A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program, (336) 334-7956.