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North Carolina Specialty Crops Program |
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Specialty Crops are new crops that have not been commerically grown in a particular region. Ranging from exotic purple potatoes to more commonly known crops like lettuce, producing specialty crops generally introduces farmers to a new way of growing. The North Carolina Specialty Crops Program was a multi-agency, statewide program dedicated to new crop development. It operated from 1997 to 2008 under the leadership of Barclay Poling (1997-1999), Jeanine Davis (1999-2007), and Bill Jester (2008). The program has now ended, but Jeanine Davis has agreed to maintain the website with the historical information from the program and to continue to serve as a resource on new and specialty crops for farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers. News: Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure, Compost, and Grass Clippings: Caution to Hay Producers, Livestock Owners, Farmers and Home Gardeners (PDF) |
GRANT OPPORTUNITIESWNC Ag Options – Application Deadline November 22, 2010WNC Agricultural Options is introducing a new community grants program that will support projects that are improving the local agricultural system. WNC AgOptions will fund at least three farmer-led group projects that address processing, marketing, packaging and other distribution needs in the mountain region. The size of the community grant is dependent upon the expenses associated with the project. The maximum amount to be awarded per applicant group is $20,000.
Tobacco Communinties Reinvestment Fund GrantsThe Reinvestment Fund assists farmers in developing new sources of agricultural income through provision of cost-share grants. NC farmers are eligible to apply for Producer Grant Awards of up to $10,000 for individuals and Community Grant Awards of up to $30,000 for collaborative farmer projects. The grants are competitive; priority is given to projects that provide opportunities for a new generation of farmers and to applicants who had tobacco income at the time of the Master Settlement Agreement. NC Value-Added Cost Share ProgramThe NCVACS program provides financial support, through matching funds, to producers who are applying for the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), a nationally competitive program. Southern SARE Producer GrantsSouthern SARE administers six separate grants, each with its own priorities and audiences: Research and Education Grants, Producer Grants, Graduate Student Grants, Sustainable Community Grants, Professional Development Grants and On-farm Research Grants. There is an online guide that describes the granting process for those who want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes. Free Grant Writing AssistanceWorking on an application for a grant opportunity? If this opportunity is in value-added or alternative agriculture and in some way assists North Carolina tobacco farm families transition to or add new enterprises, then assistance in writing and putting together the grant package is available to you. To obtain assistance, contact Blake Brown, blake_brown@ncsu.edu, 919.515.4536. |
Events CalendarStatewide and National Events for Alternative Crops, Herbs, Organics, Specialty Crops, Vegetables To stay up to date on the latest information on |
HOT CROPSMushroomsThere is a resurgence of interest in mushroom production and consumption across the state of North Carolina. For the past 25 years, when farmers asked about growing mushrooms, they were usually referring to shiitake mushrooms grown on oak logs (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/agpubs/ag-478.pdf). But recently, inquiries are coming in on a wider variety of mushrooms including oyster, reishi, and truffles. To see what a few of the North Carolina mushroom growers are doing, visit these pages:
Hops, An Up and Coming Crop in North Carolina
More information about hops and other hot crops |
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2010
Vegetable Crop Handbook
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Farm Prosperity ProjectDr. Jeanine Davis received a four year grant from the USDA National Research Initiative on small farms and rural communities to study farmland preservation techniques and new crop/new agricultural enterprises as a way to enhance small-farm prosperity. This was a cooperative project with Land of Sky Regional Council, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and Warren Wilson College. For project results and additional information, visit www.NCherb.org/prosperity/ The Medicinal Herbs for Commerce ProjectThis project aims to provide North Carolina farmers an opportunity to explore the economic feasibility of medicinal herb production. |
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Locations of Some Specialty Crops Research Projects Conducted in North CarolinaFrom 2002-2004, the NC Specialty Crops Program received funding from the GoldenLeaf Foundation to support a large number of research projects and educational programs throughout North Carolina. Reports on many of these projects can be accessed from this interactive state map.
Specialty Crops NewslettersA feature of the SCP website, newsletters provide information for growers and others interested in new crops. |
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| Updated August 27, 2010 |
