North Carolina
Wayne County Sisters Named 2023 Small Farmers of the Year
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 3, 2023) – Joyce Martin Bowden left her household’s farm in Wayne County, North Carolina, for faculty, marriage and a profession in Philadelphia. Jeannette Martin Horn stayed nearer to residence, working each a profession in regulation enforcement and the land, together with her brothers and household.
When Bowden returned to North Carolina after the dying of her husband, she had a purpose in thoughts: to start out a produce farm together with her sister.
“When Joyce got here again, she revealed to me that she had this imaginative and prescient of farming, simply the 2 of us,” Horn mentioned. Horn was agreeable, and J&J Martin Produce LLC was born on a parcel of the household’s “Century Farm,” land that has been within the household for 5 generations.
The sisters and their farm had been honored March 29 as North Carolina’s 2023 Small Farmers of the 12 months, a recognition awarded by Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College as a part of its annual Small Farms Week.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC_mXLbbOJ8
Since 2019, Horn and Bowden have grown all kinds of produce – together with inexperienced beans, mustard and turnip greens, squash, onions, tomatoes, pecans and their signature area peas – on 100 acres of their Wayne County land. The sisters’ ancestor, a soldier within the 135th U.S. Coloured Infantry, purchased the land after the regiment was “mustered out” in 1865.
“The sector peas are only a phenomenon, at this level,” mentioned Bowden. “To start with, we might choose them and take them to the Farmer’s Market, and when individuals came upon the place the farm was, they might come to us. So we’ve elevated the quantity of area peas every year – we’re as much as 5 acres. We’ll most likely plant much more this 12 months.”
Jessica Strickland, horticulture agent for Wayne County, has labored carefully with the sisters because the starting, serving to them get began on the regional Farmer’s Market; diversify their operation by including a farm stand; apply for grants for prime tunnels and put down a drip irrigation system.
“They’re not simply promoting the produce; they’re speaking to individuals. Individuals get the chance to ask questions and study extra about their meals,” Strickland mentioned. “They offer again to the group, whether or not it’s college teams or having interns on the farm. They’re giving individuals the chance to study extra about agriculture and about farming.”
Small Farms Week, N.C. A&T’s annual tribute to small-scale agriculture, returned to a totally in-person format this 12 months, with academic packages, panel discussions and farm excursions. The weeklong annual celebration was launched by Extension at A&T 37 years in the past to attach with small-scale farmers—together with minority farmers and people in limited-resource communities— to make sure they obtain the newest research-based info on farming strategies, new instruments and applied sciences. It additionally offers the general public an opportunity to satisfy their agricultural neighbors and study farm operations and meals manufacturing.
The Small Farmer of the 12 months award was offered on the Small Farmer Appreciation Luncheon, one of many highlights of Small Farms Week. The sisters obtained a plaque, monogrammed jackets and $2,000.
“Our theme this 12 months is ‘Progress in a Altering Local weather,’ and our message is that we at Extension can be right here that will help you perceive the impacts of local weather change and never solely survive, however study to thrive,” mentioned M. Ray McKinnie, Extension administrator, instructed the luncheon viewers. “Taken collectively, small farms comprise 80% of all farms within the state. Everyone knows that farming isn’t simply an occupation, it’s a lifestyle. That’s why we acknowledge these dedicated and hard-working individuals yearly. It’s an opportunity to say ‘thanks’ and to share your tales together with your neighbors throughout North Carolina.”
Among the many VIPs of the agricultural sector to attend the luncheon had been Steve Troxler, North Carolina commissioner of agriculture; Mohamed Ahmedna, Ph.D., dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Shawn Harding, president of the North Carolina Farm Bureau; and Wealthy Bonanno, Ph.D, Extension director at N.C. State College.
The occasion additionally included a keynote tackle from Chavonda Jacobs-Younger, Ph.D., undersecretary for analysis, schooling and economics and chief scientist on the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA.)
“Small farmers are the lynchpin of U.S. agriculture. Right here in North Carolina, that couldn’t be extra correct due to how crucial you’re to the nation as a high producer of horticultural merchandise,” mentioned Jacobs-Younger.
“With many of the inhabitants dwelling in city or semi-urban communities, it’s simple to overlook that the vary and attain of agricultural manufacturing on this nation is huge. Small, family-owned farms function virtually half of U.S. farmland and generate 21% of manufacturing. In accordance with the Census of Agriculture farm typology report, small farms produce 57% of the poultry and eggs and 52% of hay in the US. That’s not small in anyone’s guide. And cattle, poultry, grain and soybeans account for over 70% of all small, industrial farm manufacturing. With out you, our residents could be spending considerably extra for meals and would have fewer wholesome decisions.”
For Small Farmer of the 12 months Jeannette Horn, farming will not be solely an important enterprise, however one headed towards a vibrant future wherein the whole group can take part.
“This isn’t only for us. That is for the group,” Horn mentioned. “This farm was began by a veteran – my father was a veteran, we’ve bought veteran mentees on the farm. It’s for household. It’s for the subsequent era. It’s for ladies. We’re providing one thing we consider is a profit not solely to us, but additionally to the group. We signify greater than Joyce and Jeannette.”
