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INVESTIGATOR: White, C. J.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
NATIVE BRAND HONEY, LLC
3290 UNIONTOWN RD
JAMESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 278469485

ENHANCING FARMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIVE AMERICANS AND VETERAN BEGINNING FARMERS IN NORTH CAROLINA

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Project's long-term goal is to equip Native American and Veteran Beginning Farmers (NAVBF) in NC with the knowledge and skills needed for them to make informed decisions in starting, and operating successful farm businesses. Objectives are to: Increase awareness of NAVBR on USDA and NC State farm programs and to recruit participants for the project; Improve the knowledge of NAVBF farm estate planning, financial planning and management; Enhance the skills and abilities of NAVBF to implement alternative, high value, and profitable farm enterprises; Improve marketing strategies of NAVBF to market bee- byproducts and vegetables and connect then to existing markets. Project targets NAVBF in Roberson and the surrounding counties in NC. Farmers in this area received a devastating loss due to farm land flooding that occurred in 2018. Apart from the flood, Native American farmers have been traditionally underserved and are face by several challenges in the farming business. Such challenges are: limited access to USDA programs, high start-up costs, limited access to credit, limited access to farmlands, lack of skills in financial planning, lack of experience and modern production practices, and limited access to existing and viable markets. These challenges provide evidence for the need to conduct this project with expected results of enhanced economic opportunities and improved quality life for these farmers, and their communities.

OBJECTIVES: The long-term goal of this project is to equip Native American and Veteran Beginning Farmers (NAVBF) in North Carolina with the knowledge and skills needed for them to make informed decisions in starting, improving, and operating successful farm businesses, with expected results of an enhanced economic opportunities and an improved quality of life for these farmers, their families and communities. The supporting objectives to this goal are to: 1) Increase awareness of NAVBR on USDA and NC State farm programs and to recruit participants for the project; 2) Improve the knowledge of NAVBF farm estate planning, financial planning and management; 3) Enhance the skills and abilities of NAVBF to implement alternative, high value, and profitable farm enterprises; 4) Improve marketing strategies of NAVBF to market bee- byproducts and vegetables and connect then to existing markets.