North Carolina Specialty Crops Program

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 provides crop production information, marketing reports and links to articles published online. We are a resource for farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers within the specialty crops market.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Statewide and National Events for
Alternative Crops
Herbs
Organics
Specialty Crops
Vegetables

HOT CROPS

Belgian Endive

Bob Radcliffe worked closely with Will Strader, Franklin County Horticultural Extension Agent, to develop a 2008 Agent Specialty Crops Proposal to "Grow and Market Belgian Endive Chicons to the Restaurant Trade" that was awarded monies from a statewide pool of $300,000.

The goal of this project is to adapt the production of this product to a small-scale farm environment, while evaluating its market potential and profitability. Read more..

Sunnyridge Berry Farms

Looking Forward to New North Carolina Opportunities
SunnyRidge Farm in Florida is interested in buying fresh-market blackberries and raspberries from western North Carolina. They are talking about a market for an estimated 400 acres of blackberries.

Click to review the presentation. Sunnyridge Farms gave this presentation to prospective NC berry growers. (Powerpoint, 17.7K, may take a few minutes to load...please be patient)

Click to review the meeting notes.
Sunny Ridge Farm
Informational Meeting on Berry Production Opportunity March 15, 2006 (MS Word, 32K)

OPPORTUNITIES

The 2009 cycle for the WNC AgOptions Grant Program have been announced!

The goal of WNC AgOptions is to enhance the sustainability of WNC agriculture by assisting farmers in establishing themselves economically, environmentally and socially through new ventures. In order to provide direct financial assistance to farmers to minimize the risk of diversifying their operations, WNC AgOptions makes "mini grants" available on a competitive basis. Since 2004, 168 farmers have participated and have been provided "mini grants" ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 totaling $527,500. Just a few examples of projects include growing new/different crops, starting agritourism ventures, season extension and value-added products.

If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity visit WNC AgOptions for more information and to see what kinds of projects have been funded in the past. The site also includes frequently asked questions, links and contact information. Those who are interested should contact their local extension agent for assistance.
Click here to download an application.

Support for the WNC AgOptions program comes from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund and other partners include NC Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Science and HandMade in America and NC Cooperative Extension.

SARE Grants Posted
Southern region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grants provides Grants and Information to Improve Profitability, Stewardship and Quality of Life.

Free Grant Writing Assistance
Working on a SARE, Golden Leaf or other 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. To find additional information and to check out current grant opportunities in the value-added and alternative agriculture area go to www.cals.ncsu.edu/value-added

SPECIALTY CROPS NEWSLETTERS

A new feature of the SCP website, monthly newsletters provide timely information for growers and others interested in new crops.

Eastern NC Lettuce Production Tour

lettuce The Eastern NC Lettuce Field Tour was hosted by Mark Seitz, Area Specialized Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension on April 30, 2008. About thirty growers, industry, consultants and technical people attended the tour. The tour featured commercial production and an on-farm Romaine lettuce variety trial at Tull Hill Farm, Hugo, NC. The on-farm Romaine lettuce demonstration was supported by a NC Specialty Crops Program grant. The lettuce research at the Cunningham research station in Kinston was supported by a NC Golden Leaf Foundation grant.

The field day began with Mark Seitz giving an informative presentation about “The Variety Trial and Production Challenges”. Dr. Mark Abney of the Department of Entomology, NCSU gave a presentation on Insect Management in Romaine Lettuce. Read the report...

SPECIALTY CROPS
RESEARCH PROJECTS

Each year, research projects and educational programs are held throughout North Carolina. Many of these are open to the public, use the interactive map to discover what's happening in a county near you.

2008 Vegetable Crop Handbook for the Southeastern US

There is a "Berry Team of Specialists" working with growers and Sunny Ridge Farms to facilitate the new production. People interested in learning more about this opportunity or how to grow blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries for Sunny Ridge Farm should call one of these contacts.

Click for more berry production info...

Farm Prosperity Project

Dr. Jeanine Davis has recently received a 3 year grant from the new 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 is 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.