By Sidney Cruze | Photos by Don McKenzie
- Introduction
- The incubator model
- Hands-on training, home-grown skills
- Download the full article
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Across the country, organics is the fastest growing segment of agriculture. In North Carolina, retailers’ demand is outrunning production, and organic produce and dairy sales are the fastest growing sectors of our state’s retail food industry. According to N.C. State University’s Center for Environmental Farming Systems, North Carolina imports 90 percent of its organic food, even though much of it can be grown here. Fortunately for farmers, citizens are committed to buying local produce when it is available.
In the greater Fayetteville area alone, at least five local farmers’ markets, four natural food stores and almost 10 restaurants are interested in buying organic produce grown on nearby farms. As more people move here, organic farming can become a way to make a good living by selling to them.
Now, anyone who wants to explore organic farming’s opportunity before investing in land can find all they need to get started at Raft Swamp Farm in Hoke County. They can lease one of eight 3-acre incubator farms for less than $200 a month. Or they can lease half a tract if they want to start smaller.
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