Overview of the Organic Industry in North Carolina

Overview of the Organic Industry in North Carolina

An exploration of the history and current status of the production

and distribution of organic products

in North Carolina

October 2008

What is the history?

• Sir Albert Howard• Rodale Institute• Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”• Ecology, community, food cooperative,

and back-to-the-land movement of the 60s and 70s

• States and NGOs develop standards and certification programs to protect the value of the label for farmers and consumers (CFSA in NC in 1987)

What is the history?

• 60 Minutes Alar story accelerates demand and calls for a national program with uniform standards

• Organic Foods Production Act - part of the Organic Foods Production Act - part of the 1990 Farm Bill.1990 Farm Bill.

• USDA appoints National Organic Standards USDA appoints National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to advise the USDA on Board (NOSB) to advise the USDA on standards.standards.

• October 21, 2002 – Final Rule October 21, 2002 – Final Rule implementedimplemented

How did it evolve in NC?• Frank Porter Graham Institute project in Anson

County• NGOs like RAFI, CFSA, and ARC emerge to

support education and networking for farmers and consumers.

• University and Extension leaders emerge, first “organic” extension agent in Chatham Co., first organic research at Fletcher.

• USDA SARE supports Sustainable Agriculture Task Force and organic research. CEFS is born.

• Kellogg Foundation funds Partners in Agriculture project leading to stronger relationships and the launch of ASAP

• Z. Smith Reynolds funds organic market survey

How did it evolve in NC?• Carolina Organic Growers (COG) cooperative is founded to

distribute local/organic produce.• Organic Growers School and CFSA sustainable ag

conference evolve as major educational and networking events.

• Santa Fe Natural Tobacco moves to Oxford. Braswell foods ramps up organic egg production.

• CCCC Sustainable Farming Program starts in Chatham Co.• USDA SARE funds Collaborative organic seed project• Golden Leaf funds Organic Grain Project• Tobacco Trust Fund funds CFSA to develop Eastern Carolina

Organics (ECO)• Organic Valley works with Extension to establish organic

dairies in NC.• Tobacco Trust Fund supports New River Organic Growers

(NROG)

What is the current status in NC?

• Market has evolved to focus on local and organic with demand exceeding supply on every level.

• Approximately 125 certified organic farms (vegetables, dairy, grains, fruit, medicinal and culinary herbs)

• Approximately 50 certified organic processors (coffee, bread, flour, sauces)

• Extensive network of support with an abundance of educational opportunities.

• Strong cooperative relationships between NGOs, government, and educational institutions with ongoing projects

What are the current challenges in NC?

• Lack of organic feed and processing is hindering livestock production.

• Investment in organic infrastructure at every level.

• More support for research in organic production under southeastern conditions.

• Support for farmers transitioning to organic.• The aging farm population and the transfer

of farmland.• Cultivating the next generation of farmers.

Who are our farmers?

By region from east to west• Northeast• Southeast• Triangle• Triad• Charlotte• Southern mountains• High Country

Looking Back Farms• Kenny and Ben Haines• Located in Perquimens Co.• Organic grains.• Certified by QCS.• 150 acres and expanding.

Photos from NCSU Organic Grain Project.

Somerset Farms• Frederick Ingles• Located in Chowan Co.• Organic vegetables primarily through ECO.• Certified by QCS.• 7 acres and expanding.

Photos from Eastern Carolina Organics.

Macha-Pungo Farms

• Wade and Daron Hubers• Located in Hyde Co.• Organic grains.• Certified by NCCIA.• 150 acres and expanding.

Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)

• Run by Trent Scott in Jones Co.• Certified by NCCIA.• Sell at farmers’ markets and local stores.• Growing vegetables, by the pound and

pre-packaged.

Photos from their website.

Black River Organic Farms• Stefan Hartmann• Located in Sampson Co.• Organic vegetables.• Certified by QCS.• CSA, farmers market, and ECO

Photos from NCSU Organic Grain Project.Photos from Eastern Carolina Organics

Cottle Organics• Herbie Cottle• Located in Duplin Co.• Organic (15 acres) and

conventional vegetables.• Certified by NCCIA.• Road side stands,

farmers market, and ECO

Photos from Eastern Carolina Organics

Ward Brothers Farm• Richard Ward• Located in Columbus Co.• 130 acres vegetables

and tobacco• Certified by QCS.• Santa Fe and ECO

Photos from Eastern Carolina Organics

Auman Vineyards• Loyd and Louise Auman• Located in Cumberland Co.• Scuppernongs and muscadines.• Certified by NCCIA.• PYO and pre-picked at farm.

Photos from their website.

Hilltop Farms

• Certified organic (NCCIA) membership farm.

• Operated by Fred Miller in Wake Co.

• Grows vegetables, flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs.

• Also sells through ECO and various stores and restaurants. Photo by Billie Karel from Toxicfreenc.org

Harland’s Creek Farm

• Judith Lessler• Five acre farm in Chatham Co.• Certified organic by NCCIA.• Grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers.• Sell at farmers’ markets and 3 CSAs.

Photos from her website.

CCCC Land Lab

Timberwood Organics• Ray Christopher• 11 acres in Orange Co.• Certified organic by QCS.• Vegetables and culinary herbs• Large CSA, 2 farmers’ markets and ECO

Faucette Farms• Mike and Tyler Faucette• 15 acres in Guilford Co.• Certified organic by QCS.• Vegetables and tobacco• On-farm stand, farmers’

markets and ECO

Photos from Eastern Carolina Organics

• Operated by Mary Roberts in Union Co.

• Certified by NCCIA.• Grows vegetables, flowers,

blueberries, garlic, and shiitakes.• Vegetable transplants.• Sells at local farmers’ market.• Also an organic farming supplier

dealer.Photos from their website.

Warren Brothers Farm• Warren Brothers• Lenoir County• Certified organic by NCCIA.• Produces medicinal herbs.

Holly Hill Farm

• Bill and Diane Hill in Transylvania Co.• Grow vegetables, flowers, small

fruits, culinary and medicinal herbs.• Offer educational farm tours.• Certified by NCCIA.• Sell at tailgate markets and to

restaurants and stores.Photo on right from Transylvania Tailgate Market blogspot

• Operated by Dave and Suzanne Ballard in Rowan Co.

• Certified by NCCIA.• Specialize in heirloom vegetables

and flowers.• Starting a CSA in 2009.

Photo from their website.

• Run by Lee Ewing in Polk Co.• Certified (NCCIA) sprout producer.• Sells to most of the major supermarkets,

including Walmart.• Also distributes specialty produce.

Photos from their website.

Deep Woods Mushrooms

• Greg Carter, Henderson Co.

• Certified organic.

• Grows and wild harvests.

• Teaches and offers consultations.

Picture from Hendersonville Times-News.

Windy Ridge Organic Farms

• Run by Anthony Owen in Henderson Co.

• Certified organic (NCCIA) and Naturally Grown.

• Grows apples, peaches, and vegetables.

• Sells to large markets and coops.

Photos from their website and Southern Living Magazine.

Gaia Herbs•Located in Transylvania Co.•Large Processing facility.•Over 200 acres of herbs in production.•Certified organic by Oregon Tilth.

Photo in lower right from Gaia website.

• Michael Porterfield• Buncombe Co.• Organic vegetables

and herbs• Certified by NCCIA

Photos from their website

Jake’s Farm

• Buncombe Co.• Certified thru Clemson.• Chris Sawyer and Missy

Huger.• Grow vegetables, herbs,

flowers, and small fruits.• Sell through coops,

tailgate markets, and to stores.

R Farm• John Rowland• Buncombe Co.• Organic vegetables and

herbs• Certified by Clemson• Sells through COG and

ECO

Photos from Eastern Carolina Organics

• Run by Charles Church in Watauga Co.

• Certified by NCCIA.• Grows a wide range of

vegetables and naturally grown pork.

• Sells through local farmers’ market, ECO, and New River Organics.

Photos from their website and Watauga Co. Farmers Market website.

• Ann Rose of Ashe Co.• “Our products will remain

organic, sustainable, and natural, with or without the USDA Organic seal.“

• Is certified for vegetables.• Produce vegetables,

herbs, shiitake mushrooms, chicken, eggs, and pork.

• Sell on-line, farmers’ market, and roadside stand.

Photos from their website.

• In Alleghany Co.• Operated by Alan Souther.• Grown certified (NCCIA) vegetables,

culinary and medicinal herbs, tobacco, and strawberries.

• Sell through ECO and New River Organics.

Two photos on left from their website.

• Run by Joe Martin and Sally Thiel in Ashe Co.• Certified by NCCIA.• Grow all kinds of vegetables and raspberries.• Sell at local farmers’ market and from the

farm.• Also rent cabins.

Photos from their website.

A Berry Patch Farm

• Wayne and Jeanne Berry• Four acre farm located in Ashe Co.• Certified organic with NCCIA and certified

Naturally Grown.• They produce vegetables, herbs, fruits, and honey.• Sell at Ashe Co. Farmers Market. Photos from their website.

Organic Lawns for America

Durham, North Carolina

Mooresville, North Carolina

Charlotte, NC