Whether you look forward to that first vine-ripened tomato of the season or simply enjoy strolling the aisle at the farmers market to see what is seasonally available, chances are, that produce comes from a local farmer.

And as the bumper sticker says, “If you’ve eaten today, thank a farmer.”

North Carolina celebrates Small Farms Week Mar. 21-26 and local officials joined producers Wednesday in Warren County for a luncheon to celebrate the contributions that small farmers make to their communities.

“We’re blessed in North Carolina,” said Paul McKenzie, N.C. Cooperative Extension ag agent for Vance and Warren counties. McKenzie said North Carolina’s tremendous variety of agricultural products – from apples to blueberries – is topped only by California and Florida for the wide range of crops it can produce.

North Carolina also has a wonderful network of farmers markets that supply consumers with fresh, local produce. Roadside stands – think Ridgeway cantaloupes – also are a critical link in the food-supply chain, he said.

Johnny Coley, N.C. Cooperative Extension agent in Granville and Person counties agreed.

“They may not raise a lot of any one thing,” Coley told WIZS News Wednesday, but add together all their efforts, and it’s what makes the supply chain work.

Most producers sell directly off the farm or in a local farmers market like the Vance Regional Farmers Market. Coley said one local grower is venturing out into the larger grocery chains to market his products.

“It doesn’t take a huge grower to really make an impact,” he said.

Small Farms Week is in its 36th year to spotlight the contributions of small farmers. The weeklong celebration is being held virtually, and there are five satellite sites across the state – Warren County being one site – that will have “watch parties” to allow for large-scale participation. North Carolina A & T State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences sponsors Small Farms Week.

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