GAIN - Agribusiness Resources by Topic
We have compiled a list of resources on a variety of topics that might relevant to your situation. Click on a topic name below to go directly to a list of resources associated with that topic.
Alternative Market Information
Business Development
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agribusiness Development - http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/agbizmarketing.htm
Whether yours is an existing agribusiness ready for expansion, or a new idea for a value-added agricultural product, our agribusiness developers can provide you with assistance in business planning or expansion, financing and site location. We partner with other agencies to provide you with a comprehensive approach to developing your business.
Ron Fish, Assistant Director
(919) 733-7887
ron.fish@ncagr.gov
Annette Dunlap, Agribusiness Developer, Eastern NC
(919) 733-7887
annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov
Robert Grooms, Agribusiness Developer, Western NC
(828) 670-7518
robert.grooms@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture Program - www.ncvalueadded.org
The Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture brings together multidisciplinary teams to address the needs, challenges and opportunities of North Carolina farmers. We develop and deliver educational programs and information resources that help farmers be successful. Our programs are designed to enhance and integrate farmers’ entrepreneurial, business, production, marketing and risk management skills. We work closely with North Carolina Cooperative Extension field faculty who work directly with farmers across the state.
Blake Brown, Director of the Value-Added Program Team
(704) 250-5404
blake_brown@ncsu.edu
Gary Bullen, Business Management Specialist - new enterprise evaluation, business skills development, direct marketing and financial management
(919) 515-6096
gary_bullen@ncsu.edu
N.C. A&T State University Alternative Enterprises - http://www.ag.ncat.edu/extension/programs/alt_ent.htm
This program provides extension educational resources to small-scale producers about the selection of and development of alternative enterprises. These enterprises are primarily horticultural but also include livestock, nursery and aquaculture.
Keith Baldwin, Horticulture Specialist
(336) 334-7957
Kbaldwin@ncat.edu
Farm Management for Successful Direct Marketing - http://www.ag.ncat.edu/extension/programs/farm_mgmt.htm
Successful Small Farming - Direct Marketing - http://www.ag.ncat.edu/extension/programs/direct_mkt.htm
This program provides educational resources to improve farm business management skills so that limited resource, small and part-time farmers can increase their income from direct marketing.
John O'Sullivan, Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator
(336) 334-7957
johno@ncat.edu
Farmers Adopting Computer Training (FACT) – http://www.ag.ncat.edu/extension/programs/fact.htm
This project is designed to train farm families one-on-one or in group settings how to use computers for their farming operations in order to become more competitive in the marketplace.
Marcie Joyner, Extension Associate
(336) 334-7956
joynerm@ncat.edu
Francis Walson, Extension Associate
(336) 334-7956
walson@ncat.edu
Agritourism
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/agritourism/index.htm
Martha Glass, Manager
(919) 733-7887
martha.glass@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Stacy R. Tomas, Assistant Professor and Tourism Extension Specialist
(919) 513-7407
stacy_tomas@ncsu.edu
Samantha "Sam" Rozier, Assistant Professor and Tourism Extension Specialist
(919) 513-0351
samantha_rozier@ncsu.edu
Aquaculture
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/aquaculture/index.htm
Warm Water
Matt Parker (office in New Bern)
(252) 633-1477
matt.parker@ncagr.gov
Cold Water
Debra Sloan (office in Franklin)
(828) 524-1264
debra.sloan@ncmail.net
N.C. State University Aquaculture Extension - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/aquaculture/
Warm Water
Harry Daniels,
Extension Aquaculture Specialist
(919) 515-4589
harry_daniels@ncsu.edu
Mike Frinsko,
Area Aquaculture Agent,
Jones Co. NCCES Office
(252) 448-9621 x228
mike_frinsko@ncsu.edu
Steve Gabel,
Area Aquaculture Agent,
Chowan Co. NCCES Office
(252) 482-6585
steve_gabel@ncsu.edu
Steve Gabel's Web site
Cold Water
Jeff Hinshaw,
Extension Aquaculture Specialist,
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
(828) 684-3562
jeff_hinshaw@ncsu.edu
Skip Thompson,
Area Aquaculture Agent,
Haywood Co. NCCES Office
(828) 456-3575
skip_thompson@ncsu.edu
Trout Production in North Carolina
Molly Sandfoss,
Area Aquaculture Agent,
McDowell Co. NCCES Office
(828) 652-7121
molly_sandfoss@ncsu.edu
Recirculating Systems
Tom Losordo,
Extension Aquaculture Specialist
(919) 515-6784
tom_losordo@ncsu.edu
Dennis DeLong,
Extension Aquaculture Specialist
(919) 513-2106
dennis_delong@ncsu.edu
Dairy
N.C. Department of Agiculture and Consumer Services - http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/commodit/dairy/index.htm
Scott Bissette, Dairy Specialist
(919) 733-7887
scott.bissette@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Dairy Extension - http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/dairy/Dairyh~1.htm
Lon Whitlow, Professor and Departmental Extension Leader
(919) 515-7602
Lon_Whitlow@ncsu.edu
Donald Pritchard, Extension Dairy Specialist
Phone: (919) 515-8805
donald_pritchard@ncsu.edu
Gary Cartwright, Pilot Plant Coordinator, Dairy Products Processing
(919) 513-2488
gcart@unity.ncsu.edu
Marti Day, Area Dairy Specialist, Guilford County
(919) 542-8202
marti_day@ncsu.edu
Elizabeth Moretz, Yadkin, Davie, Alleghany, Alexander and Wilkes counties
(336) 679-2061
elizabeth_moretz@ncsu.edu
Lara Worden, Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland and Catawba counties
(704) 922-2118
lara_worden@ncsu.edu
NCSU Agricultural Resource Economics
Geoff Benson - dairy, beef, forages, management/marketing
(919) 515-5184
geoff_benson@ncsu.edu
Green Industry
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Ross Williams, Assistant Director
(919) 733-7887
ross.williams@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Cooperative Extension Centers - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=countycenters
Horticulture
Ross Williams, Assistant Director
(919) 733-7887
ross.williams@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Cooperative Extension Centers - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=countycenters
N.C. A&T State University
Keith Baldwin, Horticulture Specialist
(336) 334-7957
Kbaldwin@ncat.edu
Livestock
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Bruce Shankle, Manager
(919) 733-7136
bruce.shankle@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Cooperative Extension Centers
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=countycenters
Meat & Egg Marketing
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Kim Decker, Marketing Specialist
(919) 733-7912
kim.decker@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Department of Food Science
Dana Hanson, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Meat Processing and Value-Added Products
(919) 515-2958
dana_hanson@ncsu.edu
Small Farms
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
James Davis, Small Farms Specialist
(919) 733-7125
james.davis@ncagr.gov
Chatham County Cooperative Extension - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/
Debbie Roos, Growing Small Farms
(919) 542-8202
debbie_roos@ncsu.edu
Legal Issues
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Ray Starling, Legal Affairs
(919) 733-7125
ray.starling@ncagr.gov
N.C. State University Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Ted Feitshans - agricultural and environmental law
(919) 515-5195
ted_feitshans@ncsu.edu
Land Loss Prevention Project - Organization provides legal support and assistance to all financially distressed and limited-resource farmers and landowners in North Carolina.
Omari Wilson, Staff Attorney
omari@landloss.org
http://www.landloss.org/
P.O. Box 179
Durham, NC 27702
1-800-672-5839 or (919) 682-5969
Fax: (919) 688-5596
North Carolina Farm Transition Network - http://www.ncftn.org
Andrew Branan, Executive Director
P.O. Box 443
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-7539
Farm Financial Resources
USDA Farm Service Agency - http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=nc&area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing
The Farm Service Agency administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices.
USDA Farm Service Agency
North Carolina Office
4407 Bland Road, Suite 175
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 875-4800
USDA Rural Development - http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nc/
Provides loan guarantees and direct loans for expansions and preservation of jobs in rural areas, grants which provide funding for technical assistance, training, and planning activities; finance the development of small and emerging private business enterprises, for the development incubator projects, medical and training projects, and feasibility studies, services to assist rural residents in forming new cooperative businesses and improving the operations of existing cooperatives. Value-Added Program grants enable producers of agricultural commodities to participate in the value-added market. Renewable Energy Grants enable agricultural producers and small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements to reduce the cost and consumption of the nation's energy needs.
USDA Rural Development
North Carolina Office
4405 Bland Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 873-2000
N.C. Agricultural Finance Authority
Programs available include: Farmers having difficulty qualifying for conventional loans, Beginning Farmer Loan Program, Agricultural Development Bonds, Facilities Disaster Loans, Agribusiness Loans.
Frank Bordeaux, Executive Director
(919) 790-3949
frank.bordeaux@ncmail.net
Financial Planning and Consulting
Land Loss Prevention Project - Organization provides legal support and assistance to all financially distressed and limited-resource farmers and landowners in North Carolina.
Omari Wilson, Staff Attorney
omari@landloss.org
http://www.landloss.org/
P.O. Box 179
Durham, NC 27702
1-800-672-5839 or (919) 682-5969
Fax: (919) 688-5596
N.C. Home Protection Program and Loan Fund - http://www.nchfa.com/Homebuyers/HOhomeprotectionpilot.aspx
The North Carolina Home Protection Program and Loan Fund helps workers who lose their jobs as the result of changing economic conditions avoid foreclosure of their homes. Created by the General Assembly in 2004 and operated by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, the program was recently expanded to assist workers who have lost their jobs in all 100 counties.
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
3508 Bush Street
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 877-5700
Rural Advancement Foundation International -http://www.rafiusa.org/
The Rural Advancement Foundation International provides financial planning assistance and advocates for the farmer to lenders and other agencies.
PO Box 640, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: (919) 542-1396
Fax: (919) 542-0069
Business Services
USDA Farm Service Agency - http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=nc&area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing
The Farm Service Agency administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices.
USDA Farm Service Agency
North Carolina Office
4407 Bland Road, Suite 175
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 875-4800
USDA Rural Development - http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nc/
Provides loan guarantees and direct loans for expansions and preservation of jobs in rural areas, grants which provide funding for technical assistance, training, and planning activities; finance the development of small and emerging private business enterprises, for the development incubator projects, medical and training projects, and feasibility studies, services to assist rural residents in forming new cooperative businesses and improving the operations of existing cooperatives. Value-Added Program grants enable producers of agricultural commodities to participate in the value-added market. Renewable Energy Grants enable agricultural producers and small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements to reduce the cost and consumption of the nation's energy needs.
USDA Rural Development
North Carolina Office
4405 Bland Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 873-2000
N.C. State University Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture Program - www.ncvalueadded.org
The Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture brings together multidisciplinary teams to address the needs, challenges and opportunities of North Carolina farmers. We develop and deliver educational programs and information resources that help farmers be successful. Our programs are designed to enhance and integrate farmers’ entrepreneurial, business, production, marketing and risk management skills. We work closely with North Carolina Cooperative Extension field faculty who work directly with farmers across the state.
Blake Brown, Director of the Value-Added Program Team
(704) 250-5404
blake_brown@ncsu.edu
Gary Bullen, Business Management Specialist - new enterprise evaluation, business skills development, direct marketing and financial management
(919) 515-6096
gary_bullen@ncsu.edu
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, Ames Iowa - http://www.agmrc.org/
The Agricultural Marketing Resource Center is an electronic, national resource for producers interested in value-added agriculture.
1111 NSRIC
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3310
1-866-277-5567
Business Link North Carolina - http://www.blnc.gov/
Business Link North Carolina can connect you to services and offering provided by state-supported agencies, many of which are free.
1-800-228-8443
N.C. Small Business & Technology Center - http://www.sbtdc.org/services/start.asp
The Small Business & Technology Development Center is The University of North Carolina’s business and technology extension service. The SBTDC is administered by N.C. State University on behalf of The University of North Carolina System, and is operated in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
5 West Hargett Street, Suite 600
Rleigh, NC 27601-1348
Phone: (919) 715-7272 or toll-free in N.C. 1-800-258-0862
Fax: (919) 715-7777
Mental Health and Social Services
N.C. Division of Mental Health Services - http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/MHDDSAS/lmedirectory.htm
The emotional impact of traumatic events can have devastating effects on the mental well-being of individuals of all ages. For many, it is easy to focus all energies on helping other people or on maintaining daily schedules and routines. Although these efforts deserve attention, it is important to remember to take care of yourself and to monitor your own emotions during difficult times.
N.C. Division of Social Services - http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/local/
The Division of Social Services provides training, technical assistance, and consultation to the local staff who work in programs for families and children including Child Welfare, Family Support, Work First, Child Support, and Food and Nutrition Services.
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