I am pleased to have this opportunity to share with you brief comments about small farms and some of the things we are doing in North Carolina to help individuals engaged in small scale agriculture.

I am deeply concerned about the plight of the small, part-time and limited resource farmers who toil the land in this great country. Infact, I am convinced that this country is a great country because of the abundant food supply that is made possible by the small scale agriculturists and others who devote time, energy and efforts to production agriculture. These persons make sure that there is enough food for them, members of their families and their fellow citizens.

In North Carolina, we take small scale agriculture seriously. Our efforts to assist the small scale agriculturists date back to the late 60s and early 70s when we established Agricultural and Natural Resources and Forestry para-professional positions in several counties.

These positions were a part of our Farm Opportunities Programs. The purpose of the Farm Opportunities Program was to provide one-on-one on the farm assistance to small farmers of our state.

This program has made it possible for hundreds of small farmers to improve the quality of their lives by adopting and utilizing practices that possess the potential to increase their farm income.

Several years ago, the Farm Opportunities Program was supple-mented for a two year period by the innovative Ways to Grow Project that was funded by the Kellogg Foundation. This project assisted fifty small scale farmers improve their small farms by giving them grants so they could try alternative farming enterprises and practices. Alternative enterprises under-taken by some of the farmers included intensive gardening, the production of woody ornamental, ginseng, goldenseal, and trout production.

Finally, we do all we can to make sure that the small farmers know that they are appreciated and believe that they are needed. One of the best events that helps us to do this has been our annual Small Farms Week. Each year, one of our state's small farmer is recognized for the outstanding accomplishment he/she has made towards improving farming operation.

This individual receives a beautiful plaque and a monetary contribution. Their picture is also placed on our Small Farmer of the Year Calendar.