College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Small Farms Week

A smiling woman wearing a black cowboy hat and a striped Western-style shirt, standing outdoors against a clear blue sky with a bale of hay visible in the background.

When Kimberly Ratcliff traded her successful career in corporate America for life on her family farm in Texas, she saw a large gap between big business and family farms simply working to make ends meet. Now, she works to bridge that gap.

Registration is live

March 22–28, 2026  •  Theme: Deep Roots, Strong Future

Celebrate 40 years of small farm impact with North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension during a statewide week of learning, connection, and growth.

Why attend?

  • Discover innovative techniques shaping the future of agriculture
  • Participate in expert-led workshops and engaging panels
  • Connect with farmers, industry leaders, and ag professionals
  • Honor the resilience of North Carolina’s small farms
View agenda & register

Congratulations Small Farmer of the Year Regional Finalists!

Three small-scale farmers from around the state will be celebrated in their home counties this month. One of these finalists will be named the statewide 2026 Small Farmer of the Year at an awards ceremony on March 24.

Anna Anders

Urban Region: Anna Anders

Small Farms Week Finalist - Anders Family Hydroponic Farm
Forsyth County

Anna Anders has expanded the farm since its launch in 2017, and in addition to her commitment to providing fresh, locally grown leafy vegetables, she hosts farmers, school groups, veteran apprentices and others interested in learning about hydroponic growing.

+ Learn More
Nick & Elisabeth Dezern

Western Region: Nick & Elisabeth Dezern

Small Farms Week Finalist - Millboro and Co. Farm
Randolph County

Nick and Elisabeth Dezern strive to reconnect people with local farm systems and, in the process, provide healthy produce. The Dezerns educate customers about food production and the inefficiencies of the food system, such as buying produce out of season and the environmental impact of trucking food long distances.

+ Learn More
Darius McKoy

Eastern Region: Darius McKoy

Small Farms Week Finalist - 12:03AM Farm
Sampson County

Along with innovative practices such as high tunnels, rotational grazing and trellising, Darius McKoy is an engaged community member who regularly provides fresh produce to more than 200 families across three counties, hosts farm tours for 4-H members and mentors beginning and veteran farmers with technical training and guidance.

+ Learn More

Celebrating Small Farms Week Across the State

Discover the heart of North Carolina’s agriculture! Click to explore our interactive map, where you can find and support local farmers, producers, and agricultural advocates in your community. As we celebrate Small Farms Week, let’s recognize, celebrate, and educate ourselves about the incredible impact agriculture has on our lives.

Explore the map

Grow Small Farms Week! Your Donations Support:

A group of individuals sitting behind a blue table giving a question and answer session

launching the week’s activities, beginning with a luncheon in the home county of the preceding year’s Small Farmer of the Year.

A group of people sitting around a table.

N.C. A&T providing educational outreach for small farmers.

Individuals sitting at a table laughing and enjoying themselves over good food and companionship

honoring small farmers, including the Small Farmer of the Year.

Give a Gift

Be sure to choose the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in the Designation field of the form!

Give a Gift

Each year, Small Farms Week highlights the programs and activities conducted by  Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University that support limited-resource, small-scale, part-time, and alternative-enterprise farmers.

Sponsorship is available at various levels. See below for details on how we can work together:

You'll get:

  • 16 VIP Tickets
  • Name on the Program
  • Social Media
  • Sponsorship noted on the website
  • 2 tables at the appreciation luncheon (16 people)
  • Name on sponsor board

You'll get:

  • 8 VIP Tickets
  • Name on the Program
  • Social Media
  • Sponsorship noted on the website
  • 1 table at the appreciation luncheon (8 people)
  • Name on sponsor board

You'll get:

  • 6 VIP Tickets
  • Name on Program
  • Social Media
  • Sponsorship noted on the website
  • 6 seats at the appreciation luncheon
  • Name on sponsor board

You'll get:

  • 4 VIP Tickets
  • Name on Program
  • Sponsorship noted on the website
  • 4 seats at the appreciation luncheon
  • Name on sponsor board

You'll get:

  • 2 VIP Tickets
  • Name on Program
  • Sponsorship noted on the website
  • 2 seats at the appreciation luncheon
  • Name on sponsor board

You'll get:

  • 1 VIP Tickets
  • Name on Program
  • Sponsorship noted on the website
  • 1 seat at the appreciation luncheon

2025 Sponsors

Platinum
$10,000 and up
Gold
$5,000 - $9,999
Silver
$2,500 - $4,999
Platinum ($10,000 and up):  
Alcorn State University SDFR Policy Research Center Southern Sare Logo
Gold ($5,000 - $9,999):  
John Deere Logo
Silver ($2,500 - $4,999):  
Farm Credit Associations
Drs. Fletcher & Rosalind Renee Barber
Bronze
$1,000 - $2,499
Friends
$500 - $999
Supporters
$100 - $499
Bronze ($1,000 - $2,499):  
  • Dr. McKinnie
  • Dr. Velma Speight
  • Drs. Alton & Cynthia Thompson
  • Godfrey Robinson, Veronica
  • Land Loss Prevention Project
  • Mars, Inc.
  • NC State Grange
Friends ($500 - $999):  
  • Atkinson, Larry & Soyna
  • Blevins, Mark
  • Dale, Rosalind
  • TW Garner Foods
  • Womack, Deborah
Supporters ($100 - $499):  
  • Diggs, Valarie
  • Ibrahim, Jimo
  • Kamithi, Stan
  • Martin, Cynthia
  • Moses, Leon J
  • Ross, Tiffany
  • Savage, Thomas
  • Smith-Murray, Bernadette
  • Zhao, Lin
 
For more information regarding sponsorships, please contact C. Renee Foster, Director of Development, at crfoster@ncat.edu or call (336) 285-3032.  To give a gift please visit https://www.ncat.edu/give   

Small Farmer of the Year

Small Farmer of the Year 2024 Co-Winner, Secret Garden Bees

A small farm store with a sign reading 'Sweet Jordan Bees Farm Store' on its roof, featuring solar panels. A woman sits on a white rocking chair on the porch, while a man stands to the right, smiling and gesturing towards the store. The building is surrounded by trees, with a grassy area in front.

Small Farmer of the Year 2024 Co-Winner, Brown Family Farm

A man wearing a blue cap and gray jacket harvesting a large cabbage in a field. He is bent over, holding the cabbage leaves while standing among rows of other cabbage plants. The background shows a rural landscape with trees and a cloudy sky.

Small Farmer of the Year 2023, J&J Martin Produce

Two women sitting close together outdoors, smiling warmly at the camera. One woman wears a white t-shirt with overalls, and the other wears a pink long-sleeve shirt. They appear to be in a greenhouse or garden setting, with plants and sunlight visible in the background.

Small Farmer of the Year 2022, New Ground Farms

A man and woman standing outdoors, smiling, with their arms around each other. The man wears a red shirt and sunglasses, while the woman wears a blue plaid shirt. Behind them is a sign that reads: "Small Farms Week - Home of the 2022 N.C. Small Farmers of the Year," with additional text for "Cooperative Extension."