These stories are representative of the success and challenges that we have had with the program.  It's good for us to write about failed attempts as well because this is usually not easy.  If you have a story you would like to share with the program, please let us know! Western folks can contact Stephen (sabishop@ncsu.edu; (910) 206-1546) Eastern folks can contact Noah (nnranell@ncsu.edu;(919) 619-9180)

Farm Seeker Stories:

Landowner Stories:

Farm Transition Stories:

Other NC FarmLink Stories 

New Landowner in Guilford County Builds Relationships with Farm Neighbors

Award-Winning Yadkin River Valley Corn, Soybean, and Barley Producer Kevin Mathews Connects with NC FarmLink.

Sanders Ridge Farm in Yadkin County Brings on Beginning Farmers Claudia and Steven Townsend.

Will and Savannah Salley of Headwaters Market Garden set up at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy's Incubator Farm which they found through NC FarmLink.

NC State University alum match up with landowner in Montgomery County to realize their farming dream of growing hemp for CBD oil production.

“They aren’t going to make any more land, especially the land you grew up on,” thought Mary Jo Shuping when she recently bought 140-acre Oak Bluff Farm from her grandmother in Montgomery County, NC.  A traveling RN at the time, Mary Jo came back to North Carolina from Texas when her father died unexpectedly and bought the family farm from her grandmother who had made up her mind to auction it off.  However, Mary Jo currently fills a vital role in the operating room at the Randolph Health Hospital in Asheboro, and she does not have the time or energy to keep the farm productive.  Wondering how she might manage the farm, Mary Jo did what we all do when we have questions about what to do next, she got on the internet.  NC FarmLink, a program of NC State Extension, was first on the search results when she typed in “rent farmland NC”.  Mary Jo created a farm profile on October 25, 2018, and waited to see what would happen.

About an hour away in Apex, NC, John and Jessica Rowe were keeping an eye on the NC FarmLink site to see if the right opportunity would present itself for them to pursue their dream of farming hemp.  “When I found NC FarmLink and saw that it was run by NC State Extension I bookmarked it,” noted John.  “It’s such a great resource, and just the fact that it was run by NC State Extension was comforting.  When we saw Mary Jo’s farm we quickly called her and set up a meeting.”  The three hit it off immediately and commenced to draft a 1-year lease agreement with an option to renew as a starting point for John and Jessica to use the existing greenhouse frames and a four-acre field.

Mark Scearce and Nicole Thoennes of Dharma Creek Farm lease land from the Bondurant family in the Beaverdam Valley of Haywood County.

When Mark Scearce and Nicole Thoennes were living in Chicago and Los Angeles writing and performing music for television and advertising, the last place they imagined themselves ending up was to be farming vegetables and flowers in the Beaverdam Valley of Haywood County. Today, Mark and Nicole, who married in 2012, and their two children Nelson (6) and Rose (3), have a bustling business growing vegetables and flowers for their CSA , selling primarily to their customers in Asheville. Mark and Nicole lease 3 acres of prime bottomland from Mr. Bondurant where they operate and manage Dharma Creek Farm. Mark and the landowner found each other on NC FarmLink.

Bernadette Pelissier and Van Bennett match up with Keith and Megan Marshall to farm their 92 acre farm in Cedar Grove on Orange County NC.

"We bought our 92 acre farm with the intention of putting fallow farmland in Cedar Grove back into production using organic methods and assisting young farmers.  We had no idea how many people would respond via NC FarmLink, particularly since we wanted someone who had experience farming.  We were so fortunate to find Keith and Megan Marshall, who were an ideal match. Within less than a year they have been very successful: they're selling their varied produce at markets, to restaurants and to our local food co-op where we shop."

Testimonials

• "You provide a wonderful and valuable service to us farmers and to all the would-be farmers.  I so appreciate what you're doing."  Mary Adore Coloney, Big Sandy Mush, Buncombe County
• "No one in my family had any experience with farming and I did not know where to turn to find out how to locate farmers who might be interested in renting our property for farming. The NC FarmLink program was invaluable to us. Without it, I might still be looking for someone to rent the property. Your assistance in preparing the profile and getting the word out helped us to identify a farmer quickly, and even while I was negotiating a lease with him, I had two other inquiries about the property, both of whom were very interested." Mary Ogburn - Forsyth County
• "In addition to the financial aspect, there was an emotional component in effect when it came time to selling our homestead. After years of nurturing the land,  I believe most farmers would like to find someone who would carry on in the same fashion. That is why we turned to NC Farmlink. Our experience in posting our property on NC Farmlink was positive. William Hamilton with NCSU Extension gave helpful guidance in creating a farm profile that highlighted current use, but also highlighted potential agricultural uses for an aspiring farmer. The land profile generated interest from potential buyers within NC but also from out of state.  Although the profile indicated for sale only, we did receive offers for leases as well. It should be noted that real estate companies are also searching NC Farmlink and that some potential buyers may want an agent. We were not adverse in interacting with an agent if the buyer was someone who we felt had the same respect for the land that we did. Fortunately, the place went to a young, energetic woman."  Rick Cooper, Retired Sheep Farmer, Madison County
• "The City of Asheville was recently in need of expert advice on the leasing of farmland in western North Carolina. The City owns some prime farmland that will be advertised as a leasing opportunity. Steve Duckett, Buncombe County Extension Director recommended the staff at NC State Extension FarmLink. They were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the wise use of farmland. We plan to consult with them again should the need arise."  Ellen McKinnon, City of Asheville Real Estate Coordinator.

Recent Press on NC FarmLink

NC FarmLink Connects Farmers to Land, Farm Credit Carolina Blog

Succession Planning: retiring farmers keep the land in farming. Growing for Market March 2020 (pages 8 - 14). Article can be read at above link, and website for GFM is www.growingformarket.com