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President's Message Hot summer greetings to ANA members! It's not even summer yet and the heat is hard on all of us, but what's different about that for farmers! Several of the board members are working with Martha on plans for the 2009 workshop. We have looked at the Cabarrus County Convention Center, the new eco-architecturally friendly Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, and the Gateway Park Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Hickory. At this point, we’re leaning towards the Hickory site. It is attractive in location, amenities and price. The date we’re planning on is Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, January 22 and 23. Plans are also in the works for a late Thursday afternoon and early evening reception at Woodmill Winery in Vale, about thirty minutes from Hickory. I was very impressed with the Agribusiness Council’s outstanding efforts with the June 3 Legislative Day and thoroughly enjoyed the entire day. It was well worth the trip! However, the highlight of my visit was after their day of activities. Martha took me, Craig, and Norma to her office (the hub of all things agritourism), to briefly discuss planning our 2009 ANA conference. Martha then took us to the lobby of the building which is beautifully decorated with farm implements and other agricultural decorations. When we peeked into the Commissioner’s outer office to see the farm kitchen and a neat farm front porch, Commissioner Troxler invited the four of us into his office and showed his collections of various farm items. He then took time to talk to us about the issues facing agritourism farmers that were on the Agribusiness Council agenda. I think he was very favorably impressed by the work ANA has done on these issues. It meant a lot to me that he took time out of his busy schedule to chat with us. District Workshops
The six statewide district workshops were great! The numbers were consistently in the twenties – but what that means is that approximately 15 – 20 ANA members and prospective members attended in addition to presenters. When you multiply 20 times 6, you get 120. When you add 120 to the approximately 120 at Caraway at the 2008 ANA conference, that adds up to 240. Our membership is around 300 right now, counting those who have paid their 2008 dues only, so that’s pretty good coverage of our membership at this year’s educational workshops. Many thanks to all of our district directors who were in charge of the agenda, the location and the food – especially the food! It was all good, and there was always some left over to take home. Others to whom we owe thanks for helping the district directors are Southeast District hosts Annette and Benny Fountain of Tarkil Branch Farm’s Homestead Museum in Onslow County – a lovely setting, and John and Karen McGuire of Peaceful Valley Farm at Old Fort in McDowell County, location of the West District workshop. Evaluations have gone out to the board and speakers, and they have been sent out to the districts via email. We had several important, positive outcomes from the workshops. The agendas with new topics, such as web site design (Northeast), water conservation and cisterns (Southeast), and were well-received. Cooperative extension helped out with the hospitality presentation, an off-shoot from Brenda Sutton’s presentation at the annual conference, and each presentation was a little different, but also scored high with those at the workshop. Again, networking time was the weak link – everyone wanted more time just to talk and share information. What a problem!! The board wants to lengthen both our annual conference and the workshops next year to allow people to get to know each other and share experiences. We are a relatively new industry, and there is so much learning and sharing to take place in our enthusiasm and need to know!
Tourism Day at the Legislature The Agritourism Office hosted visitors to its exhibit at the Legislative Building on May 13, the opening day of the legislative session. Amie Newsome, Cooperative Extension Agent and ANA member from Johnston County, assisted at the booth and is a wonderful ‘spokeswoman’ for agritourism and ANA. She knows her agritourism and gave visitors to the booth a quick but thorough view into the unique ways agritourism farms help the rural economy and the farmers themselves. Many thanks to Amie for doing a great job!
Agribusiness Council Legislative Day The ANA joined the Agribusiness Council in May and joined other members at the Council’s Legislative Day on June 3. President Cathy Lewis, Vice President Craig Swindler and former SC District Director Norma Burns joined Executive Director Martha Glass for the briefing on agribusiness legislative issues including farmland preservation, the research station study by the Legislative Program Evaluation Division, and annexation issues which were presented by Council Executive Director Erica Peterson and staff member Allison Fowler.
Got to Be NC Festival The “Got to Be NC Festival” at the NC State Fairgrounds was indeed hot, but fun, starting Thursday afternoon, June 5 and ending Sunday evening, June 8. The Agritourism Office exhibit was in the Holshouser Building with other department divisions, quilting demonstrations, farm antiques and antique tractor equipment, some of which has been restored by Commissioner Troxler, were also on display. Luckily there was homemade ice cream nearby.
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