Farms: Ryan Wiebe, NC A&T State University 2014 Small Farmer of The Year
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Yancey County grower is 2014 N.C. Small Farmer of the Year Greensboro -- In a state where the average age of a farmer is 57, the new face of farming in North Carolina belongs to a 34-year-old grower from Yancey County with a passion for agriculture; 6 acres of USDA organically certified vegetables, and an earlier career as a model. Ryan Wiebe (We Be) was named the 2014 North Carolina Small Farmer of the Year by The Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University during ceremonies Wednesday on the campus. Wiebe's recognition was of special note given the theme of this year's Small Farms Week celebration: "Innovations for the Next Generation." The 6-acre Wiebe Farmin' began in 2004 with assistance from Yancey County Cooperative Extension and A&T's Extension program. Known for its organic vegetables, quality packaging and clean operation, Wiebe Farmin' ships 3-to-5 tons of produce weekly during its peak growing season and about 20 tons, annually. The operation has expanded from a quarter-acre garden yielding produce sold to individual customers at tailgate markets to an agribusiness that cultivates a wholesale market of grocers, restaurants and other food suppliers. "I'd like to thank A&T for starting me off in farming 10 years ago and I'm continuing today," Wiebe said to a packed campus audience. "I owe a lot to Yancey County Extension and (retired agricultural technician) Claude Deyton. He really saw something in me that I didn't know even existed." In addition to his successful organic operation, Wiebe was noted for his willingness to help other farmers, and his innovative use of plasticulture, which involves growing vegetables on black plastic and drip irrigation. N.C. A&T officials presented Wiebe with a plaque, monogrammed jacket and $1,500 gift. Small Farms Week recognizes the small-scale producers in North Carolina who generate $350,000 or less, annually, in agricultural gross sales.
Comments
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lots of love from India also.
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I'm jealous of this man, how it works to make a success.
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Good luck bro......well done.....
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Shave this man and you have eminem
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ryan good luck . lots of love and respect from Afghanistan.
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amazing life
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Ryan Wiebe I hope you use "keyline design" for water management. Keyline will hold water on your hillsides and then you can use gravity to feed lower ponds.
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That tractor would plow better with out that loader
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Hey Ryan, great work! I was wondering if in your next movie you could show the processes in more detail; for example, how is the plastic laid out at the same time you are driving the tractor, or how you set your irrigation system, seedling, transference from green house to field, etc. I am Brazilian, and out here, though we have a lot of land available, our farming methods are very archaic and there is still a lot of waste. Not only that but i've never seen any farm that even gets close close to the degree of organization, cleanliness, or beauty of your system. Thank you, and I wish you luck on the upcoming harvesting season.
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20 tons from 6 acres how is that even possible
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How much did you grow? What are the prices? per head? or per case? what were the expenses? total revenue?
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I am curious what type of plastic is being used that would be certified organic. Mind sharing?
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This Man is A legend
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great job ryan! this is ava from mountain air country club loved the farm bye and see u soon!