In the local area of Alamance County, there is a total of 98,000 acres of farmland, which holds about 831 individual run farms. These farms alter by season, but in general are full of corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apples, tomatoes, berries, tobacco, small grains, peanuts, and livestock. While farming has been a huge part of the everyday life of people in Alamance County, the type of farming has been changing over the past 9 years. The once dominate type of farming, tobacco farming, has gradually become smaller in the county due to increased competition, leaving the smaller tobacco growing farms out of business and far from making any profits from their tobacco crops. Due to the fact that agriculture is a huge part of the economic output in the county as well as employment, these changes in farming have affected both the economy and the agricultural based workers in the county. Because of the low costs of housing in the area for the past few years, many land conservation and regulation programs have been started to help keep farm land and agriculture stable while it recovers and adjusts to these new changes. In addition to conservation concerns at the moment, the county is currently focusing on making sure the infrastructure, such as roadways, water systems, and electricity, are being maintained in the farming area because these are all critical factors in the upkeep of the local farms. Farming was and always will be a huge part of the lifestyle in the Alamance County area.
Local farms
· Archie Miller’s Strawberries
Archie Miller’s Strawberries is located in Graham, North Carolina (2381 Lacy Holt Road, Graham, NC 27253). It is open during strawberry picking season in late April to early June on Mondays through Sundays from 7am to 7pm.
· Blessed Earth Farm
The Blessed Earth Farm is located in Graham, North Carolina (4164 Copeland Terrace, Graham, NC 27253). This farm supports sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Their products include pickle, jam, jelly, relish, and fruit butter.
· Boy Wood Farm
The Boy Wood Farm is located in Graham, North Carolina (2929 Boy Wood Road, Graham, NC 27253). This farm started off as a home garden, but then grew into a collaboration between Gary and Ellen Coble, and Matt and Katie Ballard. This farm produces vegetables, fruits, and herbs using sustainable farming practices. These practices include crop rotation, no synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and attracting beneficial insects for pollination.
· Buttermilk Creek Farm
The Buttermilk Creek Farm is a pick-yourself, family-owned farm located in Burlington, North Carolina (1905 Gwyn Road, Burlington, NC 27217). They sell blueberries, blackberries, and peaches.
· Byrd Farm
The Byrd Farm is located in Burlington, North Carolina (9773 NC Hwy 62 South, Burlington, NC 27217). For five generations, the farm has been family owned and operated. It produces fruits and vegetables of high quality by using sustainable farming practices. It is involved in a project called the CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) project where customers buy their food locally, eat well, and help protect the environment.
· Hickorywind Farms
The Hickorywind Farms are located in Mebane, North Carolina (3964 Cook Street, Mebane, NC 27302). They are opened Mondays through Saturdays from 8am to 7pm. Fruits and vegetables are grown organically at this farm.
· Iseley Farms
The Iseley Farms are located in Burlington, North Carolina (2960 Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, NC 21217). The Iseley family is a family farm that started in 1790 and is recognized as a Conservative Farm. Produce includes wheat, corn, oats, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, hay, and pastures for animals. They are opened at different times depending on the season.
· Quarter Creek Farm
The Quarter Creek Farm is located in Burlington, North Carolina (2629 Jacob’s Trail, Burlington, NC 27215). It is open weekdays from 4pm to 6pm and weekends from 10am to 7pm. Pumpkins, squash, and other vegetables are grown here.
· Riverside Farm
The Riverside Farm is located in Elon, North Carolina (1965 Broken Arrow Lane, Elon, NC 27244). The farm began in 1900 by an Irish family. The farm sells vegetables and meats.
· Stagg Creek Farms
Stagg Creek Farms are located in Mebane, North Carolina (6156 N. NC Highway 49, Mebane, NC 27302). This farm is family owned and operated practicing environmentally friendly farming without the use of pesticides. This farm sells vegetables/ livestock / small grains.
· Stas Farm
Stas Farm is located in Burlington, North Carolina (5122 NC Hwy 62 South, Burlington, NC 27215). It sells corn seasonally, usually beginning in mid-June. This farm sells its corn on the roadside, starting at 9am everyday.
