The purpose of this area of the NCACC website is to share county best practices. Examples are highlighted within each tab below and include video interviews as well as full descriptions of the projects. If your county has a best practice to share, please contact communications@ncacc.org. We thank NCACC Intern Dominique Walker for kicking off this effort during summer 2017.
Tri-Hishtil is a global partnership between American, Italian, and Israeli companies that specializes in using advanced technology to grow disease-resistant plants. Tri-Hishtil uses plant-grafting, the science of connecting the vascular tissue of one plant to another. This international partnership includes Israeli-based company Hishtil, US-based TriEst, and Italian-based SIS/Centro SEIA. Each company specializes in either soil management and fumigation or plant-grafting. Agribusiness Henderson County, a public and privately funded non-profit organization, helped secure a site for the company in Mills River, North Carolina on Highway 191. This venture is projected to create 125 jobs. Mark Williams, Executive Director of Agribusiness Henderson County, provided insights into the project. For more information, go to www.trihishtil.com.
The Buy Haywood Market Development Project is a grant-funded non-profit organization that supports agricultural vitality in Haywood County. The initiative was founded in 2007 by the Haywood County Economic Development Commission (EDC), which is funded by the Haywood County government and is located in Waynesville, North Carolina. Buy Haywood supports Haywood County farmlands and farmers through various outreach projects and promotes locally grown products. As a community-based organization, Buy Haywood receives support from community partners and collaborations such as the Bethel Rural Community Organization, Golden LEAF, Healthy Haywood, the WNC Food Policy Council, Haywood County Cooperative Extension, and many other local and regional stakeholders. Tina Masciarelli, Buy Haywood Project Coordinator, provided insights on the initiative. For more information, go to www.buyhaywood.com.
Good Hope Farm is a collaborative partnership between the Town of Cary in Wake County and four non-profit organizations: the NC Community Development Initiative, the Conservation Fund, Piedmont Conservation Council, Inc., and the Conservation Trust. The twenty-nine acre farm is located in Cary, North Carolina. This initiative supports and honors Cary’s agricultural heritage by licensing up to two acres of land to farmers, which includes readily available equipment and infrastructure on site, while increasing the community’s access to farmland and local food. Currently, Good Hope Farm hosts five farmers and provides educational opportunities for the community. Erin Crouse, Program Manager for the farm project, provided insights on the effort. For more information, go to goodhopefarm.org.
As an employee-owned business, Opportunity Threads allows employees to become worker-owners in the company over a period of time. The Burke County Commissioners helped the enterprise land a start-up grant as well as locate an operating facility. There are more than 100 employee-owned businesses in North Carolina, and these companies account for approximately 12 percent of the private sector workforce across the country.
For more information on worker-owned businesses, click here to watch an interview with Patrick McHugh, who is an economic analyst for the NC Budget and Tax Center.
The Scotland Industrial Park is located in Laurinburg, North Carolina, just off of U.S. Highway 401. This 150 acre industrial site is modeled after Bladen County’s Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc., a nonprofit revolving loan and real estate program. Director Mark Ward of the Scotland County Economic Development Corporation provided insight on the Industrial Park. For more information, go to https://youtu.be/61BCuQzt-pc.
The Albemarle Sound Recreational Initiative is an ongoing project spearheaded by Bertie County Commissioners and the County’s Economic Development department. In 2015, this 137 acres of waterfront property was acquired by Bertie County Commissioners for the cost of $1.2 million. The property is located off U.S. Highway 17. The purpose of purchasing this beautiful property was to provide Bertie County residents, specifically children, access to public water for recreational use and an opportunity to enjoy the natural wildlife that is within their own backyard. As part of their “adventure tourism” effort, the Board of Commissioners seeks to develop a heritage tourism and Lost Colony visitor education center, restroom and picnic facilities, and an outdoor entertainment stage.
The Hive House is a nonprofit organization located in Lewiston, North Carolina. The Hive House was established out of a growing need to provide opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds in Bertie County the possibility to acquire the keys to success. Vivian Saunders, a life-long resident of Bertie County, is the founder of the Hive House. Ms. Saunders currently represents families on the following boards: The Bertie County YMCA Board, Bertie County Economic Development Board, Bertie County African American Caucus, the Z. Smith Reynolds Advisory Panel, and the Mid-East Housing Authority, which represents seven counties. She also is a national speaker representing at-risk African-American males.
Originally known as the Hive Alternative School, the Hive House was reinstated as a community resource center in 2009 after losing significant state funding. With the help of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, the Hive House was able to acquire about $149,000 from the Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust and $20,000 from the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation for renovations of the House. Today, the Hive House serves as an oasis within one of the state’s poorest counties. It provides after-school programs, access to Wi-Fi through a technology and education center, a food pantry, a community garden, mentorship and tutoring, but most importantly, a place to learn and cultivate one’s skills and capabilities. Ms. Saunders provided more detail on the project below. For more information, go to www.thehivehouse.org.
Working Landscapes is a nonprofit organization that focuses on innovative practices to sustain and revitalize the local food/agricultural economy in Warren County. Working Landscapes is located in Warrenton, North Carolina and was founded by Drs. Carla Norwood and Gabriel Cumming in 2010. In an effort to promote a healthy economy and citizenry, the organization aims to connect local farmers to consumers through initiatives such as the Working Landscapes Food Hub. Through this approach, Working Landscapes has been influential in revitalization efforts of downtown Warrenton by transforming underutilized buildings into investment opportunities that add sustainable value to the community. Working Landscapes assists local farmers to achieve Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, supports local farmers, delivers fresh, local produce to several school districts within the county and around the state, employs local residents, and educates students about agricultural awareness by establishing community gardens at Warren and Halifax County Schools. For more information, go to workinglandscapesnc.org.