Randolph County Still Nurtures Rich Agricultural Tradition
agriculture, beef cows, bobby allen, business, chicken farm, clyde phillips, culture, dairy farm, grantville, james river equipment,
Like most of the pastures and grain fields stitched across Randolph County’s agricultural quilt‚ Bobby Allen’s dairy farm is a family design.
“It’s all I know how to do‚ really‚” says Allen‚ a fourth-generation dairy farmer. “I’ve always enjoyed it.”
Like many modern farmers‚ Allen went beyond a hands-on education to earn his agricultural business management degree from North Carolina State University. But the classroom only reinforced his decision to return to the Grantville community farm where he grew up and where he now tends 130 dairy cows on 500 acres with his father.
“I’ve been outside so much of my life‚” says Allen‚ 30. “I don’t think I could stay shut up in an office.”
From his vantage point as president of the Randolph County Agribusiness Council‚ Allen sees a solid future ahead – but only if he and other farmers stay on top of industry changes and ahead of urban sprawl.
People often are surprised‚ Allen says‚ when he tells them Randolph County agriculture generated $245.6 million in 2005.
“When they see a few beef cows off the side of the road‚ or the dairy farm‚ or the chicken farm‚ or a few large hog farms‚ they surely don’t think they contribute to that kind of money‚” Allen says.
But it’s a fact that Randolph County‚ with more than 1‚500 farms‚ ranks first in the state in animal agriculture. It’s first in beef cows‚ second in milk cows and third in broilers‚ says Carolyn Langley‚ agricultural extension office director.
“Randolph County is still a very true agriculture county‚” she says‚ “even though Asheboro‚ the county seat‚ is growing.”
Agricultural product suppliers such as James River Equipment‚ Southern States Supply Co. and Tractor Supply Co. are keenly aware of farming’s economic benefits.
“Our business does continue to grow‚” says Frank Thompson‚ Southern States manager. “I think a lot of that is based on quality products and quality service.”
A farmer-owned cooperative in Asheboro‚ Southern States’ offerings include feed‚ seed‚ fertilizer‚ crop protectants and animal-health items. It also supports farmers with a variety of services‚ educational workshops and product information.
“Agriculture producers are very knowledgeable in their fields‚” Thompson says. “They have to stay abreast of new technologies to continue to compete.”
James River Equipment‚ formerly Piedmont Tractor‚ is growing so much that its owners decided to move the business in late 2006 to a 12-acre site on U.S. Highway 64 East in Asheboro.
Lifestyle or “hobby” farmers are one of the newest groups of customers checking out the company’s tractors‚ construction equipment‚ lawn mowers and supplies – as well as seeking advice and assistance in caring for their small plots‚ says Clyde Phillips‚ James River’s general manager.
“They want more elbow room‚” Phillips says. “They don’t want to be in a one-third-of-an-acre lot with neighbors looking in their windows.”
Such densely populated housing and commercial developments are crowding out farmers‚ Langley says.
“The farmer here is very threatened with urbanization and development‚ especially in certain parts of the county‚ such as the Archdale-Trinity area and the northern part closest to Greensboro‚” Langley says.
The county’s Voluntary Agricultural District program‚ which sets aside land for agricultural use‚ can help protect farmers and – among other things – avoid nuisance complaints from new landowners about the inevitable dust‚ noise and smells.
“That’s part of being in the country‚” Thompson says‚ “and living a rural life.”
The county’s farmers‚ whose average age is 56‚ often feel pressure to sell their land for development‚ and in some cases‚ feel there is no other choice when it comes to funding their retirements.
“What used to be way outside of town – since people now commute longer distances – is right next door‚” Allen says. “You have lots of subdivisions where‚ even when they’re in the country‚ they want everything they want in town.”
Story by Stacey Hartmann
Photo by Wes Aldridge
