Date: Monday, December 19, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm
Speaker: Jose Cisneros, PhD Introduction Seminar
Title: Ethnic Horticultural Crops: Motivations and Barriers for Farmers to Diversify
Host: Dr. Craig Yencho

Location (Hybrid): 121 Kilgore Hall
Zoom: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/96560757835?pwd=MUpxRjFTYjU3SnR0RkZvTDJWSFVUUT09
Meeting ID: 965 6075 7835
Passcode: 486851

 Seminar_Jose Cisneros_12.19.22.pdf

Abstract:
The rapid change in the demographic fabric of North Carolina (NC), especially in terms of immigrant community growth, might bring business opportunities to the state’s small farmers. Eight percent of NC residents are immigrants and an additional 7% have at least one immigrant parent. This may represent a substantial food market opportunity given that the consumption of traditional food is an important part of the culture and identity of ethnic and immigrant communities. There is also an opportunity to expand the market to the local population. Increased travel abroad as well as daily interactions through social and workspaces between the immigrant/ethnic populations and hosting communities are increasing locals’ desire to try new foods. Farmers, particularly small and midsize farmers, are looking for alternative crops to increase profitability. Potentially highly profitable production are specialty crops, defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (USDA, 2004), and more specifically, specialty niche crops that target a specific section of the market, such as the ethnic market. Responding to such a demand requires gathering information on the state of the supply side, in terms of the motivations, obstacles, and opportunities farmers currently growing ethnic crops experience. Filling this knowledge gap can inform outreach efforts supporting farmers cultivating or seeking to cultivate ethnic crops in NC.