Like many native North Carolinians I come from a farming family, but I've been away from it for a long time. I don't know what sort of information a person needs to help keep a farm profitable now a days.

This is a growing, learning place. I want the farmers in our Local area to have up to the minute access to the information that can make a difference in their lives. I want to know what that information is, so I can find a way to get it.

The links here are mostly North Carolina offerings. If you want some specific information let me know, by emailing me at pittsboro.com, or call at 919-542-5100. Leave a message on that machine, and I'll call or email you.

Chatham County Resources

• Farmers Market and Farmers Directory - This directory is to help consumers and businesses find local sources of fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, nuts, grains, mushrooms, dairy, meat, animal products, honey, poultry, eggs, crafts and value added products.

  If you have a farm and would like to be listed, contact the Chatham County Extension Center for a form. (542-8202)

North Carolina Resources

• North Carolina Department of Agriculture - NCDA Divisions, Market News (Daily commodity prices), News Releases, Executive Staff, North Carolina Board of Agriculture, Agriculture Overview and History, Table of Contents, and More.

  The NCDA has done a real good job with these links, and if you ever get a chance to tell them so, please do. The picture of Commissioner Graham kinda tickles me, (it looks like an old campaign button).

• NCDA - Agricultural Statistics Division - AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE - Latest Releases, Livestock, Poultry & Dairy, Crops, Crop, Weather, Press Releases, Cash Receipts, County, Estimates, Economic Statistics, N.C. Rank in U.S. Agriculture, Other Reports, and National & Other State Estimates.

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - North Carolina - Resource trends, River Basins, Programs, General Soils, Status of Detailed Soil Surveys, Administrative Structure.

• North Carolina Farm Bureau This looks like a good link for resources helping a farm know whats around to help in the state. Legislative issues are followed closely as are market conditions and projections. This could be useful.

Federal Resources

• USDA - This seems to be the front door for the USDA website. With links to News & Information, Mission, Opportunities, What's New, About USDA, and Search.

• Agricultural Marketing Service - Offers information about various commodity markets, with links for Dairy, Poultry, Livestock and Seed, and Transportation and Marketing.

• USDA Rural Development - This site offers a number of links to information about government programs, including access to local (in state) USDA officials.

• The National Agricultural Library (NAL) - part of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is one of four National Libraries in the United States. NAL is a major international source for agriculture and related information. This Web site provides access to NAL's many resources and a gateway to its associated institutions.

Farm Equipment

• AGCO Agricultural Equipment - About AGCO, Brands, News, Dealers.

• JOHN DEERE: Agricultural Equipment: - This is the big green homepage listing the current John Deere product line.

• Yesterday's Tractors - Pre-1975 New & Used Tractor Parts - This seems to be a place where you can order parts and tractor related materials for older machines.

• TRACTORS - If you ever wanted to know what it cost you to run a tractor this is the place to go.

  
  

Tractors for the Young at Heart

• Evers Toy Store - Farm Toys. John Deere. Ford and New Holland. Case IH. Farmall and McCormick Deering. Intl and Intl Harvester. JI Case. AGCO. Allis...and lots more.

Farm Publications

• Feedstuffs, The Weekly Newspaper for Agribusiness - An up to date journal of agricultural news.

• Farm Journal Today - Up-to-Date Feature Stories, Farm Journal, Top Producer, Hogs Today, Beef Today, Dairy Today, Back Issues, and More...

• Welcome to Almanac.com - The Farmer's almanac that is. Yes the classic publication we've come to depend on for ... being what it is.

• HomeFarm - for a regularly updated site with numerous items of interest to farmers. Ag events, new products, market info, weather, favorite links, meet the editors, and Hot Topics for today.

• @griculture Online -- www.agriculture.com - Another slick web publication offering information to farmers with an eye to how conditions worldwide can have a bearing on local market realities. A serious effort.

More Farm Resources

• Owenlea Farm Home Page - This is my favorite page so far. Mr. Owenlea is a dairy farmer who shows what it means to do it yourself, with practical information given in a down-to-earth way.

• Agricultural Information Sites - Ag Organizations and Businesses - Lots of links - happy hunting.

• Farmbid.com claims to be the future in farming. A well made site with potential.

• XSAG - Auctions - This is a new farm oriented auction site. They are advertising nationally, but it might be useful locally.