Iredell County is a cornerstone of North Carolina agriculture. As the largest dairy producer in the state, the county’s landscape is rapidly evolving but with extensive land use for field crop production and a growing consumer demand for farm-to-table products, small-scale farmers often face a shortage of available market space. In an effort to accommodate the growing population, Iredell County has been converting land and the Extension office is working on finding ways to connect with the new population.

Stepping in to bridge this gap are Melinda Roberts, Agriculture/Horticulture Agent and Andrea Sherrill, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, serving the Iredell County Cooperative Extension Center. Together, they are working to ensure local food remains a vital part of the community’s health and economy.

Melinda’s work spans commercial and consumer horticulture including local foods, small farms, commercial pesticide education, green industry (landscapers, nurseries, and greenhouse), homeowners and Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGV). She enjoys helping small beginning diversified farmers establish their niche, and working with the green industry on research-based landscape management practices and proper pesticide use. Additionally, leading the EMGV program who make outstanding impacts through consumer education centered around food security and sustainable landscape practices is a rewarding part of her work.

Complimenting this, Andrea engages with consumers, community partners, and local food advocates to strengthen access to fresh, locally produced foods while supporting agriculture and healthy communities across the county. She develops and delivers educational programming related to local food systems, nutrition, food preservation, and community partnerships, while also collaborating with farmers markets, nonprofits, and agricultural producers to expand awareness and utilization of local foods.

Iredell County includes a mix of traditional row crop agriculture, livestock operations, specialty crop producers, small diversified farms, and direct-market growers. They’ve also seen an increased interest in farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSAs), agritourism, and value-added food products. The county currently supports several markets including the Rotary Farmers Market, The Evening Farmers Market, and The Harmony Farmers Market, while also working to open a county-run market slated to open in the summer 2027. Melinda, Andrea, and the Iredell County Extension Center are working as a coordinator to support local food access for all community members across the multiple markets and organizations.

To maintain market integrity and support local vendors, Melinda provides farm inspections to ensure “grower-only” standards, guaranteeing that customers have access to local products. She provides annual education on maximizing customer base and NCDA inspection opportunities for vendor’s legal for trade scales. Additionally, she is working with county officials to plan and implement a biannual Urban Farm School, originally developed by Celine Richard of Forsyth County, that will be tailored to fit the needs of community members and train backyard growers and potential vendors in the skills needed to run a successful small farm.

Together, Andrea and Melinda are working towards increased food access, security, and literacy by establishing the acceptance of SNAP, offering the Donation Station program, and providing Ask A Master Gardener expertise at the markets. Andrea launched the Donation Station in 2025 at the Rotary Farmers Market and with the help of volunteers and valued customer support, over 350 pounds of produce were donated to Yokefellow Helping Ministry. Andrea incorporated some of the produce collected to offer taste tests and recipe demonstrations at the pantry, allowing clients to sample affordable recipes before making meals at home. Clients not only received fresh, locally grown foods, but also had the opportunity to learn how to use unfamiliar produce in practical, appealing ways. Andrea will be hosting the Donation Station again in 2026.

Building on this momentum, Melinda and her EMGVs are developing a pilot mixed-use community garden at the Yokefellow Helping Ministry. To gauge interest and engagement of the population being served, the “Yokefellow Grow Bucket” program, influenced by “The Bucket Brigade”, allowed community members to take home 5-gallon buckets with soil and plants to teach them how to grow nutritious food in a limited space. Following the success of that initiative, the team is securing funding and permits for irrigation and storage, with garden beds expected to be ready for the fall 2026 season.

It is clear that the future of local foods in Iredell County is strong. When asked their perspectives, Melinda and Andrea said it is being shaped by a mix of technology, education, and shifting consumer demands. While online marketing and new agricultural technologies offer increased opportunities, farmers are simultaneously navigating a challenging climate of unpredictable weather and rising expenses. They highlighted the balance between adequate resources for outreach and direct technical assistance for providers, to help farmers not only survive but thrive. Bridging the gap between the research and the daily realities in the field is how Melinda, Andrea, and the Iredell County team are committed to building a sustainable food-secure future for their residents.