Elma C. Lomax Farm Incubator
Amazing collabritive of farms/farmers in Concord. Dogwood happily uses several farmers associated with Lomax.
The Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm was originally developed by Cabarrus County and the NC Cooperative Extension – Cabarrus Center partnering together. The farm, off Atando Road in Concord, NC, works much like a business incubator. Individuals interested in starting a farm-based business can enroll in the program which provides classroom instruction on the business of farming in Cabarrus County as well as hands–on experience on the farm. Participants in the program develop and manage their own agriculture business while receiving guidance from staff and seasoned farmers.
The farm consists of 30.6 acres donated by Mrs. Elma C. Lomax. It is owned by the county and currently operated by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, with education and programing involvement by the NC Cooperative Extension – Cabarrus Center. It is a Certified Organic Operation. Transitional strategies follow a 3 to 5 year participation period at the farm and aim to help the new farms find land of their own.
The infrastructure and operational costs of the Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm are funded by a grant from North Carolina Department of Agriculture Agricultural Development Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF) as well as a grant from The Cannon Foundation and Cabarrus County including a fund established by the Cabarrus County Boards of Commissioners for the exclusive use of farmland preservation and agricultural development from the deferred taxes paid on farmland coming out of present use tax valuation.
The Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm supports local farming while encouraging a new generation of farmers to ensure quality local food sources flourish in Cabarrus County. To learn more, call NC Cooperative Extension – Cabarrus Center at 704–920–3310.
