The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched a new Web site aimed at pork and poultry producers whose contracts with integrators have been cut or terminated because of economic conditions.
The Growers Assistance Information Network, or GAIN, contains listings of information and resources that could assist growers with financial planning, alternative markets and other topics relevant to their situation. The site includes contact information for resources at the NCDA&CS, USDA, N.C. State University, N.C. A&T State University and other state agencies, plus some non-profits. There’s also a list of steps that growers can take if they find themselves without a contract.
Kim Decker is the NCDA&CS marketing specialist who helped set up GAIN. He said that even though the site is geared toward pork and poultry producers who contract with major companies, quite a bit of the information on it could be useful to farmers of other commodities who are looking for new opportunities.
The site is accessible at www.ncagr.gov/gain, and is also listed under the “Programs” and “Services” sections of ncagr.gov. Growers with questions can contact Decker by e-mail or at (919) 733-7887.