Partners
Over the years, Rooted in NC has partnered with agricultural organizations, Cooperative Extension offices, Farm Bureau chapters, Small Business Centers, commodity groups, veteran-focused programs, educational institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations to provide workshops, speaking engagements, business development support, and marketing education.
Whether I’m teaching a seminar, speaking at a conference, facilitating a workshop, or connecting business owners with resources, my goal is always the same: help people grow stronger businesses and build meaningful connections.
Trusted By Organizations Across the Carolinas
What Partners Are Saying
Nothing means more than hearing how a workshop, presentation, or consultation made an impact.
Trusted Resources & Partners
Many business owners have questions about funding opportunities, grants, loans, and business resources available to help them grow.
As part of my commitment to connecting businesses with trusted experts, this section highlights valuable educational resources from organizations and partners I frequently collaborate with.
Roxanne Reed
Access to Capital & Funding Opportunities for Agricultural and Rural Businesses
As a fellow military spouse and longtime advocate for small businesses, Roxanne is passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate the often-overwhelming world of funding opportunities. Through years of working together, I’ve seen firsthand how she helps business owners better understand available resources, identify funding opportunities, and develop strategies for sustainable growth.
Her featured video is a great starting point for anyone looking to explore grants, loans, business resources, and funding options available to agricultural and rural businesses.
roxanne@granitetraining.com
Mitzi Kincaid
Mitzi Kincaid is a trusted attorney whom I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for more than five years through Farm School on Wheels. She has extensive experience working with rural businesses, farms, ranches, and agricultural entrepreneurs throughout North Carolina.
Whether you’re exploring agritourism, business formation, liability considerations, contracts, or other legal matters, Mitzi understands the unique needs of agricultural operations and rural business owners.
Orlando Boquin
A great website is more than an online brochure—it’s often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Orlando through Orbodigital creates professional, user-friendly websites and provides ongoing maintenance to keep them secure, updated, and running smoothly.
He also helps small businesses use AI chatbots, intelligent agents, and automations to respond to their customers faster, capture more leads, and spend less time on repetitive work.
Over the past five years, Orlando and I have partnered together to support farms, agricultural businesses, and small business owners throughout the Carolinas. He brings practical technology and a personal approach together, making it easier for business owners to improve their customer experience, work more efficiently, and grow.
Just Ink & Thread
If you’re looking for custom shirts, hats, promotional items, or branded merchandise, I recommend connecting with Just Ink & Thread.
This veteran-owned husband-and-wife team has created custom apparel and swag for Rooted in NC, and I’ve always been impressed with their quality, creativity, and customer service.
Custom merchandise can help strengthen your brand, promote your business at events, and even generate additional revenue through branded apparel sales.
Our Farms
Rooted in NC is proud to recommend Our Farms, a farmer-owned online marketplace connecting consumers directly with farm-raised products from independent farms and ranches across the United States. Their mission is simple: create a stronger connection between farmers and consumers while helping producers reach new customers and grow their businesses.
For farms looking to expand beyond local sales, farmers markets, or roadside stands, Our Farms provides an opportunity to reach customers nationwide through a platform designed specifically for farmer-owned brands. If you’re exploring new ways to diversify revenue, increase market access, or grow your direct-to-consumer sales, Our Farms is a resource worth exploring.
A Note from Rooted in NC
The resources shared throughout this website are intended to help connect farms, ranches, and rural business owners with organizations, businesses, and professionals that may support their goals. Every farm is unique, and what works well for one operation may not be the best fit for another.
I encourage you to do your own research, ask questions, gather multiple quotes when appropriate, and choose the providers and resources that best align with your needs, budget, and long-term vision.
My goal is simply to save you time by sharing resources that I have come across throughout my work in agriculture and rural business development. Ultimately, you should select the businesses, organizations, and professionals that you feel are the best fit for your operation.
Business Resources for Your Agribusiness
Many business owners have questions about funding opportunities, grants, loans, and business resources available to help them grow.
As part of my commitment to connecting businesses with trusted experts, this section highlights valuable educational resources from organizations and partners I frequently collaborate with.
Agritourism Insurance Resources
One of the most common questions I receive from farms exploring agritourism. While Rooted in NC is not an insurance provider and cannot recommend or endorse a specific company, I strongly encourage every farm to speak with an insurance professional who understands agriculture, direct-to-consumer sales, and agritourism operations.
Many traditional farm policies do not automatically cover agritourism activities, such as farm tours, u-pick operations, farm stores, petting zoos, educational events, weddings, festivals, on-farm markets, or other visitor experiences. Before welcoming guests to your property, it is important to review your current coverage and discuss your plans with a qualified insurance agent.
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent
- Does my current farm policy cover visitors on my property?
- Am I covered for farm tours, classes, workshops, or events?
- Does my policy include product liability coverage?
- Are farm stores, farmers market sales, or online sales covered?
- Do I need additional coverage for agritourism activities?
- What safety measures or signage are required by my policy?
- Are waivers recommended or required?
Insurance Providers Frequently Used by North Carolina Farms
- North Carolina Farm Bureau
- Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance
- Granite Insurance Agency
- Leavitt Risk Services (Agribusiness Insurance)
- Colonial Insurance Services (Farm Insurance)
- Triangle Insurance & Associates (Agribusiness Insurance)
- First Pioneer Insurance Agency
- Powell's Insurance (Agritainment Insurance)
Small Business Center Network
Rooted in NC proudly partners with Small Business Centers across North Carolina to provide educational workshops, seminars, and one-on-one technical assistance for entrepreneurs, farms, ranches, and small businesses. Technical assistance simply means personalized business support at no cost to you — guidance on marketing, business planning, social media, branding, customer attraction, business growth strategies, and more.
I encourage you to connect with your local Small Business Center to learn about upcoming FREE workshops, seminars, networking opportunities, and one-on-one business counseling available in your area.
NC Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Program
Did you know that North Carolina Farm Bureau offers a Women’s Leadership Program designed to connect, educate, and empower women in agriculture? As a member of my local Women’s Leadership Committee, I can personally say this program has provided incredible networking opportunities, leadership development, educational experiences, and lifelong friendships with women across the agricultural industry.
If you’re a woman involved in agriculture, agribusiness, or simply passionate about supporting North Carolina agriculture, I highly encourage you to get involved. Best of all, participation is included with your NC Farm Bureau membership.
Agromedicine Institute & NC Farm Stress Network
Farming can be rewarding, but it can also be stressful. The NC Agromedicine Institute and NC Farm Stress Network provide valuable resources, support programs, educational opportunities, and funding assistance designed specifically for farmers, ranchers, farm families, and agricultural workers.
From mental health resources and wellness programs to grants and agricultural support services, these organizations are dedicated to helping strengthen North Carolina’s agricultural community. Remember, asking for support is a sign of strength, and there are resources available to help.
NC Cooperative Extension
One of the first resources I recommend to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural business owners is their local NC Cooperative Extension office. Extension agents provide valuable education, research-based information, workshops, agricultural programs, and connections to local resources that can help support your operation.
Whether you’re just getting started or have been farming for years, your local Extension office can be a valuable partner in your agricultural journey.
Need a Farm Number?
If you’re farming, raising livestock, growing specialty crops, or considering agritourism, obtaining a USDA Farm Number is one of the most important steps you can take for your operation. A Farm Number may help provide access to USDA programs, grants, cost-share opportunities, disaster assistance programs, conservation programs, and other agricultural resources designed to support farmers and landowners.
The process is often simpler than many people realize, and your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office can help guide you through the process.
NRCS & Soil and Water Conservation Districts
If you’re a farmer, rancher, or landowner, two resources you should know about are the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and your local Soil and Water Conservation District. These organizations help connect producers with conservation programs, technical assistance, educational resources, and potential cost-share opportunities that can support your operation.
Whether you’re interested in fencing, livestock watering systems, pollinator habitat, high tunnels, erosion control, pasture improvements, forestry practices, or other conservation projects, they may have programs available to help. I’ve seen firsthand how these resources can make a significant impact for farms and ranches across North Carolina, and I encourage every landowner to connect with their local office to learn what’s available.
Agritourism Liability Signs
Welcoming visitors to your farm? I recommend purchasing North Carolina’s agritourism liability signs as part of your overall agritourism readiness plan. You do not need to be a member of any organization to purchase these signs. For best visibility, I recommend placing one sign at your farm entrance and another near the area where the agritourism activity or event takes place.
While these signs are not a substitute for insurance or legal advice, they are an important step in helping inform visitors and support your operation.Welcoming visitors to your farm? I recommend purchasing North Carolina’s agritourism liability signs as part of your overall agritourism readiness plan. You do not need to be a member of any organization to purchase these signs. For best visibility, I recommend placing one sign at your farm entrance and another near the area where the agritourism activity or event takes place.
While these signs are not a substitute for insurance or legal advice, they are an important step in helping inform visitors and support your operation.
Business Resources for Your Agribusiness
Many business owners have questions about funding opportunities, grants, loans, and business resources available to help them grow.
As part of my commitment to connecting businesses with trusted experts, this section highlights valuable educational resources from organizations and partners I frequently collaborate with.
Free Downloads & Resources
This resource library is designed to help farms, ranches, agritourism destinations, agricultural businesses, and rural entrepreneurs take action with confidence. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your marketing, you’ll find worksheets, guides, checklists, and resources created from real-world experience working with businesses across the Carolinas. Best of all, many of these resources are completely free.This resource library is designed to help farms, ranches, agritourism destinations, agricultural businesses, and rural entrepreneurs take action with confidence. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your marketing, you’ll find worksheets, guides, checklists, and resources created from real-world experience working with businesses across the Carolinas. Best of all, many of these resources are completely free.