Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 11/4/20


Greg Traywick has served as County Extension Director in Cleveland County since 1992. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Greg’s program areas include livestock, pesticide education, community development, and local foods. He particularly enjoys the interface between local foods and community development, believing that a robust local food system can function as a major contributor to the economy, health, and social fabric of the local community.

Cleveland County, located halfway between Charlotte and Asheville, is predominantly rural. Production agriculture remains the county’s biggest industry, contributing $140 million to the local economy each year. Farmers largely raise traditional commodities, including poultry, beef cattle, and row crops.  Many farmers are beginning to capitalize on the region’s growing demand for local foods. Acreage of high-value specialty crops like blackberries, strawberries, muscadines, malting barley and distillers grains are increasing. Increasingly, livestock producers are finishing animals on the farm for direct-to-consumer sales. The local foods landscape is also attracting new and beginning farmers, several of which are exploring organic production systems and value-added manufacturing opportunities. These trends challenge Greg and the Cleveland County Extension staff to tailor their programs and technical support to a diverse audience of growers.

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