Source  NCDA&CS, 5/26/09

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched a new Web site to provide information to pork and poultry farmers whose contracts with vertically integrated production companies 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, U.S. Department of Agriculture, N.C. State University, N.C. A&T State University and other state agencies, plus some non-profit organizations. The site also offers a list of steps that growers can take if they find themselves without a contract.

GAIN is accessible at www.ncagr.gov/gain.

“This recession has forced pork and poultry companies to cut back, and unfortunately that means North Carolina farmers have lost contracts to raise animals,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our goal with GAIN is to provide these growers with as much information as possible so that they can make good decisions about their next steps.”

Kim Decker, an NCDA&CS marketing specialist, said that even though the site is geared toward pork and poultry producers who contract with major companies, a lot of the information on it could be useful to farmers of other commodities who need assistance or are looking for new opportunities.

Growers with questions can contact Decker at (919) 733-7887.