Sunshine Strawberry Farm     by Arlene Childers

   Coy Evans, more commonly known as “Buddy”, is a local Rutherford County farmer who has taken advantage of entrepreneurship education opportunities by attending the Sustainable Agriculture Class at Foothills Connect Business & Technology Center, and entrepreneurship classes at Isothermal Community College.  Buddy lost his job as a Facility Manager after the company he worked for outsourced his position.  Buddy now owns and operates Sunshine Strawberry Farm in Bostic, North Carolina, where he raises plasti-culture strawberries using drip irrigation on a raised-bed covered with plastic.  Buddy understands the importance of networking with peers.  He attends conferences and is a member of the NC Strawberry Association. While completing an apprenticeship with a neighboring farmer, Buddy learned how to use drip irrigation, and how to use row cover to protect the strawberries from deer, frost, and insect damage.  Attending classes at Isothermal Community College gave Buddy a sense of direction and helped him develop business skills and confidence.  The advice Buddy would like to share with others is, “You can do anything you want to if you are willing to work for it.”  Buddy’s future plans include growing strawberries in the off season, and expanding his farm to include other agriculture products for year-around crops.

Sherri’s School of Dance                   by Arlene Childers

Sherri McGimsey owns a Dance Studio in downtown Morganton.  Sherri has helped thousands of kids learn ballet, tap, and jazz skills, while building their self-confidence.  Sherri has always loved to dance and has a passion for working with kids.  She was working three part-time jobs when she opened her dance studio.   She was teaching Jazzercise to adults at a local health club when she thought, “If I can teach adults, then I can teach kids.”  Thirty-one years later, Sherri’s School of Dance continues to make a difference in the lives of kids. 

Sherri’s School of Dance hosts a two hour production show once a year.  All dance students participate in an opening and finale production number.  Each student also performs an individual ballet, tap, and jazz number.  Everyone in the community looks forward to the Sherri’s School of Dance production each year.

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Four Foot Farm by Arlene Childers

Community organizations are helping make farming a viable career option in Rutherford County.  Many people are learning how to become entrepreneurs through Sustainable Agriculture, Farmers Adopting Computer Technology (FACT), and REAL Entrepreneurship Classes.  Foothills Connect Business & Technology Center’s Farmers Fresh Market (www.farmersfreshmarket.org), where local farmers use the internet to sell their fresh produce to Charlotte restaurants, counts more than 100 farmers among its members.  Isothermal Community College offers entrepreneurship classes and seminars that help local entrepreneurs build strong businesses.

Four Foot Farm is the home of Paula Wilson and Jill Maner, who raise dairy goats and produce to sell through the Farmers Fresh Market.  Their farm motto is, “Sustainable Agriculture: Skills of the Past – Inspiring the Future.”  Jill and Paula both lost their jobs due to facility closings, so they decided to take their love of animals and sense of responsibility to care for the earth and turn it into a business.  Jill and Paula took advantage of entrepreneurship education opportunities including the Sustainable Agriculture Class at Foothills Connect Business & Technology Center, and the FACT and REAL Entrepreneurship Class at Isothermal Community College.  The REAL Entrepreneurship Class helped identify individual strengths and weaknesses, and it taught day-to-day business concepts.  “It is important to research thoroughly and make sure the business is realistic and feasible.”  Through the classes, Jill and Paula developed partnerships with other farmers to create the Southern Foothills Growers (SFG) Farmer’s Co-Op Group which has about 21 members.  The mission of the Southern Foothills Growers is to identify and expand the role of farmers/growers in our communities.  Jill and Paula plan to expand their produce market by introducing permanent irrigation and row covers.   Their advice for others is to take advantage of all educational opportunities and tap all resources.  “You do not have to have huge acreage, lots of money, or lots of equipment to be a successful grower, you only need desire and imagination.”  Jill and Paula are true inspirations to farmers everywhere.

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