Some N.C. Farmers Dump Tobacco, Grow Grapes

Source from:  Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008 scnow.com By Brandon Taylor 01/25/2008

The tobacco industry that once thrived in North Carolina has been on a steady decline over the past few years. For many farmers in North Carolina, farming tobacco was their way of life. "We enjoyed raising and growing tobacco over the years and so many people in farm families did. Our challenge now is to do something else so we can continue to feed ourselves," said Roy Taylor, Owner of Lu Mil Vineyard. Taylor's family has owned farm land in Bladen County for more than ninety years. His parents Miller and Lucille bought the land in hopes that they would be able to support their family. "Well just 3 or 4 years ago we were growing tobacco here," said Taylor He is just one of many North Carolina farmers who are moving from tobacco to grapes. "The demise of the tobacco program and the transactions that are going on has brought a new way of life," said Taylor. And that new way of life meant transforming his more than 30 acres into a vineyard. "It's very complicated and it's very long and drawn out. It takes several thousand dollars. I think the extension folks say its better than 5,000 dollars just to establish one acre of vineyard," said Taylor "It's a new day now and tobacco has been under attack around the world and even right here in North Carolina where we depend on it so much," said Taylor. Enditem