Elisabeth and Nick Dezern of Randolph County were present at the state’s Small Farms Week celebration last week in Greensboro. (Courtesy photo)
ASHEBORO — A Randolph County farm has received special recognition from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
Millboro and Co. Farm is the recipient of the Small Farmer of the Year for the Western Region in North Carolina. The owners are Elisabeth and Nick Dezern.
“We were thrilled to nominate the Millboro and Co. Farm for this award,” said Sophie Farlow, local foods agent for the Randolph Cooperative Extension. “Their commitment to enhancing agricultural practices while maintaining sustainable operations is truly
inspiring. They embody the spirit of innovation and leadership that we aim to recognize with this award.”
Millboro and Co. Farm grows a variety of vegetables that customers can purchase online and pick up at one of four locations. Its location has a Franklinville address on Mack Lineberry Road.
“We are very humbled with the consideration of the Small Farmer of the Year,” Nick Dezern said. “Our small farm is nothing without the community, so thank you to our customers for supporting us.”
The regional award made Millboro and Co. Farm a finalist for the state’s Small Farmer of the Year. At last week’s banquet in Greensboro, the winner of that award was Darius McKoy of Sampson County.
The Dezerns felt honored nonetheless and expressed pride in taking part in the event.
“We shared the room with 500 people who, like us, believe in small farming in NC,” they wrote on a Facebook post. “Along this journey we’ve had the opportunity to meet commissioners, deans, past winners of the NC Small Farmer of the Year award, and so many other great people making an impact in the small farm community.”
There was a message from the Dezerns.
“Our kids — your kids — they deserve a future where food is not shipped across borders,” they wrote. “They deserve the freshest food, food grown in non-depleted soils, nutrient-dense food, food that is medicine.”
Previously, the Dezern family was presented the regional award during a ceremony at Randolph County Agricultural Center.
