County farm named finalist for state award

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension named Nick and Elisabeth Dezern of Millboro and Co. Farm as the recipients of one of three Regional Small Farmer of the Year awards for 2026. Their award covers the western region of the state.

This esteemed recognition highlights the Dezerns’ outstanding work and commitment to agriculture. Located in the small community of Millboro but with a Franklinville address (2838 Mack Lineberry Rd.), Millboro & Co. grows a wide variety of vegetables that customers can purchase online and pick up at one of four locations. Millboro and Co. strives to connect people with local farm systems and, in the process, provide healthy produce. 

Nick and Elisabeth educate their customers about food production and the inefficiency of the food system, such as buying produce out of season and the environmental impact of trucking food long distances.

“We were thrilled to nominate the Millboro and Co. Farm for this award,” Local Foods Agent Sophie Farlow with Randolph Cooperative Extension said. “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.”

“We are very humbled with the consideration of the Small Farmer of the Year. Our small farm is nothing without the community, so thank you to our customers for supporting us,” said Nick Dezern on behalf of Millboro and Co. Farm.

The regional award ceremony was held on March 6 at the Randolph County Agricultural Center and was hosted by NC A&T, NC Cooperative Extension and Randolph County Cooperative Extension.

The Dezerns later attended the Small Farmer of the Year awards ceremony and dinner on March 24, where Eastern Region winner 12:03 AM Farm was named the 

Small Farmer of the Year for the state. It is run by Darius McKoy, an Air Force veteran who farms to help his PTSD.

The third regional winner was Anders Family Hydroponic Farm, representing the Urban Region.

For more on all three of these farms:

■ Eastern Region: 12:03 AM Farm, www.1203amfarm.com.

■ Urban Region: Anders Family Hydroponic Farm, andersfamilyfarms.com.

■ Western Region: Millboro and Co. Farm, www.millboro.co.

The Dezerns bought land with a 100-year-old hunting lodge on it, but had no plans to get into farming until COVID hit and limited their normal means of revenue.

What they came up with was a large hothouse on his Millboro & Co. site that allows growing crops year-round. That led to a plan to create his own CSA (community supported agriculture) operation. Under his CSA, customers receive a subscription box of farm shares. Every two weeks a family picks up their box containing seven to nine vegetables for two to four people. 

The Dezerns also have an online store at the web address above where anyone can place an order.