The closing ceremony for the 39th annual Small Farms Week was hosted by Secret Garden Bees in the Linden community of northern Cumberland County. The annual celebration was held in Cumberland County in partnership with North Carolina A & T State University.

Small Farms Week was observed March 23 – 29, 2025 with the theme “Next Gen Farmers.”

Secret Bees Garden owner James Hartman was the 2024 Small Farmer of the Year. Hartman shared top honors with Patrick Brown of Warren County – the first time in history there was a tie for Small Farmer of the Year.

Events began with a tour of Secret Garden Bees and a ceremonial ribbon cutting of the farm’s newest honey processing facility. A luncheon was held afterward at the Cooperative Extension I. B. Julian Auditorium in Fayetteville. The U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus performed at the ceremony.

“Cumberland County is truly blessed with generations of farm-to-table knowledge, creating a place where both tradition and innovation can thrive,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere in a press release. “It’s especially encouraging to witness the success of businesses like Secret Garden Bees, where dedication, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to sustainability are shaping the future of agriculture. The achievements of family and veteran-owned businesses like Secret Garden Bees showcase our community’s commitment to supporting veterans and providing hands-on experience and training in agriculture.”

Hartman is a veteran who runs a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) producing premium raw honey. Hartman turned his land into a beekeeping operation as a way to manage post-traumatic stress syndrome. Hartman served 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal officer, including two tours of duty in Iraq.

Hartman and his wife Christi bought 23 acres in Cumberland County in 2014 to move away from suburban living and back to their country roots. They started with three hives and now, Secret Garden Bees includes more than 30 hives and sells raw honey to retailers, wholesalers and people who enjoy all-natural raw honey. Customers include 60 Fresh Market stores in 12 states with plans to expand to another 70 stores this summer.

As one of approximately 9,000 veteran farmers in North Carolina, Hartman took advantage of the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, which gives surplus equipment to veterans before going to auction.

Hartman has partnered with the Soldiers to Agriculture program through Cumberland County Cooperative Extension. Soldiers to Agriculture helps soldiers transition to agriculture after leaving the military. Hartman has also partnered with the Veterans Farm of North Carolina, which helps veterans become self-sufficient farmers. Both programs send veterans to Secret Garden Bees to learn farming and farm business practices.

For more information about Cumberland County Cooperative Extension go to cumberland.ces.ncsu.edu.

For more information about North Carolina A&T Small Farms Week, go to www.ncat.edu/caes/cooperative-extension.