Three hundred farmers, extension agents, researchers, chefs, marketers, and community members were interviewed and surveyed in 2010 to determine the organic research needs of the region. The unique climate and geography of the southern Appalachian region (compared to the rest of North Carolina) with varying elevation and temperatures, wet mornings that increase disease pressure, and sloping and river bottom soils, lead to both unique farming systems (very small diverse farms) and production challenges.