(RALEIGH) -- Future farmers in five North Carolina counties are being provided with plots of land they can use to develop their skills. The average age of the American farmer is now 57, so state agriculture officials are establishing incubator gardens to attract young people to farming.

Joanna Lelekacs with North Carolina State University in Raleigh says it's just one of the ways they're supporting young farmers. "We are making support for beginning farmers, an integral part of our ten percent campaign, which is an initiative that invites consumers and businesses to commit ten percent of their food dollars to local food," she said.

The incubators will be located in Moore, Wayne, Onslow, Guilford and New Hanover counties. They'll be modeled after similar projects in Orange and Cabarrus counties.