The Center for Environmental Farming Systems’ Blog
Increasing Meat Production and Capacity Grant Program
In 2020, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services & NC Choices mobilized to address meat supply chain bottlenecks by providing funding and technical assistance to processors.
Summertime at the Small Farm Unit
The Small Farm Unit completed the summer season of vegetable direct seeding and transplanting to the certified organic plot. Spring crops are still growing strong in the upper field. The summer crops are exceeding the production expectation. There will be two plots for organic flowers and one plot for organic vegetables in the fall.
ASPIRE 2021 Field Trips: Exploring Agricultural Research in the Lab, on the Field, and through the Local Food Supply Chain
Field trips are part of the many educational activities designed for the ASPIRE interns. The students are integrating their research-focused internships with these unique learning opportunities that will provide them with a holistic understanding of what agricultural research means in the lab, on the field, and through the local food supply chain.
Building the Next Generation of Local Food and Agricultural Leaders: Native American Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Apprenticeship
The NCWorks Commission recently featured the Native American Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Apprenticeship as part of their Spotlight on Local Workforce Innovations series showcasing local innovations in collaborative, employer-led workforce development partnerships across the state.
RISE Interns Support NC Producers, Food Hubs, and Fisheries during COVID-19
Developed by the North Carolina Local Food Council (NCLFC), the Remote Internship to Support Enterprises (RISE) for Local Foods was developed to address challenges to food systems resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems Announces 2021 Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) Interns
Thirteen undergraduate students from across the country have been selected for the 2021 Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) Internship Program.
Springtime at the Small Farm Unit
The Small Farm Unit completed the spring season of vegetable direct seeding and transplanting to the certified organic plot, is growing summer vegetable transplants in the greenhouse, and preparing for fall production as well.
NC Fresh Produce Purchasing and Prep Guides – Tools for Childcare Providers
We know that caregivers want to offer more fresh vegetables and fruits when it is feasible. We also know how challenging it can be to calculate how many pounds of vegetables or fruits to purchase for children in day care settings. It can also be difficult to know how much to serve participants of different age groups.
Featured Publication – A Collaborative Approach to COVID-19 Response: The Center for Environmental Farming Systems Community-based Food System Initiatives
Many CEFS staff and faculty collaborated on a recent publication in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development: “A collaborative approach to COVID-19 response: The Center for Environmental Farming Systems community-based food system initiatives."
Creating new pathways to bring local foods from farmers to older adults across North Carolina
The Farm to Senior Services project will create and connect three county-based teams including Extension agents, food councils, farmers, intermediary food businesses (e.g. food hubs or aggregators), and senior meal service institutional buyers. The project team aims to improve institutional procurement policy, address procurement challenges of county-based institutions, provide resources and technical assistance for farmers, and support increased availability of local foods for older adults in North Carolina.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program
The Small Farm Unit at the NCDA&CS Cherry Research Farm is collaborating with East Carolina University (ECU) to establish a vegetable-based clinic program in collaboration with Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, NC.
New Resource: Serving Local Foods in NC Child Care Centers – Guidance on Food Preparation and Gardening
In collaboration with the Children’s Environmental Health Branch in the Division of Public Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services, the NC Farm to Preschool Network has released “Serving Local Foods in North Carolina Child Care Centers – Guidance on Food Preparation and Gardening.”