The Center for Environmental Farming Systems’ Blog
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.”
2020 Farm to ECE Learning Collaborative
On September 30, the NC Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) Initiative hosted the third learning session of the NC Farm to ECE Collaborative virtually. Typically, the final learning session of each [...]
Specialty Vegetables Spicing Up Local Markets, Restaurants
CEFS Co-Director Dr. Liang and Seasonal Technician Salina Brown at the Small Farm Unit harvested and donated produce during the pandemic. Have you tried bitter melon, fuzzy melon, or water spinach? These and [...]
Featured Publication: Focusing the Future of Farming on Agroecology
Dr. Alan J. Franzluebbers and Dr. Nancy Creamer recently contributed to a publication, "Focusing the Future of Farming on Agroecology" in Agricultural & Environmental Letters.
CEFS launches online Climate Change and Food System Innovation Hub
Media Contact: Janie Hynson Communications Manager janie_hynson@ncsu.edu [Raleigh, NC – September 25, 2020] — Today, on Global Day of Climate Action, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) launched an online Climate Change and [...]
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems Announces Recipients of 2020-2021 NC State Graduate Student Fellowships
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems Announces Recipients of 2020-2021 North Carolina State University Graduate Student Fellowships September 1, 2020: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Angel Cruz, Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager - aecruz@ncsu.edu [...]