Spotlight on New Resources
Two new resources from NC Growing Together: Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC, and the Food Business Road Map.
NCGT Supply Chain Students Crunch the Numbers for Carolina Ground
When Jennifer Lapidus founded Carolina Ground in 2009 (as an initiative of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association), she had a vision. A former baker, she wanted to connect North Carolina's grain farmers, millers, and bakers - bringing together the grain supply chain to provide a consistent and sustainable market for southern-grown, organic grains.
Students: Apply Now for the 2018 NCGT Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship
Gain experience related to local food systems and supply chains while working with the organizations that are making food systems change happen in North Carolina!
NCGT Apprentices Have Real World Impact at Seal the Seasons
When Claire McLendon accepted NC Growing Together's summer Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship in 2016, she had no idea it would actually lead to a two-summer apprenticeship and then a full-time job.
Events for Local Government Officials Highlight Economic Development Potential of Local Food and Farm Businesses
In September, NCGT's Local Food Economies project and the NC 10% Campaign organized three Innovations in Economic Development through Local Foods gatherings to showcase investments that local and regional governments can make to support small and mid-scale food and farming businesses.
NCGT and Natural Capital Investment Fund Partner to Make On-Farm Cold Storage an Option for Small and Mid-Scale Farmers
NC Growing Together and the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) are working together to address a challenge for small and medium-scale farmers: lack of access to on-farm cold storage.
NC Growing Together Partners with Piedmont Triad Regional Council on GIS Update of NC Local Food Infrastructure Inventory
September 2017 -- NC Growing Together has partnered with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) to host a GIS update of the North Carolina Local Food Infrastructure Inventory. NC Growing Together originally established the Inventory in 2014 as a tool for food and farming businesses to understand the competitive landscape and find business partners. [...]
NCGT Support is Growing NC Small Business Centers’ “Agripreneurship” Programs at Community Colleges
September 2017 -- NC Growing Together support is increasing the capacity of North Carolina's Small Business Centers (SBCs) to advise clients on food- and farming-related businesses. NCGT scholarships brought nine Small Business Center directors and staff from across the state to the REAL Agriculture Entrepreneurship Training in Blowing Rock in June. North Carolina's Small Business Center Network works [...]
NCGT and CFSA Make Business Connections Happen at Grower-Buyer Meet-ups
September 2017 -- For the third year in a row, NC Growing Together and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) will be hosting a Grower-Buyer Meet-up at CFSA's annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference. The Meet-up provides a forum for growers and buyers to meet face-to-face in a "speed-networking" format to get to know each other and [...]
NCGT Apprentice Ben Herndon, Foster-Caviness
August 2017 -- Ben Herndon grew up on his family's farm in Parkton, NC, and worked there until he started college at NC State. He is now a rising junior, majoring in Poultry Science and minoring in Music. He came to the apprenticeship with substantial production experience in raising poultry, sheep, and cows, and also [...]