Posts for the CEFS Agrophile Blog.
Expanding our Impact in Western North Carolina
CEFS is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Dogwood Health Trust and expand our impact in Western North Carolina.
Honoring CORE and Community Food Strategies and Celebrating Their Next Chapters
As part of a federally mandated organizational transition, CORE and Community Food Strategies will move to a new home: Upstream Works Collaborative, where their work can continue to grow and evolve. This transition allows the initiatives to continue their work with focus and flexibility as they enter their next phase.
Expanding Farm to Senior Services in Western North Carolina
CEFS has received a $145,200 Dogwood Health Trust grant to expand Farm-to-Senior Services in Western North Carolina, improving local food access for older adults. The two-year project will strengthen community-based food systems and pilot local food purchasing efforts in McDowell, Burke, and Yancey counties, as well as the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
CEFS-Affiliated Faculty Receive National Recognition for Forages and Grasslands Work
In January 2026, Dr. Matt Poore & Johnny Rogers, leaders of Amazing Grazing, received the Medallion Award at the American Forage & Grassland Council (AFGC) Conference in Asheville, NC!
CEFS Events Associate
CEFS is hiring an Events Associate to provide technical day-to-day customer service and support of the operations of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in particular, providing event management support services to program staff.
2025 CEFS Apprentices
Congratulations to the Recent Graduates of Our Registered Agriculture Apprenticeships! We're celebrating the hard work and dedication of recent graduates from CEFS’ Registered Agricultural Apprenticeships and we are also welcoming new applicants for the 2026 growing season! CEFS apprenticeship graduates worked on farms for two seasons, helping sustainably grow food for their communities. [...]
WNC Strong Youth Service Corps Celebration
On November 8, 2025, we celebrated the amazing work and growth of our WNCStrong Youth Service Corps participants! We launched the WNCStrong Youth Service Corps to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene while preparing the next generation of leaders. High school students from Buncombe, Mitchell, and Yancey counties gained hands-on experience in [...]
Growing Up Local: How Strategic Systems Are Bringing Farm-Fresh Food to Preschools
Imagine a plate of vibrant, local fruits and vegetables served to a curious three-year-old. That’s the core of Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE), which connects children aged 0-5 with gardening, cooking, and fresh, local food. Research consistently shows these programs boost meal quality and encourage kids to try new foods—but there’s a [...]
Celebrating 2025 North Carolina Crunch
Farm to ECE Institute participants celebrating NC Crunch! The North Carolina Crunch promotes healthy eating and supports farm to school, farm to early care and education (ECE), and other local food initiatives throughout the state. Join us October 22, 2025 or anytime this month by crunching into a locally grown fruit or vegetable! Learn more [...]
EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems: Recovery After Hurricane Helene
EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), works to strengthen the local food system across 12 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The arrival of Hurricane Helene underscored the importance of this work. Severe disruptions to farms, local [...]