Soil microbial communities are fundamental to nutrient cycling and overall soil health, yet their long-term responses to varying agricultural inputs and management systems remain a complex area of study. A recent article, published in June 2025 in Pedosphere, delved into these dynamics by examining soil microbial activity, diversity, composition, and predicted functionality across a 24-year experimental period at CEFS Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility located at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, NC.

Study authors, including CEFS-affiliated faculty member Dr. Arnab Bhowmik, collected soil from two depths (0-10 cm and 10-20 cm) across six distinct long-term plots.

Findings highlight that microbial shifts were not limited to surface soils but extended into the 10–20 cm layer, emphasizing the deeper influence of sustained management practices. Such insights underscore the critical importance of adopting sustainable agricultural management for fostering long-term ecological benefits and highlight the need for continued research into the intricate interactions between agricultural practices, soil microbiology, and ecosystem functions.

Read the article to learn more.

[Mills River, Jan. 21, 2025] – In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the mountain region, organizations across NC are rallying to support their farmers and rebuild resilient food systems.

Laura Lauffer, EMFS Project Director (middle), stands with grantees Meadow Cove Farm after their pickup of grant supplies which included wooden posts, metal T posts, and mesh fencing to rebuild their goat enclosure which sustained damage during the storm.

In response to the devastation of the WNC region, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), awarded $100,000 of its small business grant funds to assist farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. This award cycle was launched earlier than planned due to the hurricane and will provide crucial support to local farms struggling to recover from the catastrophic storm. This funding is part of the larger pool of funds (over 400k) planned for regional supply chain support over the next three years.

So far, the EMFS Hurricane Helene Recovery Grant has distributed 35 award letters to farmers from 10 different WNC counties, for a total of $81,085.98 worth of necessary agricultural supplies. This grant serves as a beacon of hope for the affected communities, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, collaboration can lead to remarkable recovery and a brighter future for all. EMFS will have a second round of farmer mini-grants later in the spring.

With the naturally steep terrain of the Appalachian mountains, many WNC farmers utilize the low-lying flatlands for agricultural production, including as pasture for livestock, or for fruit, vegetable, and silage fields. As the flooded rivers crested, they swept away much of the vital equipment and infrastructure these farms use everyday.

On Thursday, January 9, 2025 EMFS, in collaboration with Country Farm and Home of Pittsboro, NC, AgCare of Candler, and the facilities team at the NC State Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, distributed $6,234.39 worth of supplies to four Buncombe County farmers. This partnership provided farmers with high-quality equipment from Country Farm and Home, while the station staff generously lent their expertise and manpower to assist with the loading and transportation of heavy equipment such as wooden posts, metal fencing, barbed wire, and more to help get these farms back up and running. Find photos of the distribution here.

This collaborative effort across public and private organizations from each end of the state exemplifies the strength of community spirit and the importance of supporting local food systems. By working together with these organizations, EMFS is not only helping farmers recover from the hurricane but also strengthening the resilience of the entire mountain region.

CEFS and EMFS will continue to work in the region with Extension and Small Business Centers and other regional partners to be part of the rebuilding process through training, grants and collaborative work projects. For more information, please sign up for the EMFS newsletter here. 

EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems is a Center for Environmental Farming Systems/NC State Cooperative Extension project. Funding support is generously provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Dogwood Health Trust, and the WNC Bridge Foundation.

Find more Hurricane Helene news and resources here.

Many faculty and staff affiliated with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) participated in the 2025 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Conference, held January 6-8 in Greensboro, NC. 

CEFS’ work is inextricably connected with N.C. Cooperative Extension. CEFS initiatives exchange information with Extension Agents, including trainings, research, state-level support and networking, and technical support, and also help to connect community groups with state-level resources and networks. CEFS Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility based at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, NC provides a site for Extension outreach and field research demonstrations. The conference served as a dynamic platform for CEFS staff and affiliated faculty to share their cutting-edge work in sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and community engagement.

Awards

Jessica Mrugala, Extension Associate and Local Foods Coordinator for Empowering Mountain Food Systems, and Chumper Walker, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Extension Director, were recognized during the conference for their exceptional leadership with two Regional Team Awards – the Jones Award and the NCCE Foundation Search for Excellence Awards in Extension.

Jessica Mrugala, Extension Associate and Local Foods Coordinator for Empowering Mountain Food Systems, and Chumper Walker, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Extension Director, were recognized during the conference for their exceptional leadership with two Regional Team Awards – the Jones Award and the NCCE Foundation Search for Excellence Awards in Extension. Mrugala and Walker have been instrumental in advancing food sovereignty efforts for the EBCI. Their work has brought over $11 million in federal and regional funding, supporting community-driven food production, nutrition education, and the creation of vital infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art meat processing facility. Their efforts, especially in fostering food sovereignty and sustainable farming practices, have helped to transform the food landscape in Cherokee communities. Their leadership has been foundational in increasing the local production of traditional Cherokee foods, preserving foodways, and empowering community food systems.

Conference Presentations

Additionally, CEFS-affiliated experts led multiple workshops across several key topics, reflecting their deep commitment to the future of farming and food systems in North Carolina. Presenters included Mark Blevins, Dara Bloom, Shironda Brown, Miguel Castillo, Mallory Choudoir, Angel Cruz, Hannah Dankbar, Biswanath Dari, Liz Driscoll, Remi Ham, John Lyttle, Trequan McGee, Matt Poore, Noah Ranells, Chris Reberg-Horton, Robyn Stout, and Alex Woodley. Topics covered by CEFS-affiliated presenters included: local food programs, artificial intelligence in agriculture, farm to early care and education, carbon markets, drought management, resources for new farmers, the future of small farms, the N.C. Extension Master Food Volunteer Program, soil health, cover crops, food security, youth in agriculture, and using data for farming decisions.

At the heart of CEFS’ presence at the conference was a shared commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices and community-based food systems. In partnership with N.C. Cooperative Extension, CEFS continues to ensure that North Carolina remains a leader in sustainable agriculture and community engagement, paving the way for a more resilient food future.

Media Contact:
Angel Cruz
CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager
aecruz@ncsu.edu

July 8, 2024

Jon Black Photography

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is grateful to announce a $50,000 donation from International Farming (I.F.) to support CEFS’ Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship.

I.F., a global food-sourcing solutions platform, selected Boots on the Ground as one of several new strategic initiatives and alliances to support their goal of cultivating a workforce that empowers employees and provides equal opportunities.

As North Carolina’s first registered agricultural apprenticeship program for military veterans, Boots on the Ground aims to increase the pool of trained agricultural workers for management and entrepreneurial positions in farming operations in North Carolina. Registered with ApprenticeshipNC, the state apprenticeship coordinating body, this apprenticeship includes both hands-on job training and related technical instruction. A registered apprenticeship allows veterans to use their GI Bill education benefits for on-the-job training. Dr. Angel Cruz, CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager, says “International Farming’s generous donation will support the continuance and expansion of the apprenticeship and provide additional training opportunities.”

According to I.F.’s Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer, Eli Cheatham, the organization decided to team up with Boots on the Ground, as part of the company’s commitment to cultivating a better tomorrow. “Each year approximately 200,000 Service members leave the military, yet far too many return to find a lack of support and opportunity. Veterans have so much to offer, and we are honored to support the important work that Boots on the Ground in doing to train them in farming and ranching.”

“CEFS is grateful for the opportunity to partner with International Farming to expand critical opportunities for military veterans in agriculture. One of our strategic goals of CEFS is to support more career paths in agriculture and our food system that can engage new and diverse people. Supporting military veterans in farming connects two important industries in our state,” said Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS’ Director based at North Carolina State University.

To learn more about Boots on the Ground, please visit the website, watch this video, or read this article about the program’s impact on veterans. 

About Boots on the Ground

Boots on the Ground is an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. For more information, visit www.cefs.ncsu.edu. The Boots on the Ground program was started with funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, [Proposal no.2021-06693; Accession No. 1027267 Project No.NC09924].

About International Farming

International Farming (I.F.) is a leading food-sourcing solutions platform. Through innovative ag-tech, asset management, and strategic partnerships, I.F. empowers food buyers and farmers to build a more transparent, global food economy. With agricultural roots dating back to 1827, I.F. brings a deep understanding and respect for farming and the land to its investment strategy.

For more information, visit internationalfarming.com.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its groundbreaking project, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), with a generous grant of $1.1M from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as well as additional matching support from Dogwood Health Trust, WNC Bridge Foundation, NC State Cooperative Extension, and other regional community partners, for a total of $2 million. 

Since 2019, EMFS has brought together producers, food businesses, schools, and regional partners to increase business opportunities for food and farm businesses in a seven-county region of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The first phase of EMFS was a resounding success, exceeding expectations even amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project significantly reduced supply chain constraints, supported farmers in scaling up and diversifying their products, and fostered efficient and localized supply chains. This new ARC grant, led by Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS Director at NC State, will propel the project into its next phase, expanding the local food economy in Western North Carolina by focusing on entrepreneurship, business development, job creation, workforce development, and growing community leadership for lasting change. EMFS will be able to double the number of counties served, with a targeted focus on food hubs, commercial kitchens, and supply chain development, bringing resources into one of the most rural, resource-limited areas of North Carolina. The project will expand into an additional 14-county “foodshed” region across five Regional Councils of Governments, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and plans to serve 1,165 businesses, 3,212 participants, and 50 students across 13 communities. 

Pictured (L to R): Chumper Walker, EBCI Extension Director; Laura Lauffer, EMFS Project Director; and Jess Mrugala, Program Coordinator

Led by CEFS in collaboration with NC State Cooperative Extension, ten Small Business Centers, all regional Councils of Government, and others, the project will benefit from the diverse expertise and long-standing relationships established during the initial phase. Laura Lauffer has been hired as CEFS’ Western NC Food Systems Program Director. She will lead EMFS projects in the region while adding new collaborations to expand the depth of research and service delivery to a larger regional footprint. “We are excited to continue our work in Western North Carolina, building on the successes of the first phase of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems. This expansion will enable us to further strengthen the local food economy, address supply chain challenges, and support the resilience of our farmers and food businesses,” said Schroeder-Moreno.

The project team plans to conduct a region-wide assessment of food system infrastructure, including cold storage, processing, commercial kitchens, commissaries, and loading and storage facilities; offer business counseling, grants, and loans to food hubs, farms, and food businesses for growth, infrastructure needs, and marketing support; establish regional and state-level partnerships to enhance farmland access among farmers; and strengthen farming networks through training, shared equipment use, and other collaboration.

For more information about the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems project, please visit cefs.ncsu.edu/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded North Carolina State University a $200,000 grant to increase leadership and career opportunities in agricultural sciences for women and minority students enrolled in community colleges statewide.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) will lead the two-year project with funding from NIFA’s Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields program.  

North Carolina participants can take part in hands-on learning experiences such as internships, apprenticeships and introductions to successful agricultural entrepreneurs operating businesses in rural North Carolina.

The grant supports leadership and career opportunities for women and minorities, who are underrepresented in most undergraduate agricultural science programs, professional agricultural societies and the agricultural science workforce, especially in leadership positions, said Angel Cruz, academic and extension initiatives manager at CEFS. Cruz will lead the project with Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS director, and Terri Long, professor of plant and microbial biology and the N.C. PSI platform director for education and workforce development. 

A 2011 National Academy of Sciences study found that targeted summer programs and research opportunities for underrepresented community college students increased diversity among STEM students. Participants will be recruited from North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, where 70% of students enrolled in 2022 were women of color and minorities. 

Participants will complete a nine-week Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) for Community College Students summer internship program hosted by CEFS and N.C. PSI at NC State. Sustainable agriculture and agroecology degree programs connect traditional agriculture with real-world problems, such as global food security in the face of climate change. The ASPIRE for Community College Students program, now accepting applications, will increase students’ awareness of career paths in sustainable agriculture, provide mentoring and professional development, and expose participants to diverse research programs. 

The grant will also support three apprenticeship positions in North Carolina’s first registered agricultural apprenticeship program (CEFS’ Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship) for women and minority community college students hoping to work in agricultural production in management positions. This paid apprenticeship program, registered with ApprenticeshipNC, offers 185 hours of classroom instruction and more than 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning over 18 months. 

Visit cefs.ncsu.edu/cefs-career-pathways to learn more and apply for these opportunities through the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields grant [no. 2023-38503-41225].

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its groundbreaking project, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), with a generous grant of $1,186,409 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and significant match from Dogwood Health Trust and WNC Bridge Foundation community partners as well as NC State Cooperative Extension. 

Since 2019, EMFS has brought together producers, food businesses, schools, and regional partners to increase business opportunities for food and farm businesses in a seven-county region of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The first phase of EMFS was a resounding success, exceeding expectations even amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project significantly reduced supply chain constraints, supported farmers in scaling up and diversifying their products, and fostered efficient and localized supply chains. This new ARC grant, led by Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS Director at NC State, will propel the project into its next phase, expanding the local food economy in Western North Carolina by focusing on entrepreneurship, business development, job creation, workforce development, and growing community leadership for lasting change. EMFS will be able to double the number of counties served, with a targeted focus on food hubs and supply chain development, bringing resources into one of the most rural, resource-limited areas of North Carolina. The project will expand into an additional 14-county “foodshed” region across five Regional Councils of Governments, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and plans to serve 1,165 businesses, 3,212 participants, and 50 students across 13 communities. 

Led by CEFS in collaboration with NC Cooperative Extension, ten Small Business Centers, all regional Councils of Government, and others, the project will benefit from the diverse expertise and long-standing relationships established during the initial phase. “We are excited to continue our work in Western North Carolina, building on the successes of the first phase of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems. This expansion will enable us to further strengthen the local food economy, address supply chain challenges, and support the resilience of our farmers and food businesses,” said Schroeder-Moreno.

The project team plans to conduct a region-wide assessment of food system infrastructure, including cold storage, processing, commercial kitchens, commissaries, and loading and storage facilities; offer business counseling, grants, and loans to food hubs, farms, and food businesses for growth, infrastructure needs, and marketing support; establish regional and state-level partnerships to enhance farmland access among farmers; and strengthen farming networks through training, shared equipment use, and other collaboration.

For more information about the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems project, please visit cefs.ncsu.edu/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems. 

As a part of Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina’s “Student Wellness Project”, three North Carolina students created the Teens Talk Wellness podcast earlier this year.

The students, Brunella Escate (senior at Cato Middle College High School in Charlotte, NC), Ella Jones (senior at North Rowan High School in Spencer, NC), and Kentwan Williams (sophomore at North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, NC), created the podcast as an outlet to explore student wellness from a Farm to School perspective, highlighting issues surrounding nutrition, food justice and inclusivity, funding, and much more!

Their shared goal for the podcast is to spread awareness about student wellness in schools, and to inspire others to make positive changes. “One of my main goals is that when anyone comes across this podcast, they will start to think about many ways to continue to improve on providing safety and healthy food for kids,” says Williams.

Equally important to them is the hope to address and correct issues that may hinder students’ success. “I hope to enhance the school community by addressing student wellness at the root. Systemics and stereotypes are so hard to address, but so heavily rooted in inhibiting students’ ability to succeed. I hope to bring awareness and empowerment,” said Jones.

Kirsten Blackburn, Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Farm to School Outreach Coordinator, who also serves as the coordinator and mentor for the student podcasters, says another important goal is to increase funding for School Nutrition Programs and staff. According to Blackburn, “staff are working with very little amounts of money…and there are very hardworking people who are trying to make the best with what they have so I hope to see that school meals are valued more, because a lot of times that’s a meal a lot of students don’t have at home.”

Blackburn mentioned that students should not only be participating, but have leadership roles in conversations and decision-making regarding their wellness. “Student wellness is students being able to have choice and agency over decisions and policies that impact them at school whether that’s the food they eat, the outdoor education components they can participate in, or for advocating for food justice, and climate justice in their communities,” said Blackburn.

The student podcasters are doing just that with Teens Talk Wellness.

During a recent episode, “Teens Talk Food Inclusivity”, the students discussed the importance of food inclusivity in school meals and how that influences societal views of food from different cultures around the world.

This episode highlights the positive impacts for students to have their native foods represented in their school lunches. “Students need to be exposed to nutritional foods and foods that represent them and their heritage. This makes the environment more welcoming and welcomes them to recognize food as fuel, and a tool to equip them to learn,” Jones said.

Williams adds that food inclusivity is also important for the physical health of students. “I think the reason we want to have food inclusivity is because we want to make sure that the food we’re providing is going to take care of everyone, considering what kind of allergy or condition they may have that prevents them from eating certain foods. We want to make sure that everyone is safe and healthy.”

The students hope that this podcast is a useful resource for students, parents, and community members as well as all parties involved in policy, decision-making, and food systems. With episodes addressing hands-on learning in school gardens to detailing the impact of policy on student lunches, the student podcasters are curating a diverse space for information sharing and advocacy surrounding student wellness.

The student podcasters hope to inspire other students to join the conversation in hopes that sharing student experiences will help promote awareness and create positive change. “My personal advice is go for it! We need people like you to get involved because many people think the adults will take care of it, but it’s affecting [students] directly. The students are the ones that deal with the impacts of it,” said Escate.

Students being a part of the conversation leads to what Blackburn calls “community decision making” that could help students for generations to come. “These are decisions that not only impact students at the time of the policy being enacted, but future students as well, so I feel like those most impacted deserve to have a say in their wellness and nutrition,” Blackburn added.

The Teens Talk Wellness podcast can be streamed on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora, SoundCloud, and Spotify!