Giving Thanks Where Thanks is Due

During the Thanksgiving season, we’re grateful for farmers in our community for the abundance of food on our tables. Three women farmers in Western NC shared their farming experiences during this challenging year, what it means to them to farm as women and how they continued to grow and distribute their goods in their [...]

2021-02-23T15:22:54-05:00November 23rd, 2020|Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)|

The Apprentice’s Angle: Mallaidh Mleziva

Mallaidh Mleziva shares her work & reflects on her EMFS Apprenticeship at Sustainabillies   Mallaidh Mleziva is a 2020 graduate from Western Carolina University and one of the EMFS Summer Apprentices. Christina Newhouse, the Apprenticeship Program Manager for EMFS, has been collaborating with Western Carolina University (WCU) Professors Heidi Dent, DBA, MBA and Barbara [...]

2021-02-23T15:23:30-05:00November 17th, 2020|Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)|

Why Drive to Blue Ridge Food Ventures?

The EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Project is partnering with Blue Ridge Food Ventures (BRFV) to support value-added production in our region. Producers are eligible to receive up to $3,000 in technical support, consulting, and rental fees associated with production at the BRFV facility. This article will help you as a producer determine the value of [...]

2021-03-08T18:53:47-05:00October 15th, 2020|Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)|

Second Local Food Business Helped by the EMFS Grant & Loan Program: Gnome Mountain Farm

EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) is excited to announce that Gnome Mountain Farms is the second recipient of funding from EMFS grant and loan program! The program is designed to “buy down” the cost of purchasing equipment or infrastructure for farm and food businesses, and is a partnership between Carolina Farm Credit and EMFS, which [...]

The Mountaineer Promotes “How to Make More Money on the Farm” Seminar

The Mountaineer is helping us get the word out about our free "How to Make More Money on the Farm" seminar. Check out the article here: https://www.themountaineer.com/news/business/learn-how-to-increase-farm-income-at-winter-seminar/article_65d2c218-2360-11ea-b578-27668323973c.html Event Information and Registration The How to Make More Money on the Farm event is being held in three different counties to help as many food related businesses [...]

2020-01-16T11:52:38-05:00January 16th, 2020|Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)|

First Local Food Business Helped by the EMFS Grant & Loan Program: Waynesville Soda Jerks

EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) is excited to announce that Waynesville Soda Jerks is the first recipient of the EMFS grant and loan program! The program is designed to “buy down” the cost of purchasing equipment or infrastructure for farm and food businesses, and is a partnership between Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIFund) and EMFS, [...]

2020-01-15T23:57:04-05:00January 15th, 2020|Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)|

EMFS announces first grant and loan packages!

Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIFund) and EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) are teaming up to provide affordable financing and support to small– and mid-scale and limited resource farmers and food businesses to obtain the infrastructure they need to expand and grow their businesses. What’s the Program For? This grant/loan program is designed to “buy down” [...]

2019-12-12T11:53:54-05:00December 12th, 2019|Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)|

Food & Farm Apprenticeships Now Open!

Paid student apprenticeships with area food and farm businesses are now open for applications from WNC students. The apprenticeship program is part of the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Project in the seven western counties of North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Mountain Food & Farm Apprenticeship Program [...]

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