Faculty and staff affiliated with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) participated in the 2026 Just Transformations in Food Systems and Cultures Conference, held June 7-10 in Burlington, Vermont. Hosted by the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society (AFHVS), Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the host committee at the University of Vermont, this conference brought together scholars, practitioners, educators and community leaders to explore pathways toward more just and sustainable food systems.

CEFS’ interdisciplinary work reflects the conference’s focus on transformation through research, education, community engagement and collaboration. From agroecology and food system education to local food access, supply chains, and community-based initiatives, CEFS-affiliated presenters shared insights from our programs advancing resilient food systems across North Carolina and beyond.

CEFS staff outside building at Vermont conference
CEFS staff presenting at Vermont conference
CEFS staff at Vermont conference
CEFS staff at Vermont conference outdoors
Dara Bloom at Ag and Human Values 2026 conference
Dara bloom presenting at Ag and Human Values 2026 conference

CEFS at the Conference

CEFS-affiliated faculty and staff contributed to conference discussions through paper presentations, roundtables and collaborative sessions highlighting innovative approaches to food systems change.

Presenters and contributors included Ann Bybee-Finley, Dara Bloom, Angel Cruz, Hannah Dankbar, Laura Lauffer, Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, Sara Snyder and others whose work represents CEFS’ commitment to connecting research, education and community action.

Conference contributions included:

  • Registered Agricultural Apprenticeships as a Model for Transformative Agroecological Education
    • Angel Cruz, CEFS Career Pathways, NC State University
  • Youth as agents of food system recovery and resilience: WNCStrong Youth Service Corps
    • Angel Cruz, CEFS Career Pathways, NC State University
    • Eric Klein, CEFS WNCStrong Youth Service Corps
  • Agroecology Education Farm in Action
    • Sara Snyder, Farm Manager at the NC State Agroecology Education Farm
    • Frieda Kahan, Agroecology Graduate Student at NC State University
    • Ann Bybee-Finley, Assistant Professor of Agroecology, NC State University
  • Training Food System Leaders: Lessons from an Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems Degree in the Southeast
    • Ann Bybee-Finley, North Carolina State University
    • Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS Director based at North Carolina State University
  • Supply Chain Assessment, Processes, Outcomes, and Impacts
    • Laura Lauffer, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, EmPOWERing
      Mountain Food Systems, North Carolina State University
  • Getting to Scale with Local Food Purchasing in Farm to ECE: Strategies to Grow the Market
    • Dara Bloom, CEFS Assistant Director of Community Based Food Systems, NC State University
    • Shironda Brown, CEFS Farm to Early Care and Education Initiative, NC State University
  • Paper Presentation – From Theory to Practice: Local Government Planners on Planning for Food and Agricultural Systems in North Carolina – Hannah Dankbar, Local Food Program Manager, NC State Extension
  • Roundtable – Learning Across Boundaries: Building a Statewide Agroecology Education Network
    • Angel Cruz, CEFS Career Pathways, North Carolina State University
    • Ann Bybee-Finley, Assistant Professor of Agroecology, NC State University

Through these presentations and conversations, CEFS-affiliated participants shared examples of how research, education and collaboration can support meaningful food system transformation. Their contributions reflect our ongoing efforts to build connections among farmers, educators, researchers, communities and policymakers to create more resilient and sustainable food systems.