EMFS Project Team
EMFS has resources to support businesses, students, supply chain intermediaries, educators, and others in a variety of food system settings. Our project team is excited to hear from you and to work with you to support the food & farm economy in WNC!
Jessica Mrugala
Regional Extension Agent for Local Foods
EBCI Cooperative Extension
Agritourism
Dr. Whitney Knollenberg
Assistant Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, NC State University
Land Access
Stephen Bishop
NC Farmlink Director – Western Region
NC State University Department of Horticultural Science
sabishop@ncsu.edu
EMFS Advisory Partners
Kelley Hiemstra
West District Extension Director
kahiemst@ncsu.edu
Craig Mauney
Area Specialized Agent, Agriculture – Commercial Vegetables and Fruits
Henderson County Center
craig_mauney@ncsu.edu
Russ Harris
Director of Community and Economic Development
828.586.1962 ext. 214
russ@regiona.org
Ann Bass
ARC Community Economic Development Planner
828 508-0107
ann.bass@nccommerce.com
Rob Hawk
County Extension Director
Jackson & Swain County Cooperative Extension Offices
rjhawk@ncsu.edu
Debra Sloan
NCDA Western Region
Aquaculture Consultant
Agribusiness Development
Franklin (828) 524-1264
debrasloan@earthlink.net
Lance Collins
Director of Small Business Center,
Tri-County Community College
LCollins@tricountycc.edu
Marne Harris
Director of Small Business Center,
Southwestern Community College
m_harris@southwesterncc.edu
Ashley Swanger
Director of Small Business Center,
Haywood Community College
acswanger2@haywood.edu
Other Project Co-Principal Investigators:
Dr. Nancy Creamer | Robyn Stout |
Dr. Krystal Chojnacki | Sarah Blacklin |
Dr. Carla Barbieri | Bevelyn Ukah |
Abbey Piner | Tessa Thraves |