Online

Fee: No Cost

Interested in raising “Pastured Pork”? Join N.C. Cooperative Extension and NC Choices for a workshop and tour on Thursday, June 25 from 9:00-4:00 at the NC A&T State University Farm Pavilion, 3020 McConnell Road, Greensboro. Registration is required:

Register on Eventbrite.

The cost is $20 and includes lunch.

Topics covered include:

• breed selection
• herd management
• pasture management
• hoop housing
• feeding and nutrition
• the Meat Business
• a farm tour

Speakers are: Dr Derrick Coble NC A&T State University; Lee Menius & Sarah Blacklin NC Choices Program; Silvana Pietromosli NC State Animal Science Department.

Contact April Bowman, Stokes County Livestock Agent at 336-593-8179 or awbowman@ncsu.edu or Brandon Hartman, Rockingham County Livestock Agent at 336-520-2548 or bthartma@ncsu.edu with questions.

Join CEFS at the 2026 Farm to Fork Kids Fest at Marbles Kids Museum!

For many years, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has celebrated the bounty of North Carolina through our signature Farm to Fork Picnic. This year, we’re excited to introduce Grounded and Growing: A CEFS Farm to Fork Series, a year-long initiative designed to bridge the gap between high-level research and community action. As part of this series, we are transforming Marbles Kids Museum into a living, breathing farm to fork discovery zone for our Grounded and Growing: Farm to Fork Kids Fest.

Join us for activations throughout the museum’s first floor and Marbles’ Playway (outdoor courtyard). Kids become “Junior Insiders” as they navigate the journey from seed to smoothie through hands-on labs, high-tech farm exhibits and interactive play! This event is included with museum admission.

Location: Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh, NC

Date and Time: Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 10am to 2pm

Tickets will go on sale on the Marbles website in June.

Join CEFS and N.C. Cooperative Extension for the Lunch & Learn Webinar Series for 2026.

Melissa Bell, CEFS Field Research, Education, and Outreach Liaison, will discuss how to care for common cool-season crops including information about planting, fertilization, pest management, and cold weather protection unique to winter harvested or overwintering crops. This session is ideal for growers who want to grow food in the winter months.

When: 12 p.m. -1 p.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Where: Zoom

Register here.

Please note: All registrants will receive the webinar recording by email following the event.

Go behind the scenes with NC’s top food system experts for a roadmap on sourcing sustainably, supporting local meat systems and understanding the future of NC ag with The Grounded Table webinar.

In this session, Melissa Bell will host a conversation with guest speakers Sarah Blacklin and Lee Menius from NC Choices as well as Noah Ranells, NC FarmLink Director & Extension Associate, as they explore the role of pasture-raised meat in supporting farms, food systems, and land stewardship. Participants will gain insight into the “why” behind pasture-raised systems, along with an insider’s perspective on how to find, source, and buy directly from local farmers. This session is ideal for anyone looking to better understand and support North Carolina’s local meat economy.

When: 12 p.m. -1 p.m., Thursday, August 6, 2026

Where: Zoom

Register here. Please note: All registrants will receive the webinar recording by email following the event.

Sign up for our email list to be notified when registration opens for other The Grounded Table webinars.

Speaker: Carol Coulter, Appalachian State University

Join the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) for an inspiring, interactive hour with James Beard Award-winning chef, author and food advocate Andrea Reusing (owner of Lantern in Chapel Hill). During this session, Chef Andrea will share her journey of connecting local restaurants with North Carolina farmers and show us how simple, intentional everyday choices in our own kitchens can strengthen local farms, reduce waste and build healthier communities.

When: 12 p.m. -1 p.m., Monday, September 21, 2026

Where: Zoom

Register here. Please note: All registrants will receive the webinar recording by email following the event.

What You’ll Learn & Experience:

• Live Culinary Demonstration: Learn how to make quick-pickled local vegetables using seasonal North Carolina produce. Chef Andrea will break down simple preservation techniques that instantly extend the shelf life of your groceries and cut down on household waste.
• Accessible Sustainability: Discover how mastering basic kitchen skills—like seasonal shopping and quick-preserving—makes eating local affordable and highly approachable.
• Behind the Scenes: Hear firsthand how deep relationships with local farmers shape sustainable menus and why home kitchens are a powerful launchpad for food system change.

Whether you are a seasoned home cook, a local food advocate or a beginner looking to reduce your environmental footprint, this webinar will give you the practical tools and inspiration to cook with purpose.

A live Q&A session will follow the cooking demonstration. Register today to secure your spot and receive the live broadcast link!

Join CEFS and N.C. Cooperative Extension for the Lunch & Learn Webinar Series for 2026.

Melissa Bell, CEFS Field Research, Education, and Outreach Liaison, will explore techniques such as row covers and succession planting to extend harvests into late seasons. Learn research-based strategies to continue harvesting greens, root crops, and other hardy vegetables. This session is ideal for growers seeking year-round productivity. Caterpillar tunnels will be highlighted. 

When: 12 p.m. -1 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Where: Zoom

Register here.

Please note: All registrants will receive the webinar recording by email following the event.

Join the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) for an inspiring, interactive hour with Sara Davarbakhsh, M.S., NCEE, Environmental Education Program Coordinator, for the winter installment of our Grounded Table webinar series. This month, we are diving deep into Backyard Composting.

When the temperature drops, our gardens might slow down—but our food waste doesn’t! In fact, winter is the perfect time to master the art of composting, close the loop on household waste, and prepare your soil for a thriving spring harvest. Whether you are looking to start your very first bin, troubleshoot a frozen winter pile, or understand the science behind turning kitchen scraps into “black gold” for your garden, this session will give you practical, stress-free tools to become a better environmental steward.

When: 12 p.m. -1 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Where: Zoom

Register here. Please note: All registrants will receive the webinar recording by email following the event.

What You’ll Learn:

• Winter Composting 101: How to successfully maintain, balance and protect your compost pile through the cold North Carolina winter months.
• The Science of Soil & Waste: A simple, breakdown of how integrated waste management works and why diverting food scraps from landfills is one of the most impactful choices you can make for the planet.
• Practical Tips for Every Space: Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small patio, learn how to make composting accessible, clean and odor-free.

Featured Speaker:

Sara Davarbakhsh, M.S., NCEE Award-Winning Environmental Educator & Sustainability Expert

We are thrilled to welcome an absolute powerhouse in the field of environmental stewardship to The Grounded Table. Voted NC Environmental Educator of the Year, our featured speaker brings over 20 years of public sector experience in natural resource management and sustainable development. Holding a Master of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering, she blends rigorous scientific expertise with a deeply pragmatic, real-world approach to everyday sustainability. Her passion is helping communities protect their local ecosystems through accessible, actionable environmental stewardship.

A live audience Q&A session will follow the presentation. Register today to secure your spot and receive the live broadcast link! All registered participants will receive the link to view the recording.