NC Cooperative Extension Local Foods Flagship Program
CEFS’ work is inextricably connected with North Carolina Cooperative Extension (NCCE). The Cooperative Extension model provides a critical two-way connection between the state’s farmers and consumers, and scientists and researchers at the state’s two land-grant institutions, North Carolina State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. North Carolina’s extension specialists and agents are the local face of this connection.
Many CEFS’ initiatives, like the NC 10% Campaign, are direct partnerships between NCCE and CEFS. Other CEFS initiatives, like Community Food Strategies, NC Choices, Amazing Grazing, and others, work hand-in-hand with cooperative extension agents around the state. Both NC Cooperative Extension and CEFS are working to support and coordinate activities at the grassroots level and connect them back to state-level resources and networks.
Local Foods Flagship Program
In 2012, Local Foods was named as NC Cooperative Extension’s first Flagship Program. The Local Foods Program is a collaborative program of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of North Carolina State University and The Cooperative Extension Program of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Each county Cooperative Extension office and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has a designated Local Food Coordinator to support local food systems efforts, including the CEFS NC 10% Campaign, across the state.
Cooperative Extension agents in your county can work to help you:
- Raise your farm income selling locally
- Preserve your seasonal produce
- Make your community garden a winner
- Help kids start school gardens
- Encourage families to eat healthier
- Learn about food safety
Resources
Resources for the Extension Local Foods Program as well as many other organizations working on local foods programs across the state are available through the Extension Local Foods web portal at www.localfoodnc.org.