EMFS Blog
EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems: Recovery After Hurricane Helene
EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), works to strengthen the local food system across 12 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The [...]
New North Carolina Local Farms and Food Profiles
To provide a snapshot of the importance of agriculture on the county level, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Local Food Program Team, NC State FarmLink, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) created an infographic for each county and each Council of Government region based on a comparison of 2017 and 2022 USDA Agriculture Census data.
Mountain Communities Rise: EmPOWERing Food Systems After Hurricane Helene
In response to the devastation of the WNC region, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), an initiative of CEFS, awarded $100,000 of its small business grant funds to assist farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
CEFS EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Program Expanding Impact in Western NC with $2M from State, Federal, and Western NC Regional Funders
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its groundbreaking project, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), with a generous grant of $1.1M from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as well as additional matching support from Dogwood Health Trust, WNC Bridge Foundation, NC State Cooperative Extension, and other regional community partners, for a total of $2 million.
CEFS EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Program Expanding Impact in Western NC with New $1,186,409 ARC Grant
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its groundbreaking project, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), with a generous grant of $1,186,409 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and significant match from Dogwood Health Trust and WNC Bridge Foundation community partners as well as NC State Cooperative Extension.