NC Choices
NC Choices, an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in collaboration with NC Cooperative Extension, promotes sustainable food systems through the advancement of the local, niche, and pasture-based meat supply chain in North Carolina. NC Choices provides information, technical assistance, educational programming, and networking opportunities for farmers, extension agents, meat processors, buyers, distributors, and consumers.
COVID-19 Updates:
See processing information here and see all of CEFS’ COVID-19 Resources here
Tools & Resources
- Butchery Basics for Home Consumers (2021)Juhi Dattani2021-01-29T17:18:15-05:00
Butchery Basics for Home Consumers (2021)
- Evaluating Finish on Beef Cattle (2020)Marcello Cappellazzi2020-10-08T16:16:10-04:00
Evaluating Finish on Beef Cattle (2020)
- FAQ Sheet for Beginning Niche Meat Producers (2020)Emily Edmonds2020-09-22T12:48:51-04:00
FAQ Sheet for Beginning Niche Meat Producers (2020)
- Sheep Grazing Solar Farm Budget Template 2020Emily Edmonds2020-11-16T11:31:33-05:00
Sheep Grazing Solar Farm Budget Template 2020
- Leasing Farm Land for Landowners and FarmersEmily Edmonds2020-09-22T11:35:27-04:00
Leasing Farm Land for Landowners and Farmers
- Negotiating Farm Leases & Lease BudgetsEmily Edmonds2020-12-14T17:16:12-05:00
Negotiating Farm Leases & Lease Budgets
- Bulk Meat Purchase Agreement Template (2020)Marcello Cappellazzi2020-09-22T11:50:32-04:00
Bulk Meat Purchase Agreement Template (2020)
- What do I do with my land? (2020)Marcello Cappellazzi2020-07-22T09:51:34-04:00
What do I do with my land? (2020)
- Pastured Beef Production – InfrastructureMarcello Cappellazzi2020-03-25T16:06:41-04:00
Pastured Beef Production – Infrastructure
- Pastured Beef Production – ReproductionMarcello Cappellazzi2020-03-25T16:00:26-04:00
Pastured Beef Production – Reproduction
Ready to Improve Your Local Meat Business?
| I’m a beginning farmer looking for affordable, non-traditional land leasing through NC Choices’ Beginning Farmer Project, which works with solar companies, land trusts, and private silvopasture lands to match beginning farmers with silvopasture opportunities. | NC Choices Beginning Farmer Project |
| NC Farmlink helps beginning and established farmers access land listed by private landowners. | NC Farmlink: Find a Farm |
| NC Farmlink also provides a listing service for farmers who have land. | NC Farmlink: Find a Farmer |
| I’d like to see template leases and budgets for different types of lease arrangements, such as private-to-farmer, solar installations, land trust contracts, and more. | Resources and FAQ’s |
| I’m looking for information about solar grazing. | Solar grazing Info |
| I’m looking for information on leasing land from land trusts or conservation agencies. | Land Trust Info |
| I’m looking for information about silvopasture leasing. | Silvopasture Info |
| I’m looking for information on how to negotiate leases and budgets with landowners. | Negotiating Farm Leases and Budgets |
| I’m looking for best practices on how to manage my lease either as a farmer or as a landowner. | Farmland Leasing Best Practices |
| NC Choices provides a number of production resources to help you process, package, sell and deliver your products. | All Production Resources |
| I’d like to see resources specifically for meat processing. | Meat Processing Resources |
| I’d like to find a red meat processor in North Carolina. | Red Meat Processors Map |
| I’d like to see resources specifically for poultry processing in North Carolina. | Poultry Processing Resources |
| I’d like assistance with regulatory information about meat processing and production. | Regulatory Assistance |
| I’d like to know about bulk meat sales and how to freeze, pack, and ship online meat orders. | Online Bulk Sales |
| I’d like to sell more meat in bulk | Meatsuite in North Carolina |
| I’d like assistance on how to price my meat products using the Pricing Calculator | Meat Price & Yield Calculator |
| I’d like to see all of NC Choices’ marketing and bulk sales resources. | NC Choices Marketing & Product Resources |
| I’d like to see all of CEFS’ available COVID-19 resources. | CEFS Covid-19 Resources |