NC Growing Together
North Carolina Growing Together (NCGT) was a six-year (2013-2018) USDA-funded project led by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. The overarching goal was to achieve greater food security by enhancing the economic viability of small and mid-scale farms and fishing operations and their communities.
This website archive contains news, resources, research, and other information about the project.
Partners
NC Growing Together was highly collaborative and included dozens of partners from across the state, spanning private, public, government/military, and university sectors. See the About page for more information.
Resources
NC Growing Together produced a large number of resources to support the growth and capacity of the entire local food supply chain including producers, supply chain intermediaries, local/regional food business developers, Cooperative Extension agents, and others. Visit our full library of NC Growing Together resources here.
- Local + Sustainable Seafood: The Competitive Advantage (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:05:13+00:00
Local + Sustainable Seafood: The Competitive Advantage (2014)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T14:56:56+00:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:17:44+00:00
For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)
- Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:03:49+00:00
Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:33:29+00:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
- Adding Value to Local Food (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:29:28+00:00
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
- Scaling up at a Local Grain Mill (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:58:49+00:00
Scaling up at a Local Grain Mill (2017)
- Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:09:47+00:00
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
- The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:01:46+00:00
The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015)
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:56:48+00:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:21:46+00:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of Government Laura Lauffer 2016-12-05T11:19:17+00:00
Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of Government
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:10:44+00:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide Waystone Design 2018-09-24T15:04:27+00:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:11:16+00:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017 Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:07:44+00:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- NC 10 Percent & NCGT: Grower-Buyer Connections Event Planning Guide (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:18:33+00:00
NC 10 Percent & NCGT: Grower-Buyer Connections Event Planning Guide (2016)
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:53:15+00:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:41:29+00:00
Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual
- Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget Shane McCoy 2016-11-26T09:34:27+00:00
Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- Holding Successful “Meet the Farmer” Events — Assessment and Recommendations Waystone Design 2018-09-24T20:09:46+00:00
Holding Successful “Meet the Farmer” Events — Assessment and Recommendations
- Economic Development for Extension Agents at Annual Extension Conference Laura Lauffer 2016-12-07T08:33:03+00:00
Economic Development for Extension Agents at Annual Extension Conference
- NCGT Pastured Poultry Feasibility Study (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:03:32+00:00
NCGT Pastured Poultry Feasibility Study (2016)
- Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates Meeting Laura Lauffer 2016-12-05T11:30:28+00:00
Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates Meeting
- Best practices and metrics for dairy farms transitioning conventional dairy operations to on-farm value-added production (2015) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:00:51+00:00
Best practices and metrics for dairy farms transitioning conventional dairy operations to on-farm value-added production (2015)
- Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018) Marcello Cappellazzi 2018-09-27T11:55:09+00:00
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:47:18+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:36:18+00:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T17:03:11+00:00
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
Research
NC Growing Together produced research on many topics relevant to local food supply chain stakeholders. Visit our full library of NC Growing Together research here.
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:36:18+00:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:03:49+00:00
Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery
- Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:55:55+00:00
Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:33:29+00:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:35:13+00:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T14:56:56+00:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:21:19+00:00
SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:16+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018) Marcello Cappellazzi 2018-09-27T11:55:09+00:00
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:43:30+00:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:09:47+00:00
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:48+00:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:29:58+00:00
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:36:32+00:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:47:18+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T17:03:32+00:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)
- Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations Waystone Design 2018-09-24T20:03:36+00:00
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:22:52+00:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:36:05+00:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016)
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:58+00:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:26:22+00:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Adding Value to Local Food (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:29:28+00:00
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:16:52+00:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:41:29+00:00
Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:45:06+00:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T13:10:19+00:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:56:26+00:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:35:07+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:59:51+00:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:27:58+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:52:19+00:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
NC Growing Together News
View our full newsfeed of NC Growing Together News.
Engaging Videos Highlight the Local Seafood Supply Chain, Local Foods as Economic Development
NC Growing Together has partnered with the NC 10% Campaign and Vittles Films to produce videos about local foods.
Whole Crop Harvest Brings Together Supply Chain Partners for Grade 2 Produce
Whole Crop Harvest (WCH) is bringing together partners from across the supply chain to reduce on-farm produce loss and increase farmer profitability.
NCGT Building Connections with Small Business Centers to Support Growth of Local Food Economy in North Carolina
NC Growing Together is catalyzing ties between food and farm businesses, educators, Cooperative Extension staff, and Small Business Centers (SBC) across the state to build business support and education for a thriving local food economy.
NC Farm to Early Care and Education Brings Together Children, Food, and Community
In collaboration with early educators, CEFS' Farm to Early Care and Education (NC Farm to ECE) Initiative created a series of eye-catching posters for young children that portray farmers and the vegetables they grow for their community - specifically highlighting women farmers and farmers of color.
This project is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grant no. 2013-68004-20363 of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
