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.
- Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:09:19+00:00
Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)
- Market Channel Evaluation: Analysis of a Direct-Store-Delivery Pilot for Local Meat (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:07:35+00:00
Market Channel Evaluation: Analysis of a Direct-Store-Delivery Pilot for Local Meat (2014)
- Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of Government Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:55:23+00:00
Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of Government
- 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)
- 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
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:48+00:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- 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
- Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life Shane McCoy 2017-03-23T08:07:28+00:00
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
- 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)
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:04:00+00:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)
- 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)
- 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
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:43:30+00:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T17:03:19+00:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)
- Keep It Moving: North Carolina Seafood Transportation Logistics with a Focus on East to West Routes (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T20:57:42+00:00
Keep It Moving: North Carolina Seafood Transportation Logistics with a Focus on East to West Routes (2014)
- 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)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:16+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:21:46+00:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- 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)
- 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
- NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-10-15T16:57:40+00:00
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (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
- 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)
- How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:46:55+00:00
How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)
- 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)
- 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
- Transportation Cost Transparency for TRACTOR Food Hub (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:59:06+00:00
Transportation Cost Transparency for TRACTOR Food Hub (2017)
- Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:00:24+00:00
Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (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)
- Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-23T15:09:11+00:00
Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses
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.
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T17:03:19+00:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)
- 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)
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T13:10:19+00:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:53:52+00:00
Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)
- 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)
- 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
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:21:46+00:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T14:56:56+00:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:16+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:59:51+00:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:43:30+00:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- 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)
- Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-23T15:09:11+00:00
Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses
- 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
- 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)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:26:22+00:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:41+00:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- 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
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017 Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:07:44+00:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- 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)
- 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)
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:22:52+00:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:35:49+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017 Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:43:10+00:00
Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide Waystone Design 2018-09-24T15:04:27+00:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
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.
