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.
- 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)
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:30+00:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
- 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)
- Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life Shane McCoy 2017-03-23T08:07:28+00:00
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
- 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
- Feasibility and Design of a Direct-to-Consumer Produce Box Program (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:06:46+00:00
Feasibility and Design of a Direct-to-Consumer Produce Box Program (2016)
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:27:19+00:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (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
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:22:52+00:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- Webinar: North Carolina Councils of Government and Local Food Economies Laura Lauffer 2016-11-26T09:34:08+00:00
Webinar: North Carolina Councils of Government and Local Food Economies
- Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017) JJ Richardson 2018-09-23T15:18:51+00:00
Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017)
- Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget Shane McCoy 2016-11-26T09:34:27+00:00
Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget
- What Do All These Label Claims Really Mean? (2017) JJ Richardson 2018-03-14T10:03:34+00:00
What Do All These Label Claims Really Mean? (2017)
- 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)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- 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 Statewide Niche Meat Survey Results by County (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T20:40:33+00:00
NC Statewide Niche Meat Survey Results by County (2016)
- 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)
- 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)
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:31:43+00:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Local Produce (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:08:25+00:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Local Produce (2016)
- The Good Food Schema: Effects of Compelling Messaging for Locally Sourced Meat Products in Grocery Store Settings (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:02:13+00:00
The Good Food Schema: Effects of Compelling Messaging for Locally Sourced Meat Products in Grocery Store Settings (2014)
- ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies Webinar Laura Lauffer 2016-11-26T09:34:07+00:00
ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies Webinar
- 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
- Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:35:04+00:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:01:20+00:00
Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)
- 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
- 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)
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.
- 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
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T14:56:56+00:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (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)
- 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)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:29:19+00:00
Farm and Food Business Resource 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)
- 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)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:16+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:31:43+00:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- 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)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:26:22+00:00
Introduction to Food Safety 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
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:41+00:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:30+00:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (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
- 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)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (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 Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:35:04+00:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:21:46+00:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017 Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:07:44+00:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- 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)
- 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
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:04+00:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:27:19+00:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
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.
