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.
- Webinar: North Carolina Councils of Government and Local Food EconomiesLaura Lauffer2016-11-26T09:34:08-04:00
Webinar: North Carolina Councils of Government and Local Food Economies
- Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:09:19-04:00
Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:04:00-04:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:52:19-04:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-04:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:13-04:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf LifeShane McCoy2017-03-23T08:07:28-04:00
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:56:48-04:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-DeliveryWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:03:49-04:00
Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery
- Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:05-04:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-04:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:01:20-04:00
Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)
- NCGT Pastured Poultry Feasibility Study (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:03:32-04:00
NCGT Pastured Poultry Feasibility Study (2016)
- Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:11-04:00
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
- Transportation Cost Transparency for TRACTOR Food Hub (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:59:06-04:00
Transportation Cost Transparency for TRACTOR Food Hub (2017)
- Best practices and metrics for dairy farms transitioning conventional dairy operations to on-farm value-added production (2015)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:00:51-04:00
Best practices and metrics for dairy farms transitioning conventional dairy operations to on-farm value-added production (2015)
- Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:58:38-04:00
Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)
- Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:00:24-04:00
Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016)
- Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and RecommendationsWaystone Design2018-09-24T20:03:36-04:00
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
- Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of GovernmentLaura Lauffer2016-12-05T11:19:17-04:00
Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of Government
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale MarketsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:45:06-04:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:10:44-04:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)
- NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2019-02-21T13:01:59-04:00
NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:15-04:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:58-04:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:01:46-04:00
The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:27:58-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:46:55-04:00
How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)
- Keep It Moving: North Carolina Seafood Transportation Logistics with a Focus on East to West Routes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T20:57:42-04:00
Keep It Moving: North Carolina Seafood Transportation Logistics with a Focus on East to West Routes (2014)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:20:50-04:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)JJ Richardson2018-10-15T16:57:40-04:00
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select CropsWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:33:29-04:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
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.
- Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2018-09-27T11:55:09-04:00
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
- Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of GovernmentWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:55:23-04:00
Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of Government
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:21:46-04:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:26:22-04:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:47:18-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:04-04:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017Waystone Design2019-03-05T13:05:04-04:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:20:50-04:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:52:19-04:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:19-04:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:27:58-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:13-04:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-04:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-04:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:43:10-04:00
Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:59:51-04:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:21:19-04:00
SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:22:52-04:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale MarketsShane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:48-04:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:07-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:27:19-04:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-04:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:15-04:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:29:19-04:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business WebsitesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:43:30-04:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:31:43-04:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:18-04:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2019-02-27T10:57:57-04:00
How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale MarketsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:45:06-04:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-23T15:09:11-04:00
Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses
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.
