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.
- Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference Laura Lauffer 2016-12-05T11:24:20+00:00
Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference
- 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)
- Local + Sustainable Seafood: The Competitive Advantage (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:05:13+00:00
Local + Sustainable Seafood: The Competitive Advantage (2014)
- 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)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide Waystone Design 2018-09-24T15:04:27+00:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- 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)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:29:19+00:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:06:12+00:00
Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016)
- Adding Value to Local Food (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:29:28+00:00
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
- 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)
- Project Meatball: The Business Case for a New Product Venture (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:59:40+00:00
Project Meatball: The Business Case for a New Product Venture (2016)
- Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life Shane McCoy 2017-03-23T08:07:28+00:00
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
- 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)
- 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
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:41+00:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017) JJ Richardson 2018-09-23T15:18:51+00:00
Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- 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)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:43:30+00:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2019-03-28T12:07:40+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- 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)
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.
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:22:52+00:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- 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
- How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:46:39+00:00
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017 Waystone Design 2019-03-05T13:05:04+00:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:29:19+00:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- Adding Value to Local Food (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:29:28+00:00
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
- 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 Chicken (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:36:18+00:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:59:51+00:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2019-03-28T12:07:40+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- 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)
- 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
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:26:22+00:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (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)
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:48+00:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- 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 Growing Together News
View our full newsfeed of NC Growing Together News.
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.
Whole Crop Harvest Partners with Ashley Christensen’s AC Restaurants to Research Economics of Preserving Seasonal Local Tomatoes for Year-Round Use
The team found that purchasing 100% North Carolina tomatoes in season reduces the restaurant group's cost by nearly half, accomplishes the goal of sourcing exclusively local tomatoes, and will likely reduce on-farm food loss.
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.
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.
