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.
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:31:43+00:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:41+00:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- 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)
- 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)
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:04+00:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:04:49+00:00
Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014)
- 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
- Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017) JJ Richardson 2018-09-23T15:18:51+00:00
Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017)
- 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)
- NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018) Marcello Cappellazzi 2019-02-21T13:01:59+00:00
NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference Laura Lauffer 2016-12-05T11:24:20+00:00
Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference
- 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)
- 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)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- 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)
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:22:52+00:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- The Local Loyalty Project: Can Positioning a Regional Grocery Chain as a Purveyor of Local Foods Increase Customer Loyalty and Local Foods Sales? (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:08:52+00:00
The Local Loyalty Project: Can Positioning a Regional Grocery Chain as a Purveyor of Local Foods Increase Customer Loyalty and Local Foods Sales? (2014)
- 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)
- 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
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- 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)
- Presentation: Visioning for Healthy Eating (Dan River Health Summit) Laura Lauffer 2016-11-26T09:34:07+00:00
Presentation: Visioning for Healthy Eating (Dan River Health Summit)
- 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)
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.
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T13:10:19+00:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:59:51+00:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide Waystone Design 2018-09-24T15:04:27+00:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- 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)
- 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 Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (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
- 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)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:43:30+00:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018) Waystone Design 2019-03-28T12:07:40+00:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- 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 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.
