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.
- 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)
- The Good Food Schema: Effects of Compelling Messaging for Locally Sourced Meat Products in Grocery Store Settings (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:02:13-04:00
The Good Food Schema: Effects of Compelling Messaging for Locally Sourced Meat Products in Grocery Store Settings (2014)
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:21:46-04:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:29:19-04:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- Local + Sustainable Seafood: The Competitive Advantage (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:05:13-04:00
Local + Sustainable Seafood: The Competitive Advantage (2014)
- 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
- 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)
- Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates MeetingLaura Lauffer2016-12-05T11:30:28-04:00
Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates Meeting
- 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)
- Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual ConferenceLaura Lauffer2016-12-05T11:24:20-04:00
Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference
- 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)
- North Carolina Niche Meat Producers Survey (2013)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T21:15:37-04:00
North Carolina Niche Meat Producers Survey (2013)
- Market Channel Evaluation: Analysis of a Direct-Store-Delivery Pilot for Local Meat (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:07:35-04:00
Market Channel Evaluation: Analysis of a Direct-Store-Delivery Pilot for Local Meat (2014)
- Economic Development for Extension Agents at Annual Extension ConferenceLaura Lauffer2016-12-07T08:33:03-04:00
Economic Development for Extension Agents at Annual Extension Conference
- 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)
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:32-04:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)
- 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)
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:30-04:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:26:22-04:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- 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 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)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:15-04:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf LifeShane McCoy2017-03-23T08:07:28-04:00
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
- 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
- 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 Design2018-09-27T12:08:52-04:00
The Local Loyalty Project: Can Positioning a Regional Grocery Chain as a Purveyor of Local Foods Increase Customer Loyalty and Local Foods Sales? (2014)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-04:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-24T11:09:47-04:00
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
- Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:06:12-04:00
Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:05-04:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016)
- What Do All These Label Claims Really Mean? (2017)JJ Richardson2018-03-14T10:03:34-04:00
What Do All These Label Claims Really Mean? (2017)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-04:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
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)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:15-04:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:20:50-04:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- 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
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:30-04:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
- Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop ManualWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:41:29-04:00
Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual
- 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
- 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
- Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of GovernmentWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:55:23-04:00
Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of Government
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)Waystone Design2019-03-28T12:07:40-04:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T13:10:19-04:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (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)
- Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:52-04:00
Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:27:19-04:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:44:41-04:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- 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)
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food HubsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:56:26-04:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business WebsitesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:43:30-04:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:22:52-04:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- 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)
- 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)
- Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food ProgramsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:58-04:00
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:32-04:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)
- 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)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:49-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- 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
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:44:04-04:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:59:51-04:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- 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)
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.
