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.
- Market Channel Evaluation: Analysis of a Direct-Store-Delivery Pilot for Local Meat (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:07:35-05:00
Market Channel Evaluation: Analysis of a Direct-Store-Delivery Pilot for Local Meat (2014)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-05:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:59:51-05:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:15-05:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale MarketsShane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:48-05:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:27:58-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- NC 10 Percent & NCGT: Grower-Buyer Connections Event Planning Guide (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:18:33-05:00
NC 10 Percent & NCGT: Grower-Buyer Connections Event Planning Guide (2016)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:47:18-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:26:22-05:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:11:16-05:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013)
- Keep It Moving: North Carolina Seafood Transportation Logistics with a Focus on East to West Routes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T20:57:42-05:00
Keep It Moving: North Carolina Seafood Transportation Logistics with a Focus on East to West Routes (2014)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:07-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:58:38-05:00
Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)
- Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:43:10-05:00
Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017
- Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:04-05:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:46:39-05:00
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:03:08-05:00
Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014)
- Supply Chain Analysis for Grower-Based Distributors: Feasibility of Bagged Frozen Produce for Sale in Grocery Chain Retailers (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:02:44-05:00
Supply Chain Analysis for Grower-Based Distributors: Feasibility of Bagged Frozen Produce for Sale in Grocery Chain Retailers (2014)
- Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:11-05:00
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
- Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:01:20-05:00
Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:20:50-05:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- Adding Value to Local Food (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:28-05:00
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 Design2018-09-27T12:01:46-05:00
The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017Waystone Design2019-03-05T13:05:04-05:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:18-05:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:00:24-05:00
Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016)
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:04:00-05:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-05:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop ManualWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:41:29-05:00
Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-05:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:30-05:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
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.
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business WebsitesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:43:30-05:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:44:04-05:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select CropsWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:33:29-05:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
- Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of GovernmentWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:55:23-05:00
Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of Government
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:44:41-05:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:15-05:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:18-05:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:17:44-05:00
For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T13:10:19-05:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:47:18-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-05:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:32-05:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-05:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale MarketsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:45:06-05:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-05:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:27:19-05:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and RecommendationsWaystone Design2018-09-24T20:03:36-05:00
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:27:58-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:29:19-05:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-DeliveryWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:03:49-05:00
Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:13-05:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food ProgramsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:58-05:00
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
- Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:52-05:00
Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:32-05:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:59:51-05:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food HubsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:56:26-05:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Adding Value to Local Food (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:28-05:00
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:58-05:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:56:48-05:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:07-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:49-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
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.
