Jessica Mrugala is the Local Food Systems Regional Area Specialized Agent for the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS) program in southwestern North Carolina. Her service areas include Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Cherokee, Clay, Graham counties, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on their Qualla Boundary. EMFS is a grant-funded four-year project aimed to build capacity and opportunities for local food in southwestern North Carolina. Or in Jessica’s words, to keep farmers farming and local food businesses thriving! Her role ranges from supporting farmers’ markets, working with college students, designing and implementing community-based programming, and scheduling trainings for agents, business owners, and curious community members.
Read more at: localfood.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/03/implementing-produce-rx-programs-in-wnc-a-conversation-with-jessica-mrugala