Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

Applications for the Organic Growers School's new Climate Resiliency Training close 10/30! www.organicgrowersschool.org/climate-resi...

For Farmers, the Government Shutdown Adds More Challenges With no access to local ag-related offices, critical loans, or disaster assistance, farmers are facing even more stressors.

Farmers with federally backed projects in the works immediately felt the impacts of the shutdown. The longer the shutdown goes on, the longer farmers will have to delay investments for their operations, including the purchase of new equipment.

CFSA is proud to be an approved nonprofit through the North Carolina State Employees Combined Campaign! Your pledge powers our technical assistance, advocacy, and education initiatives supporting small-scale growers and local food systems across the Carolinas. CODE #2548
ncsecc.org

The Sustainable Agriculture Conference is right around the corner! If you haven't yet bought your tickets to join us in Columbia next month, NOW is the time to do so: https://carolinafarmstewards.org/sustainable-agriculture-conference/

Are you a farmer in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene? ⛈️ Join a small group of peer farmers to build your disaster recovery and preparedness plan – with expert support, hands-on tools, and peer collaboration.

Space is limited – sign up now: https://forms.gle/TZeDaVtLRhoBN33y6

How the 2025 Government Shutdown Affects Farmers, and What Comes Next - Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Federal government shutdowns are nothing new. They’ve happened occasionally over the years, usually lasting no more than a few days. The current shutdown, however,  is different – and impacting farmer...

NEW POLICY ANALYSIS ON THE BLOG: 2025 Government Shutdown

carolinafarmstewards.org/how-the-2025...

📲 CAROLINAFARMSTEWARDS.ORG/EVENTS

Join CFSA for an upcoming workshop to build your skills, knowledge, and network as a sustainable grower this season!

More than 90 speakers are scheduled to lead workshops at this year's Sustainable Agriculture Conference! This is what community-led education and knowledge building looks like, y'all. 💪

Don't miss your chance to learn from the best & brightest in the biz: carolinafarmstewards.org/sustainable-...

A joy to see our friends at Hawk’s Nest Healing Gardens featured in this Civil Eats article on the healing power of small-scale agriculture!

Fall is in the air! 🍁🎃 Commit to building your skills and knowledge as a sustainable grower this season by registering for one -- or more! -- of our many upcoming events: carolinafarmstewards.org/events/

New farmer resource alert: CFSA's Organic Cucumber High Tunnel Production Guide is now available to read and download on our website! In our admittedly biased opinion, it's kind of a big dill. 😉🥒🧑‍🌾🎉

carolinafarmstewards.org/resources/seasonal-high-tunnel-production-organic-cucumber-guide

Happy August -- hope to see all y'all at an upcoming event!
www.carolinafarmstewards.org/events
⬇️

Could Child Care Centers Strengthen Local Food Systems? A Q&A with local food expert Dara Bloom explores this untapped market for farmers—even though the USDA eliminated funding for such initiatives.

Through her research, local foods expert Dara Bloom hopes to improve food access for underserved communities and economic opportunities for small farmers. She says the child care sector can play a key role—if given the chance.

Show your organization's support for farmers and sustainable agriculture, reach hundreds of growers and food systems leaders, and elevate your brand by sponsoring & exhibiting at the 2025 Sustainable Ag Conference!

Sign up: cvent.me/kveRnK

USDA Cancels More Support for Regional Food Systems The agency is eliminating the Regional Food Business Centers, a program meant to help small farms and other food businesses build local infrastructure.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced today she’s cancelling a USDA program that runs the country’s Regional Food Business Centers, which support small farms and food businesses around the country.

SIGN UP: FREE HELENE RECOVERY ASSISTANCE FOR WNC FARMERS

➡️ carolinafarmstewards.org/disaster-rec...

Through our technical assistance program, hurricane-impacted farmers can work with CFSA to rebuild infrastructure, navigate grant & gov funding program applications, & plan for a resilient future.

Mark your calendars and get excited: The 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Conference is coming to the Palmetto State Nov 14th - 16th! 🌴☀️

The Member Pre-Sale for conference registration opens on 7/15, and general Early Bird opens 8/1.

www.carolinafarmstewards.org/sustainable-agriculture-conference/

Flooded Riverwalk greenway entrance

Safety reminders!

Floodwaters contain bacteria from sewer overflows. Please do not pass barricades and avoid walking in areas that have been flooded for the safety of you and your dogs.

Also, please avoid downed trees and power lines because of the risk of electrocution.

buff.ly/TMI8jsz

Tickled pink and feeling peachy to have a busy summer of events scheduled! Hope to see y'all at these upcoming workshops, webinars, and meet-ups -- lots of virtual options so you can stay cool while you learn practical skills and build new connections.

carolinafarmstewards.org/events/

CFSA has provided free, on-farm technical assistance to over 1,500 member farmers in the past decade, and you could be next in line: registration for our 2025 technical assistance programs is open!

Sign up: carolinafarmstewards.org/technical-assistance

The CFSA Summer Membership Drive is live!

For a limited time only, new and renewing members can use code ✨MEMBER10✨ to save $10 on CFSA membership, because community and coalition-building has never been more important.

🔗 Join our movement: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/membership

Thanks to Deep Roots Farm in Charlotte for hosting a GAP workshop with CFSA last month! Farmers Cherie & Wisdom Jzar provided valuable instruction on the GAP certification process & discussed how they prepared for their own audit. Find June CFSA events: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/events-calen...

Next Weds 5/28, CFSA will host our annual Farm Field Day: REGISTER TODAY! carolinafarmstewards.org/event/lomax-farm-field-day

Spend a day on the Lomax farm in Concord, where we train new farmers, participate in organic ag research trials, host volunteer groups, grow produce for donation, and more.

Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program | NC Agriculture

Application Links:
- Crop Loss: www.ncagr.gov/agdisaster
- ECP: www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/inform...

2. Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Application Deadline: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Available to farms in states affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Eligible Recovery Activities Include:
- Removing debris from farmland
- Grading, shaping, or leveling land
- Restoring permanent fences

YouTube video by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Info & Application Live Demo: 2025 NCDA Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program

1. NC Ag Disaster Crop Loss Funding Program
Deadline Extended: 5/19
- $200m is available for NC farms that experienced infrastructure damage or crop losses due to #HurricaneHelene.
- Watch CFSA's step-by-step application guide: youtu.be/UGQevMMSUj4

🧵 Disaster Relief Funding Programs with Approaching Deadlines: SHARE WIDELY. Looking for one-on-one assistance with your application? Have questions?
Email: heleneassistance[at]carolinafarmstewards[dot]org.

The House Ag Committee has proposed $290b in farm bill reductions via federal budget reconciliation. Bill markup happening TODAY 5/14: call NC committee reps to tell them to protect support for local producers.
Rouzer: (202) 225-2731
Davis: (202) 225-3101
Harris: (202) 225-1976
Adams: (202) 225-1510

CFSA is seeking farmers, food systems organizers, technical service providers, & ag industry experts to present workshops at the 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Conference, to be held in Columbia, SC Nov 14-16! Submit a proposal by May 31 to be considered: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/sustainable-...

@carolinafarms.bsky.social and @weaverstreetmarket.bsky.social extend our thanks to the 2,000+ attendees, 33 host farms, 5 sponsors, and 90 volunteers who brought the 2025 Piedmont Farm Tour to life and made it so special!

Keep the local love going: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/donate