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about cfsa

Our Mission
Promote local and organic agriculture in the Carolinas by inspiring, educating and organizing farmers and consumers.

Our Vision
A regional food system that is good for the farmer, the consumer and the land. CFSA is a membership-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of more than 1,000 farmers, gardeners, consumers and businesses in North and South Carolina. These members are committed to sustainable agriculture and the development of locally-based, organic food systems. Learn more about how you can join our efforts to grow a healthier food system for our communities.

CFSA was founded in 1979 by a group of farmers, gardeners and consumers to support each other and foster the growth of organic food in the Carolinas. Since then, we've developed a rich history, helping to define and grow the sustainable agriculture movement in our region.

CFSA is governed by a diverse 13-member Board of Directors. CFSA operates through efforts of our dedicated staff, and through the work of volunteers in our regional Chapters. Chapters develop educational programs, work on local solutions to food system problems, and allow members to network with neighbors committed to healthy food and farms.

We're is pursuing an ambitious agenda to make real change in the Carolinas' Food System. Check out our 2010 Strategic Plan to learn more about how CFSA is making a difference.

By joining CFSA, you help us empower communities to restore local control of our food supply and protect the environment from toxic and destructive farming practices. And you help give Sustainable Agriculture and the Carolinas’ fantastic family farmers a voice in local, state and federal policy. Become a member today!

history
CFSA was founded in 1979 by a group of farmers, gardeners and consumers to support each other in their efforts to foster the growth and distribution of organic food in the Carolinas. CFSA became official by incorporating in 1982 and developed an organic certification program in 1987. The timeline below gives some of the highlights of our almost 30 years of work on sustainable food issues in the Carolinas.

1979 – CFSA was founded by a small group of farmers, gardeners and consumers

1981 – CFSA was incorporated as a NC not-for-profit organization

1986 – First Alternative Farming Field Day (eventually became the Annual Sustainable
Agriculture Conference)

1987 – CFSA develops an Organic Certification program

1988 – Received first grant, $15,000 from USDA

1989 – Received 501c3 tax exempt status

1989 – Received 2nd grant, $100,000 from USDA

1990 – CFSA member, Ken Dawson, testifies on Farm Bill

1991 – CFSA opens first official office in Carrboro, NC

1992 – Marjorie Bender becomes first full-time Executive Director of CFSA

1994 – A Kellogg Partners in Agriculture grant allowed CFSA and sister organizations to
create Mountain Partners in Agriculture. MPIA would be instrumental in creating the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP)

1995 – First Piedmont & Mountain Farm Tours

2002 – USDA National Organic Standards require certification to use the term “organic”

2003 – Saving Our Seed project was started by CFSA with grant funding from the        Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

2004 – CFSA creates Eastern Carolina Organics to help market Carolina organic         produce, with funding support from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

2005 – Cricket Rakita began the Organic Seed Sourcing Service and One Seed at a Time seed bank through Saving Our Seed
ECO is formed as a LLC separate from CFSA

2006 – CFSA instrumental in blockage of the “GMO bill” that would have prevented NC
municipalities from banning genetically modified plants

2007 – CFSA launches its Farm Incubator program with support from the Ben & Jerry’s          Foundation.

cfsa at work
Here are some recent actions cfsa has taken to build sustainable food communities while protecting our farmers:

CFSA Sustainable Agriculture Briefing to Governor Perdue

CFSA opposition letter to selling or closure of NC agricultural research stations

CFSA comments to the USDA on proposed "Naturally Raised" livestock label

CFSA comments to the USDA on proposed marketing agreement for leafy greens

CFSA opposes the implementation of the national animal identification system (NAIS) proposed by the USDA

board of directors

chapters

 

 

 

north carolina

NC Mountains Chapter (Mitchell, Yancey, McDowell, Rutherford, Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Haywood, Transylvania, Swain, Jackson, Graham, Macon, Cherokee, Clay counties) Contact: Jennifer Lunsford, 828-775-4900

NC High Country Chapter (Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes counties)
Contact: Sally Thiel, 336-384-2546

NC Triangle Chapter (Caswell, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Franklin, Chatham, Wake, Lee, Harnett, Johnston counties)

NC Charlotte Chapter (Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Anson, Stanly, Rowan, Iredell, Alexander, Catawba, Burke, Lincoln, Cleveland counties)
Contact: Christy Underwood, 704-538-5742

NC Triad Chapter (Surry, Stokes, Yadkin, Davie, Forsyth, Davidson, Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph counties)

NC Coastal Chapter (Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Gates, Chowan, Hertford, Northhamton, Halifax, Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson, Greene, Wayne, Pitt, Martin, Bertie, Washington, Tyrrell, Dare, Hyde, Beaufort, Craven, Lenoir, Jones, Onslow, Duplin, Pamlico, Carteret, New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen, Sampson, Cumberland, Pender, Hoke, Robeson, Scotland,Richmond, Montgomery, Moore counties)

south carolina

SC Upstate Chapter (Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Pickens, Oconee, Greenwood, Union counties) Contact: Brandon Grace, 864-934-2737

Don't see an active chapter in your area? Help us to build a network of sustainable agriculture advacotes across the Carolinas.
Contact Roland to learn more.