Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

what we do

Strengthen Local Food Systems

Here’s how we bolster local, organic food throughout South and North Carolina.

Help Farmers

We provide farmers and food hubs with the tools, resources, and technical assistance they need to be resilient, profitable, and productive.

See Farm Services

Education

We host conferences, workshops, meetups, and farm tours to keep you informed about the latest in local, organic food and farming.

Find an Event or Workshop

Advocacy

We drive local, state, and national policies to build a better food system.

View The Issues

Connect Consumers

We empower community members across the Carolinas to support and participate in the local food system.

Get Involved

EVENTS

Featured Event

See All Events

CFSA’s 39th Sustainable Agriculture Conference

CFSA’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference, 39 years strong, brings together farmers, food systems changemakers, and community leaders from across the...

See Event

12:00 am - 11:59 pm 301 West Morgan Street
Durham,27701United States

Liberation Through Abundance: Market Gardening with Perennials and Cooperative Economics

8:30 am - 4:30 pm 7034 Whitney Rd
Graham,27253United States

04 November

Farmer-to-Farmer Seminar: Organic Management Strategies & Soil Health

8:30 am - 4:30 pm 913 Arthur Minnis Rd
Hillsborough,27278United States

blog

Featured
News, Articles, & Stories

Running Resources for Helene Response & Relief

Senate Farm Bill Proposal Includes Promising Food System Reform

Cultivating a Greener Future: The Role of Climate-Smart Agriculture Programs

Farms on the 2024 Piedmont Farm Tour

New Farms on the 2024 Piedmont Farm Tour

Microledon Farm, Conservation Planning, and a Third Perspective

Forced-Air Cooling Is Economical & GAP-Friendly

Seed Starting for Success

Analysis of the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule

Good Agricultural Practices—Protecting the People We Feed

Addressing Gaps in Organic Education

Weed Suppression Using Silage Tarps

Climate-Smart Farming – A Passing Phase or Farming Reinvented?

The State of Organic Markets in the Carolinas

What Egg Producers Need to Know About Safe Handling Practices and the Law

Making Amendments Work for You and Your Soil

Managing the Tomato Fruitworm in the Carolinas

Your Volunteer Guide to Food Councils in the Carolinas

Disappearing Legacies: Endangered Livestock Breeds of the Southeast

How to Store Vegetable Seeds Long Term

25 Ways to Attract Pollinators to Your Farms & Gardens

Meet Mary Beth Miller, CFSA Education Manager

Where Can I _____ on The Piedmont Farm Tour?

Farm Tour FAQs

5 Reasons to Grow Mushrooms in Your Garden & Farm

Meet Marianna Spence, CFSA Membership Coordinator

Membership Advocacy Program 2024: Apply Now!

Meet Cheryl Ripperton Rettie, CFSA Finance, Administration, & HR Director

Meet Matt Kneece, CFSA South Carolina Policy Coordinator

Diving Deep Into Collard Diversity

Meet Mark Dempsey, CFSA Farm Services Manager

Meet Claire McLendon, CFSA Grants Coordinator

How Farmers Are Adapting to Keep Up with COVID-19 Demand

Witnessing to Racial Injustice and the Value of Black Lives

FSMA Preventive Controls Rule FAQs

Key Census Takeaways for the Carolinas

A Closer Look: The Farms & Food of Central & Southern Italy (Pt. 2)

Organic Plant Breeding Yields Superior Varieties for Cucurbit Growers

Where Can You Get Local Flowers This Season?

The Farms & Food of Central & Southern Italy

A Closer Look: The Farms & Food of Central & Southern Italy (Pt. 1)

New Farms on the 2019 Piedmont Farm Tour

Regenerative Farming Practices for Fiber Farms

Chickens: Free Water Equals More Free Time

Prison Whiskey: A New Twist on Small-Batch Bourbon

A Native Carolina Fruit That Tastes like a Tropical Vacation

Farmers Overcome Obstacles Across the Globe

Crop Insurance Modernization

In Search of the Farm Lawyer, Part I: The Myth

Eating Sustainably: Is Buying Organic Worth It?

In Search of the Farm Lawyer, Part II: Access to Legal Services

GMO Labeling

Hydroponics and the Organic Label (Part Two)

Hydroponics and the Organic Label (Part Three)

Hydroponics and the Organic Label (Part Four)

Honoring a Founding Champion of Local, Organic Agriculture

Saving the Delaware Chicken and Other Rare Breeds at Chickcharney Farm

Hydroponics and the Organic Label (Part One)

The Federal Budget Process: How The United States Allocates Spending on Federal Programs and Services

Okfuskee Farm: Young Farmers Use Holistic Management as Innovation

Food Labels 101: Organic, Cage-Free, Grass fed, Natural

Partnerships to elevate local food policy – Community Food Strategies, Plate of the Union and local food councils

7 Hacks To Keep Your Fruits And Vegetables Fresh For Longer

Cates Corner Farm: A North Carolina Century Farm Thrives in the 21st Century

Do You Have to Follow the FSMA Produce Rules?

FSA County Committees

The DARK Act

Read CFSA’s Comments on FDA’s New FSMA Rules

NC ORGANIC INPUT FINDER

SC ORGANIC INPUT FINDER

ORGANIC PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS FINDER

September 11 – FDA’s Proposed Produce Rule is “Food-Safety Theatre”

What’s Wrong With FSMA and What Needs Changing

About FSMA

July 22 – Why You Don’t Want to be a “Facility”

August 20 – Agricultural Water Standards in FSMA – How it Affects Farmers

CFSA’s Fight for Food Safety

TAKE ACTION – Comment Now!

June 5 – It’s Time to Change the Food Safety Debate

June 19 – What Will FSMA Compliance Cost Farmers and Consumers?

June 26 – Federal Food Safety Laws Could Cost Industry Millions

Specific Ways FDA “Food Safety Modernization Act” Will Harm Sustainable Agriculture

July 12 – ‘What is a Food Facility’? Whatever FDA Says it Is (And That’s a Big Problem)

Honoring Bill Dow: The William W. Dow Scholarship Fund

Organic and Non-GMO Feed and Hay Sources Finder

Applying to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Good Questions to Ask Your Farmer About Your Food

Farm Bill 2023: Local Farms & Food Act Protects Critical Food System Investments

Managing Soil pH on Your Farm

ARA: Helping Farmers Deal with the Challenges of Climate Change

2022 Questions for Candidates

Farm to Conference: How Kris Reid Feeds the Masses at the Sustainable Agriculture Conference

Raising Pigs in the Carolinas and Beyond: An Interview with Swine Specialist Rhyne Cureton

How Regenerative Agriculture Can Save Family Farms & Solve Climate Change

Farms and Food in the State Budget

Timely Policy Issues

Action
Alerts

May 22 2024 House Farm Bill Draft a Major Setback for Sustainable Agriculture

After many months, technically years of waiting, the House Agriculture Committee has finally released their full draft legislative text...

September 30 2024 Running Resources for Helene Response & Relief

Our hearts are heavy for all affected by Hurricane Helene across the Southeast and here in the Carolinas. And...

Lomax Farm

The Lomax Research & Education Farm is a certified organic farm in Concord, NC, that provides land access and research-based education to farmers, students, and community members to foster a resilient local food system that protects our natural resources for future generations.

Learn More

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Strengthen Local Food Systems

Help Farmers

Education

Advocacy

Connect Consumers

Featured Event

CFSA’s 39th Sustainable Agriculture Conference

More Upcoming Events

Farming While Black Film Screening & Panel Discussion

The Art and Science of Turkey Processing: A Hands-On Workshop

Liberation Through Abundance: Market Gardening with Perennials and Cooperative Economics

Farmer-to-Farmer Seminar: Organic Management Strategies & Soil Health

Featured
News, Articles, & Stories

Action
Alerts

Lomax Farm

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Helping the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food since 1979

Strengthen Local Food Systems

Help Farmers

Education

Advocacy

Connect Consumers

Featured Event

CFSA’s 39th Sustainable Agriculture Conference

More Upcoming Events

Farming While Black Film Screening & Panel Discussion

The Art and Science of Turkey Processing: A Hands-On Workshop

Liberation Through Abundance: Market Gardening with Perennials and Cooperative Economics

Farmer-to-Farmer Seminar: Organic Management Strategies & Soil Health

Featured News, Articles, & Stories

Action Alerts

Lomax Farm

Featured
News, Articles, & Stories

Action
Alerts