By Ashley See, CFSA Communications Coordinator | Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 –
Each year, CFSA recognizes sustainable agriculture leaders at the Sustainable Agriculture Conference.
The CFSA Awards For Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture honor individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the sustainable food movement in North and South Carolina and have helped make the Carolinas one of the fastest growing sustainable agricultural sectors in the country.
In 2018, we honored the following:
Farmer of the Year: Herbie Cottle, Cottle Organics
This honor recognizes an outstanding North or South Carolina farmer who has demonstrated uncommon achievement through inspiring innovations in agriculture and contributions to strengthening the field of sustainable agriculture in the Carolinas.
Pictured above from left to right: Sandi Kronick, Eastern Carolina Organics; Herbie Cottle, Cottle Organics; Roland McReynolds, CFSA
Beginning Farmer of the Year: Will Metts, Metts Organix
The beginning farmer award recognizes a farmer who has been in production for less than ten years. Upon receiving a nomination form, candidates may be asked to provide a site visit with CFSA to see their farm in action, and/or to share their business plan. Excellent candidates demonstrate a strong business plan, innovation, and commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Pictured above: Stephen Nix presenting and accepting the award on Will’s behalf.
Business of the Year: GrowFood Carolina
This award recognizes a business that supports and advances the work of sustainable agriculture leaders in the Carolinas.
Pictured above from left to right:
(Top) Roland McReynolds, CFSA; Leah Pederson, GrowFood Carolina; Benton Montgomery, GrowFood Carolina
(Bottom) Nikki Seibert, Wit Meets Grit; Alison Pierce, GrowFood Carolina; Becca Watson, GrowFood Carolina
Institution/Non-Profit of the Year: The Lord’s Acre
This award recognizes an outstanding institution that supports and advances the work of sustainable agriculture leaders in the Carolinas.
Pictured above from left to right: William Hamilton, NC Farmlink; Susan Sides, The Lord’s Acre; Roland McReynolds, CFSA
Activist of the Year: Sarah Daniels
This award recognizes an NC or SC citizen who has advanced a cause or causes in sustainable agriculture through advocacy and activism. Providing links to the candidate’s contributions or work is strongly encouraged.
Pictured above from left to right: Roland McReynolds, CFSA; Sarah Daniels, Heirloom Ideas Consulting; Tay Fatke, CFSA
Extension Agent of the Year: Amy Dabbs (SC) & Craig Mauney (NC)
These awards are managed through the respective states extension offices.
Pictured above from left to right: Roland McReynolds, CFSA; Amy Dabbs, Clemson; Kelly Ann Flynn, Clemson
Pictured above from left to right: Sanjun Gu, NC A&T; Craig Mauney, NC State; Roland McReynolds, CFSA
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tony Kleese
The organic farming community in the Carolinas would not be where it is today without the work of Tony Kleese.
His career of accomplishment was especially important to CFSA. Recognized in 1995 as one of our first Activists of the Year, he led our organic certification program, and served on CFSA’s Board of Directors and then as executive director. Tony has been a sought-after instructor at events like the Sustainable Agriculture Conference.
In recognition of Tony’s service to the farming community, CFSA’s Board of Directors awarded Tony a Lifetime Achievement Award at its winter meeting on Feb. 25, 2018. Tony courageously battled cancer and passed on Mar. 17, 2018. This award was presented at the conference, which Sandi Kronick of Eastern Carolina Organics spoke and accepted it on his family’s behalf.
We published a blog post on this award earlier last year. If you’d like to read the many staff and reader comments that folks around the Carolinas submitted to recognize Tony’s impact on them, please see that post.
All photos by Leonora Stefanile