Carp Pond Forum 2010

The Carp Pond Forum 2010 is scheduled for Monday, March 29 at 6:30 pm at the Cleveland County Extension Center, 130 South Post Road Suite 1, Shelby. Carp Pond owners, this is your opportunity to interact with Calvin Keith Crawford, Midway Lakes, Manuel Fredell, Creekside Carp & Catfish Lakes, and Doug Whitaker, Whit-Mar Lakes, as they lead a round table discussion on owning and operating a carp pond. Dinner will be provided with your $10 registration fee ($15 for 2). Make checks payable to: McDowell Cooperative Extension. Mail to McDowell Cooperative Extension, 60 East Court Street, Marion, NC 28752. Call Molly Sandfoss or Cheryl Mitchell at 828-652-7874 with questions. Must register by March 25.

Winter Management Tips

Winter is a good time to lime. Lime increases alkalinity. pH will stay fairly stable at higher alkalinities. Also, alkalinity reduces the toxicity of some chemicals in water. If you have to treat with copper sulfate this Spring or Summer, copper sulfate is less toxic at higher alkalinities.

Treating your pond with salt also is recommended before stocking your pond with a new load of fish. Fish are stressed during harvest and transport. Salt acts to reduce this stress.

If your pond has little inflow and outflow, it may be necessary to break the ice. With a pond that has little inflow, most of the oxygen in water is resulting from contact with the air during winter. If the pond surface is completely frozen for an extended period, this can act as a barrier to replenishing the oxygen in the water. This is especially true if there is snow covering the ice. Most ponds have constantly flowing water so this is usually not a problem.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Stocking Permit

As of July 1, 2005, anyone interested in stocking inland, public fishing waters with fish, mollusks, or crustaceans must obtain a stocking permit issued by the Wildlife Commission. The purpose of this permit is to protect native, or legally established aquatic species from the potentially damaging effects of unauthorized stockings. Fish stocked into public waters have the potential to escape into adjacent waters and create problems for existing aquatic communities by feeding on eggs, fry, or adults of existing fishes. They may compete for food and habitat. Stockings may also introduce diseases and parasites, and possibly interbreeding.

The only waters not affected by this rule are private ponds, which by statute is defined as bodies of water arising within and lying wholly upon the lands of a single owner or group of joint owners or tenants in common, and from which fish cannot escape, and into which fish of legal size cannot enter from public waters at any time.

Since most ponds in western North Carolina are built by impounding streams, they are considered public waters. The term public does not imply that the general public has the right to fish these waters without landowner permission. It means that the waters flowing through the pond are contiguous with adjacent streams.

There is NO charge from this permit. You can find out how to apply by visiting www.ncwildlife.org/fishing/fish_stocking_permit.htm or by calling 919-707-0226. I can also help you getting an application for the stocking permit.

Basic Seafood HACCP Training

Basic Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Training, February 16-18, Morehead City--This annual, two-and-a-half day workshop is designed for personnel in regulatory agencies, the seafood industry, particularly distributors and processors, and others who are required to have an FDA Seafood HACCP Plan in place for handling fresh seafood and seafood products. Cost is $150 per person which includes training, course books and certification fee. The link to the website, www.ncsu.edu/foodscience/workshops_training.htm

Preventing a Recall: Protecting Your Food Business Workshop

Preventing a Recall: Protecting Your Food Business, January 26, Morehead City--this workshop is designed for small food entrepreneurs and food producers who sell directly to the public, seafood processors and retailers, meat handlers producing and selling meat products, individuals interested in developing food recall plans to protect their businesses, and those who want to expand market outreach and are required to obtain liability insurance to enter new markets. For more information, www.ncagr.gov/markets/agbizmarketing.htm

North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference

North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference, January 22-23, Atlantic Beach--An annual program that updates attendees on the status of aquaculture in North Carolina including research updates. The conference will also address topics on seafood safety, aquaculture effluent, niche markets, and more. For a detailed look at the agenda, www.ncaquaculture.org

Aquaculture Farm Tours

Two aquaculture tours to showcase aquaculture production and fee fishing will be offered on December 3 and December 7. On December 3, a tour of Grandfather Trout Farm, Banner Elk, and Hump Mountain Trout Farm, Elk Park, will take place. Grandfather Trout Farm is a fee fishing operation located in near Boone. Hump Mountain Trout Farm is a fingerling and food fish producer located in Elk Park. Both of these facilities have been in operation for years.

On December 7, a tour of Creekside Carp & Catifish Lakes and Whitmar Lakes will take place. These facilities also have been operating for years. If you ever considered aquaculture as a business venture this is your chance to see some fish farms first hand. this is your chance to talk with the business owners. A van will be available for transportation and will leave Marion at 9:30am on both days. Return time scheduled for 4:00pm on December 3 and 3:30pm on December 7. You are welcome to drive to the facilities as well. Registration is required by December 1 and cost is $5.00. Make checks payable to McDowell County Center. Space is limited, call early. Call Cheryl Mitchell or Molly Sandfoss at 828-652-7874.

Water Quality Testing Workshops

Two water quality testing workshops will be offered on Tuesday, November 24 and Thursday, December 10. The workshop on November 24 will be at Willie's Fish Lake, 537 Casstevens Road, Mount Airy. The workshop on Thursday, December 10 will be at Creekside Carp & Catfish Lakes, 2991 Sam Houser Road, Vale. Both workshops will start at 1:00pm and last until 3:00pm. Basic water quality parameters will be reviewed. Then you will have hands-on experience of testing water quality using chemical test kits. If you have testing kits or equipment, feel free to bring them. If you have a recreational pond, farm pond, or fee-fishing pond, this workshop is for you.

Registration is required. Call Cheryl Mitchell or Molly Sandfoss at 828-652-7874. If you have any questions, please call.

USDA Announces Implementation of Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

Beginning September 14, 2009 Producers may sign up to participate in these programs.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that producers may begin applying for benefits under the provisions of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). These permanent disaster programs, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, replace previous ad-hoc disaster assistance programs and are funded through the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund.

"President Obama and I are committed to meeting the needs of those producers who have suffered devastating losses from natural disasters," said Vilsack. "These programs ensure that producers who have suffered agriculture losses receive the critical disaster assistance needed to remain financially solvent and help them continue on in their operations."

LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire. For drought, the losses must have occurred on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or a crop planted specifically for grazing for covered livestock due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the specific type of grazing land in the county. For fire, LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses on rangeland managed by a federal agency if the eligible livestock producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire.

Eligible livestock under LFP include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine. For losses due to drought, qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.

ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, including losses due to blizzards and wildfires. ELAP assistance is for losses not covered under other Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance programs established by the 2008 Farm Bill, specifically LFP, the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE). ELAP is being implemented to fill in the gap and provide assistance under other conditions determined to be appropriate.

For both programs, producers must have suffered losses that occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. There is a total $100,000 limitation per crop year that applies to payments received under ELAP, LFP, LIP or SURE. For the 2008 crop year, the $100,000 limitation is per "person" as defined and determined under payment limitation rules in effect for 2008. For crop years 2009 through 2011, the $100,000 limitation applies to payments received, both directly and indirectly, by a person or legal entity. Furthermore, individuals or entities are ineligible for payment under ELAP or LFP for 2008 if their average Adjusted Gross Income for 2005, 2006 and 2007 exceeds $2.5 million. For 2009 through 2011, an average adjusted gross nonfarm income limitation of $500,000 applies and is determined using the three taxable years that precede the most immediately preceding complete taxable year (for 2009, the applicable years are 2005, 2006 and 2007).

For more information or to apply for ELAP or LFP and other USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance programs, please visit your FSA county office orwww.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Geese Control

A few people have asked me about geese control...Here are some solutions for your geese problems. To control geese a COMBINATION of these methods are necessary. Here they are:

1) NOISE

Under best conditions, 3 - 4 strategically placed cannons may protect up to 25 acres from goose depredation. Many of today's newer models of cannons come with variable timers and rotators that increase effectiveness. Stationary noisemakers, such as cannon, should be moved every 2 - 3 days to prevent habituation by geese.

Mylar tape or birdscare tape might work as well. It is a reflective piece of material that is bright red on one side and bright silver on the other. Feed and Seed stores should have in stock or order for you. Remote controlled airplanes can scare off geese and has had some success.

Another type of auditory approach is use of pyrotechnics, such as whistlers, noise bombs, shellcrackers, and screamer or banger rockets. These firecracker-like devices are shot from a hand-held pistol or 12-gauge shotgun out over a group of geese on land or water where the projectile then explodes. Some of these devices have a range of about 50 - 75 yards. Always check local regulations (police/sheriff’s dept) to be sure of noise ordinances and let them know of your intention to use these materials so that they will be aware of the activity and avoid an unnecessary response to calls of "shots being fired."

2) TASTE

Goose Chase and Fruit Shield are nontoxic bird repellents that contain 26.4% active ingredient, methyl anthranilate, by weight. Methyl anthranilate, or 2-aminobenzoic acid methyl ester, is an aromatic acid ester that occurs naturally in grapes (although the methyl anthranilate in these products is synthetically produced). Methyl anthranilate is a food-grade compound that is used to impart "grape" flavor. Apparently, this flavor is offensive to birds, and they will not eat vegetation treated with it. This product has a UV coloring agent that, according to the manufacturer, the geese are able to see and associate with an area that has been treated with the feeding deterrent. Follow directions and you shouldn’t have a problem with it leaving your property and entering a local waterbody. Be sure to work closely with timing applications with mowing and watering schedules.

3) FEAR WITH WATER

Water Spraying Animal Repeller is a good deterrent because it senses motion and sprays a 3 to 4-second burst of water then resets. Spray coverage can be adjusted from a narrow 10° coverage to 360°, and the 35-foot range lets you place the device where it makes the most sense. Effective on dogs, cats, raccoons, deer, etc. Simply pull up the device, move it to a different location, and turn the water on. Soon, animals won't know where they'll be sprayed from, and will be wary of entering the protected area. Requires a 9V battery (sold separately), which powers the unit for approximately 6 months under normal use.

4) IRRITATING FEEL

Sticky, non-toxic material to stop bird roosting because it is extremely irritating to roosting birds; available in caulk tube; inexpensive. Varying product names: Bird Tanglefoot, Bird-Proof Gel or Liquid. Harmless to metal structures, sealed masonry and ornamental metals, works in any weather, indoors or outdoors, literally anywhere: on water tanks, trees, shrubbery, shipping docks and railroad sidings, yards, parking lots, etc. Apply to roosting edges ledges, windowsills, gutters, cornices, ornamental copings and protruding beams-any surface where birds roost or perch. For trees, bushes, shrubbery and most broad surfaces that would make cartridge application impractical, spray on Bird-Proof Liquid Spray. Keep birds away from parking facilities, trees, bushes, shrubbery and most broad surface areas with Bird-Proof.

5) EXCLUSION

Typically Canada geese prefer to have direct access from the water to walk onto the shoreline.

-Do the banks slope into the pond (this type of bank makes it easy to walk onto the shoreline or is there a straight drop off?

-Obstructions at the shoreline. This process involves the planting of certain types of vegetation or installation of fencing.

-Add in more plants around the banks or leave a buffer area 10-20 ft wide (example list provided). Modifying uninterrupted shorelines with shrubs or boulders every 10 to 20 yards, may reduce an area’s attractiveness to geese, as well as to other waterfowl and shorebirds.

-If a fence is present at the shoreline then this obstruction can prove successful in limiting the presence of geese on the property. Fence ponds prior to the molt (loss of flight feathers in early summer) to prevent access to water and discourage geese from remaining in the area when they are flightless.

When Canada goose access denial to a water source is required, then serious consideration should also be given to the installation of an overhead “grid system” in conjunction with a perimeter fence. This may not be practical for large ponds.

6) POPULATION REDUCTION

Federal and state permits are needed to handle geese, or destroy eggs or nests.

Thanks to Wendi Hartup, Extension Agent, Forsyth County, for providing this information.

2010 Western Piedmont Region Demonstration Grant Program

The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund aims to assist farmers and rural communities to develop new sources of agricultural income through provision of cost-share grants. The Reinvestment Fund will make two types of demonstration awards: Producer Grant Awards up to $10,000 for individuals and Community Grants Awards up to $30,000 for collaborative farmer projects.

The Fund will make cost-share demonstration grants to farmers, farm organizations, and community groups in the Western Piedmont Region of North Carolina. This includes: Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Forsyth, Gaston, Guildford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wilkes, Yadkin, Davie, and Rockingham.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION is January 13, 2010.

Tight margins for most commodity crops and changing farm programs provide new challenges for North Carolina farmers. The purpose of the Reinvestment Fund is to help farmers to develop enterprises that allow them to earn more for their products through innovative production, processing, or marketing approaches.

The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying PRODUCERS must be farmers, who are actively engaged in full or part-time farming in the Western Piedmont region. Priority is given to farmers who earned a significant portion of their income from tobacco at the time of the Master Settlement Agreement (1997-1998) and to projects that create an opportunity for a new generation of farmers.

Qualifying COMMUNITY GROUPS must include qualifying farmers from the Western Piedmont region, and farmers must be active in the leadership of the group. Groups of farmers, farm coops, farmer associations, churches, local business, civic organizations, or combination of these are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Eligible PROJECTS are those that: have a likelihood of generating new farm income; establish new markets for local products and services; develop new uses for greenhouses; add value to existing farm products by processing, packaging or marketing in a special way; make new use of tobacco facilities and equipment; maintain or create quality employment, including self-employment or opportunities for home-based businesses; make optimal use of on-farm and natural resources.

High Priority will be given to projects that are innovative and demonstrate a new direction or opportunity for farmers in North Carolina.

IMPORTANT DATES!

Early Bird Deadline - December 18, 2009
Application Deadline -January 13, 2010
Award Notification - March 9, 2010
Interim Report Due - TBA
Final Report Due - TBA
Projects Completed - TBA

APPLICATION & DETAILED INFORMATION

http://www.ncfarmgrants.org

Jason Roehrig

jason@rafiusa.org

919-542-1396

Mountain Farmers Eligible for Funds to Help Diversify: WNC AgOptions Grant

WNC Agricultural Options will award approximately 45 farmers in 17 counties and the Cherokee Indian reservation $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000. These funds will be used to help farmers to diversify or expand their operations.

Interested applicants should see the agricultural agents at their local Extension Centers by November 23, and can visit www.wncagoptions.org to download an application. Projects should increase the sale of farm products and lead to the long-term sustainability of the farm business. The postmark deadline for applications is January 8.

WNC Ag Options is managed by the NC Cooperative Extension Centers in the West District. The program works with producers who demonstrate ways to increase farm income to other transitioning farmers, particularly tobacco growers. WNC Ag Options works in partnership with RAFI-USA's Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund, and the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission sponsors the program.

"The partnership we have with the WNC AgOptions program is very valuable to us," said William Upchurch, Executive Director of the Tobacco Trust Fund commission. "Our experience has shown that participating farmers utilize these grants for innovative, resourceful and profitable enterprises that can make a huge impact on their farming operation."

Recent recipients are transitioning from commercial to direct markets, extending their growing seasons, or developing value-added processing systems so that they will have a product to sell year-round. With a grant they received in spring 2009, Tammie and Mike Edwards of Yancey County are building a germination chamber in a greenhouse they previously used in tobacco production to start plants for their potted flower operation. Saving them the cost of buying their own plugs, "...could make a difference if we stay in business," Tammie Edwards said.

Skipper Russel of Haywood County, a 2005 and 2009 recipient, and Kaleb Rathbone, a 2006 recipient, both have the infrastructure in place to open up markets with Ingles grocery stores this year, in large part due to the WNC AgOptions grants. Russel, who purchased a refrigeration truck, sells lettuce to Ingles, and Rathbone, who installed irrigation, sells strawberries.

Other WNC AgOptions recipients use the funds to offset the financial risk of trying untested, unique endeavors, such as hops production. "Just applying for the grant was about the best thing I could have done," said Van Burnette of Buncombe County, who started "Hop 'N Blueberry" on his family's seventh generation farm. "I learned so much about the cost, timeline, and the activities, and narrowed down what I wanted to do with the farm."

Established in 2003, WNC AgOptions is entering its sixth funding cycle. Members of the WNC AgOptions steering committee include: representatives from NC Cooperative Extension Service, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Marketing Division, HandMade in America, Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project, former WNC AgOptions recipients and other leaders in agribusiness.

Money Available for Farmers: Matching Funds Provide Dollars for Marketing Local Food

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is making matching funds available to farmers through a program funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. Farmers can apply for matching funds that will enable them to conduct promotions and develop materials that identify their products as local. ASAP will offr approximately $50,000 total to Southern Appalachian farmers to help them market and promote local foods.

Individual farmers can apply to receive up to $1500 of assistance. Farmers tailgate markets are eligible for up to $2000. As much as $5000 is available for groups of farmers.

Matching funds mean that ASAP will pay up to half of accepted applicants' costs for promotions and marketing materials. Current and former tobacco farmers can receive up to 75% of these marketing costs.

Funds can go towards advertisements in print, on the radio, or in other media; product labeling; graphic design; materials such as posters and business cards; signs; and more.

"Southern Appalachian farmers produce a wealth of high quality foods, and there's a growing demand for locally grown food. Shoppers and farmers just need help connecting," says Charlie Jackson, Executive Director of ASAP. "Matching funds will allow farmers to form these connections through marketing and strengthen our local food system." Good marketing helps authentically local food stand out and compete with other products. Furthermore, providing matching funds encourages local make marketing plans, which are much needed to succeed in the current economic climate.

To apply for funds, farmers must be Appalachian Grown certified. The promotion must reach the public and support farmers within one or more of these Appalachian Grown Counties in North Carolina: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. If possible, approved applicants should incorporate the Appalachian Grown logo in the materials for which they receive funding. Appalachian Grown is a branding program that identifies products from family farms in the Southern Appalachians. ASAP developed the program to preserve the values associated with truly local food. Getting Appalachian Grown certified is a simple process and it's free.

For information about Appalachian Grown certification and the matching funds application, visit www.asapconnections.org or contact Megan Ray at megan@asapconnections.com.

2008 Aquaculture Grant Update

The application for the 2008 North Carolina Aquaculture Grant program is now online at http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/aquacutlure/2008AGP.htm.

If you have a NC Aquaculture License, you should also receive a hard copy by US mail.

Detailed information on program requirements and restrictions is included with your application packet. Please note the eligibility requirements. Also please note the application deadline of July 29, 2009. NC will be issuing feed vouchers for this program. Vouchers can only be used for future feed purchases and not to settle current feed debts.

The purpose

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Section 102 (d) of the Recovery Act provides $50 million to administer a 2008 Aquaculture Grant Program (AGP) to assist aquaculture producers for losses associated with high feed input costs during 2008.

Who may apply?

Only persons currently farming aquaculture species in North Carolina with a North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Aquaculture Production License or Division of Marine Fisheries Aquaculture Operations Permit qualify for this program.

What are the eligibility requirements?

During 2008, an aquaculture producer met the following criteria:

• raised an aquaculture species in a controlled environment; maintained the aquaculture species as part of a farming operation and had a risk in the production of such species;
• produced an aquaculture species for which 2008 feed costs represented at least 25% of the producer's total input costs for the aquaculture operation as certified by the producer;
  
• experienced at least a 25% increase in 2008 feed costs above the previous 5-year average (2003-2007); and
• is currently in operation (2009), as of the date of the AGP application with NCDA&CS.

Matt Parker 252-633-1477 or Debra Sloan 828-524-1264 are your contacts for this program.

2008 Aquaculture Grant Program

The 2008 Aquaculture Grant program is part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment of 2009 that was passed by the Obama administration in February. This designated $50 million to the US aquaculture industry.

The application process for North Carolina has yet to be ironed out. But you will need the North Carolina Aquaculture license. If you have yet to get one or yours has expired, please get your NC Aquaculture license. Information about the North Carolina Aquaculture license. It is free and only takes a few weeks to process.

Please start to collect feed invoices, receipts, or documentation from your feed vendor for the total amount of feed purchased in 2007 and possibly 2008. Monetary assistance will be based on this information.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services contact for this program is Mr. Matt Parker, matthew.parker@ncagr.gov, 252-633-1477.

Small-Scale Aquaculture Workshop

I just love grabbing a home-grown tomato off the vine, fresh for dinner. Wouldn't it be great if you could have some homegrown trout or catfish with your garden veggies? If you have a pond, you can. And, we all know fish is good for you.

A Small-Scale Aquaculture Workshop will be presented on May 4 at 6:00 pm by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. There is a $5 registration fee, $7 for couples. You must register by Thursday, April 30. Make checks payable and mail to McDowell Extension Service, 60 East Court Street, Marion, NC 28752. Attn: Aquaculture Workshop.

The meeting will be held in the County Administration Building in the McDowell County Extension Service Conference Room on the 2nd floor, 60 East Court Street, Marion.

For more information, contact Cheryl Mitchell, 828-652-7874.

Farm to Fork: Regional Food Systems

Building a Sustainable Local Food Economy in North Carolina: From Farm-to-Fork

We are pleased to announce that over the next year, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has been funded to reach out across the state and together with our partners ask: What will it take to build a sustainable local food economy in North Carolina?

From the mountains to the coast, various organizations are promoting and implementing exciting initiatives to support our state and communities through sustainable local agriculture. Examples include new farmer's markets, local food policy councils, comprehensive county- or region-based food initiatives, farm incubator programs, farm and/or garden youth educational programs, health and nutrition projects focused on local sustainable foods, procurement initiatives by large retail and institutional buyers and schools, and much more.

If each North Carolinian spent $0.25/day on local food (just 2.5% of the $3,600 that we spend on average on food consumption per year), it would mean $792 million for the state's economy. That money circulates here in the state so has a multiplier effect, rather than going to a corporate headquarters in another state.

Other benefits of a sustainable local food economy in NC include economic development, job creation within farming and food sectors, preservation of open space, decreased use of fossil fuel and associated carbon emissions, preservation and protection of the natural environment, increased consumer access to fresh and nutritious foods, and greater food security for all North Carolinians.

Over the next year, CEFS and its partners will be gathering information from across food system sectors: conducting regional meetings, targeted issues discussions, interviews, and hosting a statewide summit on March 2 and 3, 2009. Our desired result is a Statewide Action Plan for Building the Local Food Economy with specific steps (short- and long-term) that policy makers, Universities, government agencies, environmental organizations, businesses, funding agencies, social activists, NGO s and citizens can take to make this happen.

A regional meeting is to be held in:
Asheville, NC: November 12, 1:30-4:30 pm at the NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way.

The purpose of the regional meetings is to bring together those engaged in all aspects of the food system, to collect information and ideas that will the building blocks of discussion at the summitt and eventually the core components of the State Action Plan. We want to identify specific regional and local sustainable food systems model that are working and also regional challenges that can be addressed through policies, programs, and funding. These regional meetings will be facilitated listening sessions and provide important input into this process, so broad participation is encouraged.

The State Action Plan will:

1. describe key elements of our current food system and define key terms
2. identify the diversity of people, businesses, and organizations involved in and impacted by NC's food system;
3. highlight specific efforts and partnerships underway across our state and within different sectors of the food system to achieve greater "localness" in our food system; and
4. identify opportunities for action, and propose priorities, both in the short- and long-term, that will enable us to make progress toward a shared goal.

Please share this information with others who may be interested in Farm to Fork.

CEFS website