Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

Hey there – yes, you! If you're seeing this post, you care about local food and sustainable agriculture. 🍓 We do too.

Maybe you already keep a garden, shop at the farmers' market, or participate in a CSA program – kudos! – but now you're wondering how else you can support local food systems.

We're so glad you asked! 😉

May we suggest becoming a CFSA Member? 🤩

CFSA Membership is a powerful way to invest in local, sustainable food and farms at a systems level: Membership support fuels CFSA's educational programs and advocacy initiatives, and helps farmers access the on-farm technical guidance, networking events and workshops, and resources they need to thrive. 💪 Small farms are the backbone of our community-based food systems, and Membership is one way we can pay it forward.

Not to mention, as a CFSA Member you'll enjoy access to our food & farming advocacy training course, our listservs and Job Board, and discounts on events and partnering business services; plus, you'll be the first to know when we share new announcements, opportunities, and publications.

CFSA Membership is an investment in local food systems, and your support is crucial. 🌻 We need you in our local food coalition!

➡️ Join us: https://carolinafarmstewards.org/membership/

Farming is hard. Let us lighten the load! 🌱

Sign up for technical assistance from the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, and you'll be paired with a subject matter expert from our Farm Services team to provide boots-on-the-ground, personalized guidance and support for your farm operation.

No farm too small, no problem too big: with technical assistance offerings across important, practical topics like organic production, high tunnel growing, conservation planning, market access, disaster recovery, and food safety, we aim to meet you where you are on your farming journey, and help you grow, meet your goals, and thrive.

We've provided support to nearly 2,000 farms through our technical assistance programs, and now it's your turn! 🧑‍🌾 Invest in your farm's future by signing up for technical assistance today, included with a $40/year CFSA Membership.

➡️ Let's get started: carolinafarmstewards.org/technical-assistance

We’re excited to be part of the upcoming Camping-Based Agritourism Webinar: How Hipcamp Can Unlock New Revenue for Farmers workshop, hosted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association.

This session will explore how farmers can diversify income by opening their land to low-impact camping and agritourism experiences turning existing landscapes into sustainable, high-value visitor destinations.

Monday, June 22nd | 4pm | FREE

More details" https://carolinafarmstewards.org/.../camping-based.../

Do you believe in the power of collaboration and community to change our food system?

We do. 🤝

CFSA brings together farmers, homesteaders, advocates, foodies, and food access organizations from across the Carolinas and beyond to connect, learn, grow, and innovate the future of local food and sustainable agriculture. Members are at the heart of CFSA's coalition: their dedication and investment powers everything we do, including farmer education initiatives, technical assistance programs, and advocacy efforts.

Will you join us?

CFSA's summer membership drive is live now, and we're inviting you (yes, you!) to join our network of growers and changemakers. 🌱 Membership is an investment in local food and farms, but it also comes with benefits galore:

🚜 Technical assistance from our farm services team on food safety, organic production, conservation planning, market access, high tunnel production, and business development.

📣 5-session training with our policy team to grow your storytelling and grassroots advocacy skills to help build fair farm and food systems for all.

💵 Discounts and introductory offers through our Member Perks partnerships with businesses and service providers, from seed companies to legal advice.

📧 Access to post on our job board, crowdfunding board, and eight regional listservs.

🧑‍🌾 Discounts to all CFSA courses, workshops and signature events, including the Sustainable Agriculture Conference (Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2026, in Winston-Salem, NC).

Membership fuels practical support, real connections, and stronger farms. Become a CFSA member today for just $40/year: https://carolinafarmstewards.org/membership/

Are you better at art than we are? 😅🎨Let's make a trade!

Calling all creatives: CFSA's conference Artist Trade Program is now open for 2026 submissions!

We're seeking a visual artist to provide the cover art for the 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Conference brochure, as well as photographers to attend and capture the event (October 30th-November 1st, Winston-Salem, NC). 🖌️📸

In exchange for their work and their support of local food and farms, we provide selected Artist Trade Program artists complimentary conference attendance ($450 value), and recognition on CFSA's conference website and social media platforms!

Submit here by July 10th to save us from ourselves 😂: https://bit.ly/cfsa-2026-sac-artist-trade

Whether you're a full-time farmer, a community advocate, a long-time local food lover, or just getting started with your backyard garden, we all have a role to play in growing a bright future for small farms, ecosystems, and communities – and now is the perfect time to expand your impact. 🌱 During the month of June, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is hosting a special membership drive, inviting you to become a CFSA member and deepen your commitment to sustainable, organic food and agriculture.

Become a CFSA Member: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/membership

The investment and support of our members powers CFSA's work across the Carolinas, helping us expand local food supply chains, keep food dollars local, provide direct assistance to small-scale farmers, and fight for policies that support rural economies, healthy communities, and environmental protections. 💡 Our collective of members, thousands strong, works together to bring our vision for a sustainable, thriving food system to life. Will you be part of this critical work?

Together, we're planting the seeds for change.

Happy June! 🌼 We have lots of exciting workshops and webinars coming up this summer season, on topics including pest management, silvopasture, food safety, agritourism, farm business management, seed saving, and more. Hope to see you at an event soon!

Event descriptions and registration can be found on our website: https://carolinafarmstewards.org/events/

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Organic W**d Management Field Day
June 2 | 9am-2:30pm | Greensboro, NC | FREE

Virtual Farmer Meet-Up: IPM Deep-Dive: Spotted Wing Drosophila and Small Fruit Production in the Carolinas
June 2 | 12-1pm | Virtual | FREE

Silvopasture & Soil Health: Workshop and Farm Tour
June 12 | 9am-12pm | Burgaw, NC | FREE

Camping-Based Agritourism: How Hipcamp Can Unlock New Revenue for Farmers
June 22 | 4-5pm | Virtual | FREE

Beginner Seed Saving Workshop
June 30 | 4-7pm | Concord, NC | $10

Virtual Farmer Meet-Up: Dealing with Drought
July 7 | 12-1pm | Virtual | FREE

Food Safety and Quality Control for Fall Production: Post-Harvest Risk Management
July 23 | 4:30-6pm | Concord, NC | FREE

Farm Labor Wellness Check: Thriving in the Summer Sun
July 30 | 4:30-6pm | Virtual | FREE

Virtual Farmer Meet-Up: Budgeting for Organic Transition
August 4 | 12-1pm | Virtual | FREE

GAP Audit Preparation Webinar Series
August 10, 11, 13, 18, 20 | 4:30-6:30pm | Virtual | FREE

Looking for a purpose-driven career in food & ag nonprofit administration? You're in the right place: CFSA is ! ✏️

The full-time Membership Coordinator will work with CFSA's Development, Administrative, and Outreach teams to drive recruitment and engagement, coordinate member communications and customer service, manage member data and benefits, and support outreach campaigns that increase CFSA's visibility and influence.

If you speak fluent Salesforce, know how to craft compelling copy, enjoy diving into data, and have top-notch interpersonal skills, we would love to hear from you! 😊

🍓 Read the full job description and apply on our website: https://bit.ly/cfsa-membership-coordinator

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About CFSA: The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) is a 47-year-old member-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate, educate, and build connections to create sustainable food systems centered on local and organic agriculture in the Carolinas. With questions about this job, email us at info [at] carolinafarmstewards [dot] org. CFSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

FARMERS: The application deadline for the USDA/NCDA Disaster Block Grant Relief Program has been extended from May 15 to June 12 for all four assistance categories!

If Hurricane Helene damaged your farm, don't leave disaster recovery dollars on the table: over $221 million is available for Hurricane Helene losses across the 39 declared disaster counties in North Carolina, but many producers who qualify for assistance in these categories haven't yet applied. Have you?

If your operation suffered losses from Hurricane Helene, now is the time to act. These funds have been allocated to help North Carolina agriculture recover long-term — but producers must apply by June 12 to be considered, so don’t miss this opportunity to recover costs and reinvest in your operation.

www.ncagr.gov/agdisaster/FederalBlockGrantAssistance

There is money available in four categories (detailed info about each on slides):

🚧 Farm Infrastructure – Repair or replacement of damaged farm structures, roads, and bridges.

🍎 Market Loss Assistance for Commodities and Value-Added Products – Losses caused by power outages that reduced or destroyed the value of harvested or unharvested commodities and select value-added products.

🥬 Future Economic Loss – Long-term losses for perennial crops, poultry, and aquaculture operations. Eligible specialty crops must be replanted in 2025 or 2026.

🌲 Timber Loss Relief Program – Assistance for private landowners with at least 10 contiguous acres of moderate to catastrophic timber damage.

Producers can call NCDA at (866) 747-9823 with questions and for application support. Sample applications are available for each category on the grant website.

🌱 Organic W**d Management Field Day 🌱
Join us for a hands‑on learning experience focused on practical organic w**d management strategies for growers.
The June 2 event will be at the N.C. A&T Farm Pavilion in Greensboro.
This field day will feature real‑world demonstrations and insights you can apply directly on your farm.
Register now: bit.ly/cfsa-w**d-management-field-day

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