Supporting New Farmers on the Piedmont: Workshops, Apprenticeships, Training, Network

"This program increases food security by creating and centralizing resources for young, limited-resource, and beginning farmers in the mid-Piedmont region of North Carolina. The project serves entry-level farmers, especially socially-disadvantaged individuals, by building their market farming skills, while attracting future farmers through networks and opportunities. This project is a collaborative effort between the non-profit food bank Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, North Carolina State University, the urban agriculture education organization Growing Power, and many other partners. The project features two intensive urban farming workshops per year, a multi-year market farming teen apprenticeship program, a series of short-courses throughout the year at various Piedmont farms, and a State-wide Youth Food Council policy network for incubating future farmers and sustainable food system advocates. Networked alliances of farmers who offer training and land resources, beginning farmers who receive training, and future farm and food leaders will create enhanced opportunities for regional farm system growth and a strong voice for farm policy advocacy. As beginning farmers receive training, complete apprenticeships, or participate in workshops, they gain the skills and networked resources necessary to start and maintain a successful farm enterprise."