North Carolina

"The North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program helps address nonpoint pollution by providing technical and financial resources to prevent damage to our water resources from soil erosion, excessive fertilizer use, animal waste contamination, and improper use of agricultural chemicals.

"The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Agribusiness Development Office is conducting a pilot project to loan small batch dairy pasteurizers to specialty farmstead dairy producers in North Carolina.

The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (IFFS) Young Farmer Training Program (YFTP) is a paid multi-year farming apprenticeship for youth in Wake County. The IFFS Raleigh Teaching Farm hosts apprentices two days per week beginning each Spring.

The Farmers Adopting Computer Technology (FACT) project is designed to train farm families one-on-one or in group settings how to use computers for their farming operations in order to become more competitive in the market place.

"The PLANT Farm Enterprise Incubator seeks to revitalize agricultural activity in the Piedmont Region through training on small scale sustainable farming techniques.

"This program includes an apprenticeship program placing participants with mentor farmers.  Mentoring farmers will provide exposure to and experience in all aspects of production.

"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.

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) provides information and support for organizations and individuals in 13 Southern states. Sponsors annual conference and trade show with workshops, discussions, and farm tours. Virtual farm tours.

"With support from the USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, Southern SAWG provides training and technical assistance to individuals and groups who are developing projects that promote sustainable food systems and community food security.