We Are Harvesting Lots of Black Perigord Truffles at NCSU!
1/31/2020 – Skepticism was high in 2010 when we planted our first filbert orchard with young trees inoculated with …
Local Foods
Connecting Herb and Specialty Crop Growers With Buyers
6/7/2019 – Are you looking for liner trays of false unicorn (star grub root)? Are you a North Carolina …
Mushrooms, Herbs, Plants and More Available on Herb Connection
6/10/2019 – In the search for new crops that will potentially bring higher returns than many commodity crops, North …
It's Ramps Season! Grow Them, Eat Them, Sell Them
4/1/2019 – Ramps (Allium tricoccum L.), also called wild leeks, are a native plant that are increasingly popular with …
Special Hotel Rate Ends Today! Beer and Beyond Conference
This conference is over, but watch for new ones in the coming years! 3/1/2019 – Today at noon is the …
Beer and Beyond: A Conference for Southern Hop Growers
This event is over, but watch for upcoming events on our website. 2/12/2019 – What else can you do with …
Want to Learn All About Growing and Selling Hops?
This event is over but watch for similar upcoming events on our website. 12/10/2018 – Early bird registration for the …
Learn How to Grow Truffles, and Eat Them, Too-This Weekend in Asheville
The Asheville Truffle Experience is this weekend in Asheville and Waynesville, NC. This is a very special event for …
Upcoming Events for the WNC Medicinal Herb Growers Club
The WNC Medicinal Herb Growers Club has a wonderful line-up of events for this fall. If you are a …
Two Amazing Field Days This Week; Another Coming Up Next Week! Join Us.
It was a busy but very rewarding week for my program. On Tuesday we held our annual Alternative Crops …
Western NC Industrial Hemp Trial Is Up and Growing!
On June 19, 2017 we planted our first industrial hemp variety trial at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville, …
Growing Organic and Conventional Broccoli in Western North Carolina
This article was written by Margaret Bloomquist, Research Assistant in the NC Alternative Crops and Organics Program. She has …
Now Is the Time to Control Late Blight on Tomatoes and Potatoes in North Carolina
I’ve been getting lots of questions on late blight, especially in the western part of the state. So I’m …
Production of Medicinal Herbs
2/1/2001 – Many growers across the nation are interested in producing medicinal herbs which have become mainstream, everyday products. …
Learn More Using the Resources Below
Information Portals
- Growing Small Farms - NCCE Chatham County Center
- Local Food -- a Flagship Program for North Carolina Cooperative Extension
- NC Community Gardens
- NC Fresh Produce Safety
Key Local Food Topics
- Local Food System Supply Chain
- NC Organizations and State Partners
- Nutrition and Health
- Strong Communities
- Youth, Families and Communities
Publications, Information, and News
Recent Publications related to Local Foods
Fresh Market Tomato Production Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina
The tomato is a warm season crop. With special production practices you can produce your …
1/15/20 — Horticulture Information Leaflets
Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden
Much success in growing tomatoes can be attributed to use of a few proven techniques. …
1/9/20 — Horticulture Information Leaflets
Farm to University: Guide for Extension Agents
This guide provides information to Extension educators on Farm to University programming so farmers can …
1/6/20 — Local Foods
Creating the Perfect Blend: Community Resources Needed to Support a Sustainable Craft Beverage Industry
The growing craft beverage industry is generating tourism in Wake County. This publication discusses the …
1/6/20
Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure, Compost, and Grass Clippings
Many farmers and home gardeners have reported damage to vegetable and flower crops after applying …
12/18/19
Part 2: Cooling - Postharvest Handling and Cooling of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers for Small Farms
Field heat should be removed from fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers as quickly as possible …
Growing Warm-Season Fruits and Vegetables in Childcare Production Gardens
This publication focuses on easy-to-grow, child-friendly, warm-season fruits and vegetables suitable for childcare center gardening. …
Creating Childcare Center Production Gardens
This publication focuses on developing fruit and vegetable production gardens in the Outdoor Learning Environment …