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Greetings!
As we look ahead, we have a lot going on! We have several new initiatives to report. We are gearing up for our research season, currently have three apprentices on board for the season and are advertising for our 2008 internship program. In addition, Lisa Forehand has been busy planning our workshop series, and with 36 workshops, we are sure you will find something of interest. Please check our schedule of events for details and be sure to visit our sponsorship information page if you are interested in sponsoring any of the workshops.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and consider joining Friends of CEFS. Friends receive a 10% discount at all workshops, reserved seating at our annual Lecture, and other great benefits.
Sincerely,
Nancy Creamer
Director, CEFS
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2008 Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series
Although it is only February, CEFS has already had its first workshop and we show no sign of slowing down! With 36 workshops planned for 2008, there is bound to be a workshop for everyone. Because our workshops have become so popular, this year we have had to institute some registration limits. This will help to insure that both instructors & attendees get the most out of their workshop, so be sure to PRE-REGISTER.
For more information, please visit our Schedule of Events!
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CEFS Seeks Students for 2008 Summer Research Internship in Sustainable Ag.
The CEFS sustainable agriculture internship, launched in 2000, has traditionally been an 8-week residential program focusing on hands-on and classroom learning primarily about production systems. This year, as we continue to restructure and improve the internship program, interns will be offered a more specialized research-based program, where they will be working closely with faculty and researchers at CEFS in a hands-on environment.
For more information visit our internship website.
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CEFS Awarded $929,900 To Support Adoption of Conservation Practices
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) has been awarded $929,900 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to promote conservation stewardship on farms raising hogs outdoors.
Read on...
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CEFS Receives Z. Smith Reynolds Grant
CEFS was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation to convene the state's first Sustainable Local Food Systems Leadership Summit that brings together key food systems participants to discuss and propose recommendations for action that include statewide and local policies and programs aimed at rebuilding a local food economy in North Carolina. These recommendations, along with profiles of key food systems leaders and decision-makers will be incorporated into a document to help guide collaborative initiatives led by a statewide sustainable local food committee created through this project. Rebuilding a food economy based on local agricultural production, processing, inputs, and marketing will invigorate rural economies, enhance quality of life, protect the environment, reduce fossil fuel use, and promote long-term food security.
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Some New Faces at CEFS
Development & Outreach Associate
 Jan Wilson, Development & Outreach Associate, has a 30 year history with the non-profit community beginning as a Brownie Scout leader. She particularly enjoys special event fundraising in the arts and political arena. Jan has volunteered for the JC Raulston Arboretum and served on the Gala in the Garden Steering Committee for the past eight years.
NC Choices Technical Services Coordinator
Lee Menius, NC Choices Technical Services Coordinator, comes to us from the Rowan Soil & Water Conservation District where he spent over 4 years working with farmers to improve soil and water quality through conservation practices. Based at the NCSU Kannapolis Research Campus, Lee will facilitate NC Choices educational programming and work with county livestock agents and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to assist farmers with farm layout, planning, installation, record keeping, and most importantly- increasing profitability. You can contact Lee at 704-250-5405 or at lee@ncchoices.com.
Visiting Scholar
 Baki Karacay, a government employee in agricultural engineer working for the Ministry of Agriculture in the Mediterranean city of Antalya, Turkey, started his visiting scholar program at the NCSU starting December 2007. Based on his field of interest in alternative production techniques in sustainable agriculture, he will be working with a variety of faculty and is looking forward to a variety of opportunities at CEFS.
Read on...
3 New Farm Apprentices
We are pleased to have three apprentices on board at the Small Farm Unit for the season. They include Brandon Hines, Eric Bowen, and Themis Stone who come to us from Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Austin Texas respectively. In addition to learning various production and marketing principles and practices they will be involved in a variety of research, the Discover Ag Science curriculum for Wayne County third graders, the Wayne County Local Food Initiative, and market gardening production techniques. The three apprentices have several independent research and demonstration projects in mind including biointensive production, small scale grain production, CSA marketing and the production and economics of perennial medicinal herbs.
High School 'Walk-About'
Ruby Harrison, a high school senior from Worthington Ohio, is staying at CEFS for 8 weeks as part of an internship program at her high school called 'Walk-About". The program, sending students all over the globe, is aimed at helping students make a transition between high school and university/career by getting some practical experience in a field of interest. Ruby has been involved in all of the units at CEFS and has been a real joy to have on site. She saw a calf born her first day at CEFS, has helped breed pigs, taken soil samples as part of a research project, and transplanted vegetables. Ruby is a bright, inquisitive, energetic student and we hope this is the launch of a long career in some aspect of sustainable agriculture. |
CEFS Merchandise
 CEFS is excited to announce a new store on the Cafe' Press website. Items include: short- and long-sleeved t-shirts (youth & adult sizes), baby one-sees and bibs, messenger bags & tote bags, aprons, coffee mugs and much more!
Please visit our store and help support CEFS!
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Mission & History of CEFS
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems develops and promotes food
and farming systems that protect the environment, strengthen local
communities, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and
beyond.
North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T
State University established the Center for
Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) with the
North Carolina Department of Agriculture at the
Cherry Farm facility near Goldsboro, NC in 1994.
These partners work closely with state and federal
agencies, non-governmental organizations (for
example, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association,
Rural Advancement Foundation International,
Farm Bureau), farmers, and citizens to provide
agricultural research, extension, and education for
our state. The development of CEFS is a national
model for partnership, innovation, and
interdisciplinary cooperation.
To learn more about CEFS, Please visit: www.cefs.ncsu.edu
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Center for Environmental Farming Systems
Box 7609 - NCSU
Raleigh, NC 27695
cefs_info@ncsu.edu
919-513-0954
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