Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Dedicated to Strengthening Local Organic Ag

Since 1979, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) has been working to strengthen organic agriculture and create a robust local food system in North and South Carolina.

“CFSA was founded by a group of farmers who came together seeking to practice organic farming and build a food system that re-centered the community,” says Roland McReynolds, CFSA’s executive director. “This group forged our vision for a sustainable regional food system that is good for all consumers, good for farmers, good for farmworkers, and good for our ecosystems.”

Roland McReynolds, Executive Director, CFSA

A member-based nonprofit organization, CFSA works with Carolina farmers and communities to “advocate, educate, and build connections that support sustainable food systems,” says McReynolds.

CFSA has more than 2,500 members made up of farms of all sizes, as well as home gardeners, consumers, restaurants and other food businesses, nonprofits, food councils, and ag service providers.

To achieve its mission of fostering a thriving organic and sustainable ag community in the Carolinas, CFSA provides a number of services to growers and other relevant stakeholders.

“[CFSA's founding group of farmers] forged our vision for a sustainable regional food system that is good for all consumers, good for farmers, good for farmworkers, and good for our ecosystems.” - Roland McReynolds

“We offer direct technical assistance to farmers on organic production and certification, conservation planning, food safety, high tunnel production, and market access,” McReynolds says. “Assistance includes site visits plus ongoing technical support to help farmers meet their production and business goals.”

CFSA also works with food hubs and other food businesses, helping them to optimize their operations and connect with values-driven consumers, so they can provide small Carolina farmers with strong market opportunities.

Squash being loaded for donation, CFSA’s Lomax Research and Education Farm

To help support new and beginning organic farmers, CFSA’s Lomax Research and Education Farm in Concord, North Carolina, offers land access and research-based education to foster a food system that supports the local community and protects natural resources.

This fall, on November 11-13, CFSA will host its 38th annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference, the largest and longest-running organic farming gathering in the Southeast. With over 100 presenters, the conference will feature a range of educational sessions and networking opportunities aimed at transforming the local food system.

“We offer direct technical assistance to farmers on organic production and certification, conservation planning, food safety, high tunnel production, and market access. Assistance includes site visits plus ongoing technical support to help farmers meet their production and business goals.” - Roland McReynolds

CFSA is also focused on advocating for the needs of organic and sustainable farmers at the local, state, and federal levels. Since 2020, the organization has grown and created a network of more than 500 grassroots leaders who advocate for fair farm and food policies in the Carolinas.

Currently, CFSA is partnering with several organizations on a number of projects related to organic ag. CFSA is a major partner of the USDA’s Transition for Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) in the Southeast Region, which is overseen by Florida Organic Growers. As part of TOPP, CFSA will provide Carolina organic and transitioning-to-organic growers with technical assistance and wrap-around support, including farmer-to-farmer mentoring and other training resources.

Cucumber trellising research at CFSA’s Lomax Research and Education Farm

CFSA is also working with the Rodale Institute on the Southern Piedmont Climate Smart Project. “The project is evaluating the potential for organic and conventional vegetable farms to lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and improve overall soil quality using cover crops and no-till,” says McReynolds. “Over the next five years, CFSA will be providing technical assistance to 50 organic diverse vegetable farms in the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina and working with eight farmers markets to identify the best strategies for educating consumers about the value-added benefits of purchasing climate-smart commodities.”

CFSA is also working on a USDA-funded project, Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, with Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. “CFSA will provide technical assistance to farmers to implement regenerative practices such as planting cover crops and reducing tillage,” says McReynolds of the project. “Through the Soil Health Benchmark Study, farmers will engage in community science and help to identify environmental co-benefits of climate-smart practices by measuring factors like water quality, soil health, and ecosystems resilience.”

Since 2020, the organization has grown and created a network of more than 500 grassroots leaders who advocate for fair farm and food policies in the Carolinas.

McReynolds notes that the Carolinas have long played a central role in the organic industry in the Southeast.

“Organic farming took a wider hold earlier in the Carolinas than any other Southeastern states, with North Carolina today among the top 10 states in organic farm gate sales,” he says.

“Organic produce has been an important market opportunity for Carolina farmers since the end of the federal tobacco support program, allowing some of those farmers a high-value alternative to a crop that was a mainstay for small and mid-sized farms here for generations. Independent organic produce distributors such as Durham, North Carolina-based Happy Dirt—incubated by CFSA almost 20 years ago as Eastern Carolina Organics—have helped make those markets accessible to small and mid-sized Carolina farms. Happy Dirt is now one of the East Coast’s largest organic-dedicated produce distributors.”

Mustard cover crop in a high tunnel at CFSA’s Lomax Research and Education Farm

When asked about recent trends in organic produce in the Carolinas, McReynolds cites several. He says high tunnels, which can extend the growing season and reduce pest pressure, have become increasingly popular among Carolina growers. He also notes that smaller-scale organic farmers are diversifying more, “especially adding longer-term storage crops like onions, potatoes, and hard winter squash varieties, along with sweet potatoes.” Additionally, he says many organic producers are adopting climate-resilient practices to mitigate the impacts associated with climate change, and CFSA’s technical assistance programs help them successfully implement those practices.