Cooperative Extension, Growing Local Food Systems

by Ben Filippo, CFSA’s Food Systems Coordinator

Since moving to North Carolina, it has always been a pleasure to work with the dedicated folks at Cooperative Extension around the state. We also, of course, have the privilege of working with those Clemson folks down in SC, as well. A few years ago, Extension in NC designated Local Foods as their Flagship Program, and have been working hard on developing Farmers’ Markets, Food Hubs, and Food Councils in their respective counties and regions ever since – particularly with the creation of the Local Foods Coordinator position in each office around the state. Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to work with Extension from NC, SC, and VA, as well as farmers, staff from the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), Resourceful Communities, and other, to help develop the first course in Local Food Systems specifically for Cooperative Extension agents in the Southeast.

Led by the incredibly thoughtful Joanna Lelekacs, the development of this course has been one of the most dynamic planning process I have ever been involved with – taking into account issues of local foods access, capital needs, legal process, production and throughput, community engagement, and much more. The hope is to create a community of practice amongst Extension agents throughout the Southeast, beyond just NC, SC, and VA, with this course as a pilot and launching point. With a successful first course, there may be more complementary course developed in the future, with the immense potential for a broader series of curriculum.

CFSA is thrilled to see this development – as Cooperative Extension are our eyes and ears on the ground in communities as we work to assist farmers, develop food councils, and create the infrastructure sustainable, organic growers need to thrive. We are fortunate to have one of the strongest Extension regions in the country, and together, with partnerships like this one, we can have a unique, multi-perspective local food system in the Southeast region. Thanks to the kind folks at Southern SARE for making this innovative graduate coursework a possibility.