Durham hosts transformative agriculture conference
In early November, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) held its 39th annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference at the Durham Convention Center.
This event brought together farmers, educators, and agricultural experts to discuss and learn about sustainable farming techniques and the support available through federal programs.
Roland McReynolds, CFSA Executive Director, noted in his opening letter, "This network of farmers, educators, researchers, advocates, businesses, and changemakers actively shapes the future of food and farming in the Carolinas."
The conference featured workshops on a variety of topics, including farm planning, high tunnels, and how to effectively utilize programs offered by USDA-NRCS.
Gabriela Velez-Rodriguez from USDA-NRCS highlighted the educational benefits of the conference, saying, “For me, I get to learn about other practices and their variations. It is also a time for our producers to get a chance to learn about NRCS.”
The conference served as a crucial educational platform for disseminating valuable information on federal assistance programs like EQIP and CSP, crucial for the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices.
The conference successfully facilitated exchanges of ideas and strategies among farming professionals, reinforcing its mission to promote sustainable agriculture.
With comprehensive discussions on federal aid and practical farming implementations, the event underscored the essential role of collaboration in advancing agricultural sustainability.
The gathering wrapped up with farm visits, where participants engaged in practical discussions about Agrotourism and farmer mentorship, demonstrating the conference's comprehensive approach to sustainable agriculture education and its impact on the farming community in the Carolinas since 1985.