Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
Encyclopedia
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is the leading organic farm
-advocacy and organic certifier for North and South Carolina. It is also called CFSA. CFSA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit membership comprising some 1,100 farmers, gardeners, businesses and organic agriculture enthusiasts in North
and South Carolina
who are committed to sustainable agriculture
and the development of locally-based, organic food distribution systems.
program in 1987 and assisted the general cultural relevancy, and the legal status of, organic agriculture. CFSA has been housed in the piedmont
region of North Carolina and has been situated in Pittsboro, North Carolina
, in Chatham County
most of its existence. In 2002, CFSA ceased organic certification activity. The USDA National Organic Program prohibits entities that conduct organic certification services from consulting and educational activities. CFSA determined that their service providing education and advocacy for organic and sustainable agriculture was their primary focus, and dropped their certification program. Organic certification services in North Carolina is now being offered by the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association (NCCIA).
Organic farming
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm...
-advocacy and organic certifier for North and South Carolina. It is also called CFSA. CFSA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit membership comprising some 1,100 farmers, gardeners, businesses and organic agriculture enthusiasts in North
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
who are committed to sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is the practice of farming using principles of ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment...
and the development of locally-based, organic food distribution systems.
History
In 1979 by a group of farmers, gardeners and consumers began CFSA to support each other in their efforts to foster the growth and distribution of organic food in the Carolinas. CFSA became official by incorporating in 1982 and developed an organic certificationOrganic certification
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, [food] processors, retailers and restaurants.Requirements vary...
program in 1987 and assisted the general cultural relevancy, and the legal status of, organic agriculture. CFSA has been housed in the piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
region of North Carolina and has been situated in Pittsboro, North Carolina
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Pittsboro, North Carolina is a town located in Chatham County, 34 miles southwest of Raleigh, 47 miles southeast of Greensboro, and 17 miles south of Chapel Hill. The population was 3,743 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chatham County....
, in Chatham County
Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 49,329. Its county seat is Pittsboro.-History:...
most of its existence. In 2002, CFSA ceased organic certification activity. The USDA National Organic Program prohibits entities that conduct organic certification services from consulting and educational activities. CFSA determined that their service providing education and advocacy for organic and sustainable agriculture was their primary focus, and dropped their certification program. Organic certification services in North Carolina is now being offered by the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association (NCCIA).
Organization
CFSA has chapter-organized members, Chapter leadership, and a 15 member board for CFSA itself.http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/contact/index.htm#ChapterLeaders Tony Kleese was the organization's Executive Director from 2000 to 2006. Roland McReynolds, a North Carolina attorney, now serves as the Executive Director.Newsletter
Issues of the CFSA Newsletter back to 2004 are available online for free. Earlier issues can be requested.Services
- Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference
- Regional Farm Tours
- Carolina Guide to Local and Organic Food
- Sustainable agriculture advocacy at the local, state and national levels
- Organic Certification Education
- Active Regional Chapters
- Quarterly Stewardship News newsletter
- Annual Membership Directory
- Intern Referral Service
- Elementary School Sustainable Gardening Curriculum
- Research on marketing and production of organic crops
- Public and media outreach
External links
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
- the High Country CFSA Chapter
- Mountains Chapter
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) is a land-grant university based legally instituted research support for sustainable agriculture practices.