Archived Outdoors

Friend your farmer

Empowering Mountain Food Systems will be highlighting the stories, personalities and passions of Western North Carolina farmers through its new marketing campaign, #FriendyourFarmer. 

Join the campaign by using the hashtag #FriendyourFarmer. Snap photos of yourself with a local farmer or enjoying locally grown food. And most importantly, take time this growing season to build relationships with those who grow local food. According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, between 2012 and 2017, farmers in N.C.’s westernmost seven counties reported a 23% increase in direct consumer sales, or $3.6 million. That figure does not include Cherokee County. 

EMFS is a three-year project focused on expanding opportunities and capacity to food and farm businesses across the Southwestern N.C. region. 

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