Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

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.

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 certification 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).

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 [http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/news/index.html online] for free. Earlier issues can be requested.

ervices

*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

* [http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org Carolina Farm Stewardship Association]
* [http://www.cfsa.highcountryorganicfarms.org/ the High Country CFSA Chapter]
* [http://main.nc.us/cfsa_mountains/ Mountains Chapter]

* [http://www.sustainable-ag.ncsu.edu/page1.htm Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program] (SARE) is a land-grant university based legally instituted research support for sustainable agriculture practices.