Are you interested in learning more about local food systems? Do you work with local food projects, but are unsure of the research about their impacts or the resources available to support you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in N.C. Cooperative Extension Local Food Program’s Overview of Local Food Systems Online Professional Development Training. The Training Program consists of three courses. Register this summer for the first course in the series:- Foundations in Local Food Systems Development, 20 hours (prerequisite to Courses 2 and 3): Price = $250 (register online starting 7/18, course begins 8/15)
Registration for Foundations will be open from July 18 to August 15, and participants will have four months (from August 15 to December 15) to complete the course at their own pace.
Registration for the other two courses in the course series, Farm to Fork: Foundations in Local Food Supply & Value Chains (15 hours, $200) and The Bottom Line: Economic Realities and Other Considerations of Local Food Systems (15 hours, $200), will open in late fall and will run in early 2024 (Jan. 15 - April 15).
This online training program is designed for those who are just getting started in their local food systems career, orfor those who have experience but want to gain a broader or more complete perspective. The training program is housed at NC State University, and is a partnership between N.C. Cooperative Extension, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
We are continuing to offer four optional synchronous sessions while courses are running (held this fall via Zoom on 8/29, 9/26, 10/31, and 11/28 from 12-1:30pm EST), led by course instructors and featuring guest speakers, to help participants network while expanding their knowledge of current local food issues. This year, we are also adding evening virtual office hours (days/times TBD).
Upon successful completion of each course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from NC State University.
For more information, including registration, please visit our website or contact the course coordinators at localfoodncce@ncsu.edu.
