Partners

Resources & Affiliates

Polk County Soil and Water Conservation
4 Courthouse Annex
Columbus,NC 28722
Phone: 828-894-8550
Fax: 828-894-2231
Email

Polk County Cooperative Extension Service
Offers educational solutions and projects designed to empower the people of Polk County. Located in Columbus at; 60 Gibson Street
Website.

First Peak of the Blue Ridge
A very helpful resource for new comers to find area attractions, farm tours and lots of things to do in Polk County. Come by an visit them at the visitors center in Columbus.
20 E. Mills Street Columbus, NC 28722
Phone: 828-894-2324 Toll Free: 800-440-7848
Website.

Farmer's Fresh Market
Farmers Fresh Market is a sustainable food system connecting growers to chefs and local distributors and building a community of partners. It is a 'virtual farmers market' where Registered Buyer Partners can access our website and place their orders online.
Website.

ASAP Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
A future food system throughout the mountains of North Carolina and the Southern Appalachians that provides a safe and nutritious food supply for all segments of society; that is produced, marketed and distributed in a manner that enhances human and environmental health; and that adds economic and social value to rural and urban communities.
Website.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
A popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from farmers.
Website.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education(SARE)
Promotes farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound
and good for communities.
Website.

Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices.
Website.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (F.E.N.C.E)
A non-profit organization dedicated to providing facilities and focus for education, recreation and preservation in nature studies and equestrian activities.
Website.

American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust is committed to protecting the nation's best farm and ranch land and improving the economic viability of agriculture. During the past 25 years, AFT helped to stimulate the creation of 27 state-level farmland protection programs, as well as countless local ordinances and programs that give landowners the tools they need to keep their land in farming. AFT works with federal, state and local leaders and communities to develop legislation, implement policies and execute programs that keep farmers on their land and protect our environment.
Website.

Conservation Trust for North Carolina
Conservation Trust for North Carolina protects our state's land and water through statewide conservation and cooperative work with land trusts to preserve our natural resources as a legacy for future generations. Contains a listing of North Carolina's 23 land trusts. A good source for locating a non-profit conservation organization to partner with for a conservation easement. www.ctnc.org

North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the lead stewardship agency for the preservation and protection of North Carolina's outstanding natural resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health. DENR also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DENR facilities and through the state's school system. Through its natural resource divisions, DENR works to protect fish, wildlife and wilderness areas. From A (aquariums on the coast) to Z (the N.C. Zoological Park), DENR touches the lives of all North Carolinians and our guests in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life. www.onencnaturally.org

Land Trust Alliance
Comprehensive list of land trusts in the United States. A good source for locating a non-profit conservation organization to partner with for a conservation easement. www.landtrustalliance.org

NC Farm Transition Network
Non-profit partnering organizations and professionals to provide resources to farm families and owners of rural land across North Carolina who wish to keep their farms employed in agriculture as they pass from one generation to the next. This website was built to serve as an educational resource to farm operators and landowners, their families, their professional advisors, and agriculture advocates concerned about the continued loss of productive farm and forest land in North Carolina. www.ncftn.org

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' divisions have responsibilities in regulatory and service areas covering agronomy; animal health; weights and measures; gas and oil inspection; crop and livestock statistics; USDA commodity distribution; state farm operations; food, drug and cosmetic testing for purity; agricultural marketing and promotion; agricultural marketing grading; international agricultural crop and livestock marketing; operation of the North Carolina State Fair and North Carolina Mountain State Fair; operation of four state farmers markets; research station operations; seed and fertilizer inspection; nursery and plant pest eradication activities; regulation of the structural pest control industry; agricultural environmental issues, state and federal agricultural legislation; and agricultural economic analysis.
www. ncagr.gov/

Foothills Connect
Foothills Connect Business & Technology Center supports the development and growth of small businesses and entrepreneurship in Rutherford County.
Website.