NC 10% Campaign
Early Career Development
The NC 10% Campaign has created and collaborated with many food system programs to build career development opportunities for students. These students work on community-based projects, often researching food system pilot projects or educating community members on local food systems. In addition to the individual projects with their mentors, they receive leadership training, network with each other and with food system professionals, and attend workshops and conferences. These positions prepare the students for a career in food systems and increase the capacity of the communities in which they work. We are inspired by our previous and current Local Food Ambassadors, Food System Interns, and Farm Apprentices.
Local Food Ambassadors
The Local Food Ambassador (LFA) Program was designed to promote local foods on university and college campuses. The program provided training for students to more deeply engage with the food system. Local Food programming at universities encourages strong, resilient, local food systems; supports healthy lifestyles; builds economies and creates jobs; connects communities; increases food security and access; and supports sustainable farming practices.
Program Goals
Encourage local foods education and outreach on university campuses
Engage the student body through events and media promotion
Support local foods in alignment with the campus sustainability mission
Provide resources for food service organizations
Connect teams of university, farmer, and community advocates
Mentor future leaders in understanding community-based food systems
Partner Schools
Elizabeth City State University
Fayetteville State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Carolina Central University
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Winston Salem State University
These six schools are publicly-funded Historically Black or American Indian Institutions that are part of the of University of North Carolina School System.
These schools:
Center the NC 10% Campaignās university-based local foods work in communities that are adversely affected by lack of access to healthy food
Connect with and magnify existing community-based programs that support resilience
Support a more intentional approach to engaging students to become future food system leaders committed to food access for all
Impact
From 2016 to 2019, 30 young people from partner universities served as Local Food Ambassadors. Their work increased their school's awareness of local foods and connected students to the importance of eating locally. In addition, these students gained significant experience in the local food industry, preparing them for their professional journey. Click here to view the Local Food Ambassador Manual.
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local food ambassadors
Meet the Local Food Ambassadors
Meet Josie Walker, former Local Food Ambassador
Josie Walker is a native of eastern North Carolina and has a passion for agriculture, self-sufficiency, and connecting people.
Meet Ashland Tann, former Local Food Ambassador
Ashland Tann served as a Local Food Ambassador at Elizabeth City State University with a passion for cooking and food.
Support for the Local Food Ambassadors was provided by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and Southern Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Program.
Food System Interns
The Food System Internship offers paid opportunities for college students to be matched with community-based organizations, food hubs, and farms that support local food systems. The internship seeks to expand the capacity of institutional markets, like county-based senior food services, and other organizations to pilot new local food system projects. We pair unique student skill sets with organization needs to help improve their relationships with local farmers, increase their revenue, or increase knowledge of the benefits of and how to access local food in the community. The internship provides college students with impactful experiences and hands-on skill-building related to food systems and supply chains.
Program Goals
Offer paid, hands-on practical work experience
Offer professional development through mentorship, leadership training, and networking
Increase capacity of community partner organizations
Partner Sites
Sandhills AgInnovation Center
Working Landscapes
Foothills Food Hub
UNC Pembroke Entrepreneurship Hub
Waccamaw Siouan Tribal Center
Briarwood Cattle Farm
Impact
Since 2021, 8 food system interns have supported communities across North Carolina. Interns have helped institutions, like senior centers, connect with local food hubs, improve their ordering and meal planning systems, and increase their purchases from local farmers. Interns have improved their skills in community education, local supply chain efficiencies, and storytelling. Interns have helped build trust and strong relationships with community partners and have expanded their knowledge of food systems.
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food system interns
Meet the Food System Interns
Support for the Food System Internship was provided by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Academic and Educational Programs.
Farm Apprentices
Farm Apprentices offers aspiring farmers a paid, hands-on experience with a farm mentor to improve farming skills. Partnering with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship program, we have been able to offer learning opportunities for aspiring vegetable farmers to work on established NC farms. The aim of this program is to prepare aspiring farmers on the opportunities and challenges of a life in farming and, if applicable, prepare them to start their own farm.
Program Goals
Offer 2,500 hours of paid, hands-on training
Offer 185 hours of related instruction through approved courses, conferences, and learning opportunities
Increase capacity for sustainable vegetable farmers with paid apprentice support
Partner Farms
New Ground Farm
The Farmers B.A.G.
Clark's Produce
Men & Women United for Youth & Families
Impact
Between 2022 and 2024, 3 full-time apprentices worked on partnering farms. Apprentices attended conferences and networked with other farmers and agriculture-related businesses. Apprentices increased their knowledge on growing produce using sustainable farming methods, ag business finances, and other jobs in agriculture.
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farm apprentices
Meet one of our Farm Apprentices
Support for the Farm Apprentices was provided by Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship.
