Selling Eggs, Meat, and Poultry in North Carolina: What Farmers Need to Know

Selling Eggs, Meat, and Poultry in North Carolina: What Farmers Need to Know

This guide offers essential resources and information for farmers selling eggs, meat, and poultry in North Carolina. It was developed by Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent for Chatham County.

About CEFS
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is a collaborative partnership between North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS supports sustainable agriculture through research, education, and outreach across the state.

Small Farm Boot Camp - Davidson County Extension Office

Small Farm Boot Camp - Davidson County Extension Office

These classes will provide resources to small-scale farmers and producers who are beginning an agricultural business.

Forest Farm Tours with Organic Growers School

What is Forest Farming?
Forest farming is the intentional cultivation of crops beneath a forest canopy, building on a traditional practice deeply rooted in our region. Many farms in Western North Carolina and the Southern Appalachians include forested land, offering opportunities to learn and grow within these landscapes.

Our forest farm tours and on-farm workshops provide training for both beginning and experienced land stewards. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of woodland botanicals, forest products, and the cultural history tied to these resources.

These programs also highlight ways farmers can integrate forest farming into existing operations—promoting land stewardship, generating supplemental income, and fostering health, respect, and diversity within forest ecosystems.

It is important to recognize that forest farming has long been practiced by Indigenous peoples of this region, who maintain a profound relationship with native plants for food and medicine and remain the original and continuing stewards of these forests.

Sustainable Agriculture with DDCC

What It’s About
Sustainable Agriculture emphasizes practices that enhance environmental quality, use resources efficiently, support natural cycles, and remain both economically viable and socially responsible. Coursework may include agroecology, crop and soil science, entomology, horticulture, animal science, soil fertility, applied ecology, agricultural economics, and watershed management.

Courses You’ll Take
This curriculum equips students with entrepreneurial and technical skills to manage profitable, environmentally sound, community-based farms or agricultural businesses.

What You’ll Gain
Students gain a strong foundation in crop production, business management, and field training, while also exploring agricultural policy and economics. Graduates are prepared for careers in farm operations, produce management, nursery operations, agricultural sales and supply, and environmental or agricultural education.

Organic Growers School: Farm Beginnings®

Organic Growers School: Farm Beginnings®
For more than 30 years, Organic Growers School (OGS) has provided accessible, practical organic education across the Southern Appalachian region and beyond. Established in 1993, OGS inspires, educates, and supports individuals in organic farming, gardening, and sustainable living.

Through the Farm Beginnings® training program, participants gain farmer-led instruction, mentoring, and peer support to develop production knowledge, financial and marketing skills, and a clear vision for building farms that are profitable, sustainable, and community-focused.

OGS is committed to addressing social injustice within its operations and the broader food system, embracing diversity in all its forms. The vision is a thriving network of farmers, gardeners, and consumers working together to nurture healthy communities.

Farmer in Training Program at Lomax

Farmer in Training Program at Lomax

The Elma C. Lomax Research and Education Farm (Lomax) is a certified organic farm located in Concord, NC. Launched in 2009 by the Cabarrus County government and Cooperative Extension as a training ground for new farmers, it has since evolved into a research and education farm, managed by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA).

Through our Student Outdoor Immersive Learning at Lomax (SOILLS) program, we provide hands learning opportunities to college students, STEM activities to K-12 and high school students, business incubation to Farmers-in-Training (FiTs), as well as workshops for farmers and the general public.

North Carolina Farm School (NCFS)

NC Farm School

North Carolina Farm School (NCFS) is a unique entrepreneurial program designed for new and transitioning farmers with the mission of increasing the number of successful farm businesses in North Carolina. Using a “learn-plan-do” model, participants engage in monthly classroom instruction, then put their knowledge into action through homework assignments and a web-based business plan template that guides them step by step.

NCFS operates through an Extension framework in 4–6 county clusters, where Extension agents play a central role in classroom presentations, group facilitation, and enterprise selection. Over the course of four months, participants learn sound production practices, crop management decision-making, and business development strategies. Classroom learning is strengthened through the combined expertise of Extension agents, local farmers, and practical on-farm experiences, including multiple farm visits.

This model maximizes the resources of each region while maintaining flexibility to meet local demand—providing farmers with the tools, connections, and confidence to build resilient farm enterprises.

Sustainable Agriculture Conference

Sustainable Agriculture Conference

Now in its 40th year, CFSA’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference is a landmark gathering for farmers, foodies, researchers, educators, and activists dedicated to building a thriving local food system. Each November, attendees from more than a dozen states come together for a weekend filled with educational workshops, panels, and bus tours led by industry experts, alongside inspiring keynote talks, engaging exhibits, and regionally sourced meals.

For four decades, this annual conference has been a hub of learning, community, and innovation—celebrating and advancing sustainable, organic, and local agriculture across the Carolinas and beyond. Participants leave energized, connected, and inspired to carry forward a new season of growth.