November is a time for gratitude; however, given the devastation wreaked by Tropical Storm Helene, gratitude may be out of reach for many of our still-suffering neighbors and farms starting the long process of rebuilding. 

We have a long road ahead; may we pause to thank our neighbors and allies as we strive to build back. We sincerely thank our many partners, including County Extension offices and NCSU Extension and Staff, our CEFS team members, WNC Communities, RAFI, ASAP, CFSA, WNCFSC, regional food hubs, and the many State and Federal agencies working to support farmers and distribute resources. We have a long road ahead; may we pause to thank our neighbors and allies as we strive to build back.

We offer a heaping thanks to the team at the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Cooperative Extension for hosting our EMFS team and being a leader in food sovereignty. Read on to learn more about the innovative programming created by Jessica Mrugala, EMFS Local Foods Coordinator, and NCSU EBCI Extension Director Chumper Walker. 

We hope this newsletter offers hope, featuring efforts with our partners to contribute to a resilient agriculture economy we will help rebuild.

We have begun distributing funds to recipients of our Recovery Grant. Wendy at Dry Ridge Farm in Mars Hill shared how the funds impacted their farm:

Hurricane Helene left our farm with wind damage throughout our property, with over a hundred downed trees and a shredded winter housing structure for one of our flocks of 2,000 laying hens. With our typical move-in date just weeks away, we received our EMFS award, for the purchase of the parts we needed to repair our hoop house, before any other grant, and before federal organizations even allowed us to apply for aid. Organizations like EMFS are providing the resources necessary, in the timeframe needed, to allow WNC agricultural producers to rebuild quickly enough to avoid the long-term infrastructure damage that leads to financial loss. Within six weeks of the crippling storm, our laying hens will be able to move into their winter structure before our first major freeze.

While we cannot fund each application we are working to support grantees through other agencies. For instance, The NC State Beekeepers Association has been a great partner in supporting hive replacements in the region! We will continue to make supporting linkages as we learn about more resources. 

The EBCI Cooperative Extension Center team recently honored Chumper Walker, EBCI Extension Director, for his excellence in fundraising and supporting Food Sovereignty for the Cherokee People.

Chumper Walker and EMFS Local Food Coordinator, Jessica Mrugala, have successfully raised:

• over $3 million dollars in support from the USDA for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Plus Program (LFPA), which purchases local produce from Cherokee farmers to feed Cherokee people
• $6.4 million in funding to build a regional meat processing plant
• $300,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield to create a community U-Pick Garden
• $850,000 from Dogwood Health Trust to support the U-Pick Garden, enhance the traditional food giveaways with education and videos, and support the project management of the USDA programs

These are only some of the fantastic programs launched under Chumper's Leadership that will benefit the tribe and local food consumers in WNC.

Jessica said, "When we talk about Tribal Food Sovereignty we refer to indigenous folks having ownership and control over their own food system - how the food is grown, where it is grown, by whom, and how that food is enjoyed by the community. These initiatives enhance the ability for tribal members to eat the foods traditional to native diets, and re-learn the ways of their grandparents in terms of growing heritage crops, cooking family recipes, seed saving, and processing animals they hunt or raise themselves. These funding opportunities will enhance the tribal food sovereignty and wellbeing for EBCI people, for generations to come."

Many of Jessica's Harvest Health programs embody the initiative of sovereignty, self sufficiency and education to enhance the health of communities. Recently, Rose James, RN with Tribal Food Distribution, and Jessica Huskey, 4H Agent with Cooperative Extension, lead their own cohorts of grandparents or moms in cooking classes with fresh local food provided by LFPA and Dogwood funding.

These cohorts and the gift of local food allow families to have a low-entry opportunity to eat new, fresh, seasonal foods; busy matriarchs often do not have the money or time to experiment cooking with new foods. Combined, the cohorts enrolled 45 tribal families and provided fresh food bags for 8 weeks, along with recipes, kitchen gadgets, gas cards, and childcare. 

EBCI Cooperative Extension Center Staff rally around Director, Chumper Walker, during the presentation of handmade bench by Ag and Natural Resource Agent, Adam Griffith to recognize Chumper's leadership.

Pictured, Left to Right: Adam Griffith, Kelsey Owl, Tammy Jackson, Jessica Mrugala, Laura Lauffer, Eric Mullen, Mariah Mahan, Jeff Gibby, Will Tushka, and seated on the bench is Chumper Walker.

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