We are excited to share that the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), along with our partners Warren Wilson College and the Organic Growers School, recently received a grant from Dogwood Health Trust to support existing and new sustainable agriculture workforce initiatives in Western North Carolina. The grant will fund a series of regionally-rooted, farm-based training efforts, including:

Designing and piloting the first Registered Apprenticeship in Pastured Livestock Production in North Carolina. Working with Warren Wilson College, NC Choices, livestock producers, and processors, we will train new apprentices in animal welfare-centered, climate-smart livestock practices. Apprentices will complete over 2,000 hours of paid on-farm training; that training will lead to formal certification and open the door to long-term employment and/or farm management opportunities. Warren Wilson College will host the first apprentice.

Implementing a Western NC cohort of the

CEFS Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship. Launched statewide in 2022, this apprenticeship aims to tailor curriculum, mentorship, and market access strategies to the region’s topography, climate, and farm needs. Apprentices are farm employees and will participate in regional trainings led by the Organic Growers School.

Expanding and formalizing the WNCStrong Youth Service Corps as a registered pre-apprenticeship. WNCStrong offers youth ages 16 - 18 paid internships on local farms and at agricultural non-profits. By refining our curriculum and formally registering the program as a pre-apprenticeship with ApprenticeshipNC, we will increase the agricultural work-based learning opportunities available to WNC students and create the chance to earn an industry-recognized credential in their field.

Together, these initiatives represent a continuity of training programs designed to address our region’s labor and food security challenges while preparing a skilled and resilient agricultural workforce. We are excited to work with school administrators, workforce development leaders, farmers, and educators to develop curricula that support the educational achievement and professional success of our community members.   



We are currently composing our 2026 cohort of schools, teachers, youth and farms for the WNCStrong Youth Service Corps and recruiting host farms and apprentices for the CEFS Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship. The pastured livestock production apprenticeship is planned to launch in the fall of 2026. Stay up to date on project activities on the CEFS website or by joining the CEFS Career Pathways email list.