On Thursday, August 14, Working Landscapes had the privilege of hosting a visit from our congressman, Don Davis, who represents NC’s first district in Washington, DC. After a short tour of the food hub, our conversation turned to how cuts at the USDA have affected Working Landscapes, food hubs and partners across NC. One program that has been terminated is the Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA). This seemingly simple program, which allows food hubs like ours to buy locally grown food from farmers and work with partners to distribute that food to families in need, has helped to build new relationships and new connections in our community in just a few short years. The loss of this program has direct and ripple effects across our community that are plain to see.
The Congressman listened closely as two of our farmer partners–Jonathan Bender and John Alston–described how the loss of LFPA meant a loss of income for their farm. Also important were the voices from Warren Ministries United, which has distributed healthy, local food that Working Landscapes provided through these programs to families in need. I really appreciate each of them for taking time to join us–along with Monica McCann, Director of the Resourceful Communities Program, which coordinates the NC Food Hub Collaborative.
It has never been more important for your elected leaders to hear from you about the need to restore and expand USDA programs that sustain family farms, feed communities, and support organizations like ours. Here’s one timely way to take action: the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), of which Working Landscapes is a member, is asking organizations (including nonprofits, farms, and businesses) to sign on to a letter calling for passage of a fair and sustainable Farm Bill–one that helps to correct the damage done by USDA program cuts so far in 2025 (see the full text of the letter here). If you’d like to add your signature on behalf of your organization, please fill out this form no later than Thursday, September 18th. Together, let’s keep pushing for the kind of support our farms and communities deserve!
This month, we are excited to highlight Gabe Cumming, our Senior Fellow and co-founder. Gabe became interested in food system work through his background in environmental issues. When Gabe and Carla, our executive director and co-founder, returned to Warren County, they witnessed firsthand how vital farming was to their community. This experience led them to start Working Landscapes.
After moving to Carla’s family farm in Warrenton, Carla and Gabe sought ways to contribute to Carla’s home community. They heard numerous accounts about the importance of agriculture and economic development in the Warren County region, which motivated them to take action. This is how Working Landscapes began! They aimed to create a nonprofit organization focused on advancing rural development through farming and the sustainable use of natural resources. Although they never intended for this to become their full-time jobs, the need for their work was apparent, and now, nearly 15 years later, they continue to be dedicated to the Working Landscapes mission.
While Working Landscapes still prioritizes rural development and agriculture, the importance of climate work has grown due to its interconnectedness to everything else, especially agriculture.
Gabe doesn’t really have an average day at the office. Some days are devoted to grant writing to secure funding for various programs, while other days involve developing the food hub’s food safety plan or planning necessary equipment purchases for processing vegetables. He also spends time meeting with stakeholders in the region, sharing the Working Landscapes story, and forming new connections—a favorite aspect of his job.
Gabe shared that one of the easiest things his family is growing on their farm right now is figs! While not always a big fan, he shared that his daughter Juniper recently made fig bars that were enjoyed by all. If you want to make your own bars, check out the recipe by clicking here.
Working Landscapes and the Museum of Life and Science is excited to announce that we will be hosting our after-school program, Food for Thought, again this school year! Food for Thought is designed for Warren County high school students to have an experiential learning opportunity to explore questions of the past, present, and future of agriculture in Warren County.
Our program has three components:
- a series of five Scientist Spotlights, which are guest-speaker-led workshops where students can discover new scientific disciplines and methods on topics such as soil health, oral histories, climate modeling, and more;
- small farm field trips, where students learn about innovative climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices, and gain on-farm experience; and
- a community-engaged applied research project, where students apply what they learn in a creative way for a public audience
We are looking for high school students to submit an application by Friday, September 12 here.
In late July, we had the privilege of hosting several partners and funders for a tour and discussion. During the tour, visitors were able to see our fresh cut processing room and machinery, cold storage spaces, and shared-use kitchen. Thank you so much to the Center for Environmental Farming Systems for arranging this visit!
If you or your organization are interested in a tour, reach out to jenni@workinglandscapesnc.org. We’d love to show you what we’re up to!
We are excited to partner with Organic Growers School, NOFA-VT and CFSA on this program!
If you are a farmer in the Southern Appalachians or know a farmer in that area, let them know about the Climate Resilience Training coming this fall! Click here to learn more and register.
Are you interested in getting more involved with Working Landscapes? We are looking for a few more board members to round out our board! We want to prioritize community members who live in the Warrenton region, but we are open to board members who will participate remotely, too.
To learn more and fill out our interest form, click here.
Our biweekly produce boxes can now be picked up at two new locations, Strong Arm Bakery (117 Main St., Oxford, NC) and Lake Gaston Outfitters (2401 Eaton Ferry Rd, Littleton, NC), starting this month! We will continue offering our pick up in downtown Warrenton at ByWay Foods (221 W Franklin St, Warrenton, NC). Produce pick-up days are on Thursdays bi-weekly through September. Check out our website here to learn more about the pick-up locations and how to order.
If you are in the Oxford area, pick up some pastries or prepared foods when picking up your produce box at Strong Arm Bakery. Strong Arm Bakery has a great selection of delicious pastries, breads, prepared foods, and more!
If you are in the Lake Gaston/Littleton area, stop by Lake Gaston Outfitters for your produce box. While there, check out their large selection of bikes, paddling, and hiking equipment. They also have a full-service bike shop to help keep your bike in good shape and plenty of rental gear if you are just up for the weekend.
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We are proud to provide a fully-equipped, commercial-grade shared-use kitchen in the Hive, located in downtown Warrenton. Whether you’re launching a new business, perfecting a recipe, or completing a one-time project, our kitchen is designed to help you succeed. From state-of-the-art tools to ample workspace, The Hive’s kitchen offers everything you need to turn your culinary ideas into reality. To learn about the space and how to sign up to use the space click here.
Our new t-shirts are here! If you would like to purchase a t-shirt, please reply to this email and share what size you would like. The shirts are $20 and will be available for pick-up downtown Warrenton.
Are you a farmer or landowner interested in making biochar? Rent a kiln! We have two kilns available for rent for farmers and landowners. The Ring of Fire Kiln (shown in the flyer above) is best for larger amounts of debris, while the Oregon kiln is best for smaller amounts. Kilns will be available for pick-up at our food hub in Warrenton. We can also provide you with resources that share best practices for making biochar and applying it to your fields. To rent a kiln, please fill our the interest form here or email Jason@workinglandscapesnc.org for more information.
First Friday Poetry Night
Join the Warren Artist Market on First Fridays to hear local poets, storytellers, artists, and musicians! This event happens every first Friday of the month from 7-9:30p.m in the Hive.
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