Food & Farming

Providing the region’s drinking water, energy production and fuel for local agriculture, the Catawba River is critical to the Charlotte community. The River is also one of the most “critical” rivers in the country. To make a quick comparison, the Colorado River is 1,480 miles long with 15 dams approximately every 96.7 miles and 33

Rivendell Farms of the Carolinas (RFC) is partnering with the Piedmont Culinary Guild, Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council, Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association to recreate a dynamic, multifunctional, comprehensive food systems map of the Charlotte area. This will be a resource for the general public as well as a

Rivendell Farms of the Carolinas (RFC) is teaming with Mecklenburg Soil & Water Conservation District, Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council and University of North Carolina at Charlotte to obtain a Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) for Mecklenburg County. A VAD is a county run program that works to accomplish 4 main goals, Encourage the voluntary preservation

• 2016 – 2017 • 1-acre, sustainable urban farm in east Charlotte, NC • Crops grown support 700+ meal recipients for Charlotte’s “meals-on-wheels” organization • Crops also support two farmers markets in food deserts • Plan crop rotations with the intention of conducting year-round, weekly harvests of seasonal produce • Supervise groups of volunteers to

• 2016 – 2018 • 24 member goat herd • 80+ pounds of cheese produced and sold weekly, year-round • 5 different forms of soft cheese produced: chevre, ricotta, feta, cream cheese, formage • In-house management of all steps in the cheese making process: herd health & maintenance, milk production, cheese production, aging, packaging, distribution

• 2017 • 10 week course taught by Certified Beekeepers in Charlotte, NC • Topics Include: Bee Biology & Behavior, Equipment Choices, Controlling Varroa Mites, among others • State issued beekeeper certification exam at the end of course • Mentorship opportunities with certified beekeepers • Continued education opportunities through membership to Mecklenburg County Beekeeper’s Association

• 2017 – Present • The Patio Farmer, “edible installations for small spaces” • Offer classes throughout the year on a variety of topics related to growing food in small spaces (ie: container gardening) • Offer consultations, installations and custom maintenance place for people living in the city who want to feel a sense of