Exploring Local Food Systems & Community Solutions
At a recent Region Meeting, EFNEP Educators from Southeast counties had the chance to dive into two exciting and impactful local initiatives! First, they explored the rich history of dairy farming at the Raleigh Dairy Heritage Museum, where they learned about the production process behind the iconic Howling Cow ice cream and the museum’s role in preserving the area’s dairy heritage. The visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at dairy farming, providing new insights that can help educators share the importance of local food systems with their communities. (photos N.C. State University Extension)
RALEIGH, N.C. — At a recent Region Meeting, EFNEP Educators from Southeast counties had the chance to dive into two exciting and impactful local initiatives! First, they explored the rich history of dairy farming at the Raleigh Dairy Heritage Museum, where they learned about the production process behind the iconic Howling Cow ice cream and the museum’s role in preserving the area’s dairy heritage. The visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at dairy farming, providing new insights that can help educators share the importance of local food systems with their communities.
Next, the group participated in a Lunch and Learn at A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can cafe. Here, they discovered how this innovative restaurant is tackling food insecurity by making nutritious meals accessible to everyone—no matter their financial situation. The experience offered a powerful example of how community-driven solutions can make a real difference in addressing hunger. These learning experiences not only deepened the educators’ knowledge but also sparked new ideas for how they can bring awareness to both local agriculture and food access issues in their work.
–Megan Halbohm, N.C. State University Extension
