CONNECT Our Future

Beginning in 2013 Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), and Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) partnered with the Centralina Council of Governments and the Catawba Regional Council of Governments to support CONNECT Our Future, a three-year initiative funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. The CONNECT Our Future project aims to promote regional economic development, including the local and regional food system, in order to grow jobs, strengthen the economy, and improve quality of life in the Charlotte region.

The county snapshots presented on this page have been developed for the CONNECT Our Future project to support community efforts to create a sustainable food system across a 14-county bi-state region. The local food system information presented in the snapshots offers perspective and context for each county and provides a way for local stakeholders to identify capacity and establish priorities for action. CLICK ON A COUNTY on the map below (or click a county name on the list at the bottom of this page) to discover vital local food and farm statistics!

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Each food system variable presented in the snapshots was chosen based on the criteria: (1) data must relate directly to local food system development, (2) data must be obtainable and available to the public, (3) data must come from a reliable, credible source, and (4) collectively, the data must give an idea of the social, economic, and environmental components of the local food system.

The snapshots should be used as a starting point for communities to better understand the dynamics of the food system where they live. The snapshots are concise by design; all counties in the project region are encouraged to investigate the elements of their local food system in greater depth to develop a well-rounded view of the opportunities, assets, and obstacles to food localization efforts in their community. To view more information on each variable, please visit the snapshot methodology report.

Anson, NC
Cabarrus, NC
Cleveland, NC
Gaston, NC
Iredell, NC
Lincoln, NC
Mecklenburg, NC
Rowan, NC
Stanly, NC
Union, NC
Chester, SC
Lancaster, SC
Union, SC
York, SC

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