Our Programs
Programs are supported by the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), the community garden and the bee operation. The youth are involved on a daily basis in the Center’s activi ties and operations through volunteers, residi dents, churches and other area organizations. The Center is able to provide healthy foods, red sources and education to empower the youth and community
Conetoe Family Life Center - The Farm
Farm Overview
The farm is comprised of 25 acres of sustainably farmed land, growing both fruits and vegetables for the community. In 2020, 50,000 lbs of food were raised by 2 full-time farmers, 4 farm apprentices and a team of dedicated volunteers. The farm also contains 2 high tunnels and 10 active bee hives.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSA Farm Box Program
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers.
In short: people buy "shares" of a farm's harvest in advance and then receive a portion of the crops as they're harvested.
Youth Development, Summer Program and Apprenticeship Program
At Conetoe Family Life Center, we are youth-planned, youth-led, and we are sowing the seeds of change.
CFLC gives children a voice in their community, their health, and their future. We believe it’s about so much more than a gardening effort; our unique program empowers children with the tools
they need to develop leadership abilities and social skills and stress management techniques.
Children learn science, math, organizational skills and financial
Planning, environmental stewardship, and a sense of commu
nity responsibility. Children are encouraged to stay in school and to help inspire their family members to change their eating, cooking and lifestyle habits. By caring for the soil and earth, their plants, bees, and
each other, the children at CFLC learn what it takes to be successful and how to be good community servants.
Summer Program
Summer Camp is a time in a youth’s life where friendships blossoms and imaginations begin. As teachers, interns, and partners of CFLC’s Summer Camp, we have the unique opportunity to collaborate and unite our efforts to provide an enriched curriculum that will bridge academic years for our campers. This is a time where new adventures and genuine learning begin in the field of health, reading, math and agriculture technology. Our collective skills and commitment can build confident well-rounded experiences for our campers. CFLC invites you to join forces and work in a partnership to pool our resources to create and enrich experiences for our Summer Campers! Apply HereApprenticeship Program
This program is a formalized training and hand-on experience in agriculture production, technology, and business. This will be the first apprenticeship program in the entire state of North Carolina of this type, focused on developing minority farmers. Previous farming experience is not required but it’s important that the apprentice has a genuine interest and enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture production. The apprentices will work with Rev. Richard Joyner of the Conetoe Family Life Center and other experienced mentors. Apprentices will receive over 1200 hours of paid, hands-on training in sustainable agriculture production on site at CFLC’s 25-acre farm. CFLC is partnering with NCA&T, and NC State to provide 100+ hours of technical and professional skills development from experts in the field. Apply Here
Healthy Living and Education Program
Participants who have been involved in the CFLC program and activities have experienced a dramatic decline in chronic ailments, necessary medications and hospital visits.
CFLC began as a
grassroots response to the poverty, malnutrition,
and premature death in the Conetoe and surrounding communities. CFLC is committed to encouraging healthier and more vibrant lifestyles.
With many families in the region lacking basic access to fresh, healthy food, CFLC makes the difference by providing nutritious food.
CFLC donates
half of its farm’s harvest to low income families in
need and it also provides fresh food for our community’s events and celebrations. We encourage
healthier cooking habits and smoking cessation.
Our efforts make a major impact on the lives of the
Conetoe community’s most disadvantaged residents. We’ve worked hard
to make a change in Edgecombe County – and our
community is reaping the rewards.
Most recently Conetoe Family Life Center in partnership with the We in the World RISE program provided over 2,000 people with information about COVID, performed health screenings and provided free fresh produce. This important work was performed with the valuable contribution of a $150,000 grant from the We in the World RISE organization.
Honeybee Operation
Making the world a little sweeter for our community.
The Conetoe Family Life Center’s (CFLC) “bee
hive” project keeps our kids buzzing! To increase our bee pollination rate, our youth
decided that we needed to expand the project
even further. Under their direction, we have
added a few hundred extra “workers” to help us
with our honey bee harvest. We acquired a bus
for all of our bees to live in.
The CFLC “bee hive bus” project is a recycled
school bus that helps ensure better crop cultivation. The children managed the project from start to finish. The children learn the science behind building bee hives, and harvest the honey to sell at local Farmers Markets around the region. Proceeds go to Conetoe’s children’s education scholarships.
You Can Support Our Programs with a Tax Deductible Donation
Your Donations Help:
Provide Free Summer Camp Programs
Distribute 75 Farm Box Donations a week
30,000 lbs. of Produce
Coordinate Job Training Programs
Maintain Jobs for Conetoe Residents