About me
James Smith is a farmer, food systems activist, and technical service provider with Croatan Institute. James grew up in North Carolina eating wild-foraged edibles and exploring the oak-hickory forests of the Piedmont region. At Croatan Institute, James works through the Soil Wealth Areas Program to provide business planning and conservation technical assistance to farmers across North Carolina. Prior to joining Croatan Institute, James supported research at the Environmental Protection Agency and led multiple financial advocacy initiatives, unlocking over $6 million in investment for more resilient food and energy systems. James also co-manages Sliding Rock Farm in Bassett VA, an agroecological farm focused on community-driven perennial crops and vegetable and fruit production.
