The Green Rural Redevelopment Organization GRRO

10/19/2026

Rural Food and Health Forum Brings New Energy to North Carolina’s Rural Health and Food Systems Work—Farmers, healthcare leaders, researchers, and community advocates gathered in Raleigh to explore solutions for healthier rural communities, with plans to capture the conversations and ideas in a post-Forum report.

Farmers, healthcare leaders, researchers, and community advocates gathered in Raleigh to explore solutions for healthier rural communities.

10/14/2026

More soundbites from the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum.

10/13/2026

Sound bites from the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum.

10/11/2026

What an incredible weekend at the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum!

We brought together farmers, healthcare leaders, researchers, funders, policymakers, and community advocates for meaningful conversations about Rural Health Transformation, Food is Medicine, healthy food access, and strengthening rural communities.

A huge THANK YOU to our speakers, sponsors, partners, and everyone who joined us!

The forum may be over, but the work continues! We’re excited to build on the connections and partnerships created to advance healthier, stronger rural communities.

10/10/2026

What a wonderful way to kick off the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum!

Last night, we had an amazing time at our Leadership Reception, hosted by the K.B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and Maria Parham Duke LifePoint Healthcare. It was inspiring to hear from leaders across our state and rural communities who share a commitment to improving rural health and strengthening our food systems.

We’re energized, excited and ready to get things started this morning at 8:30 a.m.! Looking forward to a day of meaningful conversations, collaboration and opportunities to make a lasting impact!

09/29/2026

📺 Tune in to ABC11 Together!

Hear from Henry Crews, Executive Director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), and Earline Middleton, Executive Director of the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute, as they discuss the importance of the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum and why bringing rural voices, healthcare leaders, farmers, researchers, and community partners together matters for the future of rural North Carolina.

Watch the ABC11 Together segment—and then join the conversation! There’s still time to register for the Forum on Saturday, October 10, in Raleigh. Your voice and perspective are needed in the room as we work together to advance healthy food access, improve rural health, and strengthen rural communities. abc11.com/together/ | grronc.org/rural-food-health-forum

09/23/2026

Thank You to Our Sponsors! 🎉 The 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners. Their investment is helping us bring together rural leaders, farmers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations to advance healthy food access, quality healthcare, and stronger rural communities. We thank them for believing in this work and helping us create a space where rural voices, innovative ideas, and meaningful partnerships can come together. Learn more and join us on Oct. 10th. https://grronc.org/rural-food-health-forum

09/18/2026

2026 Rural Food and Health Forum | KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT We’re excited to welcome Dr. Rohan A. Shirwaiker, James T. Ryan Distinguished Professor in Industrial & Systems Engineering and Director of the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State University, as a keynote speaker for the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum!

An interdisciplinary educator, researcher, and thought leader, Dr. Shirwaiker works at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and sustainable food innovation. At the Bezos Center, he leads multidisciplinary efforts in research, workforce development, and capacity building to advance emerging food proteins and help shape the future of sustainable food systems.

Join us Saturday, October 10th at the James B. Hunt, Jr. Library in Raleigh, NC, to hear from Dr. Shirwaiker and other leading voices exploring innovative approaches to rural health, food systems, agriculture, and Food is Medicine.

Early bird register ends soon or comment below to learn how you may be able to attend the forum for free thanks to the generosity of our forum sponsors! Visit: grronc.org/rural-food-health-forum to learn more and register today!

09/17/2026

2026 Rural Food and Health Forum | KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT 📢

We’re excited to welcome Rachel D. Keever, MD, CPE, FACC, President and CEO of the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, as a keynote speaker for the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum!

A graduate of the UNC School of Medicine and former Rural Health Scholar, Dr. Keever is a cardiologist and obesity medicine physician whose career has included work in both rural and tertiary care environments. Her leadership has spanned clinical care, physician leadership, healthcare innovation, health equity, and efforts to expand access to care across North Carolina.

Join us on Saturday, October 10 in Raleigh, NC, to hear from Dr. Keever and an outstanding group of rural health, food systems, agriculture, research, and community leaders working to build healthier and more resilient rural communities.

🎟️ Register today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of rural food and health. Visit: grronc.org/rural-food-health-forum

09/12/2026

Don’t miss the 2026 Rural Food and Health Forum happening Saturday, Oct. 10th in Raleigh, NC. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the forum starts at 8:30 a.m. Join GRRO and the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute as we bring together rural community leaders, farmers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, funders, and other partners to discuss the future of rural health, healthy food access, Food is Medicine, rural healthcare, and stronger local food systems.

Your voice is needed in the room. The experiences, ideas, and leadership of people who live and work in rural parts of North Carolina are essential to shaping solutions that reflect the realities, strengths, and priorities of our rural communities. Register today! https://grronc.org/rural-food-health-forum