CEFS Field Day Highlights Sustainable Ag Practices
GOLDSBORO, North Carolina -- The Center for Environmental Farming Systems held its field day on May 3 in Goldsboro, NC. The event, supported by Southern SARE and North Carolina SARE, highlighted North Carolina State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University sustainable agriculture research projects. About 300 participants were treated to farm tours of such topics as biochar, water quality, no-till organic production, organic canola, pasture-based livestock production, using legumes in forage systems and agroforestry.
The event was sponsored by North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina A&T School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The mission of CEFS is to develop and promote food and farming systems that protect the environment, strengthen local communities, and provide economic opportunities. Visit CEFS for more information.
Below are some highlights of the field day. You can find more photos of the CEFS field day on our Facebook page.
National SARE director Rob Hedberg (right) and Southern SARE associate director John Mayne attend the event.
North Carolina A&T researcher Charles Raczkowski shows the group various water quality measurement units being used in research to monitor nutrient leaching in five agricultural systems. Raczkowski is with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.
Pigs keep themselves cool in the North Carolina heat. The pigs were part of a rotational grazing system that reduces environmental impact while bringing the hogs to market weight in about three months.
NCSU animal scientist Steve Washburn discusses the university's pasture-based dairy rotational grazing system.
NCSU researchers are studying silvopasture, the concept of growing crops and trees on marginal farmland.
NCSU entomologist Yasmin Cordoza at the field day. Yasmin received a Southern SARE grant to study how vermicompost-amended soils ward off vegetable crop pests.
G.B. Reddy with North Carolina A&T University explains the university's biochar project during the field day. Reddy is with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.
