Extension

Mar 1, 2022

North Carolina Farms Grapple with Labor Shortages

Even with a growing dependence on migrant labor, there still is not enough workers to fill farm jobs across North Carolina.

Feb 9, 2022

Could NC Export Poop For Profit?

NC State is partnering to evaluate a low-cost swine sludge dryer to reduce hog lagoon sludge and create farm revenue from exported fertilizer.

Apr 22, 2021

Growing a Future for Myanmar Refugees at the Karen Community Garden

For Htoo Saw Ywa, what’s growing at a new small farm in eastern Wake County is more than produce and more than added income for his family. It’s solace from the memories of persecution in his native Myanmar. It’s a way to connect with his farming roots and with fellow refugees. And it’s a chance for generations to bond through food traditions.

Nov 19, 2020

$8.1M+ in Private Gifts Invigorate Greenhouse Gas Research in Agriculture

NC State is well-suited to lead these greenhouse gas mitigation studies. North Carolina’s variety of soils, climates and agricultural systems are representative of those in the tropical and subtropical world. Pioneering work at NC State was key in developing early soil management in Brazil, Peru and elsewhere.

Aug 25, 2020

What a Changing Climate May Mean for Crop Pests

Agricultural systems in most parts of the world are the result of generations of trial and error (and, over the last 100 or so years, agricultural research) that, ultimately, reduce that risk as much as possible. In other words, agriculture depends on the local predictability of environmental conditions. Climate change reduces that predictability.

Aug 4, 2020

The Economic Impact of Microwave Processing: From Greene County to Kenya

Josip Simunovic has a passion for improving the world. One food product at a time. His microwave processing technology to turn ugly produce into long-lasting puree has had a major economic impact on communities from eastern North Carolina to Kenya.

Jul 23, 2020

Delivery of Personal Protection Equipment for Agricultural Workers

With support from North Carolina Cooperative Extension, a statewide partnership will deliver 900,000+ masks and infection control supplies to protect health and safety of farmers and agriculture workers.

Jul 16, 2020

‘Map’ of Sweetpotato Genome to Improve Breeding Efforts

NC State scientists recently published a scientific paper that mapped the genetic locations of economically important traits in sweetpotatoes such as higher yield and disease resistance. Through collaborative work between NC State and the International Potato Center (CIP), they have improved sweetpotato breeding efforts.

Jul 7, 2020

Pork, Pandemics and Politics: U.S. Agricultural Trade with China

This issue of the NC Economist explores the impact of recent events on the nuanced agricultural trade partnership between the United States and China. Buffeted by the coronavirus pandemic and political disagreements, what can farmers expect of exports to China in the challenging year ahead?

Jun 17, 2020

Farmworker Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Farmworkers are essential to our lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their work hasn’t stopped. In the latest episode of CALS’ Farms, Food and You podcast, guests share insights on the risks these workers face as they produce the food that’ll end up on our plates in coming weeks and months and on what NC State Extension, its partners and other state agencies are doing to help lower those risks.