Extension’s role in alternative energy is subject of WRAL-TV story

On Wednesday, July 17, WRAL-TV ran a news story about three Harnett County farmers who are working with N.C. Cooperative Extension on various on-farm systems of alternative energy. Extension Agent Gary Pierce described as how alternative energy systems can benefit farms.
The three operations and their energy systems are:

* Patterson Farms, which has worked with N.C. State University Energy Specialist Grant Ellington on using wood chips instead of natural gas to heat tobacco houses in summer and fall and greenhouses in winter.

* Butler Farms worked with several specialists in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to collect methane from hog lagoons and use it to generate electricity. The system also helps contain lagoon odor.

* Little River Trails Aquaculture worked with N.C. State Aquaculture Specialist Harry Daniels and Area Specialized Agent Mike Frinsko on using bio-thermal energy to maintain water temperature for indoor fish farms where flounder and hybrid bass are raised.

Read more about the story on WRAL’s website and view the video here: http://bit.ly/12NXiLR.