Summary:
We are fortunate in North Carolina to have 18 research stations operated in cooperation with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University. In the coming months a number of field days are planned to showcase some of the research work under way with specific commodities.
Today’s Topic with Commissioner Steve Troxler and Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis
- We are fortunate in North Carolina to have 18 research stations supporting a variety of agricultural research.
- A few of these stations have been serving the farming community for over 100 years, so these farms represent long-term investments in agriculture by state leaders.
- We work hard at the department to be good stewards of these resources and our staff help manage research projects designed by university scientists to develop new plant varieties that grow well in North Carolina and are resistant to common pests and diseases. Research plots also test new production techniques that better protect our natural resources and reduce input costs for farmers and help increase yields from crops.
- These stations stretch from the mountains to the coast and represent the many different soils types we have in North Carolina along with different micro-climates, which can affect growing conditions.
- It is important work that helps ensure when farmers implement new techniques or choose to grow new varieties, that they can expect a certain degree of success – barring damaging storms or extreme weather that would impact any crop.
- Research works through potential stumbling blocks, so farmers don’t have to.
- Along the way, the stations host field days to showcase some of the work taking place on the farm. Local farmers are invited to come see the work and hear from researchers leading these projects.
- They are very informative events and I encourage farmers to look for opportunities to attend these events.
- Throughout July, August and September, farmers can find field days focused on fiber hemp, apples, the Blacklands of Northeastern North Carolina, tomatoes, peanuts, pollinators and soybeans.
- In fact, the Fiber Hemp Field Day is being held today at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury.
- On July 21, the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville is holding its field day.
- In the Eastern part of the state, Sept. 8 is Peanut Field Day in Lewiston-Woodville, Sept. 13 is the South Eastern Peanut Field Day in Whiteville and Sept. 17 is Pollinator Field Day in Kinston.
- You can find out more details and information on the Research Stations web page at www.ncagr.gov/ Research/FieldDays.