Source:  NC A&T COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, 4/19/22


Climate-resilient agriculture practices can help small farms in North Carolina adapt to a changing climate profitably, according to new research by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University Cooperative Extension and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

The research summarizes the real-world financial and climate-resilience benefits that practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping and high tunnel use are providing three small farms in diverse growing regions: the coastal plain, the Piedmont and the mountains.

Variable and extreme weather associated with a changing climate, including severe weather events and hotter summer nights, presents challenges to small farms in North Carolina. While some farms across the state are adapting to the changing weather by using climate-resilient practices to manage changing weather conditions, it is also important for these practices to have positive financial impacts on the farm.

N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension and EDF evaluated the financial impacts of reduced tillage, cover crops and high tunnels on three small farms in North Carolina. A summary report and three case studies share key insights for farmers and their advisers to inform their financial decision-making when considering implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices.

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