Source: NC A&T COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONEMENTAL SCIENCES, 6/28/22


More than 150 farmers, growers and other agriculture professionals came to the University Farm for the first time in two years to learn techniques, see demonstrations and hear updates from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension during Small Farms Field Day, held June 23.

The field day, making its return as an in-person event this year following two years as a virtual event during the COVID pandemic, offered concurrent sessions of organic and conventional field demonstrations from university and Extension professionals.

“We’ve been making sure you have practical knowledge that you can use in your operation,” Extension horticulture specialist Sanjun Gu, Ph.D. told the crowd in opening the event. “This is for you, the small farmer, so that you can apply Aggie know-how to boost your bottom line.”

Shirley Hymon-Parker, Ph.D., associate dean for research, highlighted the college’s expanding research portfolio, now at $34 million.

“Given that every dollar spent on research returns $20 to the economy, farming’s future looks bright. But we can’t stop,” she said.

“We’re working to make sure farming remains a viable career option for youth today.”

Two varieties of bamboo, one of the state’s emerging crops, were on display on the conventional field tour. Planted four years ago, shoots from the bamboo on the one-acre plot should be ready for harvesting next spring, said Robert Stevenson of commercial bamboo farming company OnlyMoso, which is partnering with the college. Bamboo can be harvested all over the U.S. and used in its entirety, Stevenson said.

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