Source:  NC Agribusiness Council, 2/17/11
 

Governor Beverly Perdue has recommended consolidating the state’s research stations and farms at NCSU and reducing state appropriations per the findings and recommendations of the 2008 Program Evaluation Committee’s final report to the NC General Assembly.  This proposal would reduce the operating funds by 15% in the first year ($1.5 million) and an additional $1.5 million in year two for just over $3 million, thereby necessitating the closure of approximately 7 research stations.  In addition to the $4.6 million cut over the next two years, the governor proposes transfer of the 12 research stations owned by NCDA&CS over to NCSU as a Type I transfer – minus the reduction savings realized by the consolidation. It is further stipulated in the governor’s proposed budget that research stations and farms that are determined to be least significant or that cannot be properly managed within the consolidated budget shall be sold as surplus property by the Department of Administration State Property Office and after allowable DOA service charges, NCSU may retain 25% of sale receipts for one time expenditures associated with managing the stations and remaining funds shall revert to the General Fund.  Funding for recurring positions associated with Research Stations owned by NCDA&CS is to be cut. In addition, the governor proposes the transfer of all forest management tracts owned by NCDA&CS to the Department of Environment and Natural Resource, Division of Forest Resources (DFR), who shall be allowed to work with the Department of Administration to sell the property.