The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 2026 at the Small Farm Unit at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, welcoming more than 350 attendees for a sold-out day of hands-on learning and community connection. Thank you to everyone who joined us to explore the intersections of agriculture, environment, technology and health! From families and students to farmers and community members, it was a meaningful day spent learning, sharing, and celebrating together.

Person pushing seeder through rows on farm
Compost and Mulch in Plastic jars
Greens tasting exhibition by AEF
Child holding worm in hand
Unitree robot shaking person's hand
N.C. A&T Innovation Bus
Earth Day participant with seeds
NC Conservation Outreach Project (NCCOP) staff discussing NRCS programs and plants for pollinator gardens with an Earth Day event participant
Wayne County Extension staff

Chyi-lyi “Kathleen” Liang, CEFS Director based at N.C. A&T, planned the event in collaboration with the CEFS Business and Events Team and Cherry Research Farm crew. Attendees engaged with a wide range of exhibitors and activities, including:

  • Wayne County Compost Facility – composting & waste reduction
  • The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Innovation Station – a dynamic, hands-on look at agricultural technology and innovation
  • Mark Light and Hannah Talton (N.C. A&T) – AI & technology playground & using netting to collect bugs
  • Beekeepers of the Neuse – pollinators & honeybees
  • Sanjok Prudel and Biswanath Dari  (N.C. A&T) – soil health and cover crops; cows and digestion of cover crops
  • Mallory Choudoir (NC State) – interactive soil games 
  • Sara Snyder (NC State Agroecology Education Farm) – Agroecology Academy
  • Jim White – food safety demonstrations, traceability
  • Jason Davis (University of Mount Olive) – fun with agriculture and careers in agriculture
  • Emmanuel Torres Quezada and Lauren Turner (NC State) – how to measure and mark an experimental plot for horticulture research
  • Michelle Schroeder-Moreno and Melissa Bell (NC State) – cover crops
  • NC Conservation Outreach Project (NCCOP) – NRCS programs and plants for pollinator gardens
  • Wayne County Extension/4-H – vermicomposting
  • John Gurganus (N.C. A&T Extension) – benefits and demonstration of the Jang seeder
  • Heather Berger (N.C. A&T) – how to set up irrigation for a small vegetable plot and cover crop seeds for soil health

We are grateful to all of our staff, exhibitors and participants who helped make the event such a success!