Grant-Funded Projects

2012-2015. Hu, Shuijin; Reberg-Horton, S. Chris; Robarge, Wayne, P; Schroeder-Moreno, Michelle, S.; Grossman, Julie, M.; Cardoza, Yasmin; Everman, Wesley, J.. USDA NIFA. $734,802.

The long-term goal of this integrated research, education and extension project is to understand the impact of organic systems in the Southeastern US on greenhouse gas emissions and educate stakeholders and students about maximizing the mitigation potential of these systems.

Our supporting objectives are to:

• investigate how organic systems affect soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions,
• examine how tillage practices and cover crops can be integrated to enhance C sequestration and reduce N2O emissions, and
• educate next generation of organic researchers and farmers through student training and various outreach activities.

We propose that organic systems with reduced tillage may provide the best opportunities to increase soil C sequestration and reduce soil N2O emission in the sandy soils of the warm and humid Southeastern USA. Our central hypothesis is that integration of high organic matter inputs and reduced tillage is the key to tighten C and N cycles and reduce N2O emission.We plan to utilize three certified organic systems and three parallel conventional systems at our existing long-term site at Goldsboro, NC to conduct a series of field experiments to quantify the CO2 and N2O emissions and to identify potential mechanisms underlying the C and N stabilization in soil. We also plan to develop new curricula on greenhouse gases and agriculture for student training and stakeholders. Outcomes of this project would provide essential data necessary for developing organic practices that reduce soil N2O emissions while increasing C sequestration.

2012-2015. D. Marticorena, N. Creamer (NCSU), J. O’Sullivan (NCA&TSU), D. Swenson (Iowa State), D. Hughes (Clemson). SARE Project # LS12-248. $211,000.

The purpose of this project is to quantitatively evaluate using a Social Accounting Matrix Framework how producers and local communities are impacted differently by the sales of either locally produced/processed foods or those imported from other regions. In addition, we will study the variety of ways different socio-economic groups are impacted by local agriculture and how that affects the economy as a whole. For the purposes of this project we will be defining local as originating/being processed within North Carolina. In order for communities to grow in a way that ensures their long-term economic viability and sustainability, a number of wide ranging and often-conflicting factors must be appropriately managed. The method of analysis we will use is able to consider these opposing factors and determine how to make North Carolina Agriculture the strongest both now and in the future through local agriculture.

There is a great deal of talk these days as to whether the idea of “local foods,” and more broadly, “local agriculture,” can benefit the producers of North Carolina. On one hand studies have shown that participating in local agriculture helps producers retain more of the profits generated by their crops; on the other hand many local agriculture markets currently have limited demand (both by consumers as well as institutions such as schools, hospitals, and prisons) and so many medium to large scale farmers are not able to sell the bulk of their produce in this way. Furthermore, because of the fact that local agriculture sales tend to keep money more so within the county than more diverse sales, there may be benefits to the local community that are not reflected in the economics as it is traditionally measured.

In this study we will develop a Social Accounting Matrix that is realistic for the North Carolina Economy today and can be used to quantify the opportunity for growth within the agricultural sector. Data sets currently available (i.e. the IMPLAN database released by MIG Inc.) for this purpose are largely derived from National and State Level data through linear adjustments based upon population differences, a methodology that is sure to ignore systematic regional differences important to agriculture that may exist. We intend to collect financial data from our participants for the purposes of amending the agricultural sector of currently available data to make it consistent with real world conditions today as well as to be able to reasonably project different possible growth scenarios of the NC agricultural industry going forward. The findings of this project will both be used as a policy tool at the level of regional and state governments as well as an educational aid to inform the greater community on the marginal impacts of different modes of agriculture.

2011-2013. J. Grossman, Shuijin Hu, W. Shi, G. Reddy. USDA Integrated Organics Program. $650,000.

There is a critical need for information about how the effects of organic agriculture, specifically cover crop combinations, are quantified when assessments for carbon sequestration are employed to determine associated incentive payments. This project will strengthen organic production in the long term by providing information about how to best manage cover crop residue in Southern climates during the transition process to retain and protect recently added carbon. As policy makers move in the direction of recognizing and subsidizing carbon as a key indicator of environmental services it is important to develop scientific datasets to support organic farms as leaders in this capacity. This project joins together Southeastern U.S. leaders in organic agriculture research, including N.C. State University (NCSU), the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and N.C. Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&T) to respond to farmer concerns about soil carbon sequestration through a fully integrated research-, education- and extension-based project. The primary long-term goals of this project are to (1) evaluate common and novel cover crops for their potential to contribute to soil organic matter development to develop tools for conservation planners to quickly identify beneficial practices for transitioning organic farmers, and (2) develop models for educating agricultural stakeholders, future extension leaders (students), and low-income urban populations about the benefits and challenges of cover-crop use. To meet the first goal, the researchers will study the contribution of cover crop plant biomass additions to soil carbon by investigating the microbial processes controlling both decomposition and stabilization of added carbon. To meet the second goal, they will use a multi-tier outreach approach to disseminate the information produced by the proposed research. Specific outreach efforts include (1) hosting two traditional face-to-face workshops and training opportunities for farmers, organic educators and NRCS personnel, with particular emphasis placed on small and limited-resource farmers in the Southeast, (2) developing and piloting five cover crop teaching lessons for low-income urban populations using urban gardens to increase food security, and (3) designing two academic components including an upper-level “Climate Change & Agriculture” course and a unique extension training program for graduate students, the Young Extension Professionals (YEP) program. The goal of YEP is to train effective extension personnel and farmer communicators following completion of their academic program.

2009-2013. USDA Crops at Risk (CAR) grant. B.A. Mullens, A. Gerry, D.W. Watson, J. Zhu. $111,798.

This 36-month USDA-CAR proposal incorporates both research and demonstration aspects, novel technologies and new assessment methodology into pasture fly management for cattle production systems. As a minor pesticide user, the cattle industry (dairy and beef) has few newly registered insecticides, while there have been remarkable advances in the identification of novel natural repellents for the protection of humans. We will evaluate and help develop the first insect repellents for the livestock industry reliant on naturally occurring compounds. Laboratory and field studies suggest medium chain length saturated fatty acids (C8-C10) and the plant-derived compound geraniol may suppress horn flies. Past studies relied solely on numbers of horn flies on cattle, but we will utilize changes in fly population age structure, survivorship data, fecundity, and blood feeding rates, and incorporate cattle fly defense behaviors to measure irritation. Negative (nothing) and positive (permethrin) controls will be used with small cattle herds over 9-week intervals with 3 discrete time periods: pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment. Untreated animals in each herd will serve both as a fly sink and source. Adjunct laboratory studies will study contact versus distance repellency as a function of dose and time. The studies will allow us to examine treatment-related fly movement relevant to the eventual development of a push-pull strategy, contributing to improved management of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans, a key pest for pastured cattle. It will serve as a model for future evaluation of other livestock fly pests.

2009-2012. W.K. Kellogg Foundation. PIs include Nancy Creamer, Jennifer Curtis. $1,535,349.

The purpose of this project is to develop partnerships and create institutional change by increasing access to healthy, green, fair and affordable food within all communities and addressing the needs of vulnerable youth and their families.

2009-2012. USDA Southern Region SARE Research and Education Project. S.P. Washburn, K.L. Anderson, G.A. Benson, M.L. Alley, S.E. Johnson. $250,000. (Note: Includes a subcontract to University of Arkansas for $95,993; J.A. Pennington, K.M. Loftin, K.W. VanDevender, R. Rainey, D. Philipp.)

The purpose of this project is to provide research and educational support for organic or transitioning dairy farms in the South. Problems facing producers during transition from conventional to organic dairying include maintaining cash flow during transition, costs and availability of organic feed, alternative control of parasitic and premise flies, control of forage pests, learning how to treat cows without antibiotics, control of *weeds*, and getting cows pregnant without use of hormonal treatments.

Specifically, evaluation of herds that have successfully transitioned from conventional dairy production to organic dairying will help define current needs as well as identify factors that allowed those producers to be successful. Controlled studies will also be conducted to determine efficacy of alternative approaches to control external parasites, treat or prevent mastitis, enhance reproductive efficiency, and to evaluate pasture management practices applicable to current and prospective organic dairy farms in the South. We also plan to investigate current and future potential markets for organic dairy products in the southern states.

The price of organic milk paid to producers remains stable throughout the year, and the stability of organic pricing also is important in that it allows for greater financial planning compared to conventional milk which has wide fluctuations in prices. Because of the price stability with organic milk, it is expected that many, perhaps most, new dairy producers will enter the organic market. Overall, organic dairy farming has potential to have an economic impact of greater than $1 billion per year in the southern states.

2008-2010. Southern Region SARE Research and Education Project. J.P. Mueller, H. Shuijin, S.C. Reberg-Horton, and C.W. Raczkowski. $190,000.

This project is designed to examine effects of organic weed management on crop productivity and soil and water quality variables. Two fundamentally different approaches are being attempted by North Carolina farmers: a conventional tillage, cultivation intensive approach, and a reduced tillage system utilizing weed suppressive cover crops and mulches. When surveyed and in focus groups organic farmers cite weed pests as their most serious and intractable problem. Current weed management strategies in organic production systems are centered on cultivation. This has been shown to be effective in many cases, but loss of soil carbon, the importance of particulate organic matter fraction and the potential for soil erosion and water quality issues must be addressed if organic grain systems are to be sustainable.

2008-2011. Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Competitive Grants Program – Southern Region. D.W. Watson, W.M. Morrow, R.M. Roe. $97,897.

State and federal agencies and the swine industry are investigating alternatives to liquid-based waste handling systems to minimize the impact of animal agriculture on air and water quality. Europe has taken the lead in developing alternative swine production systems, including growing pigs on deep-bedded open floors allowing the pigs to move freely about the building. As the pigs become accustomed to the housing, separate resting and dunging areas become established. These dunging areas are breeding sites for filth flies, particularly the house fly, lesser house fly, and stable fly, each recognized as economic and nuisance pests. Our proposed research study is focused on integrated pest management in open-floor-dry bedding swine production. The goal of this project is to document and demonstrate push-pull pest management strategies to minimize the severity of filth fly infestation in a dry-bedding waste management system.

This is a research project is designed to employ a stimulo-deterrent diversionary strategy (SDDS) or Push-pull strategy (PPS) to manage arthropod pests. PPS has been successfully used in a variety of integrated cropping systems, including onions and cotton. The concept relies on the manipulation of the pest by applying pressures to induce behavioral changes that result in less damage to the crop. PPS uses a variety of compounds including repellents, oviposition deterrents, and antifeedants to push the pest away from the crop. PPS couples these agents with others that pull the pests toward an unsuitable crop. The latter may be pheromones, attractants, and feeding stimulants often in the form of a trap crop. Application of PPS may have utility in the management of pests in animal agriculture. We propose the use of plant derived insect repellents, geraniol and an entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana for the control of house flies and stable flies in alternative swine production systems.

2008-2010. N.C. Agriculture Foundation. PI J. Grossman. $38,996.

The national market for all-natural pork has developed more quickly than the pasture-raised swine operation siting and management guidelines. Much of this pork is raised in the Southeast. Subsequently, many of these outdoor operations have been developed with little consideration given to the potential environmental damage that can occur when proper management is not followed. This enterprise has been popular with small, limited resource and family farms. Recent research shows that pigs raised outdoors can be extremely destructive of vegetation and contribute to significant soil loss, nutrient build-up, leaching and run-off if not managed properly. Our research will evaluate soil nutrient distribution during the grow-out stage (finishing, topping) of pasture-raised swine operations using a static feeding/watering/shelter structure treatment and compare it to a rotational structure treatment to determine if nutrient distribution can be improved. We will evaluate vegetation destruction in each treatment to determine if previously accepted stocking densities are sustainable in realistic outdoor pasture raised swine operations. Our goal is to develop environmentally sustainable practices that are practical and useful for the farmers in the southern United States, nationally and internationally who want to raise swine outdoors in a way that will minimize damage to the environment, be socially acceptable, as well as produce a profit that will support their family farms.

2008. USDA-CSREES Integrated Organic Program, David Orr, Chris Reberg-Horton, Chris Moorman, Yasmin Cardoza. $347,814.

The purpose of this project is to evaluate a range of field border habitat types for their value to insect and weed pest management within crop fields, as well as their value to on-farm wildlife. The objectives of this proposal help to fill gaps in our knowledge about how best to implement field border habitats to enhance beneficial insects, wildlife, and management of pest insects and weeds by making use of on-farm populations of beneficial organisms (both insects and birds). We will examine the effect of different types of border habitat plantings on the beneficial insect communities they harbor, and the effect of these communities on insect as well as weed management in adjacent crops. We will assess the value of the border habitats as cover and a food resource for quail. In addition, we will examine the arthropod diets of songbirds that move between the borders and crop fields to assess the value of these habitats, and the potential contribution of early successional songbirds to insect management in adjacent crops. An advisory group of organic growers, extension personnel, and a crop consultant has been assembled in order to direct this project from the beginning towards a practical product that growers will use on their farms. Although we are using an organic farming production system for this project, the outcomes should be applicable to a wider array of cropping, because we are targeting field border vegetation outside of crop fields.

2007-2008. N.C. Beautiful, Governor and Mrs. Dan K. Moore Fellowship. PI Emily Vollmer. 10,000 ($5,000 matched by $5,000 from NCSU CALS).
Cover crop mulches for no-till organic onion production. 2007. Southern Region SARE Graduate Student Grant. PIs Emily Vollmer and Nancy Creamer. $10,000.

The purpose of this project is to expand the knowledge base informing sustainable agricultural practices, especially helping organic vegetable growers increase soil conservation with strategic use of cover crops. This project addresses three key challenges for organic, reduced-tillage vegetable production. First, selecting summer cover crops that winter kill eliminates the challenge of mechanically killing the cover crop. Second, we are evaluating quantity and timing of nitrogen release from both the cover crops and organic amendment nitrogen during over-wintered vegetable production. Third, we are evaluating the weed control potential of the different cover crop residues and the amount of labor required for additional weed management. This is a systems-level experiment that will demonstrate the interactions of many aspects of sustainable vegetable production in the southeastern United States.

2007-2008. N.C. Beautiful, Governor and Mrs. Dan K. Moore Fellowship. PI Emily Vollmer. 10,000 ($5,000 matched by $5,000 from NCSU CALS).
Cover crop mulches for no-till organic onion production. 2007. Southern Region SARE Graduate Student Grant. PIs Emily Vollmer and Nancy Creamer. $10,000.

The purpose of this project is to expand the knowledge base informing sustainable agricultural practices, especially helping organic vegetable growers increase soil conservation with strategic use of cover crops. This project addresses three key challenges for organic, reduced-tillage vegetable production. First, selecting summer cover crops that winter kill eliminates the challenge of mechanically killing the cover crop. Second, we are evaluating quantity and timing of nitrogen release from both the cover crops and organic amendment nitrogen during over-wintered vegetable production. Third, we are evaluating the weed control potential of the different cover crop residues and the amount of labor required for additional weed management. This is a systems-level experiment that will demonstrate the interactions of many aspects of sustainable vegetable production in the southeastern United States.

2007. SARE Research and Education Grant. Sang Hyon Oh, Dana Hanson, Morgan Morrow, Charles W. Raczkowski, Todd See, Ronaldo Vibart. $219,336.

This project will investigate niche pork production systems that address market demands and natural resource conservation concerns, with a specific focus on maximizing vegetative ground cover and nutrient distribution in pastures and understanding marketability of heritage breeds produced in alternative production systems. Several wholesale buyers are offering North Carolina growers twice the current market price to supply this demand. This represents an important opportunity for small-scale, limited resource farmers across the southeast. The majority of niche pork buyers require that pigs be raised outdoors on pasture or in deep-bedded hoop barn systems. In the case of North Carolina’s outdoor production systems, most operations are not sustainable if one evaluates nutrient loading, soil loss, and water quality impacts. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) planners recognize the near total lack of information available to guide them in developing conservation plans that addresses resource concerns on outdoor swine farms across the southeast. Lastly, consumer interest in heritage breed pork continues to rise however little is known about taste characteristics and production potential in alternative systems.

2007. USDA NRCS, Conservation Innovation Grant. Morgan Morrow, Nancy Creamer, Jennifer Curtis. $929,900.

In response to growing consumer demand and increased production of outdoor-raised (marketed as “pasture-raised”) pork in North Carolina, this project will demonstrate and evaluate a comprehensive set of innovative conservation practices on outdoor hog production systems throughout three distinct regions of the State—the Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain—that represent major production characteristics and soil types throughout the Southeast. Through the oversight of a technical steering committee, model farms, and demonstration sites will be established to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness, environmental impacts and economic implications of implementing different conservation practices on outdoor hog production systems. Farmer participants will be supported to maintain comprehensive records, engage in project planning, and host outreach and educational events, including field days, training workshops, and informal gatherings. Regional support teams will be developed that include farmer mentors, District Conservationists, and extension agents as a means of increasing the likelihood of adoption of conservation practices, and specifically utilization of EQIP, particularly on small and limited resource farms. A variety of deliverables will be developed, including a technical guidance document for use by NRCS staff and District Conservationists to foster expansion of EQIP to outdoor hog production systems.

2007. SARE-PDP, Steven Washburn, Geoffrey Benson, Sue Ellen Johnson, Kevin Anderson, Mark Alley. $45,740.

One purpose of the proposal is to conduct an exchange tour for organic groups in Arkansas and North Carolina to share information on organic dairy farming from each state so that they determine the problems and possible solutions to enhance the efficiency of organic dairy farming in the southern region. The second objective is to conduct training conferences for professional trainers in Arkansas and North Carolina. The workshops will be formatted to provide interactive problem solving exercises and hands-on learning with an organic dairy farm. General practices and concepts will include: an overview of the National Organic Program, preventive management for optimum livestock health, pasture management, soil fertility, weed control, and cropping rotations which maximize production, nutrient management, and pest management. Emphasis will be placed on factors for successfully transitioning to organic dairy production but will also be applicable to transitioning other livestock farms. A follow-up survey will assess management put into practice.

2007. Southern IPM, CSREES. Wes Watson, Morgan Morrow, Michael Roe. $97,000.

The project will look at the feasibility of using plant derived insect repellents and the entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana, to manage house flies in swine barns. We will also be looking at the non-target effects on parasitoids.The overall goal of this research project is to document and demonstrate integrated pest management approaches to minimize the severity of filth fly infestation in a dry-bedding waste management system.

2007. Tonya Moore, Nancy Creamer, Danielle Baptiste. Resources and consulting to facilitate community-based food systems. Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Working Group.

In support of developing local food systems across North Carolina and formalizing the community partnerships already existing in Goldsboro, the site of the CEFS research farm, CEFS acquired this seed grant to explore the development of a community based collaboration. At the initial November 2007 meeting, CEFS brought over thirty NGOs, businesses, government entities, and individuals to the table to talk about the local food system in Goldsboro and Wayne County, and how they might organize to address its needs and build on its strengths. In February of 2008, committed parties met again and formed the Wayne Food Initiative, dedicated to creating a healthy, knowledgeable, and engaged community that through collaborative efforts and active leadership makes

1. nutritious and affordable food accessible to all,
2. protects the natural world through sound environmental practices, and
3. supports a strong and growing local farming and business economy.

All WFI efforts engage and support children and youth, facilitating a future food system leadership who themselves will work toward good food for the entire community. As well as providing dedicated coordination staff hours, CEFS has continued its technical support of particular partner organization (such as the Wayne County Public Library community garden and the Dillard Academy school farm) and has been an active partner in newly developing WFI projects (the Wayne County Health Department’s Mini Mobile Farmers’ Market, the Emerging Leaders Program for youth ages 14-29, and growing projects sited in the city of Goldsboro).

2006-2008. USDA Southern Region SARE Program – On-Farm Research. S.P. Washburn, M. Day, D. Hanson, V. Fellner, J. Peterson, M. Poore. $14,952.

Jersey and Jersey-Holstein steers were finished on pasture or using concentrates for 84 days before harvest. Data were collected on 44 steers over 2 years. Steers were harvested at similar ages regardless of weight. Fatty acid profiles differed and concentrate-fed animals had more fat. Taste panel evaluations of loin samples included comparison with choice beef. Taste panel preferences averaged 39.6%, 37.5%, and 21.9% for choice beef, concentrate-fed Jersey beef, and pasture-fed Jersey beef, respectively. The cooperating farmer projected a net return of about $1,000 per head for pasture-fed steers indicating potential for profitable beef enterprises using Jersey or Jersey-Holstein steers.

2005-2009. Southern Region SARE Research and Education Project. PIs F.J. Louws, Shuijin Hu, J. Paul Mueller in cooperation with J-Z. Zhou (Oakridge National Lab, Tennessee). $250,000.

There is a need to characterize soil microbial communities and understand (and ideally manage) the links between microbial community structure/diversity to ecological function. Fundamental ecological functions consistent with our expertise include nutrient cycling, plant disease suppression, and plant growth promoting effects as mediated by soil microbes. In our SARE-funded farming systems experiments, we archived soils at the start of the long-term experiment (baseline samples, Spring 1999) and at each sampling date (~4/yr). Corresponding soil samples have been analyzed by soil scientists, microbial ecologists, entomologists, and nematologists, providing a fairly comprehensive analysis of the samples. Our archived soils represent an irreplaceable repository and resource to ask fundamental questions about the impact of farming systems on microbial communities. Parallel to this opportunity, is the need to develop methods and knowledge about the mechanisms and links between these communities and impacts on plant health. Therefore, the objectives of this proposal are: (1) to utilize micro-array technology to assess structure and function of microbial communities associated with nutrient cycling and (hopefully) disease suppression. Baseline soil samples will be compared to fresh samples to be collected in 2005 to ascertain the impact of selected farming systems on microbial communities; (2) to elucidate mechanisms of disease suppression in long term SARE organic and farming systems projects. Soils from the different farming systems will be sampled, analyzed, and manipulated to discover components that contribute to disease suppression (primarily plant pathogen invasion and colonization); and 3) to develop functional plant assay(s) to assess plant disease suppressive mechanisms and plant growth promoting effects. These objectives seek to link knowledge about the soils, microbial communities, soil borne pathogen fitness, and plant response as impacted by long-term farming systems and management of “soil health”. We believe component research as proposed here can be translated into practical recommendations and knowledge that will serve our clientele and goals to enhance the objectives of a sustainable agriculture.

2005-2008. Southern Region SARE. PIs Wossink, Brownie, Mueller and O’Sullivan. $250,000.

At CEFS we have a unique systems experiment where we have collected a wide range of parameters since 1998. Using these data as a starting point, we seek to develop an approach to relate our data back to the guiding concept of agricultural sustainability. C rucial to our approach is that the development and selection of sustainability indicators needs to be integrated with the research of improved farming systems and with input from farmers and other stakeholders. The proposed project will enable an integrated evaluation of all the data collected at CEFS and is a logical step toward the assessment of sustainability of the various agricultural systems under study. A comprehensive list of attributes of economic, social and ecological sustainability will first be identified and then ranked by using the perceptions of different stakeholders and experts. Data collected at CEFS will be used to quantify the selected indicators. Next, graphical and numerical comparisons will be employed for an overall assessment and evaluation that can be adapted to natural conditions and socio-institutional constraints. Additional co-operators in this project: Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Rural Advancement Foundation International and a farmer panel.

2005-2006. N.C. Extension IPM Program. S.P. Washburn, E.A. Coite, M.H. Poore, J.T. Green, Jr., D.J. Hanson, M.A. Drake. $13,528.

One of the question marks on potential transition to organic livestock production in North Carolina and elsewhere in the Southeast is the ability to rear young stock as beef or replacement heifers without the need for use of anthelmintics. This study was conducted to provide insights into pasture management and other management strategies to enable livestock producers to learn integrated approaches to managing internal parasites for productive and profitable beef and dairy-beef enterprises.

2004. Organic Farming Research Foundation. Denise McKinney, Nancy Creamer, Michael Wagger. $6,155.

This research strives to develop and assess an organic, no-till fall cabbage production program that incorporates rotation with the summer cover crop sorghum-sudangrass Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench X S. sudanense (Piper) Staph. Further, the project will test the efficacy of a mid-season cover crop harvest to sell as organic hay. The results of this study will assist growers in determining best management practices for a summer cover crop that maximize benefits such as weed suppression, organic matter production, and soil nutrient contribution.

2004. NCDA PETF. David Orr, Mike Linker. $84,645.

We propose to provide North Carolina farmers with the know-how to grow locally adapted beneficial insect habitat to reduce reliance on insecticides for crop protection. This is something of interest to a wide array of growers. For example, in 2000, N.G. Creamer and T. Kleese conducted a survey of North and South Carolina organic growers asking what their top ten research needs were. The number one response was “insect pests”. The same growers were asked to prioritize research needs for resolving insect pest problems – beneficial insects and beneficial insect habitat were their first and second choices. Organic tobacco growers also have problematic insect pests. There are no suitable insecticides for aphids and growers are incurring losses every year. We are addressing grower concerns by conducting farm-scale research with commercial beneficial insect habitats. These commercial mixes are not particularly suited to being grown in the southeast, and as habitat, did not provide an increase in beneficial insect activity to help insect pest management on farms. This proposal aims to combine our academic knowledge, and growers practical knowledge, to select and test hardy plants that are adapted to the southeast and can be grown together on farms in non-crop areas to provide beneficial insect habitat. The end product of this work will be recommendations on how to design and grow plant combinations adapted to North Carolina that will serve to increase beneficial insect populations within a farm. We will use extension publications, presentations, field days, and demonstrations to show farmers how to produce these habitats on their farms.

2004. SARE Research and Education Grant: LS04-158. PIs Michael Burton, Nancy Creamer, Tom Rufty. $248,000.

Weed control remains one of the most challenging problems for profitable organic and sustainable agricultural systems. In this project, we propose a new strategy for weed management in the highly weathered, low fertility soils of the southeastern U.S. Crop rotations currently favored for the region place great importance on N2-fixing crops. In preliminary research with soybean and peanut, it has been established that much of the nitrogen driving weed growth (35 to 80%) actually comes from the N2-fixing crop plants themselves. The nitrogen is transferred to the weeds through hyphae of mycorrhizal fungi that connect plant root systems underground. Also, research results indicate that different amounts of N are transferred from different soybean varieties, which implies that varietal selection could become an important part of weed management strategies. This project will have two major objectives. One is to critically examine the impact of N transfer on weed vigor and competitiveness using high and low transfer soybean varieties and a group of methodologies that includes competition studies and quantification of N transfer by 15N natural abundance. The other objective is to evaluate weed control in a rotation that includes a low N-transfer soybean and a sweetpotato variety that has a low N requirement, and compare its effectiveness in reducing weed competition to that of traditional rotations.

2004. W.K. Kellogg Foundation. PIs Nancy Creamer, Michael Schulman, Sarah Ash. $600,000.

The objective of the Kellogg project is to implement a regionally transferable Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) marketing model that grows targeted consumer demand for regionally produced organic, sustainable, and antibiotic-free meat products while strengthening the capacity of independent producers to meet the demand. The model includes environmentally and socially responsible production standards, infrastructure support, consumer education, technical support, and market development. There are approximately 25 additional cooperators representing many departments at NCSU and NC A&TSU, and NGOs including: Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, Neuse River Foundation, Coastal Federation, Southern Environmental Law Center, Sustainable NC, and Red Gate Farms.

2004. SARE Research and Education Grant: LS04-161. PI David Orr.

This proposal aims to study the value of beneficial insect habitats that are increasingly being employed by growers on organic farms in the South. There are few data to support farmers in their attempts to increase natural control of pest insects, resulting in a scarcity of guidelines. Some growers are developing their own beneficial insect habitat based on anecdotal information, while others are turning to purchased habitat seed mixtures. While these commercial mixtures appear to offer some of the life sustaining resources needed by beneficial insects there are no data demonstrating seed quality, growth, beneficial insect attraction, or value to nearby crops in the southern United States. The objectives of this proposed project are to 1) examine the purity, germination and on-farm growth characteristics of these commercial seed blends; 2) determine what insects (beneficial or otherwise) are attracted to select cut flower crops, cover crops, and commercial beneficial seed blends, and 3) to construct and evaluate a simple beneficial insect habitat based on existing literature.

2003-2006. USDA Southern Region SARE Program. S.P. Washburn, G.A. Benson, J.A. Bertrand, J.H. Fike, J.T. Green, Jr., G.E. Groover, T.C. Jenkins, and K. E. Saker. $226,903.

A three-year dairy grazing experiment at 3.2 vs. 2.2 cows/ha was conducted by NC State University with related projects on immunocompetence measures (Virginia Tech); a cooperating farm study of fatty acids in milk related to pasture intake (Clemson); and rolled barley/molasses or citrus pulp/molasses partially replacing corn supplement (Clemson). Higher stocking rate with more supplement yielded more milk, similar health and reproduction, lower measures of immunocompetence, but more stored forage fed off pasture. Higher pasture intakes associated with higher CLA in milk. Supplement source did not affect milk yield although protein percentages were lower on the citrus pulp diet.

2003. Southern Region SARE Graduate Student Award. Lisa Forehand, David Orr, Mike Linker. $10,000.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of beneficial insect habitats on small farms in the South. While it appears that some of the commercial blends offer some of the life sustaining resources needed by beneficial insects, there is no data demonstrating growth, beneficial insect attraction or value to nearby crops in the southeastern United States. The objectives of this proposed study are to; 1) determine what insects (beneficial or otherwise) are attracted to select cut flowers, cover crops and commercial beneficial insect habitat blends; 2) examine the purity, germination and on-farm growth characteristics of selected commercial seed blends; and 3) to construct and evaluate a simple beneficial insect habitat based on existing literature.

2003. USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant. PIs H. Michael Linker, J. Paul Mueller, Nancy Creamer. $100,000.

This project will develop an integrated agroecology program that links experiential training in sustainable agriculture at the CEFS facility with an academic program offering both majors and minors. This model is not currently an option in agricultural programs at LGU’s. Making this linkage at NCSU will significantly enhance the educational opportunities in agroecology for undergraduate students, allowing them an extended and intensive exposure to agricultural systems, their environmental effects, and the forces that shape production systems. In addition, more and more students are entering the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with no prior first-hand experience in farming. The capacity to provide such experience at CEFS is an integral part of the proposed academic agroecology program. The appeal of this program is easily extended to students interested in careers in land-use planning, environmental law, government policy, and non-governmental organizations. This is a desirable development in an era when fewer students are attracted to agricultural programs. Although agriculture employs about 23 million people, most students in the nation’s colleges are to attract more students into agriculture, they need to be offered a curriculum that appeals to their interest in biology and ecology. We expect these students to be attracted to agroecology.

2003. Southern Region SARE Graduate Student Award. Susan Jelinek, J. Paul Mueller, Nancy Creamer, Michael Burton, Cavell Brownie. $10,000.

Natural areas of vegetation on farms provide increased biodiversity, structural diversity, habitat for wildlife and beneficial insects, and can act as buffers for agrochemicals. Nevertheless farmers have viewed these areas as potential sources of weeds, pests, and diseases. This study investigates weed populations in cropland bordering natural areas to determine if higher weed pressure exists along borders with natural vegetation. Weed abundance is being measured in com fields along transects that run from the natural area field edge to the center of the cropland and is being compared to data from transects along field borders with no natural vegetation.

2002. Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center. Keith Baldwin, Noah Ranells.

This project examines three different composts and evaluates the availability of the organic N in the composts for crop growth. The experiment will also investigate the relationships of the C:N ratio of the compost and other compost physical characteristics to the mineralization of compost organic N. A second objective is to evaluate various ingredients and proportions of solid separated swine waste, poultry litter, and low quality baled forage for production of high quality compost. Finally, the effect of windrow turning frequency on compost production and quality will be assessed.

2002. Southern Region SARE (lead, Don Bixby, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy). Paul Mueller, Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, Matt Poore. $1,700, NCSU share.

Bourbon red and an industrial strain of turkeys were purchased and shipped to 8 participating farms and CEFS in May 2002. Several farms have additional varieties that they are gathering data on. Data collection began immediately, and is still in progress. Farmers are recording data on feed consumption, weight gain, morbidity, mortality and live and dressed weight.

2002. W.K. Kellogg Foundation. PIs Nancy Creamer, Michael Schulman, Sarah Ash, with approximately 25 additional cooperators representing many departments at NCSU and NCA&TSU, NGOs, government agencies, farmer groups and farmers. $100,000.

This project is designed to help small- and mid-sized family farmers compete with industrial-scale hog operations, protect the environment and support rural communities. The model will be comprehensive in scope and include production alternatives, infrastructure support, identity-preserved labeling, market development, consumer education, and policy support initiatives. The production model will be demonstrated at CEFS. Extension personnel, researchers, and students will be involved in all phases of the project. Partners, including non-government organizations, for-profit organizations, academic institutions, independent producers, and government agencies, will strive to ensure that the model developed is viable and will enable independent North Carolina farmers to profitably remain in the swine production business while implementing farming practices that ensure sustainability and add economic and social value to rural communities.

2002. NSF Pre-doctoral Fellowship. Melanie Bateman, Nicole Benda, Fred Gould.

The genus Physalis includes both crop and weed species. Heliothis subflexa is a moth that only feeds on Physalis. It causes damage to Physalis crops (Le. cultivars of tomatillo) and appears to decrease the productivity of the weed species (e.g. Physalis angulata). Seven tomatillo species were planted at CEFS so that data could be collected on this herbivore’s preference for the different species and the amount of damage that it does to each species.

2001. N.C. Agriculture Foundation. Paul Mueller, Mary Barbercheck, Melissa Bell, Cavell Brownie, Michael Casteel, Nancy Creamer, Shuijin Hu, H. Mike Linker, Frank Louws, Michael Wagger. $147,000.

In 1999, flood waters from Hurricane Floyd inundated the cropping systems research area. Because we had soil samples archived from geo-referenced sampling points, we were able to return to the same points and resample to look for effects due to the flooding. In addition to routine NCDA samples analysis, soils were evaluated for heavy metals, pesticide contamination, eneric bacteria, soil microbial communities, and microarthropods

2001. Southern Region SARE Graduate Student Award. Chris Reberg-Horton, Nancy Creamer, Noah Ranells. $10,000.

This project supported a graduate student’s efforts in building an interdisciplinary, rye cover-crop breeding team. This research was conducted at the Organic Unit at CEFS. Cereal rye is a popular cover crop due to its ability to suppress weeds and scavenge residual nitrogen from the soil. Past breeding efforts for rye have attempted to increase its yield as a cereal or forage. Unfortunately, these breeding programs may have decreased the ability of rye to suppress weeds and scavenge nitrogen. Methodologies are being developed to quantify cover crop parameters that have an impact on cropping system productivity and the environment. These parameters are not as easily measured as traditional breeding goals. Methods for quantifying allelopathic suppression of weeds and nitrogen scavenging are being developed as the first step towards a breeding program for rye.

2001. USDA, CSREES, Integrated Pest Management Grants Program, Southern Region. Wes Watson, Mike Stringham, Matt Poore, Jim Green, Steve Washburn. $95,014.

Cattle production in North Carolina is based on a rotational pasture system similar to others in the southern region. Under pasture conditions, two flies, horn fly, Haematobia irritans, and the face fly, Musca autumnalis, are seasonal pests of beef and dairy cattle. The goals of this project are to evaluate alternatives to traditional insecticide based horn fly and face fly management, including an evaluation of recent innovations in trapping technology and biological control.

2001. Golden LEAF Foundation, Inc. Nancy Creamer, Noah Ranells, Theresa Nartea. $127,000 (2001); $77,000 (2002).

This project focuses on: 1) Assisting NC farmers in the development of direct marketing opportunities, via community based pilot programs that demonstrate models of: Community Supported Agriculture, corporate “direct farm to consumer” Web-based marketing, institutional food buying, and farmers markets; 2) Providing educational workshops for N.C. farmers, University extension personnel, and interested citizens on organic and sustainable agriculture production topics; 3) Supporting current efforts of N.C. farmers transitioning from conventional to alternative agricultural enterprises.

2001. USDA SARE. Paul Mueller, Nancy Creamer, Mike Linker, Frank Louws, Mary Barbercheck, Cavell Brownie, Michael Wagger, Michele Marra, Shuijin Hu, Charles Raczkowski, Joan Ristaino. $230,000.

This project is the second, three-year grant for the major farming systems experiment at CEFS. Initiated in 1998, the farming systems project encompasses 200 acres, and compares five diverse systems: a BMP short-rotation cash-grain system, an organic production system, an integrated crop/ animal system with a 15 year rotation, a forestry/woodlot system, and a successional ecosystem. The experiment is slated to continue in perpetuity. A wide range of parameters is being measured. These include: above-ground biomass of cover and cash crops, nutrient/energy flows, decomposition, soil quality indices (physical, chemical, biological), soil microbiology, microarthropods, entomopathogens, insects, weeds, disease, crop yield and quality; and, economics.

2000. USDA NRI. Shuiji Hu. $214,000.

This project is nested within the SARE funded farming systems project (Long-term, Large-Scale…) described above. This project examines the diversity and activities of soil microorganisms and mesofauna, and their contributions to stability in the five agroecosystems along the disturbance and resource gradient. Stability of soil biosystems are being characterized by assessing dynamics and activities of naturally-occurring and introduced marked strains of two plant pathogenic fungi

2000. Southern Region SARE Graduate Student Award. Danielle Treadwell, Nancy Creamer. $9,927.

This project is taking place within the Organic Unit transition fields at CEFS. This work is comparing organic and conventional sweet potato production, with and without cover crops and tillage. Insects, nutrients, weeds, and economics are the main focus of this PhD work.

2000. Southern Region SARE. PIs Mary Barbercheck, Frank Louws, Steve Koenning, Michael Wagger, Charles Raczkowski. $191,000.

Soil quality is linked to many physical, chemical and biological characteristics in the soil. In the systems experiment at CEFS, we are examining how each system affects the physical, chemical and biological (pest and beneficial organisms) characteristics in soil, and how these characteristics are linked to crop productivity and economic performance of the system. We are interested in identifying soil factors that are related to preventing pest outbreaks or raising the tolerance of crops to the presence of soil-dwelling pests. From this research we will also develop key indicators associated with crop productivity and soil “health.” These indicators could then be used to help farmers in the Southeastern U.S. A. evaluate if their production practices are conducive to building and maintaining “healthy” and productive soil, or are degradative.

2000. USDA SARE Graduate Student Award. Marie Newman, Mary Barbercheck. $10,000.

Entomopathogenic nematodes in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are commercially available as biological control agents for soil-dwelling insect pests. These beneficial nematodes also occur naturally in soil. Little is known about field biotic interactions that affect the efficacy of these nematodes. In the tillage unit at CEFS, we are studying the effects of tillage practices on the fate of entomopathogenic nematodes as commercially applied, and on nematodeinfected insect cadavers (simulation of a natural infection). We are accomplishing this by observing the response of soil fauna to these two types of application of nematodes. A better understanding of the biological interactions that occur between these beneficial nematodes and soil fauna, and how these interactions are influenced by tillage practices, will help us to use them in pest management systems more effectively, thus reducing the need for synthetic insecticides to manage soil-dwelling insect pests.

2000. USDA SARE PDP. Keith Baldwin, Scott Marlow, Noah Ranells, Frank Louws, Nancy Creamer. $101,700.

This project involves several of the CEFS faculty and the Rural Advancement Foundation International. A graduate course in participatory on-farm research is being delivered as part of this project. Extension agents are attending several class sessions, have formed partnerships with growers, selected projects initiated by these growers and are conducting on-farm experiments this season. Agents are learning appropriate experimental design and analysis and the benefits of the participatory on-farm research model.

2000. USDA IFAFS (with Ohio State University, Iowa State University, Tufts University, Organic Farming Research Foundation). Frank Louws, Nancy Creamer, Mike Linker, Mary Barbercheck, Shuijin Hu, Ada Wossink, Steve Koenning, Micheal Wagger, Cavell Brownie. $499,117, NCSU share ($1.8 million total).

While this project also has extension, education and marketing initiatives, the research portion of this project is at CEFS. The IFAFS will continue the work in the NRI-funded organic transition and will enable the research team to collect data from all plots until they are certified organic.

1999. Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation amd USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant. Nancy Creamer, Keith Baldwin, Mike Linker, Paul Mueller. $96,605.

These grants facilitated the development of an 8-week, 6credit summer internship opportunity for undergraduate students at CEFS. Students live at the facility and choose either a research track or a production/extension track. In the research track, students receive training and participate in an ongoing CEFS project or a project designed specifically for them. In the. production/ extension track, students study sustainable production principles and practices, and focus on the design and implementation of appropriate demonstrations to facilitate extension training in those practices. Students gain hands-on production and marketing experience on the organic student farm at CEFS. Students also participate in seminars, field trips, readings, and discussions.

1999. USDA-NRI Agriculture Systems. PIs Nancy Creamer, Paul Mueller, Michael Wagger, Michele Marra, David Monks, Mary Barbercheck, Frank Louws, Cavell Brownie, Ada Wossink, Steve Koenning. $380,000.

This experiment takes place within the context of the larger SARE-funded cropping systems study (described above), as we transition within that study to a certified organic treatment. The overall goal of this research is to investigate various strategies, from a biological and economic systems perspective, for making the transition from conventional to organic production systems. Five strategies of transition are being evaluated in addition to the conventional control. The transition is being studied in the following 3-year crop rotation: soybeans, sweet potatoes, wheat/cabbage. The experiment is being initiated in two sequential years (1999, 2000) to allow for replication in time. A wide range of parameters is being measured. These include: aboveground biomass of cover crop and cash crop, nutrient/energy flows, soil quality indices (physical, chemical, biological), decomposition, soil microbiological properties, insects, weeds, disease, crop yield and quality; soil microarthropods, soil entomopathogens, and economics.

1998. USDA SARE. PIs: Paul Mueller, Nancy Creamer, Mike Linker, Frank Louws, Michael Wagger, George Wilson, Cavell Brownie. Cooperators: Mary Barbercheck, Carlyle Franklin, Charles Rzkowski, Larry King, Michele Marra, Ada Wossink, Matt Poore, Steve Washburn. $256,604.

This was the original funding for the CEFS farming systems research (“Long-term, large-scale…”).

1998-2002. Clean Water Management Trust Fund. PIs R.O. Evans, D. Osmond.

This five-year study, initiated in 1998, is utilizing a constructed wetlands to assimilate shallow groundwater nitrogen and phosphorus originating from an old unlined lagoon. A series of five pumping wells installed on the downstream seepage plume remove and route contaminated groundwater to a 0.35 ha constructed wetland for treatment. Inflow and outflow of the wetland are continuously monitored to determine nutrient loading and reduction rates. To date, about 70 percent of the nitrogen and 25 percent of the phosphorus pumped into the wetland have been assimilated within the wetland.

1997. USDA SARE PDP. PIs Nancy Creamer, Frank Louws, George Wilson, with 26 faculty from NCSU and NCA&TSU participating in the training. $97,500.

More than 50 agents participated in a series of workshops that were offered as in-service training and as a 4-credit graduate level North Carolina State University (NCSU) course. The Organic Unit at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), served as a home base for training activities. These training activities consisted of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, group discussions, field trips, and class exercises. Two unique features of the workshops were the interdisciplinary, team teaching approach and the emphasis on integration of information among production practices. For more information see: Creamer, N.G., K.R. Baldwin, and F.J. Louws. 2000. A training series for Cooperative Extension Agents on Organic Farming Systems. HortTechnology: 10-675-681.

USDA SARE Professional Development Program. PIs Jim Green, Matt Poore. $31,759.

This work is described above in the USDA SARE graduate student award for Newman and Barbercheck.

USDA NRI. PI Mary Barbercheck. $78,569.

This training project focuses on helping livestock farmers and Farm Agency Workers (within and outside of NC) develop a sustainable approach to pasture-based livestock management. Several one to two day “in-depth” training programs were conducted which included “hands-on” field exercises to reinforce classroom discussions. Several hours of lecture and field exercises were developed with supporting visuals which can be used as resource material for follow-up educational programs. We expect this material to be used by many agency workers and by vocational education teachers in the Southern Region.

EPA 319(h) funding through NCDWQ. PIs Robert Evans, Wendell Gilliam, Greg Jennings, Steve Washburn, Jim Green, Matt Poore. $194,763.

Methodology to establish, restore, and evaluate riparian vegetative buffers is being evaluated in field scale studies. In this project, PIs are quantifying relationships between hydrology, water chemistry, and water quality in restored riparian vegetative buffers and evaluating the potential for managing hydrology, water chemistry, and water quality functions.

1997. USDA NRI. PI Mary Barbercheck. $116,283.

Entomopathogenic nematodes occur naturally in soil and are also produced commercially as a biological control agent for soil-dwelling insect pests. Because these beneficial nematodes occur naturally in agricultural fields and provide natural control of insect pests, it is important to know if the application of commercial nematode strains will be detrimental to those that occur naturally. Depending on production system, it may be necessary to apply nematodes that can withstand particular crop production practices that are detrimental to naturally-occurring beneficial nematodes. A better understanding of the biological interactions that occur between these beneficial nematodes, and how these interactions are influenced by crop production practices, will help us to use them in pest management systems more effectively, thus reducing the need for synthetic insecticides to manage soil-dwelling insect pests.

1997. US EPA, 319. PIs Carlyle Franklin, Dennis Hazel. $83,000.

Three sites were developed on the conservation tillage studies unit as part of the Nonpoint-source Program through the NC Division of Water Quality. The objective of the project was to demonstrate the use of level spreaders to enhance the effectiveness of Forested Filter Zones in cleaning agricultural runoff over a range of operational conditions. Data collection began in mid-1997.