The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Graduate Fellowship was developed to provide financial support and recognition for future leaders, researchers and contributors in sustainable agriculture and local food systems while they engage in academic research to further the field of study.

The Fellowship offers a one-year, $5,000 stipend for Master’s students and a two-year, $5,000-per-year stipend for Doctoral students.

The Fellowship is an important opportunity for students to meet and interact with graduate students from other departments, with other areas of expertise. “With climate change and other pressing food systems challenges, we need interdisciplinary solutions and we hope this Fellowship is the start of students working beyond their discipline. Some of our past Fellows are now collaborating with other CEFS Fellows on ideas sparked during their Fellowship experience. I’m excited to see what happens with this year’s cohort,” says Dr. Angel Cruz, CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager.

The CEFS North Carolina State University (NC State) Graduate Fellowship Program was made possible by an endowment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The 2025-2026 CEFS NC State Graduate Fellows and their departments/research areas are:

2025 Cohort – NC State

Clarisse Owens | Master Degree| Forestry and Environmental Resources | NC State University

Clarisse is receiving a M.S. with the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University. Advised by Dr. Kurt Smith, she contributes to the retention of wild and working lands through the study of heirs’ property. Heirs’ property is a structure of collective family ownership that often has deep historical and cultural significance. There are an estimated six million acres of heirs’ property in the U.S. South, and NC contains the second largest amount at 300,000-500,000 acres. The vast majority of this land is undeveloped, containing wild and working lands. Increasing rates of farmland loss from development pressure poses a direct threat to families with heirs’ property.

Clarisse utilizes interviews and workshops to engage with heirs’ property owners and understand their experiences with land management and loss. Some heirs’ properties are managed for agriculture, agritourism, forestry, conservation, or other avenues of income generation, despite legal barriers that limit owners’ access to loans and cost-share programs. Learning from families about their experiences enhances land retention strategy and the production of food, fuel, and fiber.

Clarisse is a University of Michigan alum and has always felt most at home when near water or the woods. Her background in food systems with North Carolina State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension guide her goals around technical and educational programming with landowners.

Adam Michael Breister | Doctorate | Genetics & Genomics | NC State University

Adam Breister is a Microbiology PhD student and an NC State University Genetics & Genomics Scholar advised by Dr. Mallory Choudoir. Adam received his B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2019. He is interested in using computational methods along with environmental nutrient data to understand microbial ecology globally. He is particularly interested in understanding microbial functionality and the impacts of microbiome function on the environment, with a current focus on farming systems. His current research is in collaboration with Dr. Alex Woodley at NC State looking at the legacy effects of different organic amendments on agricultural soil microbial community structure and function. He is also looking at the effects of flooding events on agricultural soil microbial communities through the use of microcosm samples with soils collected from the CEFS Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility at Cherry Research Farm.

Soil ecosystems are one of the largest sinks of carbon in the world, and microbes play a major role in the cycling of nutrients including carbon. Soil organic matter, which is commonly used as a soil health indicator, is partially made up of microbial cells, and it is manipulated and transformed through microbial metabolic processes. Microbes in soils, especially in agricultural soils, make up an important part of the ecosystem in terms of productivity and should be considered important members of the entire agricultural ecosystem. Extreme weather events like those resulting in flooding can have major impacts on soil microorganisms, which can in turn impact higher level ecological processes in agroecosystems. Adam’s research aims to provide insight into how external stimuli impact microbial communities in agricultural soils with the hope of including microorganisms in the framework of agricultural sustainability.

He is excited to be a part of the CEFS fellowship program and hopes that this opportunity will allow him to increase his knowledge of agricultural system sustainability and soil chemistry in an effort to better integrate his research on microbial communities into the current ecological framework.

Praneswar Ghosh | Doctorate | Soil Science | NC State University

Praneswar Ghosh (who goes by PG) is a Ph.D. student in Soil Science at North Carolina State University, in the Sihi Biogeochemistry Lab led by Dr. Debjani Sihi. PG’s research primarily focuses on measuring soil carbon and nutrient cycle proxies and quantifying greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) benefits of sustainable agricultural practices using a combination of empirical and modeling approaches. The broader impacts of his studies include reducing greenhouse gas emissions from natural and managed ecosystems and enhancing soil carbon sequestration by promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, PG is also interested in developing low-cost, user-friendly nutrient sensors to measure and monitor nutrient losses (such as nitrogen as ammonia volatilization and phosphorus) from agricultural fields in real time. His work will help farmers in quickly diagnosing problems in the management practices and guide stakeholders and policymakers in North Carolina and beyond in real-time decision-making, ultimately lowering costs and minimizing environmental impacts.

Before joining the Sihi lab at NC State, PG completed his Bachelor’s in Agriculture and Master’s in Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), West Bengal, India. His Master’s research examined how different land management practices affect phosphorus dynamics in soils across diverse agro-ecological regions of eastern India. The broader goals of his work were to reduce phosphorus loss to the waterbodies and recommend best management practices to maintain ecosystem sustainability and soil health over the long term. As a CEFS Fellow, PG aims to deepen his understanding of North Carolina’s farming systems and explore how his research can drive meaningful and lasting change in the agricultural workforce. Outside the lab, PG enjoys gardening, playing outdoor games, and traveling.

For more information about the CEFS NC State Graduate Fellows Program, please visit the CEFS website.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of NC State University, NC Agricultural and Technical State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. For more information, visit www.cefs.ncsu.edu.

Media Contact:
Angel Cruz
CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager
aecruz@ncsu.edu

July 8, 2024

Jon Black Photography

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is grateful to announce a $50,000 donation from International Farming (I.F.) to support CEFS’ Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship.

I.F., a global food-sourcing solutions platform, selected Boots on the Ground as one of several new strategic initiatives and alliances to support their goal of cultivating a workforce that empowers employees and provides equal opportunities.

As North Carolina’s first registered agricultural apprenticeship program for military veterans, Boots on the Ground aims to increase the pool of trained agricultural workers for management and entrepreneurial positions in farming operations in North Carolina. Registered with ApprenticeshipNC, the state apprenticeship coordinating body, this apprenticeship includes both hands-on job training and related technical instruction. A registered apprenticeship allows veterans to use their GI Bill education benefits for on-the-job training. Dr. Angel Cruz, CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager, says “International Farming’s generous donation will support the continuance and expansion of the apprenticeship and provide additional training opportunities.”

According to I.F.’s Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer, Eli Cheatham, the organization decided to team up with Boots on the Ground, as part of the company’s commitment to cultivating a better tomorrow. “Each year approximately 200,000 Service members leave the military, yet far too many return to find a lack of support and opportunity. Veterans have so much to offer, and we are honored to support the important work that Boots on the Ground in doing to train them in farming and ranching.”

“CEFS is grateful for the opportunity to partner with International Farming to expand critical opportunities for military veterans in agriculture. One of our strategic goals of CEFS is to support more career paths in agriculture and our food system that can engage new and diverse people. Supporting military veterans in farming connects two important industries in our state,” said Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS’ Director based at North Carolina State University.

To learn more about Boots on the Ground, please visit the website, watch this video, or read this article about the program’s impact on veterans. 

About Boots on the Ground

Boots on the Ground is an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. For more information, visit www.cefs.ncsu.edu. The Boots on the Ground program was started with funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, [Proposal no.2021-06693; Accession No. 1027267 Project No.NC09924].

About International Farming

International Farming (I.F.) is a leading food-sourcing solutions platform. Through innovative ag-tech, asset management, and strategic partnerships, I.F. empowers food buyers and farmers to build a more transparent, global food economy. With agricultural roots dating back to 1827, I.F. brings a deep understanding and respect for farming and the land to its investment strategy.

For more information, visit internationalfarming.com.

July 3, 2024

Contact:
Janie Hynson
Communications Manager
Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)
janie_hynson@ncsu.edu
919-213-1390

Photos and other assets: Media Kit

NC State University and Appalachian State University, two institutions on the vanguard of promoting sustainable agriculture, are coming together to demonstrate North Carolina’s cutting edge in local foods. NC Choices’ Carolina Meat Conference (CMC) will be held July 30-31, 2024 in Boone, NC. The Carolina Meat Conference is a nationally recognized conference for aspiring business professionals working with meat and dairy and has sold out every year since it began in 2011. Hundreds of farmers, processors, buyers, and industry professionals from across the country who raise, butcher, prepare, and/or market pasture-raised meat will benefit from hands-on workshops, butchery demos, and cutting edge classes pertaining to the specialty meat industry.

This event has been organized by NC Choices, an initiative of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in collaboration with NC Cooperative Extension. NC Choices promotes sustainable food systems through the advancement of the local, niche, and pasture-based meat supply chain in North Carolina. This year, for the first time ever, the Carolina Meat Conference is combining forces with the Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference for the ultimate meat and cheese event of the year. CMC will also be serving as the Southern Meat Summit, bringing together regional partners from all Southeastern states.

An incredible lineup of 70+ speakers will include the following keynotes:

• Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, will discuss her groundbreaking work in autism advocacy and animal behavior.

• Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, visionary CEO of Tree-Range Farms is reshaping the food system through regenerative land practices, animal health, and ensuring family farmer profitability and sustainability.

• Greg Fishel, a seasoned broadcast meteorologist with an impressive 40-year career in radio and TV, will share insights into meteorology and climate change.

• Will Harris, a fourth-generation cattleman at White Oak Pastures in Georgia, will be joining the conference remotely to share his perspective as a global leader in humane animal husbandry and environmental sustainability.

• Dr. Stephan van Vliet, a nutrition scientist with metabolomics expertise in the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University, is conducting groundbreaking research at the intersection of agriculture and human health.

The conference will include more than 50 business and marketing interactive trainings across the following eight tracks: business and supply chain, climate smart ag, finance and planning, health and wellbeing, market development, meat science, production management, and value-added dairy. Find workshop descriptions, the full conference agenda, and other event details here.

Registration for the conference also includes:

• Local meat and cheese tastings

• Value-Added Dairy Pre-Conference Tours at either Riverbend Creamery or Ashe County Cheese on Monday, July 29th

• One-on-one curbside consulting with some of the nation’s top experts in the field

• Book signings

• Meat cutting demos

• A Taste of the Highlands Argentinian-style, live fire farm supper on Tuesday, July 30th at 5pm featuring local beef, pork, lamb, and chicken prepared by Chef Craig Morrow of Live Fire Feasts

• A closing plenary session on Wednesday, July 31st from 4:15-5:15pm by Dr. Michael McGraw, MES, QAWB, Senior Wildlife Biologist at Resource Environmental Solutions LLC and one of the scientists behind the documentary, Roots So Deep. Roots So Deep is a 4-part documentary series about inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil, produced by the same team that produced Soil Carbon Cowboys. Dr. McGraw will share the latest updates on the Roots So Deep project, show a clip from the film, and participate in a dialogue with Amazing Grazing‘s Johnny Rogers.

Conference Date & Location:

July 30-31, 2024
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers Street
Boone, NC 28608

Conference Website: www.carolinameatconference.com

Instagram: @ncchoices

Facebook and Twitter: @nc_choices

Hashtag: #CarolinaMeatConference

Conference Tickets:

Purchase tickets here.

Additional Event – Temple Grandin Film Screening:

Free Public Screening of the Movie “Temple Grandin” (Monday, July 29th, doors open at 6:00pm)
Sponsored by Watauga County Farm Bureau and Lee Rankin, owner/operator of Apple Hill Farm, a free public screening of Temple Grandin will be held on Monday, July 29th from 6:30-9:30pm in the Appalachian Theater of the High Country located at 559 W. King Street, Boone, NC, 28607. Dr. Grandin will introduce the film about her life, Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes, and sign copies of her books following the screening in the community room upstairs. Tickets are free but must be reserved through the Appalachian Theater of the High Country here.

Event organizers available for interviews: 

Please contact Janie Hynson for all interview requests (janie_hynson@ncsu.edu, 919-213-1390). Please include “Carolina Meat Conference Interview Request” in the email subject line.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its groundbreaking project, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), with a generous grant of $1.1M from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as well as additional matching support from Dogwood Health Trust, WNC Bridge Foundation, NC State Cooperative Extension, and other regional community partners, for a total of $2 million. 

Since 2019, EMFS has brought together producers, food businesses, schools, and regional partners to increase business opportunities for food and farm businesses in a seven-county region of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The first phase of EMFS was a resounding success, exceeding expectations even amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project significantly reduced supply chain constraints, supported farmers in scaling up and diversifying their products, and fostered efficient and localized supply chains. This new ARC grant, led by Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS Director at NC State, will propel the project into its next phase, expanding the local food economy in Western North Carolina by focusing on entrepreneurship, business development, job creation, workforce development, and growing community leadership for lasting change. EMFS will be able to double the number of counties served, with a targeted focus on food hubs, commercial kitchens, and supply chain development, bringing resources into one of the most rural, resource-limited areas of North Carolina. The project will expand into an additional 14-county “foodshed” region across five Regional Councils of Governments, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and plans to serve 1,165 businesses, 3,212 participants, and 50 students across 13 communities. 

Pictured (L to R): Chumper Walker, EBCI Extension Director; Laura Lauffer, EMFS Project Director; and Jess Mrugala, Program Coordinator

Led by CEFS in collaboration with NC State Cooperative Extension, ten Small Business Centers, all regional Councils of Government, and others, the project will benefit from the diverse expertise and long-standing relationships established during the initial phase. Laura Lauffer has been hired as CEFS’ Western NC Food Systems Program Director. She will lead EMFS projects in the region while adding new collaborations to expand the depth of research and service delivery to a larger regional footprint. “We are excited to continue our work in Western North Carolina, building on the successes of the first phase of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems. This expansion will enable us to further strengthen the local food economy, address supply chain challenges, and support the resilience of our farmers and food businesses,” said Schroeder-Moreno.

The project team plans to conduct a region-wide assessment of food system infrastructure, including cold storage, processing, commercial kitchens, commissaries, and loading and storage facilities; offer business counseling, grants, and loans to food hubs, farms, and food businesses for growth, infrastructure needs, and marketing support; establish regional and state-level partnerships to enhance farmland access among farmers; and strengthen farming networks through training, shared equipment use, and other collaboration.

For more information about the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems project, please visit cefs.ncsu.edu/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded North Carolina State University a $200,000 grant to increase leadership and career opportunities in agricultural sciences for women and minority students enrolled in community colleges statewide.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) will lead the two-year project with funding from NIFA’s Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields program.  

North Carolina participants can take part in hands-on learning experiences such as internships, apprenticeships and introductions to successful agricultural entrepreneurs operating businesses in rural North Carolina.

The grant supports leadership and career opportunities for women and minorities, who are underrepresented in most undergraduate agricultural science programs, professional agricultural societies and the agricultural science workforce, especially in leadership positions, said Angel Cruz, academic and extension initiatives manager at CEFS. Cruz will lead the project with Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS director, and Terri Long, professor of plant and microbial biology and the N.C. PSI platform director for education and workforce development. 

A 2011 National Academy of Sciences study found that targeted summer programs and research opportunities for underrepresented community college students increased diversity among STEM students. Participants will be recruited from North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, where 70% of students enrolled in 2022 were women of color and minorities. 

Participants will complete a nine-week Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) for Community College Students summer internship program hosted by CEFS and N.C. PSI at NC State. Sustainable agriculture and agroecology degree programs connect traditional agriculture with real-world problems, such as global food security in the face of climate change. The ASPIRE for Community College Students program, now accepting applications, will increase students’ awareness of career paths in sustainable agriculture, provide mentoring and professional development, and expose participants to diverse research programs. 

The grant will also support three apprenticeship positions in North Carolina’s first registered agricultural apprenticeship program (CEFS’ Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship) for women and minority community college students hoping to work in agricultural production in management positions. This paid apprenticeship program, registered with ApprenticeshipNC, offers 185 hours of classroom instruction and more than 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning over 18 months. 

Visit cefs.ncsu.edu/cefs-career-pathways to learn more and apply for these opportunities through the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields grant [no. 2023-38503-41225].

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its groundbreaking project, EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems (EMFS), with a generous grant of $1,186,409 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and significant match from Dogwood Health Trust and WNC Bridge Foundation community partners as well as NC State Cooperative Extension. 

Since 2019, EMFS has brought together producers, food businesses, schools, and regional partners to increase business opportunities for food and farm businesses in a seven-county region of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The first phase of EMFS was a resounding success, exceeding expectations even amid challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project significantly reduced supply chain constraints, supported farmers in scaling up and diversifying their products, and fostered efficient and localized supply chains. This new ARC grant, led by Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, CEFS Director at NC State, will propel the project into its next phase, expanding the local food economy in Western North Carolina by focusing on entrepreneurship, business development, job creation, workforce development, and growing community leadership for lasting change. EMFS will be able to double the number of counties served, with a targeted focus on food hubs and supply chain development, bringing resources into one of the most rural, resource-limited areas of North Carolina. The project will expand into an additional 14-county “foodshed” region across five Regional Councils of Governments, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and plans to serve 1,165 businesses, 3,212 participants, and 50 students across 13 communities. 

Led by CEFS in collaboration with NC Cooperative Extension, ten Small Business Centers, all regional Councils of Government, and others, the project will benefit from the diverse expertise and long-standing relationships established during the initial phase. “We are excited to continue our work in Western North Carolina, building on the successes of the first phase of EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems. This expansion will enable us to further strengthen the local food economy, address supply chain challenges, and support the resilience of our farmers and food businesses,” said Schroeder-Moreno.

The project team plans to conduct a region-wide assessment of food system infrastructure, including cold storage, processing, commercial kitchens, commissaries, and loading and storage facilities; offer business counseling, grants, and loans to food hubs, farms, and food businesses for growth, infrastructure needs, and marketing support; establish regional and state-level partnerships to enhance farmland access among farmers; and strengthen farming networks through training, shared equipment use, and other collaboration.

For more information about the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems project, please visit cefs.ncsu.edu/emfs-empowering-mountain-food-systems. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contact: Dr. Angel Cruz,  Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager – aecruz@ncsu.edu

Raleigh, NC:  The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Graduate Fellowship was developed to provide financial support and recognition for future leaders, researchers and contributors in sustainable agriculture and local food systems while they engage in academic research to further the field of study.

The Fellowship offers a one-year, $5,000 stipend for Master’s students and a two-year, $5,000-per-year stipend for Doctoral students.

The Fellowship is an important opportunity for students to meet and interact with graduate students from other departments, with other areas of expertise. “With climate change and other pressing food systems challenges, we need interdisciplinary solutions and we hope this Fellowship is the start of students working beyond their discipline. Some of our past Fellows are now collaborating with other CEFS Fellows on ideas sparked during their Fellowship experience. I’m excited to see what happens with this year’s cohort,” says Dr. Angel Cruz, CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager.

The CEFS North Carolina State University (NC State) Graduate Fellowship Program was made possible by an endowment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The 2023-2024 CEFS NC State Graduate Fellows and their departments/research areas are:

2023-2024 Cohort – NC State

Bianca Jimenez | Doctorate | Applied Ecology | NC State University

Bianca Jimenez is a PhD student within the Applied Ecology Department conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Rebecca Irwin. Her research is centered on understanding the underlying mechanisms that facilitate the transmission of the bumble bee parasite, Crithidia bombi, particularly in the context of spillback transmission. Recent studies have revealed that although bumble bees serve as the primary hosts for Crithidia bombi, other potential hosts can also become infected. What remains largely unexplored is the extent to which these alternate hosts can transmit these infections back to bumble bees. Parasitic infections in bumble bees have been linked to population declines, and such declines have direct implications for our food systems due to their role in pollination. Gaining insights into the spillback mechanisms associated with these infections could potentially contribute to mitigating the decline of bumble bee populations and thereby offer significant benefits for our food systems. In the future, Bianca aspires to continue her research, delving deeper into the factors driving bee population decline and their impacts on our food systems. She is also excited to connect with other CEFS fellows and work together to create sustainable food systems.

DoYeong Hur | Doctorate | Soil Science | NC State University

DoYeong Hur is a Ph.D. student in Soil Science at North Carolina State University, in the Sustainable and Organic Soil Fertility Lab led by Dr. Alex Woodley. His research is primarily focused on the evaluation of enhanced efficiency fertilizers for reducing nitrous oxide emissions and ammonia volatilization in corn systems. The objective of his research is to provide production level regional emission factors, economic assessments, and reduction potential of environmental externalities of management choices that include full and reduced nitrogen rates with the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers. DoYeong’s research aims to investigate the possibilities of reducing N losses in the form of nitrous oxide and ammonia while sustaining crop productivity by applying enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Moreover, he intends to utilize data collected over three years from six field sites annually, in conjunction with DeNitrification DeComposition (DNDC) modeling, to simulate nitrogen cycling and assess nitrous oxide emissions.

Prior to joining NC State, DoYeong completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Soil Science at Pusan National University in South Korea. During his graduate studies, he researched recycling byproducts like bottom ash to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, he contributed to research that registered nitrous oxide emission factors from various types of animal manure in South Korea with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Throughout the CEFS program, he eagerly anticipates gaining insights from colleagues and experts in this field, all the while applying and disseminating that knowledge through research and extension initiatives.

Lillian Lower | Doctorate | Biological and Agricultural Engineering | NC State University

Lillian is a Ph.D student in Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University, in the Biocarbon Utilization and Sequestration Lab. Her research is focused on producing anode materials for lithium-ion batteries from unique biomasses and waste materials via catalytic graphitization. This process can produce battery-grade graphite from previously non-graphitizing materials and will enable the valorization of lignocellulosic wastes and residues while producing an energy storage material. The goal of this work is to study the particular implications mechanism, biomass, catalyst type and loading have on electrochemical performance of the anode materials produced. Lillian hopes that this work will create more avenues for sustainability and waste utilization in North Carolina’s food and agriculture systems while establishing interdisciplinary partnerships between material scientists and agricultural stakeholders. Before beginning her doctoral program, Lillian received her Bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University in Civil Engineering and her Master’s degree from NC State in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. She has also had the chance to work on small and large-scale urban and rural farms through an AmeriCorps term of service in West Virginia. She continues to pursue her passions for sustainability and service by being an active member of her department’s education and outreach group. Through the CEFS Fellowship, Lillian hopes to learn more about North Carolina’s farming systems and how her and her peer’s research and extension projects can create lasting impacts. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog and cooking.

Sam Carroll | Master’s | Crop Science | NC State University

Sam is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Crop Science at NC State under the direction of Dr. David Suchoff in the Alternative Crops Lab. Her research is part of a large grant focused on developing best field practices for fiber hemp in the Southeast. She is hoping to help establish fiber hemp as an economically viable and sustainable option for growers in North Carolina as a response to the declining tobacco acreage and increasing environmental pressures. Sam’s research focuses on yield and fiber quality. Fiber hemp is a “new” crop for North Carolina (due to legislation and loss of generational knowledge of growing practices), so she enjoys experimenting with new and improving methods for planting, harvesting, and processing fiber. Fiber hemp has numerous applications in the woven and non-woven industries, which has opened the door for partnership with the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State. She hopes to use her time at NC State to build relationships between researchers, growers, and the textile industry.

Fred Teasley | Doctorate | Crop and Soil Sciences | NC State University

Fred Teasley is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences working with advisor Dr. Alex Woodley. His research is investigating soil health dynamics of farming systems transitioning from conventional to organic management. Soil health, a concept that can be broadly defined as functioning for a desired purpose, is largely tied to soil organic carbon in agroecosystems. Soil organic carbon is important for organic farming because it promotes soil biological activity, which in turn controls the release of plant nutrients from important sources, such as cover crop residues. Farmers seeking to adopt organic management are often hampered by low soil organic carbon levels, a condition especially pertinent to the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina. Therefore, the conventional-to-organic transition period represents a period of increased risk for farmers seeking to maximize yields and maintain profit.

Soil health indicators, laboratory tests that couple the biological, chemical, and physical functions of soil, can provide useful insight into the capacity of agricultural soils for supporting organic management during the transition period. However, test results may be subject to differences between soils of different regions, necessitating region-specific studies that seek to better understand how test results should be interpreted. Fred’s research seeks to better understand which soil health indicators are of the most relevance to organically managed, low carbon soils of the North Carolina Coastal Plain.

Fred obtained a B.S. from Towson University in Environmental Science and a M.S. from the University of Delaware in Plant and Soil Science. His interest in agriculture was initially kindled while engaged in work-trade arrangements on small farms located throughout the United States. Upon graduating from the University of Delaware, he took a job unrelated to agriculture working for a local government, but realized that his interest in agriculture was not abating when he found himself running backyard, DIY field studies in soil fertility. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, cooking, and repairing vintage motorcycles.

For more information about the CEFS NC State Graduate Fellows Program, please visit the CEFS website.

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of NC State University, NC Agricultural and Technical State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. For more information, visit www.cefs.ncsu.edu.