Soil and Grasslands Serve Each Other

This article highlights the essential, interconnected relationship between soil and grasslands, emphasizing how healthy soils support productive forage systems while grasslands, in turn, sustain soil health. It explains how soil provides critical ecosystem services—such as nutrient cycling, water retention, and biodiversity—that underpin agricultural productivity and environmental resilience. The piece illustrates how proper soil management, including maintaining ground cover and minimizing compaction, enhances water infiltration, reduces nutrient loss, and supports diverse biological communities. Ultimately, it underscores that well-managed grasslands and soils work together to improve food production, environmental quality, and climate regulation, reinforcing the importance of stewardship in agricultural systems.

You can view the full publication at the link below:

Download publication

NC Local Farms and Food Profiles

To provide a snapshot of the importance of agriculture on the county level, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Local Food Program, NC FarmLink, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) created a profile for each county and each Council of Government region based on a comparison of 2022 and 2017 USDA Agriculture Census data. The data is organized in panels to make it easy to pull screenshots for presentations and conversations.

This Local Farms and Food Profile helps economic developers, planners, local food advocates, and community members understand the impact of their county and region to the overall NC agricultural economic impact.

View the 2022 North Carolina State Agriculture Profile

Cattle and Carbon Series

The Cattle and Carbon Series by Dr. Alan Franzluebbers of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service explores the vital relationship between pasture-based cattle production and soil carbon in the Carolinas. Through twelve installments, the series explains how carbon cycles through plants, animals, and soil—forming the foundation of life and soil health—and examines how management practices affect soil carbon storage. Drawing from extensive soil sampling across North Carolina, the series reveals that well-managed grasslands can significantly enhance soil organic matter, water retention, and ecosystem resilience. It also addresses the role of carbon markets and the stewardship responsibilities of farmers in maintaining healthy, carbon-rich soils. Overall, Cattle and Carbon illustrates how sustainable livestock systems contribute to climate mitigation, productive pastures, and environmental balance.

You can view the full publication at the link below:

Download Full Cattle and Carbon Series

1. Introduction and Basics
2. Storage of Soil Carbon in the Carolinas
3. Soil Carbon Calculations
4. Soil Organic Carbon on North Carolina Farms
5. Soil Carbon Distinguished from Pedogenesis and Management
6. Land Use and Forage Management Impacts on Soil Carbon
7. The Intertwining of Carbon and Nitrogen
8. Biologically Active Soil Carbon
9. Soil Organic Matter Associates with Physical Properties
10. Soil Organic Matter Associates with Some Chemical Properties
11. What could a Carbon Market Look Like?
12. Summarizing and Sealing this Series

What’s the big deal about diversity?

What are the benefits and challenges of maintaining pasture diversity?

Find out by clicking the link below:

What’s the big deal about diversity?

Download

Capturing More Water on Every Acre

“As graziers, there are many factors that influence the success of our operations we cannot control (weather, markets, government policy, etc.). I often remember my grandmother saying “well you can’t control the weather” as she reflected on current weather events. She is correct in that we cannot control the amount of water falling from the sky. However, with good grazing management, we can ensure that more of this moisture enters our soil and is retained for plant growth.” Johnny R. Rogers, Amazing Grazing Program Coordinator, describes the strategies he uses to capture water in pastures in one of the driest areas east of the Mississippi River.

You can view the publication at the link below:

Capturing More Water on Every Acre

Download

Soil-Test Biological Activity

Nitrogen (N) is considered the most limiting nutrient for grass pastures. Without sufficient N, yield potential suffers. However, too much N can unnecessarily raise costs and reduce profit, as well as become a pollutant to the environment. At either extreme, farmers lose economic opportunities.

You can view the publication at the link below:

Soil-Test Biological Activity: Nitrogen and Stockpiled Fescue

Download

On-Farm Research Report

Several on-farm research projects were conducted over the past decade on Beaver Creek Farm. Results of soil organic carbon analyses are described based on different spatial distributions, forage cultivation, and fall-stockpiled fescue. You can view the publication at the link below:

Soil Carbon Analyses from Beaver Creek Farm, Surry County NC

Download