Sustainable resources &#8211; Center for Environmental Farming Systems

Capturing More Water on Every Acre

Marcello Cappellazzi — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 14:41:28 +0000

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

Soil-Test Biological Activity

Marcello Cappellazzi — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:36:35 +0000

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

On-Farm Research Report

Marcello Cappellazzi — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:32:38 +0000

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 PDF (Part I)
Download PDF (Part II)
Download PDF (Part III)

Outdoor Hog Production: Best Practices for Resource Conservation in the San Francisco Bay Area (2015)

Janie Hynson — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 23:18:42 +0000

Outdoor Hog Production: Best Practices for Resource Conservation in the San Francisco Bay Area (2015)

A series of factsheets intended to support outdoor pork producers, resource managers and agricultural professionals in implementing resource conservation best management practices.

These factsheets were produced as part of a California USDA-CIG grant.

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Community Food Distribution Aggregation Models: A Story of Three Pivots

Marcello Cappellazzi — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 20:53:15 +0000

Community Food Distribution Aggregation Models: A Story of Three Pivots

CRD agents from around the state and other Extension agents attended the 2020 CRD Conference entitled Vibrant NC Communities: Building and Coordinating Capacity. This conference was held via Zoom on August 17 and 18, 2020 and was co-hosted by NC State Extension and the North Carolina Association of Cooperative Development Extension Professionals.

This presentation was given by Laura Lauffer, Project Director EmPowering Mountain Local Food Systems.

Multifunctional Agriculture and its Relationship to Improving Farm Profitability (2020)

Marcello Cappellazzi — Thu, 28 May 2020 14:25:18 +0000

Multifunctional Agriculture and its Relationship to Improving Farm Profitability (2020)

A presentation on multifunctional agriculture and how it is different from diversification.

Grow Biointensive Farming and Gardening: A Sustainable Agricultural System (2008)

Shane McCoy — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:14:20 +0000

Grow Biointensive Farming and Gardening: A Sustainable Agricultural System (2008)

This presentation, by former CEFS Small Farm Unit manager Steve Moore, provides a detailed overview of biointensive farming.

Basics of Composting Poultry Litter and Swine Bedding (2010)

Shane McCoy — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:22:37 +0000

Basics of Composting Poultry Litter and Swine Bedding (2010)

A presentation by Dr. Sanjay Shah of NC State’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering summarizing the basics of on-farm composting of poulry litter and swine bedding.

Production of Biodiesel from Vegetable Oil by Transesterification Process using Continuous Enzymatic Reactor

Shane McCoy — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:47:07 +0000

Production of Biodiesel from Vegetable Oil by Transesterification Process using Continuous Enzymatic Reactor

Presentation given by the University of North Carolina Pembroke Biofuels at CEFS’ Fueling the Farm II conference in 2008.