More Research Units
- Alternative Swine Production
- Farming Systems
- Organic Research
- Pasture-based Beef
- Pasture-based Dairy
- Small Farm
See Also
Small Farm Unit Contacts
John M. O’Sullivan, Ph.D.
Small Farm Unit Coordinator, NCA&TSU
Phone: (336) 334-7957
E-mail: johno@ncat.edu
Steve Moore
Research and Extension Associate, NCSU
Phone: (919) 731-3440
E-mail: steve_moore@ncsu.edu
Ken L. Fager
Organic Production Associate, NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-3346
E-mail: ken_fager@ncsu.edu
Andrew Meier
Superintendent, Cherry Research Farm, NCDA&CS
Phone: (919) 731-3270
E-mail: andrew.meier@ncagr.gov
Resources
For a printable .pdf version of this page, please click here.
Apprenticeship opportunities available. Please click here for more information.
Educational Notes from the Small Farm Unit
Research Projects at the Small Farm Unit
CSA Resources
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- Direct marketing tools for farm businesses on the Web - NC(.pdf)
- Web Resources for Small Farm Post Harvest Handling (.pdf)
- Desired CSA Farm Products Local Research Data (.pdf)
- Understanding CSA: a Growers Guide (.pdf)
- Understanding CSA: a Growers Guide (.ppt)
- Developing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
production and marketing tools for Extension-based
education to limited-resource small farmers (.pdf) - CSA Calculator (.xls)
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Adobe Reader software.
Small Farm Unit
Goal
The Small Farm Unit at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) brings together the resources of N.C. Agriculture & Technical State University, N.C. State University, the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and other community partners to provide research and demonstrations of sustainable production and marketing practices to diverse audiences. The CEFS SFU works to enable a network of farmers, educators, students and other community members to develop a healthy, viable community-based food system.
Small Farm Unit Structure
The Small Farm Unit covers approximately 30 acres with a wide range of soil types, equipment, buildings and educational focal points. The function of the small farm unit is to provide stakeholders with systems thinking in a whole farm model. It has within that system embedded research in systems rotation and research relevant to small farm stakeholders. Research topics are nested into the whole farm unit design.
The preservation of the rotations and system of working farm in on-farm research model as an operating small farm is a priority. Equally a priority is our fifteen acre organic area and integrated small scale livestock enterprises. In addition, the SFU host various independent research projects outside our systems research on a variety of crops and animals pertinent to small farms.
Research & Demonstration Focus Points
Currently the SFU is engaged in the following research efforts: organic systems work (utilizing animals, soil building and high value crops), season extension (high tunnels, etc.), organic transplant production, small fruit (blueberries), pastured meat (goats and poultry), grafted tomatoes, and cover crop/no-till system (organic and conventional). We are also supporting a strong program off-site that is working with producers to develop sustainable outdoor hog production systems in response to significant market interest in pork produced in this fashion. This work will be connected with the livestock research areas at CEFS.
Education outreach programs include agriculture in the classroom (Discover Ag) and a variety of workshops (i.e. high tunnel, organic certification short course). A complete workshop listing and other CEFS information is available at the www.cefs.ncsu.edu Web site.
Educational Impacts
Each year thousands of people visit the Small Farm Unit for educational reasons. One of our programs brings third graders and their teachers from Wayne County schools to learn about farming and agriculture. A tremendous number of farmers learn new production practices through tours, workshops, demonstrations on cover crops and rotations, small farm equipment selection and use, greenhouse management and alternative enterprises. Extension Agents not only from North Carolina, but also surrounding states) learn from research and demonstrations on the Small Farm Unit and brought that information back to share with growers in their counties. Numerous students (up to graduate level) participate in field education classes in IPM, insect identification and other practical educational exercise. The Farm Festivals are thecrowning achievement of the education and outreach that the Small Farm Unit provides. Each year this family-friendly event offers educational displays, workshops, kid’s activities, farmers’ market, live entertainment and more to educate visitors about sustainable agriculture in a fun and festive environment.