NC Organic

Welcome to NC Organic, an internet resource for North Carolina farmers, extension agents, and aspiring growers. Even with the economic recession, the organic sector of agriculture continues to grow, making it the fastest growing segment in the United States. Closer to home, North Carolina consumers are committed to supporting local agriculture while most of our state's organic produce is imported from other states. The demand for organically-grown food presents a real opportunity for NC farmers.

Herbicide Carryover in Manure, Compost and Hay Article! Many of you have asked for this article, so I've posted it here where it should be easy to find.

New Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit

North Carolina State University, in cooperation with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, launched a Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville to provide a university led research and extension program to support organic farmers in western North Carolina. The unit will be certified organic during the summer of 2012. In 2012 we will have projects in this unit on heirloom and heirloom-type tomatoes, fungicides for tomatoes (organic, of course), and broccoli variety screening. Please contact Emily Bernstein at 828-684-3562 or Emily_Bernstein@ncsu.edu. Read more about the new unit.

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Keep Current by Following Our Blog!

Our webcrafter retired last year and because of the state budget situation, she will not be replaced. So, Jeanine is learning how to manage all her own websites. As she masters this new skill, we welcome you to follow our activities on the Organic Unit, as well as in other parts of our program, by following us on our NC Alternative Crops and Organics blog.

NC State Organic Research and Extension Resources

• Need Help?! Contact a county agent.
• Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit
• Publications and summaries of research at NCSU

National Resources

• eXtension Organic Agriculture Resources
• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ATTRA

Organic Certification

• What is certified organic?
• Overview of the Process of Certification
• Organizations that certify and inspect NC farms
• National Organic Program

Organic Production

• Production Guides
• Field Crops
• Postharvest Practices
• Pest Control
• Livestock
• North Carolina State Testing Service
• Sources of Organic Supplies

Organic Farm Business Planning

• Writing a business plan
• Crop budgets
• Financing your farm with grants and loans
• Farmland preservation methods

Organic Farm Marketing

• General Marketing Resources
• Wholesale
• Retail and Restaurant
• Community Supported Agriculture
• Farmers' Markets
• Pick-your-own and Agritourism
• Case Studies

Organic Farm Networking

• Organic Farming Education
• Apprenticeships and Internships
• Farm Jobs
• Land Acquisition

Calendar of Events

Current Issues

• Herbicide Carryover in Hay, Manure, Compost, and Grass Clippings: Caution to Hay Producers, Livestock Owners, Farmers and Home Gardeners (PDF) – AG-727W - Updated April 2010
• Salvaging Flooded Crops (PDF)

Financial Support and Grant Funding Provided to My Program by

• Amway/Nutrilite
• GoldenLeaf Foundation
• Organic Farming Research Foundation
• NC Tomato Growers Association
• Southern SARE Program
• US Forest Service
• USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
• USDA Specialty Crop Research & Extension Initiative Grant Program

Friends of the NC Alternative Crops and Organics Program

Thank you for all your support!

• Dave Slater, Tryon, NC
• Laura Kaderabek, Chapel Hill, NC
• Nan Covert, Lake Lure, NC
• Golden Needle, Candler, NC
• Susan Coleman Fedor, Columbia, SC
• Rita Pelczar & John Wright, Marshall, NC
• Howard Covington, Greensboro, NC

If you would like to support our program, too, you can print off this form and mail in your donation. Thank you!

Dr. Jeanine Davis
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
Email: jeanine_davis@ncsu.edu

Maintained by: Bryan A. Konsler