NC Organic

An Organic Agriculture
Internet Resource
for North Carolina Farmers

New Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit

North Carolina State University, in cooperation with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, has 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 program seeks to involve the community through educational programs, collaborative research projects, and an advisory board.

Western North Carolina hosts both a high concentration of the state’s organic farmers, as well as strong community support for locally grown, organic produce. Organic farmers, non-profits, and extension agents have long requested that more organic research be conducted in the western part of the state.

Several studies are already underway by NCSU professors Jeanine Davis and Dilip Panthee of the Department of Horticultural Science and Frank Louws of the Department of Plant Pathology. Studies of heirloom and heirloom-type hybrid tomatoes, grafted tomatoes, weed management in bell peppers, and opportunities for fall broccoli production are all included on the new unit. The community was invited to view these studies, sample tomatoes, visit with local vendors of organic farming products, and provide feedback at a workshop on August 31, 2010.

In addition, growers and community members are being surveyed and interviewed to determine their research and educational needs. Listening sessions and focus groups, as well as the creation of an advisory council will be used to solidify the priorities and plans for the future of the unit. All who are interested in the unit or who would like to provide input are invited to contact the coordinator, Emily Bernstein.

This project is led by Jeanine Davis and is funded by a USDA Specialty Crops Block grant administered through the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

For more information about the mountain orgranic unit or the workshop, contact Kelly Gaskill at 828-684-3562 or email kelly_gaskill@ncsu.edu.

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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