PLAN OF WORK FOR NCA&TSU-COOPERATIVE EXTENSION 2012-2016

Four Agroforestry trainings were conducted targeting limited resource farmers and woodland owners in collaboration with USDA-Natural Resources and Conservation services and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Additionally, two community based organizations (CBO), Operation Spring Planting (OSP) and the Minority Landowner Magazine were engaged in the training. The following activities were part of the 2013 Minority Landowner's Magazine conference: (a) panel discussion focusing on the past, past and future sustainability of limited resource farmers; (b) experienced, new, and young farmers and college students shared their farming perspective, challenges, and dreams; and (c) Three North Carolina A&T State University agriculture students shared success stories related to using pecan alley cropping system as a sustainable land management.The Federation of Southern Cooperatives convened an agroforestry roundtable at EPES on March 22, 2013. The roundtable objective was how to promote Agroforestry to meet the needs of our targeted audience. At this round table we identified the following potential projects for adoption by farmers: edible riparian buffers, alley-cropping, forest farming and agro-tourism. Farmers are encouraged to develop their stewardship and conservational plans. Both plans will expedite their chances of receiving available state and federal financial assistance programs. Thirty eight (38) participants attended the regional silvopature training on July 30, 2013 in Pender County, Burgaw, NC. The most discussed topic was cost share programs for silvopasture. At least three farmers and two wood landowners have applied for silvopasture costs share programs.