Description: The Upper Piedmont Research Station in North Carolina, established in 1948 on donated land, primarily focuses on cattle research, including studies on estrus synchronization, fescue toxicity, feed efficiency, and in vitro fertilization using a registered Black Angus herd recognized for its historic significance. The region’s landscape features steep slopes, clay soils, and land well-suited for grazing and beef production. Research supports pasture management, nitrogen needs for stockpiling fescue, and the incorporation of warm-season grasses, such as switchgrass, for grazing. Its infrastructure includes 900 acres, comprising 400 acres of pasture and grasslands, crop and rotational land, a cattle sale facility, and community amenities such as a public nature trail and annual livestock sale events.

Description: The Upper Mountain Research Station in Ashe County focuses on diverse agricultural research, including cold tolerance, forage management, Christmas trees, burley tobacco, and high-elevation crops such as pumpkins, small grains, and turfgrass, all of which are adapted to the mountainous environment. The region’s climate presents challenges, including cold temperatures, short growing seasons, and high elevation conditions, which require specialized research on crop resilience and forage utilization. Its infrastructure includes 33 buildings, including livestock facilities, tobacco barns, greenhouses, and research plots, which support both crop and livestock research, as well as community engagement through tours, workshops, and disaster relief efforts.

Description: The research programs at the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station in North Carolina encompass peanut, tobacco, cotton, corn, and soybean crops, focusing on improving yield, disease and pest resistance, and developing sustainable cultural and weed management practices. The region's climate challenges include high pest pressures, soil-borne diseases, and weather variability that impact crop health and productivity. The infrastructure supporting this research includes research plots, facilities for evaluating fungicides and herbicides, breeding nurseries, variety testing sites, and specialized equipment for crop management and disease control studies, all closely integrated with regional farming needs.

Description: The Umstead Research Station in North Carolina has transitioned from dairy to a diverse agricultural research focus, concentrating on beef cattle, goats, invasive weeds, and herbicide efficacy, utilizing its 4,000 acres of cropland, pasture, and timber. The region faces climate-related challenges, including flood-prone streams and variable water availability, which impact water resource management and agricultural practices. Its infrastructure includes farm buildings, research plots, conservation areas, wildflower seed production sites, and forestry lands, supporting both agricultural research and community partnerships dedicated to land preservation and sustainable resource use.

Description: The Tidewater Research Station in North Carolina primarily focuses on research related to grain and swine production, as well as crop breeding, soil fertility, water quality, and forestry management, to enhance productivity and sustainability in the region. The local climate challenges include managing water drainage, groundwater contamination, and the impacts of low-lying, flood-prone land, which is mitigated by extensive drainage systems and water quality monitoring through wells and tile drains. Its infrastructure includes the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center, which features laboratories, greenhouses, a headhouse, and a new swine facility planned for within 3-5 years. Additionally, research fields for crops and livestock are available, facilitating comprehensive research to support local farmers and natural resource management.