Project List

Type Title Description Steps
Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Upper Piedmont Agricultural Research Station
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.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Upper Mountain Agricultural Research Station
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.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Upper Coastal Plain Agricultural Research Station
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.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Umstead Agricultural Research Station
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.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Tidewater Agricultural Research Station
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.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Sandhills Agricultural Research Station
The Sandhills Research Station in North Carolina primarily focuses on developing new varieties and improving management practices for crops such as peaches, small fruits, vegetables, soybeans, cotton, hemp, and ornamentals to enhance yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and adaptation to the region's sandy soils. The local climate challenges include managing water availability, drought stress, and soil properties, which are supported by a highly developed irrigation system utilizing ponds and underground lines. Its infrastructure comprises research fields, greenhouses, dairy and turf grass research plots, specialized equipment, and facilities for breeding, disease control, and extension activities, all aimed at supporting sustainable crop and landscape management in the Sandhills environment.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Piedmont Agricultural Research Station
The Piedmont Research Station in North Carolina focuses on research in field crops, horticultural crops, and livestock, encompassing breeding, genetics, production systems, and management practices aimed at improving yield, quality, and sustainability. The local climate challenges involve managing weather variability, which is monitored through an onsite ECONET weather station that feeds data to regional weather offices, supporting research acclimated to the Piedmont environment. The station’s extensive infrastructure includes specialized facilities such as renovated dairy and poultry units with advanced data collection technology, a high tunnel for extending fruit production, research fields for no-till cropping, and community resources for training, events, and youth education, all supporting its mission to serve the agricultural industry in North Carolina.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Peanut Belt Research Station
The Peanut Belt Research Station in North Carolina primarily focuses on peanut breeding, disease resistance, and agronomic practices to enhance yield, quality, and marketability, including research on high-oleic peanuts and insect resistance. The station faces local challenges, such as managing the water supply through irrigation systems—utilizing water from a 7-acre pond—and optimizing phosphorus and potassium requirements for crops. Its infrastructure includes multiple buildings, such as an office, maintenance shop, greenhouse, seed storage, drying facilities, and specialized equipment, including solar crop dryers, which support extensive research on peanuts, cotton, corn, and other crops for local farmers and industry advancement.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Oxford Tobacco Research Station
The Oxford Tobacco Research Station in North Carolina primarily focuses on tobacco production, including research on fertility requirements, cultural practices, and insect and disease control, with notable achievements in developing resistant tobacco varieties. Its infrastructure includes cropland, greenhouses, curing barns, a pack house, laboratories, and equipment sheds, supporting both research and extension activities. The station also diversifies into specialty, bioenergy, and row crops, serving as a community hub for farmers and industry, hosting tours, events, and collaborations with extension and forestry agencies to promote agricultural innovation.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Mountain Agricultural Research Station
The Mountain Research Station primarily researches Christmas trees, burley tobacco, livestock, particularly beef cattle, and forage crop management to support sustainable farm systems in the mountainous regions of North Carolina. The high-altitude and mountainous climate presents challenges, including cold winters, late spring frosts, and variable rainfall, which can impact livestock health, forage production, and overall farm productivity. The station's infrastructure includes livestock research facilities, pastures, laboratories, and experimental fields, all designed to develop and promote best management practices suited for elevated and rugged terrain.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station
The Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, located in the Southern Appalachians of North Carolina, was established in 1949. It focuses on research related to tomatoes, apples, ornamental crops, and other specialty fruits and vegetables, emphasizing disease resistance, pest management, and crop quality improvements. The region’s climate features varied topography with a base elevation of 2,069 feet, presenting challenges such as managing environmental stresses and adapting cultural practices suited for the mountainous terrain. Its infrastructure includes greenhouses, research fields, laboratories, and facilities for breeding, disease management, and extension programs, supporting both scientific research and community education to enhance regional horticulture and more sustainable crop production practices.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Lower Coastal Plain - Cunningham Tobacco Crops Research Station
The Lower Coastal Plain - Cunningham Tobacco Crops Research Station in North Carolina primarily focuses on tobacco, horticultural, and field crop research, including disease management, pest control, breeding, and soil science to improve crop yields and quality. The region’s climate challenges include variable rainfall, groundwater nitrate contamination, and managing soil fertility, supported by extensive irrigation, shallow wells, and large research plots that enable simulations of recent rainfall and nitrogen application impacts. The station's infrastructure includes greenhouses, tobacco barns, drying facilities, storage buildings, research fields, and advanced irrigation systems, all designed to support a broad range of agricultural research and extend resources to scientists, growers, and the broader agricultural community.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Clinton Horticulture Crops Research Station
The Clinton Horticultural Crops Research Station in North Carolina conducts research on a variety of crops, including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, with a focus on disease and insect resistance, yield improvement, and sustainable cultural practices. The region’s climate challenges include irregular rainfall, particularly between June and August, and acidic, sandy soils that require careful nutrient management, supported by infrastructure such as greenhouses, irrigation systems, high tunnels, and curing facilities. The station also provides community engagement through field days and tours, and its research programs include breeding, nutrient management, pesticide screening, and biotechnology, all aimed at supporting sustainable vegetable production in North Carolina.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Castle Hayne Horticultural Crops Research Station
The Castle Hayne Horticultural Crops Research Station in North Carolina focuses on enhancing the quality and yield of horticultural crops, including blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and ornamentals, through programs that evaluate cultivars, assess pest and disease resistance, and address weed control. The region’s climate challenges include humidity, rainfall, and coastal weather conditions that influence disease development and crop management, supported by extensive facilities such as greenhouses, cold storage, and weather monitoring systems that have been collecting data for over 50 years. Infrastructure includes laboratories, greenhouses, equipment storage, mechanical harvesters, and a blueberry pack shed, all designed to support both research and grower education, as well as community outreach through field days and public tours.
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Resource Portfolio Publish NCDA&CS Cherry Agricultural Research Station
The Cherry Research Farm in North Carolina focuses on sustainable agriculture research, encompassing livestock, crop production, and environmental farming practices, supported by extensive facilities and diverse landscapes that are well-suited for large-scale research and community outreach. The region's climate challenges include severe weather and water management issues, which are addressed through advanced weather monitoring systems, such as the ECONET tower and Doppler radar, supporting informed research and farm operations. Its infrastructure comprises 41 structures, including research buildings, greenhouses, livestock facilities, crop drying and storage units, and specialized equipment, which facilitate comprehensive research spanning crop breeding, livestock, organic farming, and environmental sustainability efforts.
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