Cooperative Extension News

Aggie Source Food Pantry Gets New Source for Fresh Food

04/28/2025 in Cooperative Extension

The Aggie Source Food Pantry has a new collaboration with Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T and its community garden program.

A&T Celebrates Small Farms Week, Names 2025 N.C. Small Farmer of the Year

04/02/2025 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Elvin and Madeline Eaton of Fairport Farm in Kittrell, North Carolina, have been named N.C. Small Farmers of the Year, the annual award given through N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension during Small Farms Week.

Small Farms Week 2025 To Explore “Next Gen Agriculture”

12/03/2024 in Cooperative Extension

With the theme “Next Gen Agriculture,” Small Farms Week 2025 will look at new technologies and new farming practices designed for environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.

N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension Uses Google Grant to Boost AI Education

11/11/2024 in Cooperative Extension

Mark Light, Ph.D., 4-H STEM specialist with the Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is the statewide lead of a new, two-year $225,000 grant from Google to develop AI literacy among educators and students.

2024 Grassroots Leadership Conference Aims to Help Leaders Reimagine Their Communities

10/29/2024 in Cooperative Extension

Community leaders and volunteers from across North Carolina will come together Thursday, Nov. 21, in Raleigh for the annual Grassroots Leadership Conference (GLC), a one-day event to discuss local issues and develop strategies for positive change.

USDA Grant Fuels A&T, N.C. State Organic Crop Research Collaboration

10/17/2024 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Researchers at North Carolina A&T and N.C. State will test a promising new method to improve soil health and organic crop yields while mitigating the effects of climate change.

Warren, Cumberland County Farmers Finalists for N.C. Small Farmer of the Year

03/25/2024 in Cooperative Extension

A fourth-generation family farm in Warren County in operation since 1865 and a small farm in Cumberland County run by a former Army officer turned beekeeper are finalists for the 38th annual Small Farmer of the Year Award, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Cooperative Extension announced today.

A&T to Lead “Ag Tech Corridor” Project with $1M from National Science Foundation

03/15/2024 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Starting this spring, N.C. A&T will lead a project that aims to break that bottleneck. Funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines, Goins will lead a team of university, N.C. Cooperative Extension, business and research partners in developing a plan to share information and technology faster and more broadly across the state by building an “ag tech corridor” from central North Carolina to the east.

From Novice to Notable: Small Farms Week Speaker to Share Story, Inspire Others

02/07/2024 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Ronald Simmons, of Master Blend Family Farms in Kenansville, North Carolina, started his business in 2012, became N.C. A&T’s Small Farmer of the Year in 2018 and returns this year as keynote speaker for the week's luncheon event.

Extension at N.C. A&T’s Eley Named First SRDC 1890 Fellow

02/05/2024 in Cooperative Extension

Michelle Eley, Ph.D., community and economic development specialist with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, has been named the first 1890 Fellow of the Southern Rural Development Center.

Extension Launches New Effort to Reach Urban and Nontraditional Audiences

12/05/2023 in Cooperative Extension

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has launched a new effort to apply its expertise and experience in community outreach and education to urban communities and nontraditional audiences across North Carolina.

Small Farms Week 2024 Explores “New Paths to Profits”

11/27/2023 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

New niche crops, ethnic foods and multicultural food traditions are all on the menu for the 38th annual Small Farms Week, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s annual tribute to small-scale agriculture. Set for March 24-30, 2024, the week’s theme is “New Paths to Profits.”

Solar-Powered Charging Trailer Brings Tech to the Field

11/01/2023 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

A new portable charging trailer, customized for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences research division, can run presentations, access the internet, charge phones and other electronics, even play Bluetooth radio.

Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T Co-Sponsors Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference

10/10/2023 in Cooperative Extension

The Farmer Veteran Coalition of North Carolina (FVC), a group that helps veterans find meaningful and sustainable work in agriculture, will host the first Eastern Regional Farmer Veteran Coalition of North Carolina Education Conference on Oct. 27 at the Cumberland County Extension Center.

Modern Milking: Bringing Advanced Tech to the Barn

10/10/2023 in Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

An advanced milking system takes the only dairy in the nation at an HBCU to the cutting edge of precision agriculture, helping A&T to educate students ready for impact in the industry.

2023 Grassroots Leadership Conference to Focus on Ways to Extend Reach to Urban Audiences

09/26/2023 in Cooperative Extension

Community leaders and volunteers from across North Carolina will convene Oct. 17 in Charlotte for the annual Grassroots Leadership Conference (GLC), a one-day event to discuss local issues and develop strategies for positive change.

Wayne County Sisters Named 2023 Small Farmers of the Year

04/03/2023 in Cooperative Extension

Sisters Joyce Martin Bowden and Jeannette Martin Horn and their farm, J&J Martin Produce LLC, were honored March 29 as North Carolina’s 2023 Small Farmers of the Year, a recognition awarded by Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as part of its annual Small Farms Week.

“A New Day for American Agriculture:” USDA Leader Visits N.C. A&T to View Climate-Smart Investments

02/14/2023 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

The U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s only twice-appointed leader, Secretary Thomas Vilsack, came to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University Farm on Wednesday, Feb. 8, to discuss the major investment USDA is making in climate-smart agriculture – and then, to get a first-hand look at those practices in action.

Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T Awards Small Farmer of the Year

03/24/2021 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

As part of Small Farms Week, Mike Jones of Mae Farms has been named the 2021 N.C. Small Farmer of the Year, a recognition awarded annually by Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T.

New 4-H Leadership Program Targets Youth in Underserved Communities

12/22/2020 in Cooperative Extension, 4-H and Youth Development

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T State University is one of 12 Extension programs across the country has received funding to launch a leadership development program aimed at youth in underserved urban and rural communities.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Funds Grant To Empower Community Gardeners

12/10/2020 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

A grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation will enable Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T to strengthen the state’s network of community gardens.

Sanjun Gu Receives Regional Excellence in Extension Award

10/15/2020 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Sanjun Gu, Ph.D., horticulture specialist with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, will be honored with this year’s 1890 Institutions Regional Excellence in Extension Award for expansion of horticulture science to all communities.

Avery County Growers named N.C. Small Farmers of the Year

10/02/2020 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Amos and Kaci Nidiffer, the owners of Trosly Farm in Avery County, are the 2020 North Carolina Small Farmers of the Year.

N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension Conference Aims to Strengthen Communities Oct. 22

09/30/2020 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Cooperative Extension at N.C A&T, in partnership with its Strategic Planning Council, will connect real people with real issues and real strategies during the Grassroots Leadership Conference on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T Helps North Carolinians Weather COVID-19

05/06/2020 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

For Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a call to action that Extension has answered with a full-throttle effort to help limited-resource families and farmers withstand an unprecedented crisis.

A Taste of Summer: N.C. A&T University Farm Hosts Tomato Taste-ival

06/27/2019 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Cherokee County Growers Are Small Farmers of the Year

04/01/2019 in Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences