NORTH CAROLINA

Neuse Education Team. The 10-member group continues to focus on promoting BMP implementation in its fourth year. NET faculty and Extension colleagues are currently directing over 40 demonstration projects in all 17 Neuse River Basin counties to meet the educational needs of farmers, agribusiness, forest managers, homeowners, industries, and government leaders. A series of local tours, workshops, and conferences has been successful in increasing knowledge and promoting collaboration toward meeting pollution reduction goals for the Neuse River.

Tar-Pamlico River Basin Nutrient Reduction Rule Development. Similar to the Neuse River rules adopted in 1998, the Tar-Pamlico rules currently under development will require landowners and communities to reduce nutrient pollution in sensitive coastal waters. Extension faculty have participated for the past eight years with the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources in developing programs to improve water quality, including nutrient trading, voluntary BMP adoption, agricultural cost-share, education, and stakeholder participation in the current rule development. Proposed rules for farmers requiring prescribed BMPs have met strong opposition, resulting in delays for rule adoption and a new proposal for self-regulation among farmers. Extension has provided technical information for all aspects of nutrient pollution in addition to facilitating numerous public forums.

Soil and Water Environmental Technology Center. This new Center was approved for planning by the UNC President in 2000. Eighteen faculty will direct comprehensive education, training, and applied research programs in eight priority areas. In the past year, over 6,000 training workshop participants have learned about wastewater treatment, land application, watershed management, stream restoration, urban stormwater, and water quality at the NCSU Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory and five other training facilities across North Carolina. Plans are to expand current programs to address regional and national technology needs for environmental management.

Farm*A*Syst and Home*A*Syst. These programs are designed to educate individuals about water quality and provide a systematic self-assessment of on-site environmental hazards. There are now 18 worksheets available addressing various environmental issues, with several counties using these to meet local educational needs. A job description is being developed for a program coordinator to direct implementation of these programs statewide using federal 406 program funds.

Animal Waste Technologies. Extension faculty are working closely with research colleagues to develop and implement alternative technologies for swine and poultry waste management. New funding is being provided by the swine industry, government programs, and waste treatment industrial partners. Extension faculty continue to train certified waste treatment system operators as required by state law.

Disaster - Disasters - Disasters: State Animal Response Team.

The unprecedented floods of Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd and Irene caused significant damage to the livestock industry in North Carolina. In response to this event, a State Animal Response Team with the collaboration of NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, NC Division of Emergency Management and several other agencies and organizations are developing a comprehensive plan and protocol to address animal emergencies in all types of disaster circumstances. The focus of the effort is to effectively organize collaborative efforts at the county level and have plans in place by producers, veterinary clinics and other animal owners.

Natural Resources. Efforts for renewing interest and programming in forestry and related natural resources is underway. The recent study concerning chip mills and interest in the urban-rural interface have sparked concern and programming at the local level. In collaboration with Regional Extension Forester and other states, the Master Tree Farmer Program and Forest*A*Syst are current program emphases.

Agritourism - Sustainable Tourism. Tourism is a growing program area. An annual Sustainable Tourism Conference has been established in the western part of the state. A curriculum for extension agents is being developed to assist them in the evaluation and development of the tourism industry in their counties. Specialists are developing a newsletter for county faculty as well as a major tourism web site to assist in program development at the local level.

Farm Financial Management. An advisory program was launched last fall with financial support from the NC Agricultural Foundation. Farm business management analysts are trained by Agriculture and Resource Economics Specialists and work one-on-one with farmers to evaluate their current and future financial plans and strategies.

Center for Environmental Farming Systems. Development of the center continues with a number of major grants either underway or announced that focus on farming systems comparisons (conservation tillage vs. conventional till systems; site-specific N application on row crops; and a comparison of five systems; natural succession, forestry, conventional row crops, integrated crop - animal, and organic systems. This program is a cooperative effort of NC State University, NC A&T State University, and NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The programs planned and underway include water quality monitoring, mapping of soil resources and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Disease Prediction and Warning Systems. Faculty in Plant Pathology, Entomology, Technology Services, NOAA and the State Climate Office, agents, and farmers collaborated to develop and implement integrated computer models and systems to predict disease risk for major crops. Once risk levels are high enough, the system interfaces with various information delivery systems to provide spray advisories. Use of this approach to disease management reduces the number of sprays and costs for many growers.

Pesticide Applicator Training. Our PAT coordinator collaborated with a number of states to secure funding from the NC Pesticide Trust Fund to develop and pilot-test a multi-state effort to develop and implement uniform pesticide applicator training programs. A training event is being planned.

Agromedicine Institute. The North Carolina Institute for Health and Safety in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has been established. The Institute was officially approved in 1999, and is a collaborative effort of NC State University, East Caroline University, and NC A&T State University. A director has been appointed and efforts will continue to coordinate related programs among the universities and acquire additional funding.