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Happy New Year!
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Message from the Director
I am so thankful for such an amazing group of students working on the farm this year and for our rock star farm manager, Alison. I am also thankful for all the classes, student groups and volunteers that continue to come out to the farm and for continued support from NC State Dining, the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. We really cannot do what we do without the people and organization support! Every year I reflect how we continue to keep increasing production (15,000 lbs+ last year!) and the host all the amazing numbers of students and groups on the farm but we do. I anticipate even more production this year with both hoop houses in production. I am excited about the new student-led agroforestry fruit forest going in around Earth day this year (look out for the ribbon cutting). The Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems major (https://agroecology.wordpress.ncsu.edu/) at NC State continues to grow with 46 students and they have developed a new Agroecology Student Club (https://sites.google.com/ncsu.edu/agroecologyclubncsu/home).
Look out for Agroecology club events and activities at the farm this coming year and all are welcome to join. We also welcome our new neighbors- the Fike Garden, led by Dr. Amy Johnson in the Crop & Soil Science Department that will expand education of sustainable practices for our 2-year Ag-Institute and 4-year Agronomy students studying commodity crops. I look forward to this new year and all the new faces at the Agroecology Education Farm!
Grow on!
Michelle michelle_schroeder@ncsu.edu (mailto:michelle_schroeder@ncsu.edu)
Student Employee Introductions
This year we have a great crew of student employees at the farm. Over the next few newsletters they will each get space to introduce themselves and their work on the farm. Today we have our first 3, stay tuned for more!
Ashlee George
I am from Wilmington, North Carolina, and a junior at NC State, studying environmental science and minoring in agroecology and biological sciences. After graduation, I plan to continue my education in graduate school. My career goal is to teach either environmental science or agroecology at the college level, and to use my knowledge in these fields to start programs that provide access to healthy and affordable food to under-privileged urban communities. When not on the farm or in class, I spend a lot of time volunteering with my service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. I also enjoy painting and drawing, tending to my house plants, and going back to Wilmington to spend time with my family and pets at the beach. Some fun facts- I don't eat blue food, my favorite animal is an opossum, and I collect stickers.
Chris Daly
Hi Everyone!
My name is Christopher Daly and I am a sophomore student at NC State University studying crop and soil science, with a concentration in agronomy. I am originally from a small town about an hour east from Raleigh called Mount Olive. Back home I grew up on a turkey farm where I worked after school and summers from when I was nine and even some today. Since on campus I have had the opportunity to get involved with a few campus organizations. First being the Goodnight Scholars, which is a scholarship program that prepares North Carolina's top STEM talent to become transformational leaders at NC State University, in North Carolina, and in the world. Secondly I am involved with Summit College, an on campus church organization whose vision is to see college students grow as mature disciples of Christ. Third and finally, I have been able to get involved at the agroecology farm and make both a difference on NC State's campus and the entire world through sustainable agricultural practices.
Kayla Folkner
Hey there!
My name is Kayla, and I'm an Agroecology major at NC State! I'm a transfer from Asheville Buncombe technical community college, and my home is in the mountains. I love working on the farm, and coming out here after school is like a retreat from school stress. I've learned lots of new things and most importantly, gotten to connect with people with the same Interests. The project that I hope to work on while I am here is a rain garden between our two greenhouses, to catch extra runoff water. This rain garden will collect water and nutrients that will help to feed the “Food Forest” Orchard currently being constructed! Come see us and follow us on Instagram @ncsu_agroecology_farm **
Note from the Farm Manager
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I am looking forward to our 2020 growing season! We have a great crew on the farm- some new folks and some returning. We have a new hoop house to fill with veggies, lots of new garden space (an orchard, rain garden, and more asparagus!), new campus connections (NC State Composting Facility), and a plan for trialing some new production methods. We are going to be busy! Please stay up to date on our events and programs through our website and social media. If you have any questions or feedback for the farm, get in touch with me- amreeve2@ncsu.edu. Look out 2020 here we come! **
Upcoming Events
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Volunteer Days 10am-12pm every first and third Saturday.
Please visit the calendar at our website to register Events For more information, please visit our website or social media