Where We are Today

Our production space has expanded to 1.14 Acres of bed space, as well as 0.1 acres of hoop house growing space and a food forest about 0.11 acres in size. Infrastructure on the farm has expanded significantly since its inception, now including electricity, running water, and a large Pavilion designed by engineering graduate students at NC State, which is utilized as an event space. The farm was able to harvest well over 5000 lbs. of produce in 2024, 100% of which was supplied to NC State Dining for student meals in the dining halls.

As an education farm, our founding goal is to provide a space where students at NC State can learn and practice agroecological principles in real production spaces. To honor this mission, we host many class tours, projects, and workdays within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. We place great emphasis on hiring student workers at the farm, which allows for opportunities to develop practical skills, experience, and leadership in sustainable and organically maintained crop production systems. Not only do we aim to educate at the collegiate level, but the farm also hosts events and tours for K-12 schools, NC Extension classes, and the general public.

The Sustainable Agricultural Systems Unit is a collaboration between the Bill Fike Agronomy Field Lab, the NC State Beef Cattle Unit, and the Agroecology Education Farm. The goal of the collaboration is to provide a larger picture of sustainable practices and systems, including agronomic and cattle production, creating a more cohesive educational model.

History

In 2005, the Agroecology Education Farm started with a vision from Drs. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, David Orr and Mike Linker to create a space near campus for students and community to learn about sustainable agriculture. Developing this at the Lake Wheeler Field Station near the Historic Yates Mill Park was important to demonstrate sustainable agriculture near a natural area. The Historic Yates Mill Park has been an important supporter for the farm from the beginning, which was dedicated in 2006 by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Since then, the Department of Crop Science, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and CALS provided critical support and the farm manager hired in 2015. We partnered with Green Planet Catering 2011-2015 to further develop educational opportunities. In 2013, we began producing for NC State University Dining, one of our strong supporters helping us bring food and agroecology education in the dining halls. In 2015, they supported season extension so we can produce (and educate) even more. Our vision is far more than a “student farm”. Following our Land-grant mission, we want to provide hands-on education in sustainable agriculture and a place where students and community can learn from each other.

Design

In 2007, the Agroecology Education Farm Advisory Committee was formed representing students and faculty from Crop Science, Soil Science, Horticulture, Entomology and the Director of the Historic Yates Mill Park. This initial group developed the mission and laid the groundwork for the sustainable agriculture components that the farm should demonstrate. The first design plan was developed by Luke McMullen, a senior Horticulture Landscape undergraduate student in 2009 and was updated by Stephen Ratasky, Michelle’s graduate student in 2012.  The design is flexible as the farm education and production needs grow and evolve.