Our Story
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.
People
Sara Snyder, Agroecology Education Farm Manager
Sara began working at the farm as the Farm Manager in the spring of 2023. They grew up in New Bern, NC and graduated from Duke, where they worked on the Duke Campus Farm throughout my undergrad. Since graduating, they have worked on a variety of organic farms in NC. They find growing food to be empowering and love sharing that experience with others. When they're not at the farm, you can find Sara swimming, baking, and visiting their local library. Come by the Agroecology Education Farm and say hi!
Ann Bybee-Finley, Agroecology Program Director
Dr. Bybee-Finley leads the Agroecology Program, directs the Agroecology Education Farm at North Carolina State University, and teaches CS 230 and CS 430. Before joining NC State, Dr. Bybee-Finley worked as a Research Agroecologist for the Agricultural Research Service at the United States Department of Agriculture.
Advisory Board
| ♦ Ann Bybee-Finley, Director of AEF, CSS Faculty, Agroecology Lab | ♦ Matt Morrison, AS, Research Operations Manager at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Educational Unit |
| ♦ Sara Snyder, Farm Manager of AEF | ♦ Liz Driscoll, HS, CSS, K-12/4H education |
| ♦ Jaleel Hewitt, Agroecology student, AEF intern | ♦ Carla Davis, Director of the University Sustainability Office |
| ♦ Moriah Bollman, Agroecology student, AEF intern | ♦ Angel Cruz, CEFS Academic and Extension Initiatives Manager |
| ♦ Amy Johnson, Director of the Fike Crop Garden, CSS Faculty, Ag Institute Coordinator of General Agriculture and Field Crop Technology | ♦ Keith Smith, Director of NC State Dining, Board Operations and Sustainability |
| ♦ David Suchoff- CSS Faculty, Alternative Crops Extension Specialist | ♦ Shawn Hoch, Senior Director of NC State Dining and Hospitality Services |
| ♦ Alex Woodley, CSS Faculty, Sustainable Soils Lab | ♦ Jeff Mullahey, Chair of the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences |
| ♦ Bridget Lassiter, Lake Wheeler Road Field Lab |
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