North Carolina State University

Project Abstract Our Portfolios of Solutiondriven, Cuttingedge Research Is Creating New Knowledge and Technology Which Is Then Extended to All North Carolinians Through NC Cooperative Extension. We Are Transforming Science Into Everyday Solutions That Improve Lives and Allow North Carolinians to Lead Prosperous, Healthy Lives. a Statewide Network of Extension Agents Serves as the Conduit Through Which the Needs of the Community Are Communicated to University Researchers Who Then Conduct Research and Formulate Solutions. Extension Agents Then Deliver Essential Information Into the Hands of Growers, Industry, and Members of the Community. Research and Extension Efforts at NC State Focus on Addressing Four Identified Statewide Critical Issues: Improving Plant and Animal Agricultural Systems; Protecting Environmental Resources, Enriching Youth, Family and Community Wellbeing; and Enhancing Food Safety, Nutrition and Health. Through Integrated Research and Extension Programs, NC State Is Solving Challenges Related to the Productivity and Profitability of Both Large and Small Scale Farms. Researchers and Extension Educators Are Also Developing and Disseminating Knowledge and Technology to Improve Landscaping and Gardening. Research and Extension Programs in Animal Systems Are Focused on Developing and Disseminating Knowledge and Methods for Animal Breeding, Reproduction, Nutrition, Genetics and Genomics, Physiology, Environmental Stress, Product Quality, and Health and Wellbeing. These Integrated Research and Extension Efforts Also Aim to Tackle the Critical Issues Impacting the Quality of Our Soil, Water and Air by Providing Scientific Solutions for Animal Waste Management, Wastewater Treatment, Nutrient Management, Septic Systems, Wetland Management, Soil Properties, and Fishery and Pond Management. NC State Extension Continues to Provide Opportunities to Enrich Youth, Family and Community Well Being Through the 4H Youth Development Program. 4H Programs Increase Opportunities for Youth to Develop Life Skills, Grow Confidence, Independence, Resilience, and Stem Skills Through Fun Hands on Learning in Safe, Healthy, and Enriching Environments. Extension Programs Also Address Critical Challenges Affecting Consumer and Family Wellbeing. in Addition to Youth Development, Other Focus Areas Include Parenting, Childcare, Family Relationships, Financial Management, Aging, Healthy Homes, and Disaster Readiness, Response, and Recovery. at the Community Level, Extension Works With Individuals, Community Groups and Local Governments on Leadership Skills, Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, Civic Engagement, Volunteerism, Community Planning, and Disaster Preparedness NC States Research and Extension Efforts to Enhance Food Safety, Nutrition and Health and to Keep Americans Healthy and Free From Foodborne Illness Necessitate a Focus on Preventing Food Safety Problems Rather Than Taking a Reactionary Approach. NC States Integrated Research and Extension Efforts Focus on Protecting the Safety of Foods Along the Entire Supply Chain, From Production to Consumption. to Meet the Growing Need for Healthy Food, Researchers Are Developing and Producing New Food Products That Promote Health and Prevent Disease. at the Same Time, Extension Provides Nutrition Education Programming to Ensure That Individuals, Families, and Communities Have the Knowledge They Need to Make Informed Choices About Food and Healthy Lifestyles. Improving Plant and Animal Agricultural Systems: Within This Area, We Will Work to Address Crosscutting and Emerging Issues of Animal and Plant Health and Production. in Animal System, Researchers Will Study the Efficiency of Different Feeding Sources to Improve Animal Productivity and Gut Health. in Plant Systems, the Focus Will Be in Sustainable Agriculture, Alternative and High Value Crop Production, Season Extension, Climate Change Adaptation, Value Added Agriculture, Digital Agriculture, Soil Health, Pest Control, and Agro Economics. Extension Will Continue to Expand Its Work With Livestock Producers, Placing Special Emphasis on Limited Resources, Small Scale Minority Farmers. the Farm Pavilion Will Focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Local and Community Food Systems, Housing Its Applied Research and Demonstration Programs Staff and Providing Space for Meetings, Forums and Conferences. Enhancing Food Safety, Nutrition and Health: Within This Area Both Research and Extension Will Work to Address the Issue of Human Health, Food Safety and Healthy Living Habits. the Research Will Focus on Whole Grain Cereals, Human Health and Human Nutrition, Probiotics Strains, Food Allergy, Food Production Process, Bioactive Compounds of Food, Postharvest Technology and Food Security. Cooperative Extension and Researchers at Nca<(>&<)>t Will Work Together in a Concerted Effort to Increase Information and Resources for African American Families and Children in Rural Communities Who Are Often Poor and Dispropornancially Vulnerable Are Well Equipped to Make Sound Financial Decisions for Themselves and Their Families. 4-H Programming Will Focus on Areas Such as Stem (science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Leadership Devel Opment, and Agriscience. Innovation Station, the Cutting-edge Mobile Learning Experience, Will Continue Traveling to Counties Throughout North Carolina, Providing Introductory and Advanced Stem Curricula for Children in Grades K-12. Environmental and Natural Resou Rces: in This Area We Will Work to Protect the Natural Environment, Provide the Solution for Waste Management and Conventional Energy. Caes Researchers Will Investigate an Advanced Biological System to Produce Alternative Energy, Treat the Agricultural and Industrial Waste, and Protect and Improve Water Quality. Caes Researchers Will Be Involved in Multistate Climate Change Project to Study the Impact of Climate Change in Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Community of Color. Researchers Will Be Developing the Adaptation and Mitigation Solution to Improve Agriculture and Natural Resources and Will Be Proposing Policies to Address the Issue of Environmental Justice and Climate Change. Extension Will Continue to Support Small Scale Producers and Landowners in Their Effort to Develop Woodlot Management Plans While Also Integrating Techniques and Practices Such as Silvopasture Production and Riparian Buffers.