The Soil Health Field Day on April 5, 2025 at the CEFS Small Farm Unit field day brought together researchers, Extension specialists, and farmers to explore how long-term sustainable practices — including cover cropping, crop rotation, and soil respiration research — help build resilient agricultural systems across North Carolina.

Learn how cover crops:

🌱 Prevent soil erosion

🌾 Support healthy soil microbiomes

💧 Improve water retention

🌿 Boost nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration

From hands-on demonstrations to real-world farmer insights, this collaboration between NC A&T and NC State highlights the power of science-driven sustainable farming.

Speakers included:

Biswanath Dari, Assistant Professor and Natural ResourceExtension Specialist, Southern SARE State Co-coordinator, Cooperative Extension, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Melissa Bell, Education and Outreach Liaison,CEFS Field Research

Heather Berger, Research Technician, CEFS Small Farm Unit

Austin Menker, Conservation Agriculture Extension Associate, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University

Debjani Sihi, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University

Mallory Choudoir, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University

Ekrem Ozlu, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University

NRCS Staff