Through integrated research and extension programs, NC state is solving challenges related to the productivity and profitability of both large- and small-scale farms

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded North Carolina State University $4,088,563 through the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025.

NC State's integrated research and extension programs address agricultural productivity and profitability across large- and small-scale farms through applied research and dissemination of knowledge and technology for landscaping and gardening. Animal systems research focuses on breeding, reproduction, nutrition, genetics and genomics, physiology, environmental stress, product quality, and health and well-being. Research and extension efforts tackle environmental quality issues through scientific solutions for animal waste management, wastewater treatment, nutrient management, septic systems, wetland management, soil properties, and fishery and pond management. NC State's food safety, nutrition, and health initiatives emphasize preventive approaches to foodborne illness, protecting food safety across the supply chain from production to consumption, developing new health-promoting food products, and providing nutrition education to individuals, families, and communities. The programs also address crosscutting and emerging issues in animal and plant health and production, including research on feeding source efficiency to improve animal productivity and gut health.

The award period runs through September 30, 2027, with performance at NC State's Raleigh, North Carolina location. This is a formula grant under the Hatch Act, allocated to eligible State Agricultural Experiment Stations according to statutory formula.

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 well-being. 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's research and extension efforts to enhance food safety, nutrition and health and to keep american's healthy and free from foodborne illness necessitate a focus on preventing food safety problems rather than taking a reactionary approach. NC state's 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 systems, researchers will study the efficiency of different feeding sources to improve animal productivity and GUT health. In plant systems, the focus will be on practical approaches such as crop production, season extension, adaptation to changing agricultural conditions, value-added agriculture, digital tools, soil health, pest control, and farm economics. Extension will continue to expand itswork with livestock producers, placing special emphasis on limited resources, small- scale farmers. The farm pavilion will focus on sustainable AG riculture and local andcommunity food systems, housing its applied research and demonstration programs' staff and providing space for meetings, forums and conferences.