Ag in Action (Summer 2026)

SUMMER 2026 | ISSUE 1

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to Ag in Action, a new quarterly update highlighting NC State Extension's people, programs and partnerships advancing North Carolina agriculture.

With local experts in all 100 counties and the Qualla Boundary, Extension is your front door to our state's land-grant universities. We're proud to be your lifelong partner, and we hope these updates keep you informed and inspired by our work to strengthen agricultural communities across North Carolina.

David Monks

Director, NC State Extension

Associate Dean, CALS

David Monks, NC State Extension director, stands on a dirt road outside a barn at NC State's Lake Wheeler Road Beef Education Unit.

FEATURED UPDATES

A farmer carries a bucket of feed while walking alongside several of his cows in an open field.

Extension Helps Producers During Historic Drought

As North Carolina experiences one of its worst droughts in history, NC State Extension is providing timely, research-based guidance to help producers protect crops, livestock and farm operations.

A farmer walks between rows of green crops in a vast farm field.

Preserving North Carolina's Farmland

With thousands of acres lost each year, farmland preservation is critical to North Carolina's agriculture economy. Extension is helping farmers preserve working lands for future generations.

Extension agent Andrea Gibbs shares the latest research and emerging technologies with a farmer while standing in a corn field.

Harnessing the Power of Data for Producers

A new partnership with SAS is leveraging local expertise and data analytics to help North Carolina farmers better predict and prepare for significant weather events and saltwater intrusion.

A graphic icon depicting a person as a leader.

I AM EXTENSION

Matt Poore

Ruminant Nutrition Specialist
NC State Extension

Q: What is your role with Extension?
A: I work with N.C. livestock producers on herd health, nutrition and management. I grew up in a farm family and wanted to combine that ag background with my passion for helping people through research and education.

Q: How does your work help N.C. producers?
A: Extension’s greatest strength is our statewide network of agents, who help identify local producer needs and guide our research and outreach. Working together, with ongoing support from our industry partners, we help farmers adopt science-based solutions that improve their profitability and sustainability.

Q: What's a key trend you're seeing in N.C. agriculture?
A: Our farming communities are becoming more diverse, with producers ranging from large commercial operations to new and part-time farmers. While their goals may differ, our vast network allows us to meet farmers where they are, connecting them with the full breadth of NC State’s expertise and resources.

Q: What do you find most motivating about your work?
A: Building relationships with producers and seeing them implement ideas that make a real difference on their operations and in their communities is very rewarding.

A graphic icon depicting two interlocking gears.

EXTENSION IN ACTION

The sun sets behing a sprawling farm field with young green crops sprouting from the ground.

Writing N.C. Agriculture’s Next Chapter

N.C. Ag Leads is uniting producers, industry and university experts under a shared vision to ensure a prosperous future for North Carolina agriculture.

David Davis, director of N.C. Cooperative Extension's Yancey County Center, operates a drone to help with Hurricane Helene recovery.

Helping Farmers Recover After Helene

Months after Hurricane Helene, Extension experts remain on the ground helping WNC communities recover and rebuild toward a more resilient future.

Cody Craddock, Extension agriculture agent, examines blueberries on the bush while standing next to Jing Zhang, assistant professor for horticultural science.

Tracking Blueberry Ripeness With AI

A new AI-powered tool created by NC State is helping blueberry growers better assess their bushes, optimize harvests, and boost profits.

An NC State Extension cybersecurity expert uses a touchscreen inside a tractor cab.

Protecting Farms From “Data Rustlers”

As technology's role in modern agriculture continues to grow, Extension is helping producers protect against emerging cybersecurity threats.

A graphic icon depicting a plant seedling sprouting from the ground..

FROM THE FIELD

🌲 Forestry & Natural Resources

A North Carolina 4-H’er is pursuing a future in fisheries and food security after participating in the N.C. Youth Institute, demonstrating how Extension helps develop tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.

See how 4-H inspires the next generation →

🧰 Workforce Development

CALS Rural Works connects agricultural employers with ambitious college students through paid internships, helping students gain hands-on experience while strengthening the talent pipeline between rural communities and the ag industry.

Explore the CALS Rural Works program →

🔬 Applied Research & Innovation

Using feedback from farmers across the state, researchers with NC State’s Food Animal Initiative are developing a new tool to help connect livestock and poultry producers with farmers who can use manure as a source of organic fertilizer.

An icon depicting an easel with a bar graph trending upward.

ADVANCING N.C. AGRICULTURE

The latest industry data shows North Carolina agriculture generates $117 billion in annual economic impact — explore the new industry snapshot and Extension's impact:

Graphic showing the annual economic impact of North Carolina agriculture in 2024. A large circular chart displays the total state impact of $117 billion, surrounded by six major industry sectors.

Source: 2026 N.C. Agriculture Economic Impact Report (2024 data)

A graphic icon depicting a group of people.

PERSONNEL UPDATES

NC State Extension continues expanding our county- and campus-based capacity to meet North Carolina's evolving agricultural and rural needs.

Meet our 45 new NC State Extension experts hired from January–June 2026.

Find recent appointments, recognitions and organizational updates from Extension and CALS:

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

AUG.
8

SW Piedmont Grain Growers Corn & Soybean Field Day

Aug. 8 | 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

ASR Grain Company, Shelby, NC

AUG.
12

Turfgrass Field Day

Aug. 12 | 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Lake Wheeler Turfgrass Field Lab, Raleigh, NC

SEPT.
10

Peanut Field Day

Sept. 10 | 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Peanut Belt Research Station, Lewiston Woodville, NC

SEPT.
30

Late Season Disease and Harvest Tour

Sept. 30 | TBD

Upper Coastal Plain Research Station OR Peanut Belt Research Station

CALS Wolfpack Harvest

Sept. 19 | 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (Raleigh, Castle Hayne, Mills River and Statesville)

This signature CALS event brings together alumni, students, employees and partners — in Raleigh and across the state. Join us on Centennial Campus as CALS departments and programs showcase their groundbreaking research, academic excellence and community impact.

NC State male mascot Mr. Wuf stands outside with two women holding their babies during the 2025 CALS Wolfpack Harvest celebration.

Three more events across the state will each offer an afternoon of fun and discovery, as we celebrate the people and programs that make CALS extraordinary.

Connect With Extension

NC State Extension transforms science into everyday solutions, equipping
producers to adapt, innovate and lead N.C. agriculture into the future.

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