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This page contains information on all the crops and programs we work on other than herbs and organics, so this is where you will find information on vegetables, hops, truffles, industrial hemp, farmland preservation, and more.

The North Carolina Specialty Crops Program was a multi-agency, statewide program dedicated to new crop development. It operated from 1997 to 2008 under the leadership of Barclay Poling (1997-1999), Jeanine Davis (1999-2007), and Bill Jester (2008). The program ended due to lack of funding, but here we have maintained the historical information from the program to continue to serve as a resource on new and specialty crops for farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

Topics

About the Specialty Crops Program

The North Carolina Specialty Crops Program (SCP) was a statewide, multi-agency program dedicated to new crop development. The main headquarters was located at the R.P. Cunningham Research Station, just north of Kinston, North Carolina. The satellite headquarters was located at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center near Asheville, North Carolina. The SCP had the ability to study various crops on any one of the many research stations located throughout the state. Continue reading >>

Current Projects

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has worked with DEA and other agencies to develop a method for growers to acquire industrial hemp seed so that growers can participate in the industrial hemp pilot program.

Spurred on by the demands of a burgeoning craft brewing industry and a strong public interest in locally grown ingredients, farmers are experimenting with hops (Humulus lupulus) as an alternative income source. Over the past seven years, an increasing community of growers across North Carolina have established hop yards and sold their product to local craft breweries and home brewers.

This is a fairly new industry where North Carolina farmers are showing interest in establishing a bamboo plantation with plans to sell young bamboo shoots within a year or two and bamboo timber in five years or so.

This project is a three-year study to help truffle growers monitor their orchards.

Information about this multi-state project to develop this industry on the East Coast.

The 2018 Radish Variety Trial in western North Carolina.

This program connects farm seekers with landowners.

Completed Projects

Determine if the new heirloom-type hybrids have consumer acceptance as having the flavor of heirloom tomatoes and can be successfully grown in organic and conventional production systems.

Dr. Jeanine Davis received a four-year grant from the USDA National Research Initiative on small farms and rural communities to study farmland preservation techniques and new crop/new agricultural enterprises as a way to enhance small-farm prosperity. This was a cooperative project with Land of Sky Regional Council, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and Warren Wilson College.

The project created many useful tools, publications, videos, and an eBook for non-timber forest products producers, buyers, and consumers. This project was funded by federal stimulus funds in the form of a grant.

Luffa sponge products are readily available in the cosmetic and bath section of department stores, discount stores, pharmacies, and specialty shops. The popularity of luffa for personal hygiene products is due to the gentle exfoliating effect the fibers have on the skin. Many environmentally conscious consumers appreciate that luffa products are biodegradable, natural, and a renewable resource. In many other countries luffa is also used to make household cleaning products for scrubbing pots, pans, barbecue grills, tires, and many other surfaces that are not harmed by the abrasive fibers.

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) is a perennial temperate plant with small, white, daisy-like flowers from which natural insecticides, the pyrethrins, are derived. Traditionally, pyrethrum was produced in many African countries where hand-labor was used to plant, harvest, and dry the crop. Political upheaval, drought, and lack of an organized development and marketing structure resulted in unreliable pyrethrum supplies for US manufacturers.

From 2002-2004, the NC Specialty Crops Program received funding from the GoldenLeaf Foundation to support a large number of research projects and educational programs throughout North Carolina. Reports on many of these projects can be accessed from this interactive table.

Resources

Specific Topic Information

Our program is almost completely funded by grants and gifts. If you value this program, we would appreciate your financial support. To become a Friend of the NC Alternative Crops and Organics Program, you can donate on-line here or print out this form and mail it in with your check. Thank you for your support!

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