NEW PROGRAM SEEKS ALTERNATIVE CROPS

North Carolina State University has launched an effort to identify and market high-value alternative crops that farmers who grow traditional crops such as tobacco, corn, soybeans and cotton may use to diversify their operations.

Begun in July and headquartered at the Cunningham Research Station in Kinston, the Specialty Crops Program is a collaborative effort of N.C.State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

The program is staffed by Dr. Barclay Poling, an N.C. State professor and North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service horticulture specialist; Bill Jester, Extension area specialized agent whose specialty is fruits and vegetables; and Don Thompson, a Department of Agriculture marketing expert. The program is to consist of three primary elements, Poling said. It will focus on identifying alternative crops, determining how best to grow those crops, and marketing the crops.

Researchers will identify new crops that may be grown in Eastern North Carolina as well as new varieties of crops already grown in the area. Information will then be developed on thebest production practices for these new crops or varieties. At the same time, markets for new crops are to be identified and developed.

Poling pointed out that it does a farmer little good to grow a crop if he or she has no buyer for those crops. The program will concentrate initially on fruits and vegetables, Poling said, although other crops, such as cut flowers, may eventually be included.

At first, the program will focus on developing local markets, on helping farmers sell what they grow in North Carolina. However, Kinston is within the state's Global Transpark Zone, so eventually it may be possible to market North Carolina crops well beyond North Carolina's borders.

A key element of the program came on line in early September when a new irrigation system was dedicated at the Cunningham Research Station. Funded with a $720,000 appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly, the system includes linear move irrigation, drip and micro sprinkler irrigation and solid set sprinkler irrigation. In addition, a well was drilled and existing ponds were deepened to provide sufficient water for irrigation. The system is designed to provide irrigation to all areas of the 240-acre station on which crops may be grown.

Poling said irrigation is essential if growers are to produce quality crops consistently, as buyers demand. Plans are being made for construction of a greenhouse at the research station so that researchers may experiment with greenhouse crops.