The goal of the event, sponsored by a coalition of more than 70 agricultural organizations and agencies, was to raise awareness about the important role that agriculture plays in conserving and protecting natural resources. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman helped launch the celebration.

“Earth Day is 30 years old. But for our farmers and ranchers, every day is Earth Day,” Glickman said. “No one knows the land better than they do. For generation after generation, they have been our most conscientious land stewards.”

The exhibit, developed by members of Extension’s Neuse Education Team, highlights the team’s agricultural water-quality projects in the Neuse River Basin. More than 2,000 square miles of the basin are used for agricultural purposes.

Furthermore, the exhibit emphasizes the team’s basinwide approach in dealing with the intersection of agricultural and environmental issues, according to Mitch Woodward, Wake County environmental agent and coordinator of the team.

“This exhibit showcased the team’s multidisciplinary approach in working with the Neuse River Basin’s agricultural community,” he said, referring to the fact that the team core consists of not only area agents, but specialists from the College’s Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Communication Services, Soil Science and Agricultural and Resource Economics departments.

“Also, many states talk about pursuing innovative programming with water-quality education efforts, but this team is actually doing it. The fact that we take a basinwide approach in our delivery of research-based solutions is still a new way of looking at water-quality education.”

For example, agricultural innovations such as controlled drainage, the agronomic use of animal manure as fertilizer and the use of buffers can be seen on farms throughout the Neuse River Basin. The team works with farmers from Franklin County all the way down to Pamlico County where the Neuse empties into Pamlico Sound.

“Many of our projects involve agriculture in one form or another,” says Woodward. “We promote the use of nitrogen-reducing practices throughout the basin through a variety of best management practices. With nutrient management for example, we are planning a new initiative to provide farmers, fertilizer dealers and crop consultants with in-depth nutrient management training.”

The Neuse Education Team came to fruition as part of a 1996 legislative funding package that focused on improving water quality in the Neuse River Basin. According to Dr. Jon Ort, director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, the invitation to participate in this year’s Ag-Earth Day serves as yet another validation for the team’s unique way of doing business.

“I am grateful for the Legislature’s foresight in funding this program,” says Ort. “This team represents Extension at its finest. I am proud of both the positive impact their program has had on North Carolinians and the fact that the United States Department of Agriculture views North Carolina Extension as a national leader in water-quality education with our farmers.”