Key Program Components

The program area represents interactions between diverse ecosystems (agriculture, forestry, coastal zone), issues (productivity, profitability, resource conservation, environmental quality) and clientele (producers, urban/suburban public, recreation, consumers, etc.). The primary research focus will be on soil and water quality and management, nutrient and waste management, and air quality. The following list identifies research programs currently being conducted and/or planned for the next five years.

Ø Soil and water quality and management:

These broadly defined projects will result in development of natural resource and environmental management technologies that satisfy the performance goals and meet the technological needs of the target audiences. New technologies in soil, water, nutrient, and waste management will protect surface and ground water resources from contaminants related to input use in agriculture and forest production. Soil, water and air quality monitoring projects will assess impacts of current and emerging technologies on reducing contaminant loading in the environment. These monitoring projects exist in traditional cropping systems and well an in managed turf systems, forestry, and coastal zone ecosystems. These data will quantitatively document the impacts of selected technologies and best management practices on soil, water, and air quality. Cooperation technology transfer projects with North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension faculty will document the extent of adoption of best management practices by producers, dealers, consultants and other agricultural and environmental professionals.

Internal and External Linkages

The faculty in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences conduct interdisciplinary research in each program area (see "Allocated Resources"). Faculty conduct cooperative research with scientists in most departments in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences:

In addition, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty cooperate with faculty in the:

Many scientists and other professionals in industry and with state and federal agencies provide essential cooperation with North Carolina State University scientists. They include:

Natural resource and environmental protection benefits all citizens of North Carolina. The direct users of research and technology development are the producers, dealers, consultants, and other agricultural and environmental professionals. Personnel in state and federal regulatory agencies and legislators also are important target audiences. The public demands high-quality water and air resources, thus agricultural and forestry production practices must protect environmental quality. The public trusts our ability to protect the environment and to provide quality food and fiber. Therefore, we should continually communicate our progress toward these goals.

Program Duration

Long-term, 5 years

Allocated Resources

Interdisciplinary soil, water, and air quality conservation and management research programs involve faculty from four colleges (Agriculture and Life Sciences; Engineering; Forest Resources; and Physical and Mathematical Sciences). In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, nearly 60 faculty in 14 departments are involved in nearly 150 projects in 11 categories including:

EXPENDITURES

Source               Amount
CSREES Funds         $1,156,241
USDA-CGCA Funds      $131,693
Other Federal Funds  $1,093,094
State Appropriation  $5,908,681
Non-Federal Funds    $2,194,942
Total                $10,484,651

PERSONNEL COMMITMENT

Scientist Years      24.58
Professional Years   29.83
Technician Years     53.36
Clerical Years       15.62
Total                123.39