Open Enrollment: UAVs to Frost-Seed Forages and Cover Crops in Western North Carolina

Dec 27, 2024

By Miguel Castillo

Following the impact of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, numerous agricultural resources—including livestock handling facilities, row crop fields, tree-planted areas, pastures, hay storage infrastructure, and beekeeping operations—suffered severe damage or complete destruction. Bottomlands became alluvial soils while uplands suffered erosion. In response, we worked together to lead an integrated extension-research project to: a) demonstrate and evaluate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for frost-seeding and timely seeding of forages and cover crops, b) evaluate the effects of bale grazing on frost-seeding, and c) provide training on the use of electric fence and bale grazing. This approach will target cropland, tree-planted areas, and pastures, with the dual objectives of providing forage for grazing livestock and floral resources in the landscape while stabilizing soils in the affected region. We anticipate operating several UAV units for over a 15- to 20-day period. This schedule is projected to support frost-seeding efforts across several hundred acres during February and March 2025 while providing training opportunities for extension agents, producers, and land and livestock managers across the region.

Today, we released the website for the Rapid Response project to help with recovery efforts in western North Carolina. This USDA-funded project aims to use UAVs to frost-seed forages and cover crops in affected areas during February-March 2025. See the following link for a short explanatory video about the project.

We will host two field days, on January 30 and February 4, 2025. Details are also provided.

We hope to see Extension Agents at the Annual State Extension Conference for an update (Registration link)

Please help us distribute this information with your stakeholders. ENROLLMENT is OPEN and the Enrollment link is provided in the website as well.

Let’s finish 2024 and start 2025 strong…!!!

Source : ncsu.edu

Video: Early Fall Colors | Scenic Ontario Road Trip!

All adventures must come to an end, but not without one more journey! Join The Wandering Shepherds as we say farewell to our cozy Calabogie cottage and take the scenic road trip home to Ewetopia Farms. Our first stop was a breathtaking hydroelectric generating station, framed by cliffs, rushing water, and brilliant fall leaves that seemed to have changed overnight. From there, we meandered along winding backroads through lakes and hills, soaking in the spectacular autumn scenery. This year, the colors seemed to arrive earlier than usual—perhaps due to the summer’s drought? Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable display of Ontario’s fall beauty. Finally, our holiday drew to a close as we pulled back into Ewetopia Farms, ready to return to the sheep and our daily vlogs. But this trip reminded us how important it is to pause, explore, and appreciate the simple beauty around us.