North Carolina A&T State University has recently purchased nearly 90 acres of land to expand the HBCU’s farm to the largest size in its 124-year history. Thanks to Title III education grant funding, three new land purchases worth over $4.2 million have expanded the NCA&T farm from its current 492 acres to nearly 581 acres.
First established in 1901, the NCA&T farm comprises seven animal units, two horticultural research areas, and more than 20 sponsored research projects. In addition to supporting teaching and research for faculty and students, the farm also provides community outreach efforts through the HBCU’s cooperative extension program.
Although the newly purchased land has been farmed in the past, agriculturists at NCA&T will need to restore the land for viable agricultural production. One possible use for the new acreage may be as pastureland for the HBCU’s beef cattle herd.
“We are thrilled to be able to add this land to our University Farm and continue to expand our land-grant mission of research, teaching, and outreach,” said Radiah C. Minor, interim dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. “North Carolina is one of the nation’s top agricultural states, and as the ‘A’ in A&T, our college looks forward to growing our animal and horticultural offerings to support this industry.”
