North Carolina A&T Expands Its Agricultural Footprint with New Land Acquisition
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has significantly expanded its agricultural resources by acquiring nearly 90 acres of additional farmland recently.
The university secured these three parcels for slightly over $4 million, funded by a Title III education grant, as revealed in a press statement. This acquisition increases the university’s total farmland to 581 acres, further enhancing its agricultural capabilities.
Established in 1901, the University Farm is a cornerstone of the institution’s agricultural program, featuring seven animal units and areas dedicated to horticultural research. The latest land addition underscores the university’s commitment to its land-grant mission focusing on research, teaching, and outreach.
Radiah C. Minor, interim dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “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. 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.”
While officials are considering various options for utilizing the newly acquired parcels, including establishing pastureland for a beef cattle herd, they note that it will take some time to prepare the land for agricultural production.
