Helping growers manage production and natural resources for economic sustainability.

Welcome to the Neuse Crop Management Project

The Neuse River Basin is one of 17 major river basins in NC and is located in central and eastern NC. Due to increased nitrogen inputs and degrading water quality, regulations in 1998 called the "Neuse Rules" require a 30% reduction in nitrogen loading from both point source and non-point sources including agriculture by 2003. Agriculture is also facing other environmental challenges as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces the Food Quality Protection Act (FQIP) which re-evaluates the safety / risk of many pesticides over the next 10 years.

To address these concerns, Neuse Crop Management Project was initiated in 1999 to help farmers cope with environmental concerns related to farming. More specifically the project is a partnership among growers, industry, and NC State University to reduce unnecessary nitrogen and herbicide use and losses, thereby protecting water resources in the Neuse Basin. The project stresses the use of agronomic and economic principles to sustain agriculture in unprecedented challenging times.

The project's work is carried out at four demonstration farms that provide realistic examples of typical farms throughout the basin. At these farms, best management practices (BMPs) are implemented to assist growers in meeting the Neuse Agricultural Rule requirements. This effort helps to augment that of the Neuse Education Team which together are educating growers about the key BMPs: nutrient management, controlled drainage, and riparian buffers which reduce nitrogen losses to the river as it leaches from soil into shallow groundwater.

Financial support is provided for by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Pew Charitable Trusts and EPA. The Center for Agricultural Partnerships manages fiduciary resources for the latter two contributors.

"This project provides an opportunity for growers to provide leadership in implementing solutions to solve regional problems" - Charles Alexander, a Pamlico County grower

To learn more about the Neuse River Crop Management Project, follow the links on the left side of each page. Please click for the final Neuse Crop Management Project Final Report

Click on this map to see a full-scale map of the Neuse River Basin.