NRCS Field Day at Wild East Farm

NCCOP

Tour a working diversified farm, learn NRCS funding opportunities, and get hands-on help with your application and planning. Free event!

370 Wilkerson Way

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Join us for a full-day field day at Wild East Farm, an innovative diversified farm and agroforestry operation in McDowell County, NC. This event is designed for farmers and agricultural professionals actively exploring NRCS conservation practices and cost-share opportunities.Wild East Farm is a working 45-acre farm with 5 full-time farmers producing pastured meats and annual vegetables, with 12+ acres of early-establishment tree crops. As an EQIP grant recipient with a good working relationship with their local NRCS office, the farm offers a real-world look at how NRCS-funded practices are implemented across multiple systems.What to Expect:The day kicks off with a presentation by Wild East Farm's own Noah and Lyric East, who will share how they have built NRCS-funded conservation practices into a holistic, integrated farm system. From there, we'll head out for a walking tour of the farm where you can see those practices on the ground firsthand.After lunch, Jaimie McGirt of the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) will walk through NRCS programs and the application process in depth. The afternoon wraps up with hands-on breakout sessions where small groups will work through the application process together, with NRCS staff and technical service providers circulating to answer questions and provide personalized guidance.See NRCS Practices in Action:The farm tour will highlight how Wild East has put NRCS EQIP funding to work through three implemented practices: a High Tunnel (Practice 325) supporting season-extended vegetable production, Brush Management (Practice 314) applied to forest pig paddocks and agroforestry systems, and Pasture and Hay Planting (Practice 512) as part of their silvopasture operation.This event is ideal for:<ul><li>Farmers interested in applying for NRCS/EQIP funding</li><li>Producers who want to understand the application process before committing</li><li>Agricultural professionals working with conservation practices or wanting to learn more about NRCS</li><li>Anyone exploring agroforestry as a viable farm enterprise</li></ul>Local lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost.Accessibility Note:This event takes place outside at a working farm, with some portions taking place under a covered barn. Chairs will be provided for seated portions. The tour will include walking on unpaved ground through pastures. The tour and bathroom facilities are not wheelchair accessible. This event is hosted by the NC Conservation Outreach Project (NCCOP), a USDA NRCS Cooperative Agreement NR243A750003C105, in partnership with the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI).

Agenda

Arrive, grab refreshments, and connect with fellow farmers and agricultural professionals before the day gets started.

Morning Welcome 

Noah and Lyric East of Wild East Farm share how they have integrated NRCS-funded conservation practices into a thriving, diversified farm and agroforestry operation — and what they've learned along the way.

Farm Story: NRCS Practices in a Holistic System

See it on the ground. Walk the farm and observe NRCS practices in action, including a High Tunnel (325), Brush Management (314), and Pasture and Hay Planting (512) across silvopasture, forest pig paddocks, riparian buffers, and annual gardens.

 Farm Walking Tour

Enjoy a delicious lunch provided by local caterers and engage in informal conversation with farmers, NRCS staff, and technical service providers. 

 Local Lunch

Jaimie McGirt of RAFI walks through available NRCS programs, cost-share opportunities, and what to expect when navigating the application process.

NRCS Programs and the Application Process

Work through the application process in small groups with direct support from NRCS staff and technical service providers who can answer your specific questions.

 Hands-On Application Breakouts

Wrap up with a group debrief, closing remarks, and additional resources to take home.

Debrief and Closing

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NRCS Field Day at Wild East Farm

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