The center for Environmental
Farming Systems includes a 300 person conference / education center, an
organic farming research center and a no-till farming research center. The
project is located adjacent to the Neuse River in Goldsboro, NC. The buildings
total approximately 30,000 square feet and include agriculture research
laboratories, education/classroom space, offices, computer labs, conference
rooms and education display areas. The conference center is supported by
kitchen facilities, exterior display spaces, and computer projection capabilities.
The center for Environmental Farming Systems is owned by the NC Department
of Agriculture, the programs are managed and staffed by NC State University.
The center has been designed as a sustainable resource, utilizing materials
and methods of construction which are renewable and that have a very low
impact on the environment. This "green agriculture" concept will
achieve an Energy Star rating from the Environmental Protection Agency.
It will serve as a defining example of "good" sustainable design.
