Reprinted with permission from the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer

A community farm group, named Land Owners Talking, or LOT has started a small community farm in the Olive Grove Community on Eaton’s Ferry Road. The farm will provide healthy and economical vegetables to local citizens. But, with every farm there is a threat of pests.

These uninvited guests are deer. Deer have a voracious appetite for almost any type of plants. They are difficult to keep out because of their ability to jump to great heights.

The group sought advice from the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Department. Dr. Jimo Ibrahim, the Extension Specialist for Farm Safety, Energy and Environment and Dr. Keith Baldwin, Program Director were very helpful.
Dr. Ibrahim has tried to find ways to reduce wildlife destruction since 2009. He recently began testing an innovative solar fence at the university farms.

Based on a 2009 report of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, wildlife destruction cost farmers about $4 million. Ninety-five percent of this destruction was caused by deer. In response to this problem, Dr. Ibrahim says, “Everybody needs deer control. We are trying to find a way to educate farmers on deer fencing.”
The method that Ibrahim and Baldwin invented is less expensive than a conventional electric fence in that it uses solar power. A solar cell collects energy from the sun and it is stored for later use. This is the first fence of its kind in the area. Only three counties were chosen for this pilot program, the Integrated Pest Management Program. Ibrahim was given a grant sponsored by the USDA to develop a prototype in Greene, Cumberland and Warren Counties. So far, it has been very successful.

LOT was founded by the late Brown Jefferson Hawkins, an avid local farmer. This group of land owners seek ways to use their land for profit. The members of LOT named the farm in his honor. The farm sits on a half acre in Warren County. Currently, volunteers have planted a variety of vegetables.
The idea is to recruit volunteers to plant and cultivate the farm. In turn, those volunteers would qualify to reap the rewards of their labor. To volunteer, call Mr. Hawkins at (252) 586-5601. Plans are already underway to increase the types of produce and to incorporate better irrigation and weed control during the 2011 growing season.

For more information on solar fencing, you may reach Dr. Jimo Ibrahim at the Cooperative Extension Department at North Carolina A&T State University at (336) 334-7956