The Elma C. Lomax Research & Education Farm, located in Concord, NC and managed by CFSA in partnership with Cabarrus County since 2014, provides land access and research-based education to farmers, students, and community members to foster a food system that supports the local community and protects our natural resources for future generations.
what happens on the farm
Organic Agriculture Research
We support the ongoing success of small- to mid-sized organic and sustainable farms by conducting applied research to help farmers overcome obstacles that prevent them from meeting their operationsโ goals. Our current research projects are focused on organic seed production and high tunnel seasonal organic cucumber production, and past research projects have explored topics including costs and variety optimization for heirloom tomato and strawberry production, no-till equipment and method success at different scales, and the efficacy of organic, OMRI-approved pesticides in small-scale production.
Hands-On Education
We host hands-on service learning opportunities for college students, STEM activities for K-12 students, and training workshops for farmers and the general public.
Grow to Donate
We support our community by leveraging the farm, our knowledge, and volunteers to give back to those experiencing food insecurity.
Farmers-in-Training
We support individuals interested in starting a farm business by providing access to land, equipment, and technical assistance to help them launch and maintain successful farming operations.
Organic Research Reports
2025 Organic Programmatic Gap Analysis
Analysis prepared by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) with support from Clemson Cooperative Extension Service. The Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) has made significant advances in…Keep Reading
Research Survey Report: Evaluating Barriers to Organic Production in North & South Carolina
This document summarizes the result from a farmer survey conducted in North Carolina and South Carolina as part of the Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) funded by…Keep Reading
Research Report: Evaluation of Cucumber High Tunnel Trellising Systems
This research was funded by a Southern SARE Research and Education Grant Specialty Crop. This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,…Keep Reading
Research Report: Comparing No-Till Methods & Equipment for Different Scales
This fall, we completed the second year of CFSAโs organic no-till project determining production costs, yields, profitability, and scalability of growing no-till butternut squash after a cereal rye cover…Keep Reading
Volunteer at Lomax
Come out and join us! Our small-but-mighty farm team is always looking for a hand. We love having folks from all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience and ability on the farm, and we welcome group volunteer teams. We’ve hosted volunteer groups from organizations like Whole Foods Market, S&D Coffee, Hope Street Food Pantry, Cabarrus County Schools, Cooperative Ministry of Concord, and more over the years, and we’d love to welcome your team next.
Get your hands dirty planting crops or harvesting produce for local donation while we get to know you. We have lots of projects, big and small, that we can always have help with. Volunteers are most needed from late March through September.
Donate to Lomax
A donation to Lomax is an investment in the future of organic agriculture. Your gift supports STEM education programs for local students, mentorship and training for aspiring organic farmers, and innovative organic research that will inform organic growers in the Southeast for years to come.
Make a Donation TodayPage content last reviewed and updated 8/13/2026.
