Tom Dyson

Tom Dyson is an Area Specialized Agent in Agromedicine at NC State University's Cooperative Extension Service, serving Gaston County Center and 100 additional counties including Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Based at 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Hwy, Dallas, NC 28034, he focuses on agricultural health and safety across diverse domains.

• Contact: tom_dyson@ncsu.edu | (828) 465-8240 | (704) 740-2006
• Service Area: 100 NC counties including Alamance, Buncombe, Mecklenburg, and Wake

Research Interests:

• Agricultural Safety (chainsaw protocols, pesticide handling, disaster response)
• Invasive Species Management (spotted lanternflies, fire ants)
• Plant Health & Diagnostics (late blight, azalea deficiencies)
• Community Agriculture Initiatives (public gardens, workshops)

Recent Publication Trends: 15+ articles spanning 2017-2023 address practical agricultural safety measures, invasive pest control, plant disease diagnostics, and community horticulture programs. Topics range from chainsaw safety to spotted lanternfly mitigation, with emphasis on actionable field solutions.

Community Engagement: Coordinates multiple agricultural outreach programs including:

• 4-H Youth Development (Real Money, Embryology, School Gardening)
• Volunteer Networks (Master Gardener℠, Master Food Volunteers)
• Environmental Stewardship (Fire Ant Bait Spreader Program, Farmland Protection Plan)