For Farmers

We help farmers fight diseases and pests, endure storms or droughts, and feed a growing population in spite of other global challenges.

$111.1B in Economic Impact

Agriculture is our state’s biggest industry, generating over $110 billion in annual economic impact.

#1 in the Nation

N.C. farmers and growers lead the U.S. in sweet potato, poultry/egg and tobacco production.

770,000+ Jobs

The agricultural industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across North Carolina.

Precision Sensors: An Innovative Future for Agriculture

NC State researchers are advancing sensor technology to help farmers face challenges like emerging plant diseases and climate change.

Avian Flu: How Scientists and Farmers Are Working to Adapt

Virus experts in NC State’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science keep a close eye on avian flu.

20 Years to Grow on: Future-proofing NC State’s Covington Sweetpotato

Two decades since its release, the Covington variety developed by NC State now accounts for 60% of all sweetpotatoes planted nationwide.

Growing Better Christmas Trees

North Carolina ranks No. 2 nationally in Christmas tree production. Now, thanks to more than four decades of research by geneticists in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, our state’s Christmas tree industry is poised to thrive for many future generations.

A gift that keeps on giving

NC Agricultural Analytics Platform Supports Data-Driven Farming

From improving crop yield and profitability to helping farmers identify best practices, the new platform is helping shape the future of agriculture.

Feeding Curiosity for Better Swine Nutrition

NC State doctoral student Alexa Gormley is part of a team working to improve intestinal health in newly weaned pigs.

Researchers Share Images to Accelerate AI Use in Agriculture

An open-source plant image repository developed at NC State could help close a gap in artificial intelligence for agriculture.

N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI)

The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative brings together the brightest minds in academia, government and industry to tackle complex agricultural challenges. We take an interdisciplinary team approach to increase crop yields, extend growing seasons, create new varieties, enhance economic and environmental sustainability, and produce field-ready technology for farmers.

N.C. PSI is headquartered in the heart of NC State’s Centennial Campus, at its state-of-the-art Plant Sciences Building. The five-story, 185,000-square-foot building features 11 rooftop greenhouse bays; a first floor focused on education and engagement with the public, including a demo lab, an interactive learning commons, and ample event space to serve the agricultural community of NC State and beyond; and spaces for prototyping, partnership development, and startup companies.

More research from the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative: