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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

May 2020

A farmer in his filed looking at his crops

May 26, 2020

‘Still Growing’ Connects Consumers with Local NC Farmers

Lee County Extension has teamed up with two CALS students to better connect farmers with consumers to provide them with fresh, local food. 
Small pots of plants on a greenhouse table

May 22, 2020

Preserving Plant Progress

Wayne Holder and his team have wisely and effectively followed safety best practices to ensure the health and safety of the team and the plants. We are thankful for Wayne and the entire Method Road staff for their often behind-the-scenes work to make our breeding programs possible. 
Woman kneeling in strawberry patch

May 18, 2020

Grower Spotlight: Pace Family Farms

Michelle Pace Davis is a sixth generation Johnston County farmer who has learned the importance of farm adaptability, ag education and customer connections. Part of her farm’s mission is to invite and to educate - including students from her alma mater. 
Owen Wagner (far left) and other foundational supporters for the Plant Sciences Initiative during the Plant Sciences Building groundbreaking on September 6, 2019.

May 13, 2020

Partner Profile: North Carolina Soybean Producers Association

The North Carolina Soybean Producers Association was one of the first commodity groups to pledge their support for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). Owen Wanger, CEO of the association, shares why it supports the N.C. PSI. 

May 9, 2020

The Celebration Begins (Virtually)

To commemorate our graduates’ achievement, and to spite the long, strange year, we released a Celebration of Success website to capture and uplift this poignant moment.  Finishing undergrads and graduate students each have their own page on the site to stand proud, herald their accomplishments, and even deliver their own recorded message. 
Graduate Maggie Jarrett tosses her cap toward the camera

May 8, 2020

The Class of 2020 Writes Their Own Story

We asked the class of 2020 to share their stories. Explore all the extraordinary things they thought and did here, in their words. 
A corn field in North Carolina

May 7, 2020

Faculty Focus: Holland Wins International Maize Genetics Award

Jim Holland, a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service plant breeder and geneticist based in NC State’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, received an international maize genetics award for his decades of research on corn diversity and breeding in disease resistance. 
Researchers standing in a group with award trophy

May 6, 2020

Rich McLaughlin Awarded for Environmental Excellence

Rich McLaughlin recently received the Environmental Excellence Award that is IECA’s most prestigious award. This award recognizes an outstanding stormwater and erosion and/or sediment control or stormwater management project, program, or operation that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection. 
tractor pulls a planter across an empty field

May 4, 2020

#StillFarming and #StillStudying

For many of our students, returning home for online classes meant returning to work. Daniel McDonald's family operates McDonald Brothers Farm in Red Springs, NC. Online classes have to fit into farm work.