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

Jennifer Howard

NC State graduate student Balihar Kaur evaluates zoysiagrass varieties in a greenhouse.

Dec 6, 2024

Student Spotlight Interview: Balihar Kaur

Meet Balihar Kaur, a crop science PhD student advancing zoysiagrass breeding to improve seed yield and sustainability. Recently, she showcased her skills by winning the beginner track at the 2024 N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative Hackathon, where she applied AI to solve real-world agricultural challenges. 
A bronze wolf statue sits atop a rock

Dec 5, 2024

9 CALS Faculty Named 2024-25 Goodnight Early Career Innovators

Joe Gage named an NC State 2024-25 Goodnight Early Career Innovator for his work in crop genomics. 
NC State small grains breeder Nonoy Bandillo examines a wheat plant in a greenhouse.

Dec 2, 2024

Plant Breeder Sees New Rolls for Wheat

Nonoy Bandillo joined NC State University in 2024 as our new small grains breeder. He’s bringing a new energy and lab full of technology to bear on a host of possibilities for wheat and other small grains -- from animal fodder to auto fenders. 
NC State's Erin Rivers takes water samples at Utah Lake

Jul 15, 2024

Erin Rivers Joins CSSC as Water Quality Specialist

In North Carolina, water quality concerns come from nutrients and sediment from both agricultural and urban sources. Erin Rivers joins North Carolina State University’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences as an assistant professor and Extension water quality specialist to address both resource concerns. 
Brynna Bruxellas poses with other student poster winners at an AI in Agriculture conference.

Jun 14, 2024

Elevating AI for Tech-Driven Turfgrass

Every Crop and Soil Sciences student follows their own path. Brynna Bruxellas' started using GIS to find a path to no roads. 

Apr 24, 2024

Licensed to Drill: Educating the Professional Soil Scientist 

For anyone interested in becoming a licensed soil scientist, NC State's soil science certificate provides the complete academic coursework. 
NC State 2024 HortPack team competed in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition in Provo, Utah.

Apr 19, 2024

HortPack competes in the “Landscape Olympics”

Over spring break the HortPack, went to Provo, Utah to participate in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) and take part in a three-day contest of various events that range from construction cost estimating, irrigation troubleshooting, backhoe operation, and plant identification. 
NC State agroecology student Jaleel Hewitt harvest sweetpotatoes in the field.

Apr 8, 2024

Jaleel Hewitt: Growing Caribbean Dreams

Jaleel Hewitt is a senior majoring in agroecology with big plans for sustainable agriculture in the Caribbean starting with his family farm in Jamaica. 
NC State Day of Giving

Apr 1, 2024

Thank You AgPack!

Thanks to our amazing Wolfpack, the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences received over $4,700 in the 2024 Day of Giving. Thank you! 

Mar 18, 2024

Soil Science Ph.D. Student Janson Wins 2023 Women In Science Prize

Soil may be the most undervalued natural resource on Earth. But NC State soil science graduate student Julia Janson has elevated its visibility by winning one of The Story Exchange’s 2023 Women in Science Incentive Prizes for her research on saltwater-affected soils.