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

Jennifer Howard

Aerial view of a NC coastal farm impacted by saltwater intrusion

May 8, 2023

Climate Change Brings the Tide to Farmers’ Doorsteps

Climate change is causing sea level rise and increased flooding, threatening North Carolina’s most fertile agricultural land with saltwater intrusion. NC State researchers are testing soils and developing field kits to help farmers quickly adapt to changing conditions. 
Graduate student Matthew Starr walks in a cotton field

May 1, 2023

Agriculture’s Promised Land?

As major companies pledge support for regenerative agriculture, researchers and growers question what role it can play in North Carolina agriculture’s future. 
NC State HortPack Team spirit

Apr 24, 2023

HortPack Competes at the 2023 National Landscape Competition

For the first time in four years, the HortPack student competition team traveled to participate in the 2023 National Collegiate Landscape Competition. 
PBS NC State of Change: Natural Solutions title slide

Apr 17, 2023

Earth Day Special Highlights Soil-Based Solutions

In an Earth Day broadcast special, PBS North Carolina examines natural solutions research on carbon removal and capture by two soil science faculty. 
Patrick Brown and David Suchoff talk at the 2023 Organic Commodities Conference in Raleigh.

Mar 22, 2023

Fortifying Organic Growers With Agricultural Research

In March, North Carolina State University and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) co-hosted their twelfth annual Organic Livestock and Commodities Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. 
sesame plant in bloom

Mar 22, 2023

Open Sesame Seeds

For a farmer interested in trying a new crop, a trial run is anything but free. If a crop fails, there’s a real financial consequence. In this Food, Farms & You podcast, alternative crops Extension specialist David Suchoff talks about opportunities in sesame. 
SunShow variety plots from the SunGrains breeding collective

Mar 6, 2023

SunGrains Collective Sets The Model For Collaborative Plant Breeding

Small grains breeder Paul Murphy is a founding member of a multi-university breeding program that has become the model for larger producing regions and even other crops.  

Feb 27, 2023

7 Signs an Agronomy College Major Is Ripe For You

Are you are a problem-solver who likes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and getting hands-on with real-world challenges? Agronomy could be your calling.  
NC State soil scientist Matt Ricker leans on a soil auger at the Maya El-Peru Waka city site.

Feb 15, 2023

Early Water Engineers: Soils Reveal Maya Expertise in Water Management

Soil scientist Matt Ricker spent 96 days in the jungle with meager hand tools to bring back data that refine existing knowledge of early Maya water management at the El-Peru Waka site. 
Hands working with cement in the dirt.

Dec 13, 2022

Building Our Community

2022 has been a year of expansion for our department. The growing demand for agricultural and environmental solutions is catapulting us forward. We’ve added 68 new hires this year, including four new faculty in key areas of emerging need.