Dean Garey Fox hit the road this summer not for vacation at the beach or the mountains, but rather to tour several of the 18 research stations NC State operates in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). 

Research Stations are where scientists and students test research in real-world scenarios under natural conditions. From disease-resistant cultivars to sustainable livestock production methods, the North Carolina state research station network is a critical proving ground for innovative solutions for agriculture. NC State and NCDA&CS have made investments to create the technology infrastructure researchers need to complete cutting-edge research with the connectivity and collaboration they require.

“The technology and the innovation that we’re incorporating into these stations — the sensors, the digital fiber optics, the drone technology, the robotic technology — it’s not only going to help us at NC State, but it’s going to push the envelope for everybody in the agricultural industry, our partners at NCDA, other government organizations, and our industry partners,” Fox says. “We’re looking for those partners to engage with us and to help us invest in these research stations moving forward.”

This post was originally published in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News.