For the past several months, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative has been developing a three-year strategic plan with the help of agricultural leaders, industry experts, NC State personnel and many other key stakeholders. The plan lays the groundwork for positioning the N.C. PSI as a global hub for advanced plant sciences research.

With the NC State University Plant Sciences Building having recently opened in April 2022, N.C. PSI leadership team determined that a short-term strategic plan would be necessary to tackle the immediate needs and visions of the initiative in its early days. The plan’s three focus areas are Scientific Impact, Engagement and Communication, and Operations and Governance and included extensive and intentional involvement with various stakeholder groups, research disciplines, and NC State units, departments, and colleges.

The plan also includes sub-plans for each of the five platforms: Plant Improvement, Resilient Agricultural Systems, Data-Driven Plant Sciences, Education and Workforce Development, and Extension Outreach and Engagement. These sub-plans aim to execute the vision of their platforms to break down academic barriers and support interdisciplinary research teams.

The N.C. PSI three-year strategic plan will serve as a guide and allow for flexibility as N.C. PSI gains momentum. For more information about N.C. PSI, contact Celeste D. Brogdon, director of strategic engagement, at 919-247-6632 or cdbrogdo@ncsu.edu.