N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative

Mar 10, 2026

Plant Sciences Outreach Day Broadens Horizons for High School Students

North Carolina high school students gathered at NC State University in February to gain hands-on experience with plant sciences and get inspired for their futures.

In a greenhouse, a scientist stands next to a cornstalk, holding one ear.

Feb 2, 2026

Seed2Grow Spotlight: Elysia Creative Biology’s Eli Hornstein

Branching beyond a focus on methane emission reductions, CALS alumnus Eli Hornstein is developing a range of feed-based solutions for animal agriculture.

students in the field watching a robotti prototype

Jan 22, 2026

Meet the Superhero Farm Robots in Training

NC State students and researchers are creating robotic field hands that could help grow and harvest your next salad.

Jan 6, 2026

NC State’s REFRAME Project Will Harness AI To Identify Business Opportunities in Crop Leftovers

NC State is leading efforts to develop an AI-enabled platform that can help farmers, processing plants and others identify new business opportunities in the bioeconomy.

solar powered cameras in a soybean field

Dec 15, 2025

NC Agricultural Analytics Platform Supports Data-Driven Farming

From helping improve crop yield and profitability to supporting farmers with best management practices, the N.C. Agricultural Analytics Platform is shaping the future of agriculture.

Student in a corn field holding two corn cobs.

Oct 10, 2025

Unlocking Heirloom Corn’s Untapped Potential

To protect the future of America’s biggest crop, NC State researchers are cataloging traits in almost a thousand types of corn that were nearly lost to history.

peanut seedling against a white background

Oct 9, 2025

Researchers Share Images to Accelerate AI Use in Agriculture

An open-source plant image repository developed at NC State University could help close a gap in artificial intelligence for agriculture.

a man sits at a desk looking at a computer screen

Sep 12, 2025

From Computer Science to Crop Science

At 70 years old, Steve Amerige is working toward a doctoral degree in crop science using skills from his long career in software programming to develop new tools for precision agriculture.

Two people holding trays of seedlings in a lighted indoor space

Aug 13, 2025

Seed2Grow Spotlight: Rooted-in-tech’s Ricardo Hernandez

Building on a decade of research into creating conditions ideal for plant growth, an NC State horticultural scientist has launched an ag tech startup to deliver high-quality seedlings tailored to farmers’ and gardeners’ needs.

people standing outside testing new agriculture tools on beds

Jun 9, 2025

New Digital Tools Refine Cover Crop Selection

Members of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative’s Extension Agent Network help connect farmers with new agricultural technologies, such as the Cover Crop Selector, ensuring the emerging tools are field-ready.