N.C. PSI
Generational Generosity Supports Agribusiness Breakthroughs
Growing up in Rocky Mount, Bill Culpepper planned to go back home after graduation, but the Vietnam War and his introduction to agribusiness changed his plans and his life. Now, he and his family -- three generations Wolfpack strong -- are making a significant gift to the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative to support future agribusiness breakthroughs.
Big Data for Better Sweetpotatoes
An interdisciplinary team led by Cranos Williams is setting out on a three-year project to use artificial intelligence to make sweetpotatoes even more profitable. The team will image hundreds of thousands of sweetpotatoes to increase the percentage of sweetpotatoes grown that are USDA grade 1.
Partner Profile: North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
The North Carolina Soybean Producers Association was one of the first commodity groups to pledge their support for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). Owen Wanger, CEO of the association, shares why it supports the N.C. PSI.
Plant Aid: A GRIP4PSI Big-Data Project to Detect Plant Diseases Faster
An interdisciplinary team led by professor Jean Ristaino will combine small sensors with big data for faster detection of the diseases plaguing tomato fields. From a hand-held plant disease ‘sniffer’ to a cloud-based database that can alert farmers about the cause of the stress and suggest possible mitigation strategies, the project aims to detect diseases early, improving yield.
Fertilizer of the Future
An interdisciplinary team led by Katharina Stapelmann is setting out on an ambitious three-year project to completely rethink how nitrogen-based fertilizers are produced and used. From on-farm fertilizer production to on-demand, precision irrigation, their project aims to cut energy use, protect the water supply and increase yields.
Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Support N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative
In honor of NC State’s past support and continued partnership, the North Carolina Greenhouse Vegetable Growers’ Association has donated $7,000 to the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative.
N.C. PSI, SAS to Harness the Power of Data
SAS will build off of its longstanding partnership with NC State and embed full-time data scientists within the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative to collaborate on various research efforts ensure a safe and sustainable food supply.