Formed in 1928, the North Carolina State Grange advocates for agriculture and the needs of rural citizens in North Carolina, including health care, transportation and education. With a strong belief that community service is vital, the organization runs a youth leadership program that encourages participants to grow and challenge themselves through camps and scholarships. With a specific goal of supporting agriculture and developing active citizens in rural communities, North Carolina State Grange became an early partner of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI).
“North Carolina State Grange funded N.C. PSI because of our avid support for agriculture and the land grant universities in our state,” Jimmy Gentry, president of the organization. “We believe that this new initiative will take NC State to new heights, providing world class research that will benefit all of us in the years ahead.”
Gentry is especially concerned about urbanization and how it has encroached on and reduced farmland in some more populous areas of the state.
“New innovations that allow us to increase production on less acres of land will be vital toward feeding a growing population,” said Gentry. “This partnership will lead to research that will greatly improve farming methods and food production.”
Overall, he is optimistic that N.C. PSI will be positive for agriculture in North Carolina and the world.
“NC State is a world-class institution and N.C. PSI will help them attract the best and brightest researchers to do this work that will have far-reaching effects,” said Gentry. “Everyone benefits from increased ag production, from the food they receive to what they pay for it.”
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Giving Form
What we Think and Do improves the world through plant science innovation. Please consider supporting our work with your financial support.
Dinah Schuster
Senior Director of Development, Plant Sciences Initiative
P: 919.513.8294
daschust@ncsu.edu
