The N.C. PSI Hackathon is an annual event that gives undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars the chance to demonstrate their skills in a 3-day competition to solve ag tech related challenges for prizes and, of course, bragging rights.

With the goal to accelerate agricultural research using data analytics, machine learning, and hardware fabrication, our annual Hackathons have multiple tracks and are inclusive to participants with various levels of experience.

Impactful ideation. Authentic collaboration. Innovative solutions. That’s the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) Hackathon experience.

2025 N.C. PSI Hackathon

The 2025 N.C. PSI Hackathon offered different tracks for participants with various levels of experience to collaboratively create a unique solution from scratch. Learn about the 2025 tracks below!

Track 1: Ready Player PSI (Beginner Level)

Participants learned about how video game engines can help train AI for real world problems. No prior programming experience required.

Track 2: Crop-Bot Arena (Intermediate Level)

Hackers built and modified a simple robot to navigate an obstacle course and collect small crops. They tested their engineering skills, outmaneuvered the competition, and claimed victory in this high-energy, hands-on track.

Track 3: Grow Thy Crop (Advanced Level)

Participants hacked climate data to identify the top five crops best suited for North Carolina. They developed AI/ML models to analyze crop yields using historical and current climate data, while also identifying major crop failure events in history. Bonus points for integrating advanced soil metrics to refine predictive accuracy.

View and download photos from the 2025 Hackathon here!

For questions about the N.C. PSI Hackathon, contact our Events Manager Janelle Schwartz.

N.C. PSI Hackathon Supporters

Supporting the N.C. PSI Hackathon is a unique networking and recruitment tool for industry companies and a great opportunity to promote your organization! Thank you to the 2025 N.C. PSI Hackathon Supporters!

N.C. PSI Hackathon in the News

Creating Cutting-Edge Ag Tech

NC State students and postdocs tackle artificial intelligence challenges in agriculture in the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative’s fast-paced Hackathon competition.

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Third Annual N.C. PSI Hackathon Brings in Record Numbers

The third annual N.C. PSI Hackathon brought in a record 74 student and postdoc participants to compete across three days and three tracks for prizes and bragging rights.

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Hacking plants? N.C. State Plant Science Initiative to host hackathon as it works to create more agtech entrepreneurs

THE BUSINESS JOURNALS
October 4, 2022

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Plant Breeding AI Gets Schooled in New Student Competition

CALS News, NC State
October 25, 2021

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