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2020

Bill Collins in action

Sep 23, 2020

Collins Continues Support for Agricultural Innovation

Bill Collins and Ann Collins named a study room in the new Plant Sciences Building. Learn why they feel supporting the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative is vital for the future of North Carolina. 

A small white box on PVC pipe poles over plots of soybeans in sandy soil.

Sep 9, 2020

Faculty Focus: Nelson to Help USDA Guide Agricultural Innovation

Natalie Nelson, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering was selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to serve as one of the 11 subject matter experts for the USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda. 

A wooden crate being hoisted by a crane into a building with a blue sky.

Sep 2, 2020

Syngenta Donates One-of-a-Kind Laboratory Equipment to N.C. PSI

Syngenta donated four plant growth chambers and a specialized weighing system to the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative. At more than $1.5 million, this is the largest corporate donation to N.C. PSI, so far. 

A small, red fly on a blueberry, against a black background.

Aug 31, 2020

A New IDEA: Pairing Trainees with Computational Experts During the Pandemic

This spring in the midst of a pandemic, a committee of CALS faculty members matched graduate students and postdocs with data they needed to analyze or model computationally to computational experts with the necessary expertise. Learn more about how the collaboration is going for three trainees. 

Foreground: grassland with native flowers. Background: three metal and tarp structures with dark clouds overhead.

Aug 28, 2020

New Grants Support Microbiome and Resiliency Studies

Christine Hawkes and Kevin Garcia recently received separate federal grants to study plant and soil microbiomes to understand how the soil captures carbon and how symbiotic root fungi help legumes get potassium. This research will improve the resiliency of agriculture. 

aerial view of a combine harvester in a field

Aug 26, 2020

Climate Change, Crop Yields and Risk Management for Farmers

Helping farmers adjust to how climate change is affecting crop yield. 

Grain silos rise up behind soybean fields on a farm in Pasquotank County.

Aug 24, 2020

For the Next Agricultural Revolution, Look to the Microbiome

A national task force led by scientists with NC State ties says the plant microbiome could be key to unlocking the agricultural revolution needed to feed a fast-growing world population. 

sun setting over a field

Aug 19, 2020

What a Changing Climate May Mean For Crop Pests

Insects are ideal indicators of how climate change is affecting agriculture. 

a glass of beer

Aug 18, 2020

Climate Change Will Make Beer Taste Different (Yes, Really)

Beer is changing. Because climate is changing the chemistry of hops and grain. 

Aug 5, 2020

Agriculture Loses Longtime Advocate Dan Weathington

NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is remembering friend Dan Weathington, a supporter and advocate for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative. Weathington recently passed away.