February 2021

Feb 16, 2021

Brandon Batten: Putting Advanced Farm Tech to Work

Brandon Batten uses modern ag tech daily on his Four Oaks farm, and he’s looking ahead to advancements that’ll make his operation increasingly efficient. 

Feb 11, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Tomato Growers Association

For 50 years, the North Carolina Tomato Growers Association has promoted and developed the tomato industry and general agricultural interests by funding research for breeding, growing and disease control. The association was an early financial supporter of the N.C. PSI with the goal of making North Carolina the global hub in plant sciences research. 

Feb 11, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Strawberry Association

North Carolina is one of the country’s top producers of strawberries. The continued success of strawberry farms is the vested interest of the North Carolina Strawberry Association, a group of N.C.-based strawberry growers that invests between $20,000 and $50,000 in research each year to improve strawberry production, and one of the first investors in the N.C. PSI. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: Blackland Farm Managers Association

The Blackland region in North Carolina's lower coastal plains is home to some of the richest farmland in the country. The Blackland Farm Managers Association invested in the N.C. PSI for research that supports farm management including pest and weed control, soil nutrition and environmental issues to help maximize the highly organic soil. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Poultry Federation

Poultry is big business in North Carolina. The industry employs more than 145,000 people and produces 800 million broilers, 36 million turkeys and 3 billion eggs that bring in $3.9 billion a year. Nutritious feed is arguably one of the most important factors in poultry production and a key factor in the North Carolina Poultry Federation's support of the N.C. PSI. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Blueberry Council

North Carolina ranks 6th in the nation for blueberry production. Promoting efficiency in all aspects of blueberry production, marketing and consumer awareness, as well as research to develop new and improved cultivars and improve practices for disease control is the mission of the North Carolina Blueberry Council. It's also why the council supports the N.C. PSI. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association

Grazing cattle can contribute to the health of the soil ecosystem by self-harvesting forages while reinvigorating soil nutrients with natural fertilizer. The North Carolina Cattlemen's Association has invested in the N.C. PSI to increase awareness, research and education that can help farmers learn how to use forages and grazing cattle to improve their soil health 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Inc.

The U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, Inc. helps ensure flue-cured tobacco farmers and producers continue to succeed. The cooperative’s commitment to its members includes a dedication to industry innovation, which inspired them to support the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: Tobacco Growers Association of NC

Tobacco was one of the first crops traded and sold internationally by American colonists and remains a top cash crop for North Carolina farmers. The Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina was an early investor in the N.C. PSI to help accelerate discovery and applied solutions to give their members a competitive edge in the global marketplace. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina State Grange

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 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).