February 2021

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Peanut Growers Association

North Carolina farmers produce approximately 441 million pounds of peanuts per year on more than 100,000 acres of land. Ensuring peanuts continue as big business for the state is the goal of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association and why they were early founders of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initative. 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: Corn Growers Association of North Carolina

The 4,000-member organization led and funded by corn growers began in 1977 and promotes the corn industry through education, marketing and research. The focus of producing more hearty corn varieties and hybrids is one main reason the Corn Growers Association supports the research and Extension of N.C. PSI 

Feb 10, 2021

Partner Profile: The North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association

North Carolina farmers plant on average 500,000 acres of small grains annually. The North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association was one of the early supporters of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, continuing its mission to invest in research that will improve the small grain industry in North Carolina and beyond. 

Feb 9, 2021

Partner Profile: Tobacco Associates, Inc.

NC State's research and teaching in the specialized discipline of flue-cured tobacco production directly impacts the yield and economic output for growers. To continue innovation in the field and support new efforts in agribusiness, Tobacco Associates, Inc. became an early financial supporter of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

Feb 9, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Pork Council

Pork production is a $10 billion economic output for the state, generating more than 44,000 jobs in farming, processing and retail sectors. Research that advances best methods for sustainable hog waste management is a key focus of the North Carolina Pork Council and why they were an earlier funder of N.C. PSI. 

Feb 9, 2021

Partner Profile: Farm Credit

Farm Credit is a customer-owned cooperative that provides loans and resources for farmers and rural communities to thrive. Agricultural education and innovation that leads to more productive and profitable farm operations is a key reason for their early financial support of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative. 

Feb 9, 2021

PSI Profile: Chris Reberg-Horton, Platform Director for Resilient Agricultural Systems

The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative’s platform director for resilient agricultural systems shares thoughts on the position, the initiative, agriculture and NC State. 

Feb 8, 2021

PSI Profile: Ross Sozzani, Platform Director for Plant Improvement

The plant improvement platform director for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative shares her vision: collaboration, innovative crop technologies and students ready for the workforce. 

Feb 8, 2021

Launch Director’s Report: Progress in Challenging Times

In spite of all the challenges, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative made great strides in 2020. Launch Director Steve Briggs shares the initiative's progress on people and facilities in his last Launch Director's Report.