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Building Bridges for Better Breeding

N.C. PSI News

Two scientists look at tomato plants growing inside

Aug 13, 2025

Growing N.C. Agriculture, One Startup at a Time

Through its Seed2Grow program, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative helps budding entrepreneurs who want to turn scientific ideas into real-world agricultural solutions. 
Two people holding trays of seedlings in a lighted indoor space

Aug 13, 2025

Seed2Grow Spotlight: Rooted-in-tech’s Ricardo Hernandez

Building on a decade of research into creating conditions ideal for plant growth, an NC State horticultural scientist has launched an ag tech startup to deliver high-quality seedlings tailored to farmers’ and gardeners’ needs. 
abstract field of flowers

Aug 13, 2025

Plants in Focus

Art and science come together in a series of fall NC State events that invite us to think anew about plants and the role they play in our daily lives. 
Cooper howling wolf sculpture near greenery and benches

Aug 13, 2025

Sparking Student Entrepreneurism

An award from the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative is helping two Ph.D. students turn lab-based discoveries into commercial products for crop and animal production. 
Dr. Reberg-Horton kneels to inspect plants outside of the Plant Sciences Building.

Aug 11, 2025

Putting Precision Farming Back on the Table

Dr. Reberg-Horton, NC State’s Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation/W.K. Kellogg Distinguished Professor in Sustainable Community-Based Food Systems, is using artificial intelligence to help farmers harness precision farming techniques, combatting labor shortages and environmental challenges. 
Cameras are mounted to a beam that's attached to the top of a small tractor

Aug 5, 2025

Researchers Pursue Automated Staking for Ag Labor Savings

Amid agricultural labor shortages, a university horticultural scientist is working with the N.C. PSI's Makerspace to automate a labor-intensive process vital for tomato production. 
North Carolina map with 42 centrally located counties highlighted.

Jul 16, 2025

Experts Propose N.C. Ag Tech Innovation Corridor

A new report calls for an agtech innovation corridor across 42 counties to broaden how farmers participate in and benefit from innovation. 
Enrique Pena Martinez with large image of sweetpotatoes

Jul 10, 2025

‘Fan of Innovation’ Puts Tech Expertise to Work in Agriculture

Drawing on expertise gained as an NC State doctoral student in electrical engineering, Enrique Peña Martinez launches a career in agricultural technology. His goal: to help reduce the challenges that come with farming and increase its rewards. 
Tractor sprays crops.

Jul 10, 2025

Preparing Next-Gen Ag Formulations Innovators

A new NC State University course helps fill a need for scientists with the interdisciplinary knowledge essential for creating next-generation chemical and biological solutions for agriculture. 
Amanda Hulse-Kemp standing beside flowering plant in a greenhouse

Jul 9, 2025

Building Bridges for Better Breeding

A rising star in computational biology for agriculture, Amanda Hulse-Kemp helps interdisciplinary teams leverage advancements in genomics, artificial intelligence and sensor technology to breed better crops faster and more efficiently than ever before.