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Putting Precision Farming Back on the Table

N.C. PSI News

Man at computer desk in an open office

Sep 12, 2025

From Crop Science to Computer Science

A passion for growing plants has led software developer Steve Amerige to pursue a doctorate in crop science with an eye toward helping advance the next wave of ag tech. 
View of a field of vegetation from above

Sep 9, 2025

Study Finds Positive Effects From Some Climate-Smart Ag Practices

No-till farming, cover crops and residue retention can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study using a suite of models. 
Two people standing in a corn field

Sep 7, 2025

Seed2Grow Spotlight: Soteria Formulation’s Tahira Pirzada

NC State scientists came up with an ingenious way to use agricultural leftovers to boost crop performance in Africa. Their startup company, Soteria Formulations, is now taking the technology global, with CEO and NC State research scholar Tahira Pirzada leading the way. 
Front exterior of the NC State Plant Sciences Building

Sep 2, 2025

Startups Invited to Compete for Ag Tech Incubator Space

Entrepreneurs looking for a place to grow their early-stage ag tech companies are invited to compete for a year’s worth of free, state-of-the-art office and lab space in a leading hub for plant sciences innovation. 
Students gather round a man in a farm field and take notes.

Aug 14, 2025

Grad Students Dig Into AI for Ag

NC State’s GRAD-AID for Ag program got off to a great start this summer in preparing a future-proof workforce at the intersection of plant science and artificial intelligence, 
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.