Staff

May 3, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Farm Bureau

From its inception, the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) was a top priority for North Carolina Farm Bureau. In fact, Farm Bureau’s advocacy helped secure N.C. PSI’s inclusion in the Connect NC Bond Referendum and their financial support made possible the initiative’s Launch Director, and a world-class agricultural research and Extension education space.   

May 3, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council

Forages and grasslands are an integral part of agriculture in North Carolina. Hay, grasses and other cover crops provide nutritious feed for livestock, help maintain healthy soils and play a vital role in water conservation. The North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council (NCFGC) joins grassland managers, livestock owners, agribusiness, public servants and interested citizens to support the effective use of North Carolina's grassland resources and support forage research. That’s why they became early supporters of the North Carolina Plant Science Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

May 3, 2021

Partner Profile: Fair Products, Inc.

Fair Products, Inc. manufactures and distributes a versatile group of tobacco crop care products to help farmers produce the healthiest, most resilient tobacco. Frank Grainger, founder and owner of the company, tells us it’s that focus on innovation that led Fair Products to become a founding funder of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

May 3, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Green Industry Council

The green industry is one of the fastest-growing segments of agriculture in North Carolina. Accounting for an estimated 150,000 jobs and an economic impact of over $8 billion, the industry depends on new research and technology to improve and implement its practices in environmental stewardship. That’s why the North Carolina Green Industry Council teamed up with the Carolinas Irrigation Association, the North Carolina Sod Producers Association and the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina to support the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) 

Apr 13, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Dairy Producers Association

Ranking 28th in the country for milk production, the majority of N.C. dairy farms are family-owned and operated. The volunteer-run North Carolina Dairy Producers Association (NCDPA) helps give dairy producers an organizing body to discuss industry issues, promote the NC dairy industry, and support dairy-related research projects. To extend their encouragement of innovation in the dairy industry, the NCDPA became an early financial supporter of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

Apr 13, 2021

Partner Profile: The North Carolina Composting Council

The North Carolina Composting Council (NCCC) is dedicated to creating healthy soils. Compost—or decomposed organic material—has immense benefits for soil that include strengthening plants’ immune systems, increasing the amount of water soil can hold, and stimulating plant growth. The NCCC teamed up with the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) as a founding funder to encourage new research, applications, and awareness about composting in agriculture. 

Apr 13, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Peach Growers’ Society

Juicy, sweet, tree-ripened peaches are a summer treat at roadside fruit stands and farmers markets in North Carolina. Growers produce 70 different varieties on 1,100 acres across the state, with 90% of those being sold directly to consumers. The North Carolina Peach Growers’ Society advocates for peach growers and educates the public about how best to grow and enjoy peaches. A long-time supporter of NC State, the society was among the first groups to support the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

Apr 13, 2021

Partner Profile: Weed Society of North Carolina

All growers—from home gardeners to large agricultural producers—depend on weed science to effectively manage vegetation and produce crops. Weeds compete with plants for sunlight, soil nutrients and water, impacting the growth and health of agricultural crops. The Weed Science Society of North Carolina brings together top minds from the many companies and universities in the state that specialize in weed science, and why they were a founding funder of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

Apr 13, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association

North Carolina is home to one of the oldest cultivated muscadine grape vines in the country. Now, many varieties of muscadine grapes thrive on nearly 2,000 acres all over the state. For more than 45 years, the North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association has promoted research to discover and develop new varieties as well as methods of production and processing and disease control. That's why they became an early funder of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI). 

Mar 18, 2021

Partner Profile: North Carolina Agricultural Consultants Association

Profitable, efficient and environmentally sound farms require flexibility, ingenuity and forward-thinking management. That’s the focus of the North Carolina Agricultural Consultants Association and one of the key reasons they were among the first funders to sign on with the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI).