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N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative

Extension Agent Network

Beta-testing N.C. PSI-developed technologies in the field to accelerate seamless adoption on North Carolina farms.

The N.C. PSI Extension Agent Network is committed to helping growers solve real-world problems in the field through cutting-edge plant science innovation. Agents in this network leverage their strong relationships at the local level to both drive future N.C. PSI projects and to beta-test technology being developed by the N.C. PSI on-farm.

The N.C. Extension Agent Network represents 32 different counties from across North Carolina.

Meet the Extension Agent Network

What N.C. PSI Extension Agents Do:

  • Beta-test PSI developed technologies in the field to accelerate seamless adoption on North Carolina farms
  • Participate in monthly Zoom meetings to discuss developed technologies and production needs in North Carolina
  • Host PSI-developed technology outreach events within Counties
  • Serve as a champion for N.C. PSI across North Carolina

In exchange for their participation, N.C. PSI Extension Agents will receive a $5,000 stipend to their salaries over the course of one year. This stipend support comes from the generosity of the NC Soybean Producers Association, NC Corn Growers Association, NC Small Grain Producers, the Interagency Digital Equity Funds, private donors and the N.C PSI.

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  • Small group talking in a conference room
    Extension Agents and NC State researchers discuss the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture during a 2-day workshop at the Plant Sciences Building.
  • Researcher Chris Reberg-Horton met with Extension Agents to share how he’s using new imaging technology with computer vision and AI to create more efficient ways to identify plant species and estimate the density and biomass of cash crops, cover crops, and weeds.
  • SAS’ Shelley Hunt guided agents through a hands-on training covering SAS Viya. an AI and analytics platform.
  • Group looking at a small, dog-like robot
    Alex Brown (left), a graduate student in NC State’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, demonstrates a robot called Wolf Puppy to participants in the AI 101 training for Extension agents.
  • Agents begin beta-testing a new imaging technology in the field.
  • Extension Agent Network beta-test training
    In 2024, agents in the Cover Crops cohort were trained on a new imaging technology to begin beta-testing in the field.
  • Extension Agent Network beta-test training
    In 2024, agents in the Cover Crops cohort were trained on a new imaging technology to begin beta-testing in the field.
  • Extension Agent Network beta-test training
    In 2024, agents in the Cover Crops cohort were trained on a new imaging technology to begin beta-testing in the field.
  • Extension Agent Network beta-test training
    In 2024, agents in the Cover Crops cohort were trained on a new imaging technology to begin beta-testing in the field.
  • Extension Agent Network beta-test training
    In 2024, agents in the Cover Crops cohort were trained on a new imaging technology to begin beta-testing in the field.

Meet the N.C. PSI Extension Agent Network

Our Extension Agent Network represent the diverse geography and crop production systems encountered across North Carolina. Members of the Extension Agent Network are part of 10 cohorts, each of which works closely with a N.C. PSI faculty member on a specific area of focus:

The SAS Viya Cohort is partnering with Extension Agents with to engage with the SAS VIYA software analytics platform. The SAS Viya platform is designed for friendly user engagement, and management and preparation of data. Applicants should be eager to work in data analytics and to use gained skills to summarize and present information to their local clientele.

2025 SAS agent cohort

This cohort is partnering with Agerpoint to use the Agerpoint Capture mobile app (available on smartphones) to capture 20-30 ft digital samples from row crop production fields during early vigor stages (as early as VE, as late as V5). Agents will be asked to take manual plant counts and canopy measurements for comparison with digitally generated attributes. The goal is to evaluate the accuracy, repeatability, and ease of use of this technology across a range of production environments and personnel.

Agerpoint agent cohort

Disease detection is essential for on-farm decision processes. Our multispectral scanner is used to detect viruses before symptoms appear in plants by observing wavelengths in plant tissue. This cohort is providing feedback on the scanner and its usability in the field. The scanner is currently used to detect diseases in cassava. We are interested in improving the usability and making it practical for use across North Carolina and with a focus on NC Crops.

Multispectral agent cohort map 2025
  • Aaron Moore, agriculture and commercial horticulture agent, Union County
  • Owen Washam, commercial horticulture and forestry agent, Montgomery County
  • Jalynne Ward, field crops agent, Washington County

Our application tool is able to count blueberries from digital images taken in the blueberry orchard. Agents in this cohort are working in close collaboration with NC Blueberry Growers to beta-test the entire pipeline including image collection, use of the application to count fruits, and provide feedback on general usability. The technology aims to work with additional crops in the future.

  • Gabriella de Souza, consumer horticulture agent & Extension Master Gardener℠ Program coordinator, New Hanover County
  • Cody Craddock, agriculture and horticulture agent, Randolph County
  • Bruce McLean, agriculture and horticulture agent, Columbus County

The Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center is working with this Agent cohort to collect soil and water samples in Western North Carolina to help understand phosphorus flows in this region. This includes identifying phosphorus “hot spots” as well as gaining a better understanding of phosphorus cycling. These hot spots will then serve as locations for novel monitoring systems and will help direct STEPS research efforts: identifying the types of interventions (e.g., sorbent materials for phosphorus capture and reuse, phosphorus sensors) that are developed as well as where and how they will be deployed.

STEPS agent cohort 2025 map
  • Meghan Baker, small farms agent, Buncombe County
  • Karen Blaedow, vegetable and small fruit agent, Henderson County
  • Sam Marshall, ornamental nursery and greenhouse area specialized agent, Western Region
  • Douglas Clement, county extension director and agriculture, community development and Firewise agent

The Cover Crop Selector Tool is a decision support tool (DST) to assist farmers and other agricultural professionals in selecting cover crop species that will help them meet the crop and soil management goals on their farms. The DST allows the user to select the goals they are trying to meet with the cover crop and environmental conditions specific to their farm.
Funded by N.C. Commodity Boards and David Peele

Strong and reliable broadband connection is not consistent across the state. This research cohort aims to identify areas of need for broadband access as well as identify new and emerging technologies that rely on this broadband.
Funded by the NC Department of Information Technology 

This cohort is testing new technologies for corn earworm traps, and tracking the efficacy of trap per number of species caught. Traps also track weather data to identify population patterns associated with weather. This cohort is testing new technologies for corn earworm traps, and tracking the efficacy of trap per number of species caught. Traps also track weather data to identify population patterns associated with weather.
Funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

precision pest agent cohort map 2025

Current imaging from drones is impacted by sun glare, which creates challenges for the successful use of drones on plant imaging. Images taken with varying degrees of glare help train software to better identify and capture sun glare and light associated with drone imaging.
Funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

Sensor Development Agent Cohort map 2025

This cohort is beta testing field application for microDNA plant patches, and the ability to detect NeoP and Anthracnose in strawberries before symptoms are visible on the plant. Effective detection by microDNA patches will revolutionize ability for growers to test and manage spread of disease.
Funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

Disease Diagnostic Agent Cohort map 2025
  • Karen Blaedow, agriculture agent, Henderson County
  • Doug Clement, County extension director and agriculture & horticulture agent, Cherokee County
  • Cody Craddock, agriculture & horticulture agent, Randolph County
  • Aaron Moore, small farms agent, Union County

Extension Agents Explore AI for Agriculture

Artificial intelligence promises to transform agriculture. This spring, 15 Extension agents from across North Carolina took a deep two-day dive into the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture during a workshop at NC State’s Plant Sciences Building aims to position agricultural agents as key links in ensuring that farmers benefit.

Read the story

Special thanks to the donors who made this possible

Extension Agent Network

N.C. PSI Launches Extension Agent Network

In 2023, the inaugural year for the N.C. PSI Extension Agent Network, 12 Extension agents were selected through a competitive application process. These agents represent the diverse geography and crop production systems encountered across North Carolina and were selected based on the merit of their application, relationships with farmers at the local level and their diverse representation of North Carolina agriculture as a whole.

Read the story 
Group of nine people standing in a greenhouse

N.C. PSI Agent Network Expands

Eleven North Carolina Cooperative Extension agents have been selected to join the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative Extension Agent Network, serving as a bridge between the state’s growers and initiative researchers.

Read the story 

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