Grower Advisory Council

Incorporating applied expertise from interdisciplinary project conception through execution in the field.

To execute our mission and vision, it is integral that applied expertise is incorporated from interdisciplinary project conception through execution in the field. Members of the N.C. PSI Grower Advisory Council provide guidance on the relevance of scientific research to production systems in the field and serve as champions for the initiative in North Carolina and beyond. All Council members are growers who think innovatively, are committed to ensuring this initiative delivers relevant solutions to the agricultural community, and who represent the vast diversity of North Carolina agriculture.

The Grower Advisory Council shares their perspectives on the importance of incorporating grower input in agricultural research.

What the Grower Advisory Council does:

Advocate for the NC agricultural community by steering groundbreaking research focus toward addressing the most pressing needs for growers
Aid in establishing the foundational N.C. PSI culture of prioritizing the integration of applied expertise into interdisciplinary research projects from project conception through implementation
Represent the interests of growers and NC Ag stakeholders who depend on the N.C. PSI to deliver practical solutions that will enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of their operations
Identify opportunities for researchers from diverse backgrounds to engage with growers and the agricultural community
Provide guidance on bilateral communication strategies that can be implemented between growers and N.C. PSI researchers to drive relevant N.C. PSI projects and to ensure the results and recommendations are adequately shared with the agricultural community
Champion the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative across North Carolina and beyond
Attend regular meetings with the N.C. PSI leadership team

Grower Advisory Council Members

Reggie Baker
Baker Bros. Farms
Monroe, NC
Corn, wheat, soybeans, grain sorghum, hay, beef cattle

Meet Reggie Baker, member of the N.C. PSI Grower Advisory Council

Kenny Barnwell
Kenny Barnwell Orchards
Hendersonville, NC
Apples

Rusty Barr
Barr Evergreens
Ashe County, NC
Christmas trees, ornamentals, pumpkins

Isaac Boerema
Boerema Farms
Pantego, NC
Corn, soybeans, wheat

Jose Calderon (Pepe)
Barnes Farming
Spring Hope, NC
Peanuts, potatoes (red and yellow), soybeans, sweetpotatoes, tobacco, watermelon, wheat

Read about Jose in CALS Magazine

Sue Leggett
Leggett Farming Partnership
Nashville, NC
Cotton, peanuts, strawberries, soybeans, sweetpotatoes, tobacco

Meet Sue Leggett, member of the N.C. PSI Grower Advisory Council

Bert Lemkes
Tri-Hishtil
Mills River, NC
TriEst Ag Group, Inc. (USA) + Hishtil (Israel) + SIS/Centro SEIA (Italy)

Meet Bert Lemkes, member of the N.C. PSI Grower Advisory Council

Danny Pierce
Pierce Soil and Crop Consulting
Princeton, NC
Brassicas, corn, cucurbits, soybeans, sweetpotatoes, tobacco, wheat

Bo Stone
P&S Farms
Rowland, NC
Beef cattle, corn, produce, soybeans, swine, timber, wheat

Meet Bo Stone, member of the N.C. PSI Grower Advisory Council