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North Carolina has emerged as one of the most significant ag tech hubs in the United States and the world. Consequently, we are gaining the attention of scientists, entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe. So how did this happen and what is the secret? Amidst various contributing factors, two elements stand out as distinctly unique: our location and people.
North Carolina’s Unique Dynamics
North Carolina’s geography alone is extraordinary. The elevation grows from 0 to 6,684 feet as we cross the state, which boasts over 400 soil types along the way. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this diverse landscape makes it possible for growers to produce over 80 different commodities on more than 42,000 farms across the state.
As agricultural challenges, including drought, pests and disease, threaten to limit North Carolina’s number one economic sector, growers, universities, and businesses are finding new ways to support one another and meet the demands of local and global supply needs.
The energy surrounding North Carolina’s ag tech industry is almost contagious. There is a spirit of collaboration across all facets of agriculture, including local startups, global ag players, universities, and communities throughout the state. Everyone here seems to understand there are major challenges ahead that will require our collective efforts to solve.
Role of Universities
Universities’ roles in the development of the ag tech hub are critical. They are responsible for filling the talent pipeline, conducting cutting-edge research, and providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs and big businesses looking to test new solutions. In North Carolina, the pool of universities keeps the workforce strong while simultaneously advancing innovation in the lab and the field.
Established as a land-grant institution in 1887, North Carolina State University’s mission has always focused on serving the people of North Carolina. Over the years, NC State has evolved to meet the changing needs of our stakeholders but has remained laser-focused on its land-grant mission. Through research, teaching, and outreach, the people of North Carolina have had an advocate and a partner to collaborate with at NC State.
Lately, opportunities for partnerships, collaborations and interdisciplinary research activities abound. We have highly trained individuals who are not only experts in their field but, more importantly, willing to collaborate with others for greater impact. Through programmatic changes, recruiting strategies and facility updates, an array of stakeholder groups are exploring or rediscovering the value of building relationships with NC State, and the feeling is mutual.
Team-based interdisciplinary research is key to unlocking solutions for the future. We have seen an increase in collaborative grant proposals across universities, capitalizing on the skills of multiple universities across the state. Public-private partnerships are also common. Large and small businesses alike are turning to universities to share resources and expedite processes.
This new approach to research and discovery is a mind shift and popular strategic business decision sweeping the state. The issues we are facing are immense and cannot be tackled independently. But as a network, an ecosystem, we may just have the secret sauce.
N.C. PSI
The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) is a tangible example of community interaction and support driving ag tech in North Carolina. This initiative fosters opportunities for interdisciplinary team-based research meeting the evolving needs of growers locally and globally. By creating spaces and encouraging collaboration, N.C. PSI is making significant impacts in science and discovery that would have otherwise taken years to accomplish.
The NC State Plant Sciences Building opened its doors two years ago. In that short time, it has grown to be a premier location for agriculture research and has demonstrated commitment to its community through teaching, research, and engagement efforts.
Students have applied learning experiences led by world-class faculty. They are graduating with a deep understanding of their field but also greater communication, team building, entrepreneurial and leadership skills than ever before.
The N.C. PSI is directly tied to the grower community through the Extension Agent Network. Extension agents actively engage with growers and consumers, gather valuable feedback, test cutting-edge technologies, and facilitate the smooth adoption of innovations developed by N.C. PSI. This collaborative dynamic ensures that the solutions developed directly address the needs of the agricultural community, making the research efforts highly impactful and relevant.
Because of the cutting-edge facility and location, teams of experts from across colleges and even across universities have secured large grants to solve grand challenges. Most recently, we teamed up with six other universities on the Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science, or CROPS, project funded by the National Science Foundation to develop a 42-county Agricultural Tech Innovation Corridor. This partnership is a prime example of the strong relationships between universities and the widespread impacts that are possible when working together.
The N.C. PSI was also one of the first to offer a unique collaboration opportunity to businesses, from activities to support startups to inviting companies like BASF, Bayer, SAS and Novonesis to occupy space in the building; the culture at N.C. PSI welcomes all. It’s been amazing to see the unique relationships and innovations that have transpired by simply having an “open door policy” with the ag tech community.
NCBiotech
Today, North Carolina is one of the most (if not the most) significant ag tech ecosystems in the world, with over 200 companies of various sizes, all fueled by the talent and infrastructure of our flagship universities and supported by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
NCBiotech works hard to keep the ecosystem together and growing, through many different types of networking opportunities, and to help identify gaps and fill them. It supports our entrepreneurs through funding, connections, and mentoring. It also supports industry and university collaborations that have become a key feature of life in the Triangle.
Happy 40th Anniversary, NCBiotech!
Southern Hospitality
At the end of the day, what truly sets North Carolina’s life sciences ecosystem apart from any other place in the world is its people. Their unwavering passion, deep knowledge, and unparalleled enthusiasm cannot be replicated. They embrace new ideas, forge partnerships, and embark on new beginnings at every turn. Universities, businesses, and communities alike consistently seek opportunities to push the boundaries of agriculture innovation for the greater good.
It is this collective spirit of innovation, collaboration, and dedication to making a positive impact that defines North Carolina as a global leader in the life sciences.
Adrian Percy is executive director of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative.
