Key Takeaways:
- Launching the AgTech Corridor: N.C. A&T spearheads the Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPS) project, focusing on bridging the technological gap for farmers across a 42-county region in North Carolina.
- Inclusive Support for Underserved Farmers: The initiative aims to extend cutting-edge agricultural research and technology to small-scale and minority farmers, enhancing their resilience against climate change and market challenges.
- Collaborative Effort for Innovation: The project involves a coalition of universities, the N.C. Cooperative Extension, business and research entities, leveraging a $1 million NSF grant to foster regional agricultural innovation.
- Comprehensive Development Approach: CROPS combines educational programming, workforce development, and startup grant funding to bolster farm management, environmental protection, and economic growth in agriculture.
- Historic Leadership: N.C. A&T becomes the first HBCU to lead an NSF “Engines” project, marking a significant step in promoting inclusive agricultural advancements.
Bridging the Gap in Agricultural Innovation
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) is at the forefront of a transformative initiative aiming to democratize access to agricultural research and technology across North Carolina, particularly benefiting the state’s $103 billion agriculture sector. The Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPS) project, powered by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines, seeks to establish an Agricultural Tech Innovation Corridor stretching from central to eastern North Carolina.
Empowering Small and Underserved Farmers
Under the leadership of Gregory Goins, Ph.D., associate dean for research at N.C. A&T, the project is poised to lower barriers to market entry for limited-resource farmers and equip them to navigate the challenges posed by climate change. By facilitating access to research-based farming practices and new technologies, CROPS intends to foster entrepreneurial development and sustainable agricultural practices among new, underserved, and small-acreage farmers.
A Collaborative Effort for Regional Growth
The initiative brings together a notable coalition of academic and industry partners, including Duke University, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, the N.C. Cooperative Extension, the N.C. Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle International, and the N.C. Community College System. This collaborative endeavor aims to expedite the dissemination of agricultural innovations to underserved areas, thereby enhancing the sector’s economic output and environmental stewardship.
Fostering Economic and Environmental Resilience
CROPS offers a comprehensive suite of programs focused on farming technologies, agricultural business management, and natural resource conservation. It also aims to assist small producers in identifying new crop and livestock enterprises, developing community-based local food systems, and adopting climate-smart farming techniques. Free to participants, these programs are designed to improve the economic performance of small-scale farmland and increase diversity in farming.
A Historic Milestone for N.C. A&T and North Carolina
N.C. A&T’s role as the first HBCU to lead an NSF “Engines” project underscores its commitment to serving small, limited-resource, and minority farmers. This initiative not only aims to bridge the technological divide but also to build trust among farmers, enabling them to access support programs and engage in more resilient and inclusive marketing opportunities.
