RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture’s Research Stations Division has awarded $1.5 million in grants for agricultural research, aiming to boost crop production and advance the state’s agricultural economy. The funding supports a variety of projects focusing on new and innovative research in line with the mission of the New and Emerging Crops Program, which since its inception has identified potential new crops, value-added products, and agricultural enterprises. This year’s program expanded to include innovations to further advance the agricultural economy.
New and Emerging Crops Program Grants:
$51,511 to N.C. State University’s Department of Horticultural Science** for “Carolina Peas – Double-cropping Enablers” to improve farm income through a winter pea double-cropping system.
$75,000 to NCSU’s Department of Horticultural Science** for “North Carolina Grown Chinese Medicinal Herb” to expand herb production and create a network of buyers.
$125,936 to NCSU’s Department of Crops and Soil Sciences** for “Expanding Alternative Grains in North Carolina” to evaluate alternative grains like seashore black rye and develop certified seed production.
$118,303 to NCSU’s Department of Horticultural Science** for “Carolina Super Teas” to enhance and develop cold-hardy tea cultivars.
$100,000 to NCSU’s Department of Horticultural Science** for “Advancing Tea Production in North Carolina” to fund propagation and sustainable farming practices for local tea production.
$100,000 to NCSU’s Department of Crops and Soil Sciences Science** for “Hemp Grain and Seed Production” to develop local fiber hemp seed production practices.
Innovations to Advance the Agricultural Economy Grants:
- $119,459 to NCSU’s Electrical & Computer Engineering Department for “Automatic AI-based Nematode Counting System” to automate nematode detection.
- $147,415 to NCSU’s Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering for “Cooling Mat Evaluation on Sow Performance” to improve sow and litter performance with temperature-controlled mats.
- $100,000 to NCSU’s Department of Horticultural Science for “Evaluation of Novel Native Nursery Shrubs” to pre-breed and evaluate North Carolina native shrubs.
- $149,376 to NCSU’s Department of Animal Science for “Generating Populations of Feed Efficient Cattle” to select and propagate feed-efficient cattle.
- $150,000 to NCSU’s Department of Horticultural Science for “Innovation to Manage Invasive Strawberry Disease” to tackle the Neo-P pathogen in strawberries.
- $150,000 to NCSU’s Department of Crops and Soil Sciences for “Using Sesame to Reduce Nematode Populations” to study sesame’s impact on reducing nematode populations.
- $93,000 to OsRostrum, Inc. for “Validation of iPhone Hoof Phenotyping Platform” to enhance livestock management and breeding through automated phenotyping technology.
This investment is seen as a long-term benefit for North Carolina’s farmers by supporting research projects that can provide substantial returns and advancements in the agricultural sector.
