North Carolina agriculture remains one of the state’s greatest economic strengths. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the industry generates more than $100 billion in economic impact each year, supporting farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, and rural communities across the state.
Sustaining that strength requires more than tradition and hard work. It requires a commitment to research, workforce development, and the systems that help farmers connect with markets and adapt to a changing agricultural landscape.
This focus and the collaboration behind it is helping position North Carolina agriculture for the future.
Golden LEAF is supporting that future through projects and initiatives that strengthen agriculture across the state, from scientific research and technology to workforce training and market development. Many of the most impactful efforts bring together partners across industries and institutions to tackle challenges and opportunities that no single organization can address alone.
Vision and Strategy
The Golden LEAF-funded NC Ag Leads strategic planning initiative brings together farmers, industry leaders, researchers, and other stakeholders to develop a long-term vision for North Carolina’s agricultural economy. By coordinating perspectives from across the industry, NC Ag Leads is helping ensure agriculture remains a central part of North Carolina’s economy and rural communities.
Applied Innovation and Research
Innovation is being driven through the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative at NC State University, where scientists, engineers, technology experts, and farmers work together to address complex agricultural challenges. A Farmer Advisory Council ensures the research remains grounded in real-world agricultural needs, while Extension specialists help translate research into practical applications on farms across the state. Learn more about the Plant Sciences Initiative in this Golden LEAF Critical Conversations podcast episode.
Workforce Pipeline
Preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals is a key priority. At Wilson Community College, a new Agribusiness Technology program is expanding opportunities for students to gain practical skills for careers in agriculture and related industries. Programs like this help create the workforce pipeline needed to support the region’s agricultural economy.
Equipment and Training
Support for farmers at the local level is critical. In Caswell County, Cooperative Extension has launched an agricultural technology and equipment rental program that allows small and mid-sized producers to access tools that might otherwise be out of reach. Through the program, farmers are using modern equipment and technology while also receiving training on how to apply new practices that improve efficiency and reduce production costs. Early outcomes include more than 200 training sessions on equipment for producers across the county.
Crop Resilience
Research projects help protect North Carolina’s most valuable crops. At NC State University, Golden LEAF has funded efforts to address the invasive guava root-knot nematode, a highly aggressive pest that threatens crops including sweet potatoes, soybeans, cotton, and tobacco. Through field trials evaluating potential nematicides and expanded surveys to track the pest’s spread, researchers are working to identify effective management strategies and sharing these results with farmers. The research produced two field studies with published results that help guide management practices in affected regions.
Market Access
Beyond production and research, strengthening food distribution systems is helping farmers reach new markets. Organizations like Feast Down East are expanding food hub operations, increasing refrigeration, storage, and distribution capacity for locally grown products. Feast Down East generated more than $50,000 in additional farm sales, tripled the number of growers served, expanded agricultural training opportunities, and launched more than 200 mobile market events connecting local food to communities.
Strengthening the Agricultural Ecosystem
Taken together, these projects reflect a broader vision for North Carolina agriculture, one built on innovation, workforce development, and strong partnerships between farmers, researchers, educators, and communities.
When these partners work together, agriculture doesn’t simply maintain its place in North Carolina’s economy — it continues to grow and evolve. Programs and initiatives that strengthen the agricultural ecosystem today are helping ensure that North Carolina agriculture remains productive, competitive, and vital for generations to come.