ECU part of proposed agricultural technology corridor in North Carolina
East Carolina University is helping lay the groundwork for a statewide agricultural transformation. As part of a coalition of North Carolina research institutions, the university is working to engage with farming communities across 42 counties through a proposed innovation corridor.
Highlighted counties on the map indicate the proposed 42-county agtech corridor. Credit: Created with paintmaps.com for CROPS report.
In a newly released report, the Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPS) project outlines a plan to connect farmers — particularly those with small, mid-sized and specialty crop operations — with cutting-edge technologies and researchers to boost productivity, sustainability and the regional economy.
The report, authored by RTI International, was developed through the CROPS project, a statewide partnership led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The initiative brings together a network of institutions, including ECU, Duke University, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative at NC State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, RTI International and Wake Forest University.
The coalition’s findings identify five key opportunities to strengthen the state’s agricultural technology (agtech) ecosystem:
- Accelerating the adoption of research-backed tools on farms
- Speeding up the development of useful innovations
- Using technology to access better markets
- Improving communication and coordination within the ag community
- Building a skilled workforce ready to support modern agriculture
Dr. Angela Lamson, ECU professor and senior fellow in the office of innovation and engagement, is the university’s lead on the project. She is focused on growing eastern North Carolina’s economy by supporting local talent and building stronger connections among farmers, researchers and agtech industries.
“ECU’s mission is to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation. Being part of an initiative dedicated to the needs of farm families and businesses who feed our communities exemplifies our commitment to eastern North Carolina and places across our state. Together we aim to design agricultural technologies and establish research partnerships that make a difference for our region and beyond,” said Lamson. “This report represents a commitment to using agricultural technology to grow North Carolina. We are focused on research and innovation that matters most to growers, while also strengthening the current and future agricultural workforce.”
Dr. Angela Lamson leads ECU’s efforts on the CROPS project, working to grow eastern North Carolina’s economy by supporting local talent and building strong connections between farmers, researchers, and agtech industries.
The CROPS report underscores North Carolina’s unique position: home to more than 180 agtech companies and one of the world’s leading research hubs in the Research Triangle Park. But it also notes that more than 70% of the state’s 42,000 farms are in rural areas, and over half are smaller than 50 acres. These farms often struggle to access new technologies, enter larger markets or participate in innovation efforts. The report calls for a more intentional and engaging approach to ensure these farms have a voice and a role in shaping agriculture’s future.
“Our work highlights the potential for North Carolina to lead in agtech innovation by building stronger connections between farmers, researchers, extension agents and entrepreneurs,” said Amanda Rose, agri-food systems lead at RTI and lead author of the report.
The report includes examples of how the proposed initiative could work. One such scenario involves early collaboration between farmers and agtech developers, giving farmers early access to tools and allowing developers to collect real-time feedback from the field. These partnerships can help ensure that new technologies are not only innovative but practical and effective in real-world conditions.
The findings are helping shape a plan to build the agtech corridor and support long-term investment as the team is now sharing the report with agtech leaders and stakeholders across the state to guide future planning. They are also compiling key agtech resources in one easy-to-access place. Additionally, a group of extension agents will begin testing new technologies in the field through a collaboration with a North Carolina-based startup.
As the CROPS project progresses, leaders emphasize that the goal is not just to improve farm practices, but to build a resilient, future-ready agricultural workforce.
“This initiative is a smart investment in North Carolina’s future. By connecting farmers with cutting-edge research and innovation, we’re not just improving agricultural practices — we’re unlocking new economic potential across the state,” said Dr. Sharon Paynter, ECU’s chief innovation and engagement officer and interim chief research officer. “At ECU, we believe higher education should deliver real-world value. That means equipping communities with the tools, talent, and technology they need to thrive. The CROPS project is a powerful example of how universities can drive ROI — not just in research, but in jobs, sustainability and long-term prosperity.”
The CROPS project is funded by the National Science Foundation through a Regional Innovation Engines Type 1 planning award.
The full report is available to view on RTI’s website.