A green tractor pulls farming equipment across a large, freshly tilled field under a clear blue sky. The soil shows distinct rows where the tractor has worked. Leafless trees and power lines are visible in the background along the horizon.

ECU joins statewide effort to grow ag-tech innovation

Published Jan 30, 2026 by
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As part of a coalition of North Carolina research institutions, ECU is helping connect farming communities across 42 counties with cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The effort is outlined in a new report from the Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science project, a statewide partnership led by N.C. A&T State University.

The coalition — which consists of ECU, Duke, N.C. State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, RTI International and the N.C. Biotechnology Center in addition to N.C. A&T — aims to boost productivity, sustainability and regional economies by focusing on small, mid-sized and specialty crop farms.

The report highlights five opportunities: accelerating adoption of research-backed tools, speeding innovation, expanding market access, improving communication within the agriculture community and building a skilled agricultural workforce.

Angela Lamson, ECU professor and senior fellow in the Office of Innovation and Engagement, serves as the university’s lead. “We are focused on research and innovation that matters most to growers while also strengthening the current and future agricultural workforce,” she said.

North Carolina is home to more than 180 ag-tech companies, yet more than 70% of its 42,000 farms are in rural areas, with half under 50 acres. These farms often struggle to access new technologies and larger markets. CROPS calls for closer collaboration, such as pairing farmers with developers to test innovations in real-world conditions.

“This initiative is a smart investment in North Carolina’s future,” said Sharon Paynter, ECU’s chief innovation and engagement officer. “By connecting farmers with research and innovation, we’re unlocking new economic potential across the state.”

The CROPS project is supported by the National Science Foundation through a Regional Innovation Engines planning award.