EXTENSION OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM

Impact real-world agricultural and environmental challenges across the value chain by connecting N.C. PSI science with applied field issues and leveraging the robust N.C. Cooperative Extension partnership to communicate with stakeholders and maximize the understanding, impact and sustainability of science for agricultural stakeholders.

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Translating research into solutions

• Stakeholder engagement

• Cultivating connectivity

In collaboration with NC State Extension, the Extension Outreach and Engagement platform is focused on connecting the science conducted in N.C. PSI to address on-farm challenges. The platform supports effective, bilateral communication between applied expertise in the field and research-based information generated by N.C. PSI. North Carolina’s vast Extension network, comprising a partnership between NC State and N.C. A&T State universities known as N.C. Cooperative Extension, is crucial to the success of N.C. PSI, both in identifying emerging issues and transferring groundbreaking research, tools and technology back into the hands of North Carolinians.

GOAL 1: SERVE AS THE CONDUIT FOR ENGAGING NORTH CAROLINA GROWERS AND AGRICULTURAL STAKEHOLDERS

IN THE WORK, IMPACT AND SUCCESS OF N.C. PSI

Key Initiatives

• Develop a process for identifying and engaging key external stakeholders in the work of N.C. PSI, including project end-users, as well as identifying the most effective and relevant communication strategies and activities for engaging these stakeholders

• Work with N.C. PSI and Extension communications to develop and regularly maintain a repository, mechanism and/or toolkit featuring recent N.C. PSI updates and impacts, talking points, one-pagers and other collateral that are distributed to Extension agents and the broad university community

• Develop generic and platform-specific fact sheets, videos and other multimedia or communications highlighting the work of N.C. PSI

• Develop virtual and in-person trainings and tools to upskill Extension agents and use applied examples to help them understand and translate N.C. PSI-developed science to the growers and communities they serve

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• Work with Extension to develop virtual updates on N.C. PSI activities for growers and stakeholders who are less likely to participate in in-person events like field days

• Establish a regular presence for N.C. PSI at commodity-specific field days

• Design and hold on-farm trial programs for production practices and technologies developed by N.C. PSI researchers

• Engage grower associations and commodity groups in N.C. PSI projects, highlighting how research is targeting specific needs and requesting letters of support that speak directly to this engagement and the relevance of the research that will be conducted

N.C. PSI STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

Strategic Priority 1.2: Transform the future of agriculture through large-scale interdisciplinary pursuits

Strategic Priority 1.3: Position N.C. PSI as a regional hub for plant sciences economic impact

Strategic Priority 1.3: Develop the next generation of problem solvers in agriculture

Strategic Priority 2.1: Elevate N.C. PSI’s presence across NC State, throughout North Carolina and around the world

Strategic Priority 2.2: Prioritize engagement with the North Carolina agriculture sector

Strategic Priority 2.3: Expand N.C. PSI partnerships and strengthen external collaborations

Strategic Priority 3.1: Establish N.C. PSI as a model for interdisciplinary structure, governance, policy, staffing and sustainable funding

Strategic Priority 3.2: Develop sustainable funding model for N.C. PSI