GOAL 3: LEVERAGE THE N.C. PSI INFRASTRUCTURE TO DRIVE GREATER FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT WITH EXTENSION

Key Initiatives

• Attend meetings across the university to highlight the impact of Extension across North Carolina and drive interest among faculty in participating in N.C. PSI projects, particularly those in non-agricultural colleges, departments or disciplines

• Develop a program whereby researchers and agents can jointly apply for seed funding for projects that involve growers and hands-on research activities

• Provide funding for short-duration graduate student internships and place students with growers or Extension agents to gain applied, on-farm work experience

• Incorporate graduate student engagement with growers into N.C. PSI projects, working with PIs to define this as an area of focus early in project proposals and design activities

• Work with N.C. PSI IT and communications to establish a platform or matchmaking system that connects researchers with relevant Extension specialists and agents for their proposals and projects

N.C. PSI STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

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

Strategic Priority 1.4: 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 3.2: Develop sustainable funding model for N.C. PSI