a robot wearing a safety suit walking through a chicken coop

Fall 2026

Impactful stories. Groundbreaking discoveries. Engaged communities.

From Code to Coop

From egg-collecting robots to intelligent systems that assess the health of individual birds, Ramesh Bist and his Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Lab are cracking into AI to develop innovative tools that help poultry producers better manage their flocks.

Saving N.C. Farmland for Future Generations

With North Carolina poised to lose up to 1.7 million acres of farmland by 2040, protecting agriculture has never been more important. For Noah Rannells, eastern director of NC FarmLink, that mission is personal.

Paige Swanstein holds a laptop showing her non-profit's homepage

I Am CALS: Paige Swanstein

Paige Swanstein’s commitment to tackling food and housing insecurity among college students led her to co-found a national nonprofit that’s raised $3.5 million to help students access nutrition assistance and healthcare so they could focus on finishing school.

a farmer and Extension agent stand in a farm field with a large drone

Partnering for Prosperity

NC Ag Leads is bringing agriculture, education, business and government leaders together to strengthen North Carolina’s agricultural future. The initiative is helping farmers navigate changing markets, emerging technologies and workforce challenges while building a more resilient and competitive industry.

an aerial view of a hog farm with surrounding fields and hog lagoon

Excrement Enterprise

For farms with a waste-not, want-not approach, animal feces offer untapped potential. The new Food Animal Resource Management and Sustainability Center works to harness this digestion by-product to help create self-sustaining farm systems.

More Life-Changing Programs Than Ever

With participation at an all-time high, North Carolina 4-H is giving more young people than ever hands-on opportunities to discover their passions, build critical life skills and prepare for the future.

Lonnie Poole golf course outside Raleigh, North Carolina

Above Par

As North Carolina’s $6 billion golf industry grows, so does demand for turfgrass professionals. CALS’ turfgrass science program equips students with the latest techniques and hands-on experience to secure enviable internships and full-time positions on the fairway.

young kids and their teachers harvest produce from a community garden

Cultivating Healthier Communities

NC State faculty are taking a community-based approach to preventing obesity and chronic disease in rural North Carolina through the Healthy ROOTS initiative, which expands access to fresh food, nutrition education and physical activity programs.