A Season of Growth

If I say the word “growth,” you might picture seedlings pushing up through the soil in springtime. Or it might make you think of economic progress, scientific breakthroughs, stronger communities or even personal growth.

What we do here at CALS supports all of these kinds of growth.

In this issue, we bring you some of our favorite stories about growth. They involve hatching chicks, nurturing young minds, supporting students, learning from refugees, tackling difficult issues, caring for neighbors in need, growing agricultural industries and starting new science-based companies.

The challenges of the pandemic have forced us to grow, sometimes in unexpected ways. Who would have thought that TikTok videos could be part of 4-H livestock showmanship? We’ve found ways to adapt and help each other through this time, whether it’s sharing an ultracold freezer for vaccines or delivering fresh vegetables to seniors.

While it requires intention and effort, growth is more likely to take root when we work together. All of the work we do is possible because of the many partners who collaborate with us: volunteers, students, staff, faculty, scientific colleagues, agricultural innovators, entrepreneurs, donors, business owners and multinational corporations.

The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) illustrates the promise of collaboration as we tackle the grand challenges facing us, including feeding a growing world. We’ve chosen scientists to lead interdisciplinary research and education platforms for N.C. PSI and secured seed funding for four new visionary projects. Meanwhile, the opening of the NC State University Plant Sciences Building on Centennial Campus is just around the corner. There’s still time to invest in making this world-class facility a reality, and we invite you to join us.

Thank you for your support of CALS and ongoing growth. We hope this spring—and the stories in this issue—bring you a sense of renewal and hope.

Go Pack and Go CALS!