In the year 2024, North Carolina’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors reached a remarkable milestone of $111 billion in economic impact. The majority of this growth, around 70%, is attributed to food animal industries such as livestock, dairy, and poultry. To sustain this momentum, NC State University has committed itself to workforce development and research through its Food Animal Initiative (FAI). This spring, FAI formed a launch committee led by Stephanie Ward, an Associate Professor and Dairy Extension Specialist. The initiative aims to address the needs of food animal stakeholders by focusing on five key platforms: Integrated Systems for Health and Safety, Sustainable Food Animal Systems, Digital Agriculture, Protein Innovation, and Communications.
The university's leadership emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and the College of Human and Social Sciences (CHASS) to ensure the future prosperity of North Carolina's animal agriculture sector. Each platform is directed by experts who bring specialized knowledge to advance the field.
Achieving Synergy Across Platforms
NC State's Food Animal Initiative (FAI) leverages expertise across multiple disciplines to tackle challenges within the food animal industry. By integrating health and safety systems with sustainable practices, digital innovations, protein advancements, and effective communication strategies, the FAI ensures comprehensive support for the state's top industry. These efforts align with the growing demand for healthy animal proteins and emphasize workforce training and cutting-edge research.
Under the guidance of the launch committee, FAI has identified five critical areas that will shape the future of North Carolina's agricultural landscape. The first platform focuses on integrated systems for health and safety, ensuring disease prevention and food security. The second platform addresses sustainable food animal systems, promoting environmentally responsible practices. Meanwhile, the third platform explores digital agriculture, utilizing technology to enhance productivity and efficiency. Protein innovation forms the fourth platform, advancing research into alternative and traditional protein sources. Lastly, the fifth platform concentrates on communications, fostering understanding between producers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, these platforms aim to fortify the resilience and competitiveness of the state's agricultural economy.
Leadership Driving Change
At the heart of FAI's success lies a team of dedicated leaders who oversee each platform. Their expertise spans veterinary medicine, nutrient management, emerging diseases, meat science, and communication. Through their collaborative efforts, they ensure that all aspects of the food animal industry receive equal attention and resources. For instance, Rocio Crespo leads the effort on health and safety systems, while Stephanie Kulesza champions sustainable practices. Gustavo Machado spearheads digital agriculture, Dana Hanson drives protein innovation, and Andrew Binder along with Ben Chapman focus on communication strategies.
These leaders represent diverse academic backgrounds yet share a common goal: to propel North Carolina's animal agriculture sector forward. By combining their strengths, they create a robust framework for addressing current and future challenges. Their work exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary cooperation, where insights from veterinary medicine, agricultural sciences, and human communication converge to produce impactful solutions. This synergy not only supports the immediate needs of farmers and producers but also anticipates long-term trends in global agriculture. As a result, the FAI stands ready to lead the charge in transforming North Carolina's agricultural industry into a model of sustainability and innovation for years to come.