The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and NC State University have worked cooperatively in the research arena for many years. Many production practices that are the norm today began as ideas at a research station. Some of the successful ideas include no-till farming, hydroponic production and plasticulture production for a variety of fruits and vegetables. We at the Department of Agriculture remain committed to research and believe it is at the very core of agriculture s success in the future. Despite the current low commodity prices, rising production costs and increased environmental regulations, I believe agriculture s future remains bright in North Carolina.
People have to eat and someone has to produce the food for our growing population.
We have research stations studying current issues and looking for ways growers can produce their crops more efficiently and we have the support of the agribusiness community behind us. As we prepare to leave the 20th century behind, we will look back and assess where we are, where we came from and how we got there. In reviewing the past 100 years, we will find both accom- plishments and failures. Without doubt, computer technology will stand as one of the most important advances in the 20th century. Its impact is felt in every area of our lives, including agriculture.