New and Emerging Crops Program
2024 New and Emerging Crops Research / Industry Update
Mission Statement
The New and Emerging Crops Program (NECP) identifies potential new crops, value added products and agricultural enterprises and provides the agricultural research, marketing support, and education necessary to make these crops commercially viable and profitable for North Carolina’s growers and agribusinesses.
Full grant application details available on the NECP grant page.
N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative
Mission Statement
The Bioenergy Research Initiative supports the research and development of forestry and agricultural based feedstocks for bioenergy production, agribusiness development, and cooperative research for biofuels production.
History
In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly allocated funding to support the development of energy production from North Carolina agricultural and forest-based products. The funding supports staffing, operating expenses and a competitive grant program. The Bioenergy Research Initiative is a part of the Department’s Research Stations Division and is based at the Oxford Tobacco Research Station.
The focus of the Bioenergy Research Initiative is on research and development of dedicated feedstocks for bioenergy production. By leveraging current technology, developing more applied technology, and identifying existing gaps, the state can help best position feedstock producers and the bioenergy industry moving forward.