N.C. A&T’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies was a must-see stop for the USDA National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board during their meeting this month.

According to Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D., NAREEE board chair and chair of CAES’ Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education, the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis was the  board’s first choice for its required review of USDA Research, Education, and Economics activities – the mission area dedicated to safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber systems in the country – because of the facility’s focus on precision nutrition.

“The North Carolina Research Campus provides the living and breathing example of N.C. A&T and N.C. State University working collaboratively in the nutrition space,” Jefferson-Moore said.

During their two-day meeting, NAREEE members reviewed various topics of interest related to USDA-sponsored programs, including NIFA’s ongoing NextGen modules, led by various CAES faculty members; observed the use of AI chatbot ExtensionBot in Cooperative Extension services; and had the opportunity to tour both N.C. State’s North Carolina Food Innovation Lab and N.C. A&T’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies. Board members caught a glimpse of the post-harvest technology center’s latest projects, including development of high-fiber baked goods, such as cereal bars, and biosafety research on food-borne pathogens.

Ellen Harris, Ph.D. newly appointed board member and retired ARS Associate Area Director for the Southeast, called the facility “an example of what an abundance of resources can do.”

“In looking at these labs, I hope that their outcomes are fruitful and can serve U.S. agriculture and particularly communities in this country that need to consume healthy, safe food,” said Harris.