Strengthening AgTech in Western North Carolina
The Western NC AgTech and Water Management Initiative aims to position the region as a leader in AgTech innovation, leveraging international best practices and fostering strategic partnerships. With the launch of the WNC AgInnovation Council, collaboration across sectors will drive sustainable growth and strengthen ties between North Carolina and global leaders like the Netherlands.
We’ve identified an opportunity to bolster AgTech and water management capabilities in Western North Carolina. Recognizing the region’s potential for innovation and growth, they initiated efforts to develop a robust ecosystem supporting these industries. We’ve put together a whitepaper outlining a set of foundational recommendations derived from conferences, meetings, surveys, discussions, and debriefings with regional and subject matter experts. Thank you to our partners and sponsors:
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AgCarolina Farm Credit
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AgSouth Farm Credit
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Dogwood Health Trust
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Dutch Consulate General in Atlanta
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Farm Bureau North Carolina
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Mountain BizWorks
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NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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NC Electric Cooperatives
Opportunities, Recommendations, and Case Studies for WNC Agribusiness
Opportunities:
- Cross-sector Collaboration
- AgTech Educational Pipeline – Recruitment and Retention
- Infrastructure & Technology
- Access to Financial Capital
- Farm Preservation
Key Milestones
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Fall 2023: Go Global NC and NCDA convened nearly 100 leaders from business, education, government, and nonprofit organizations in Asheville. The event focused on assessing the existing AgTech landscape and identifying opportunities to grow the talent pipeline and regional industrial capacity.
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Dutch Connections: Concurrently, Go Global NC engaged with leadership at the Dutch Consulate in Atlanta, initiating discussions about leveraging the Netherlands’ expertise in AgTech and water management. This collaboration culminated in plans for a delegation to the Netherlands to study their innovative policies and practices.
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March 2024 Delegation to the Netherlands: Go Global NC led a one-week study immersion for 25 cross-sector leaders, primarily from WNC, to learn from the Netherlands’ success in AgTech, academic collaboration, and government support. See goals below.
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Fall 2024 Partnership: Go Global NC partnered with Asheville-based Mountain BizWorks, a Community Development Financial Institution, to establish a cross-sector WNC AgInnovation Council. This council is dedicated to fostering collaboration and thought leadership to strengthen the regional AgInnovation ecosystem, including water management policies.
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January 2025 Dutch Delegation Visit: A high-ranking delegation from the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC, visited North Carolina to explore opportunities for further collaboration in AgTech, water management, and related industries. Plans for future Dutch delegations to the state are underway.
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March 2025 Announcement: Go Global NC, NCDA, and Mountain BizWorks officially launched the WNC AgInnovation Council, sharing these strategic recommendations for growing the AgTech ecosystem through academic and industry partnerships.
Contact
Contact Mountain Bizworks for ongoing information on the work of the WNC AgInnovation Council.