The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI) is the global home for plant science innovation. The complex challenges of agriculture don’t fit into a singular academic or research discipline. Solving these challenges often requires interdisciplinary teams, strong partnerships, strategic technology and physical resources. The N.C. PSI is bringing together experts from academia, government and industry to drive vital research that increases crop yields, creates new varieties, extends growing seasons, enhances agricultural and environmental sustainability, and produces new and improved technology. We are harnessing the power of data and technology in teaching, research and application in an effort to break down the barriers to solving agricultural challenges. We use these data to put our research into action, helping farmers and industry partners make real-time, informed decisions that lead to practical results.