New Directions in Agriculture

In the 21^st century, agricultural research in both science and engineering continue at NC State. Areas of particular interest include biofuels research and organic farming, as well as precision farming, which relies on GPS to provide the farmer with the most accurate and detailed information possible to ensure efficient cultural practices. With these new technologies, agriculture has become more efficient, but also more capital-intensive, skilled, and elite. Nevertheless, in the information age, David S. Weaver’s belief remains relevant: “it is the farmers’ ever-increasing efficiency that makes possible the fields of work for non-farm employed people.”[1] To Weaver, agricultural research empowered rural people by providing an opportunity for them to pursue a career other than agriculture. Instead of understanding the decrease of those involved in agriculture as a negative consequence, Weaver believed it empowered them by giving them an opportunity to enrich themselves and their society. From this perspective, agricultural research at NC State did empower farmers and farm families, and the contradiction of the goal of empowerment through efficiency is resolved.