North Carolina State University. Dept. of Crop Science.

The North Carolina State University Department of Crop Science began as the Division of Agronomy in the School of Agriculture at the beginning of the 1900s. In 1924, reorganization led to the Division of Agronomy becoming the Department of Agronomy. In 1952, a new building, Williams Hall, was opened, designed to house the by then large department. At the beginning of 1956, Agronomy was divided into the Department of Field Crops and the Department of Soil Science. In 1962, Field Crops changed its name to the Department of Crop Science to better reflect its focus.

The Department of Crop Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Science at North Carolina State University works on improving the production and profitability of a diverse assortment of North Carolina crops. Over time, the department has evolved from a small staff and narrow research focus into a large, comprehensive program that can respond to changing agricultural needs.

The Department of Crop Science began as the Division of Agronomy in the School of Agriculture at the beginning of the 1900s. Prior to the formation of the division, however, agronomic research and teaching had been conducted through the Agricultural Research Station and in the general course of study in agriculture at the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later to become North Carolina State University).

In 1924, reorganization led to the Division of Agronomy becoming the Department of Agronomy, and throughout the next several decades, the department grew in staff and scope. The Great Depression caused many agricultural problems in North Carolina, but new funds allotted to the Department of Agronomy helped expand the research and teaching capabilities of the department.

In 1952, a new building, Williams Hall, was opened, designed to house the by then large department. At the beginning of 1956, Agronomy was divided into the Department of Field Crops and the Department of Soil Science. In 1962, Field Crops changed its name to the Department of Crop Science to better reflect its focus.

Although the department is still housed in Williams Hall, it also staffs a number of research stations around the state. To further expand its scope, the department also works closely with the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. In addition, the Department of Crop Science also works with a Crop Science Cooperative Extension program to reach out to farmers around the state. It has also developed curricula for the Agricultural Institute, a two-year technical training program.

The Maize Breeding and Genetics Program at North Carolina State University was established by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1960, and overseen by the USDA until 1983, when control of the program was turned over to NC State. The purpose of the program is to contribute to the development and release of improved maize inbred lines to show superior agronomic performance and yield potential. The Maize Breeding and Genetics program is currently directed by Dr. Major Goodman.

Additional information and resources on the history of the Department of Crop Science can be found through the NCSU Historical State website .