agInnovation North Central
A Regional Land-grant University Agricultural Experiment Station Network
agInnovation North Central (agNC) Initiatives​
Beginning in 2024, under the leadership of agInnovation North Central (agNC) Chair Dr. Shibu Jose, and with the vision and commitment of our agNC Directors and Office, we launched a bold slate of initiatives that reflect the strength, diversity, and innovation of our region.
The North Central Region—America’s heartland—is far more than farmland. It is a powerful driver of inclusive research excellence, advancing solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. From our fields to our campuses, our universities and communities are shaping a future where agriculture not only feeds the world but fosters resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
These impactful initiatives strengthen our leadership and elevate our visibility—across the region and on the national stage—positioning the North Central Region as a leader in agricultural innovation and collaborative discovery.
2024–2025 Initiatives
agNC Chair, Dr. Shibu Jose (University of Missouri)
​
Strengthening Regional Partnerships - Advancing shared priorities across diverse agricultural landscapes and communities.
-
Joint Science Priority Planning with Extension Directors
-
Expanded engagement with 1862s, 1890s, and 1994s
Celebrating Research Excellence in the North Central Region - Honoring groundbreaking research and individuals driving innovation through regional awards and recognition.
Showcasing Our Impact - Elevating the visibility of our research strengths and regional contributions through strategic communications and national platforms.
-
NCR Communicators Consortium: Increase engagement, collaboration and coordination amongst the regions LGU communicators to leverage regional expertise to amplify impact through collaborative, innovative communication strategies.
-
National Impact Database (landgrantimpacts.org): Publish at least 48 new stories (4 per institution) highlighting the North Central Region’s research excellence.
​
2024–2025 Initiatives Progress
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
-
Deepened engagement with the region’s 1890 Land-grant Universities.
-
Enhanced engagement with North Central Extension Directors, including plans to co-host a joint regional spring meeting in 2026.
-
Facilitated collaboration among all regional LGUs (1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions) in the development of the inaugural agNC Research Impacts Report.
-
Strengthened partnership with the North Central Administrative Heads Section (AHS) and Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) delegates to reimagine the North Central Mini Land-grant Conference.
Celebrating Research Excellence in the North Central Region
-
Launched a new regional awards program to recognize outstanding agricultural research innovation across career stages—early career, mid-career, and for engagement and accessibility.
-
The first recipients were honored in August 2025, spotlighting groundbreaking research.
-
These awards are now under consideration for national adoption through agInnovation.
Showcasing Our Impact
-
NCR Communicators Consortium: Now established as a formal regional group, the NCR Communicators Consortium connects communicators across the North Central region to elevate visibility of shared research priorities. The group has identified its first chair and meets quarterly to coordinate strategies and respond to regional communication needs and opportunities.
-
National Impact Database: North Central institutions significantly increased their contributions to the National Impact Database, with a total of 938 submissions as of August 2025—including 396 research-specific stories. This marks a more than 100% increase in research-related entries since goal-setting began (submissions were less than 40 at the beginning of Chair Jose's term).
-
agNC Research Impacts Report: In partnership with regional LGUs, agNC developed its inaugural Research Impacts Report, which highlights significant outcomes supported by a variety of USDA-funded programs. This report captures the breadth, relevance, and real-world value of North Central research efforts.
-
USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum (February 2025): agNC leaders and faculty participated in USDA’s flagship annual forum, engaging with USDA leadership and national stakeholders to showcase the region’s research-driven innovations in food, agriculture, and natural resources.
​
​
