By Scout Nelson
Hollie Mackey, an associate professor at North Dakota State University, has been appointed as the Chief Strategy Officer of the Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security (FARMS) coalition, a significant advancement in agricultural technology.
This appointment follows a substantial federal award of up to $160 million over the next decade to support the initiative. FARMS, under the umbrella of the National Science Foundation's North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine partnership, aims to spearhead research, entrepreneurship, and job creation in the agricultural sector.
Mackey's involvement has been pivotal in shaping the direction and strategy of FARMS, particularly through organizing virtual and in-person site visits that played a crucial role in securing the federal funds. Her background in educational and organizational leadership, combined with her commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, has made her a key figure in this groundbreaking endeavor.
With a rich history of working within the community and with Tribal Colleges, Mackey brings a deep understanding of agriculture's potential to not only North Dakota but also to the broader global community.
Her focus on leveraging this potential to improve lives reflects the overarching goals of FARMS—to produce more nutritious crops, rediscover ancestral crops, and create an ecosystem of economic development that benefits all stakeholders.
The FARMS aims to promote food security, develop advanced crop varieties, and create a robust AgTech entrepreneurial ecosystem by collaborating with AgTech leaders, researchers, and startups to accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions.
Mackey's leadership is expected to drive FARMS towards achieving its ambitious goals, including the creation of high-wage local jobs and the advancement of technologies critical to modern agriculture.
As the first leader of this initiative, she embodies the project's inclusive and ambitious spirit, aiming to make a significant impact on food security and agricultural practices worldwide.
Photo Credit -north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Education, General