Cash crop: North Carolina's agriculture industry harvests success from the seeds it plants in biotechnology, education, logistics and tourism.

• Position: SPONSORED SECTION

North Carolinians aren't afraid to get their hands dirty meeting a challenge. That's especially true for the people working for the agribusinesses that call this state home. Some of them develop cost-effective ways to get their products to markets around the world while others engineer crops that require less water, offer more nutrition and are immune to herbicides to feed a growing population. They are studying weather and planting techniques but also biology, chemistry, law and economics to remain competitive. Some are opening the gates of their farms and vineyards to...