Wilson, North Carolina, February 13, 2026
Wilson, North Carolina is leading in agricultural innovation with the launch of Touio’s Intellidrip solution at ‘The Source,’ a high-tech agricultural laboratory. This smart irrigation technology aims to enhance productivity and empower local farmers through automation and data-driven decision-making. As North Carolina’s agriculture sector thrives, Touio contributes to the economic vitality of the state. This initiative showcases how technological advancement can secure a competitive edge for small to medium-sized growers while lowering barriers for high-tech farming.
Wilson, North Carolina, is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancement in boosting the state’s vital farming sector. In a significant development for North Carolina’s agribusiness landscape, Touio, an Internet of Things (IoT) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) startup headquartered in Charlotte, NC, has successfully deployed its Intellidrip solution at “The Source,” the City of Wilson’s high-tech agricultural laboratory and research testbed. This initiative underscores how local innovation and strategic investments are creating new pathways for efficiency and profitability for growers across the state, fostering NC economic growth and supporting North Carolina entrepreneurs.
This collaboration highlights a broader trend: the private sector’s crucial role in developing and implementing solutions that empower small and medium-sized growers and agricultural entrepreneurs. By embracing cutting-edge technology, North Carolina’s agricultural community can enhance operations through automation and data-driven decision-making, ensuring resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market. The deployment serves as a prime example of how targeted innovation can lead to substantial improvements in productivity and sustainability, driving economic vitality across various regions, including Charlotte NC business interests and beyond.
NC Agri-Tech: Touio’s Intellidrip Revolutionizes Farming
A new smart irrigation system is enhancing agricultural efficiency and empowering the next generation of North Carolina farmers through cutting-edge technology.
Pioneering Precision Agriculture in North Carolina
Modern agriculture faces complex challenges, from resource management to climate variability. In response, innovative solutions are critical for ensuring food security and sustained economic output. Touio’s Intellidrip solution represents a significant step forward in this endeavor. This automated watering system, managed through Touio’s proprietary Ginjer™ analytics platform, meticulously monitors real-time environmental variables, soil intelligence, and water consumption. Its primary goal is to improve operational efficiency, helping farmers optimize their resources and yield.
The development of such sophisticated technology by a Charlotte small business showcases the talent and ingenuity present within North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By simplifying the complexities traditionally associated with IoT deployments, Touio makes advanced agricultural tools more accessible, allowing growers to focus on their core business of farming. This reduction in technological barriers fosters a more dynamic and competitive agricultural sector statewide.
“The Source”: A Hub for Agricultural Innovation in Wilson
“The Source,” established by the City of Wilson in 2024, plays a pivotal role in facilitating this agricultural transformation. It serves as a high-tech agricultural laboratory and research testbed designed to lower the barrier to entry for high-tech farming within the agricultural community. This facility, part of Wilson’s broader Gig East ecosystem, aims to empower growers by providing an active trial ground for precision agriculture and smart farming techniques.
The strategic deployment of Touio’s Intellidrip at “The Source” provides critical infrastructure for testing and refining these advanced methods. The facility features a greenhouse, high tunnels, and surrounding test fields, all equipped with advanced sensors and control systems powered by Greenlight, Wilson’s municipal fiber-optic network. This setup allows farmers and entrepreneurs to experiment with new crop varieties, growing techniques, and sustainable practices without risking their entire farm, thereby fostering an environment conducive to learning and innovation.
Charlotte Innovation Driving Statewide Progress
While the Intellidrip deployment is making waves in Wilson, its roots are firmly planted in Charlotte, NC, where Touio is headquartered. This connection highlights how innovation originating in Charlotte can have a profound impact across the entire state, benefiting diverse industries like agriculture. Touio’s mission to make IoT accessible through end-to-end SaaS products has proven effective in various contexts.
A notable example of Touio’s prior success includes the deployment of its Intellidrip solution across 18 community gardens in Mecklenburg County. This initiative, supporting the Health Department’s Edible Landscape program, significantly reduced food deserts by estimating over 50 tons of produce grown and achieved over 80% in water savings. This track record demonstrates the tangible benefits of private sector innovation in addressing community needs and fostering sustainability, setting a precedent for its potential impact at “The Source.”
Economic Resilience Through Smart Farming
North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness sector is a foundational pillar of the state’s economy, with an economic impact reaching $111.1 billion in 2024. This sector is the state’s number one industry, employing approximately one-fifth of its workforce. Innovations like Intellidrip contribute directly to sustaining and growing this vital economic engine.
By enhancing operational efficiency, increasing yields, and promoting sustainable practices, smart farming technologies can boost profitability for individual farmers and contribute to the overall economic resilience of North Carolina. The global Smart Ag market itself is projected to experience substantial growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4% from 2023 to 2030, indicating a promising future for investments in agricultural technology. North Carolina is uniquely positioned to lead in this arena, bridging innovation hubs in urban areas with agricultural production across the state.
Empowering Future Generations of Growers
The integration of advanced technology at facilities like “The Source” is crucial for empowering the next generation of farmers. It lowers the entry barrier for those interested in high-tech agriculture, providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in a data-driven farming environment. By offering hands-on experience with automated systems and precision agriculture techniques, ‘The Source’ helps cultivate a skilled workforce ready to embrace the future of farming.
This focus on education and accessibility ensures that agricultural innovation is not just for large-scale operations but is also within reach for small and medium-sized farms and aspiring North Carolina entrepreneurs. It fosters a culture of personal achievement and continuous learning, vital for the long-term success and adaptability of the state’s agricultural sector.
Fostering an Environment for Growth
The successful deployment of Touio’s Intellidrip at “The Source” exemplifies the benefits of an environment that encourages entrepreneurial innovation and private investment. When businesses are empowered to develop and deploy solutions without undue hurdles, they can rapidly address market needs and contribute significantly to economic development. North Carolina has a history of fostering agricultural innovation, and creating a supportive regulatory landscape can further attract businesses and entrepreneurs, stimulating job creation and economic growth.
This collaborative vision, bringing together private companies, municipal initiatives, and research partners like RIoT Labs, demonstrates how a coordinated effort can accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies. Such an approach solidifies North Carolina’s position as a leader in agtech development and showcases a model for sustainable economic prosperity.
The advances made in Wilson with Touio’s Intellidrip deployment at “The Source” are a clear indicator of North Carolina’s commitment to innovation in its most fundamental industries. For readers of HEREcharlotte.com, this initiative serves as a reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Charlotte is also catalyzing progress statewide, ensuring a vibrant economic future for all. We encourage our readers to recognize and support the local businesses and innovative projects that are shaping North Carolina’s economy. Stay engaged with the evolving landscape of Charlotte NC business and statewide economic development to understand how these advancements create new opportunities and strengthen our communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Touio’s Intellidrip Deployment
- What is Touio’s Intellidrip solution?
- Touio’s Intellidrip solution is an automated watering system that meticulously monitors real-time environmental variables, soil intelligence, and water consumption to improve operational efficiency for growers. It is managed through Touio’s proprietary Ginjer™ analytics platform.
- Where has Touio’s Intellidrip been deployed?
- Touio’s Intellidrip solution has been successfully deployed at “The Source,” the City of Wilson’s high-tech agricultural laboratory and research testbed in Wilson, North Carolina. It was also previously deployed across 18 community gardens in Mecklenburg County.
- What is “The Source” in Wilson, NC?
- “The Source” is the City of Wilson’s high-tech agricultural laboratory and research testbed, established in 2024. It aims to empower the agricultural community by lowering the barrier to entry for high-tech farming and serves as an active trial ground for precision agriculture and smart farming techniques.
- What are the benefits of Intellidrip at “The Source”?
- The Intellidrip deployment at “The Source” provides critical infrastructure to help small and medium-sized growers and entrepreneurs enhance their operations through automation and data-driven decision-making. It aims to make advanced technology accessible and profitable, helping farmers transition to more sustainable and productive smart farming techniques.
- What is the economic impact of agriculture and agribusiness in North Carolina?
- North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness sector had an economic impact of $111.1 billion in 2024, making it the state’s number one industry and employing about one-fifth of its workforce.
Key Features of Touio’s Intellidrip and “The Source”
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Touio’s Headquarters | Charlotte, NC | Local (Charlotte) |
| Intellidrip Functionality | Automated watering system monitoring environmental variables, soil intelligence, and water consumption for operational efficiency. | Nationwide (Technology Application) |
| Ginjer™ Platform | Touio’s proprietary analytics platform managing the Intellidrip solution. | Nationwide (Technology Application) |
| “The Source” Location | Wilson, North Carolina | Local (Wilson) |
| “The Source” Purpose | High-tech agricultural laboratory and research testbed, lowering the barrier to entry for high-tech farming, serving as a trial ground for precision agriculture. | State-level (North Carolina Agricultural Community) |
| “The Source” Establishment | Established by the City of Wilson in 2024. | Local (Wilson) |
| Previous Intellidrip Deployment | Deployed in 18 community gardens in Mecklenburg County, leading to significant produce growth and water savings. | Local (Mecklenburg County) |
| North Carolina Agriculture Economic Impact (2024) | $111.1 billion, employing about one-fifth of the state’s workforce. | State-level (North Carolina) |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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