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Habitat for Humanity builds homes to support the workforce in Wayne County  

Jenny Tinklepaugh on July 21, 2026

As North Carolina’s population continues to grow, so does the demand for workforce housing. In Goldsboro, Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne is partnering with Golden LEAF and others to transform a 24.5-acre site into a new mixed-income neighborhood that will provide homes for essential workers while strengthening the local economy. Discover how infrastructure investments and community partnerships are helping address one of rural North Carolina’s most pressing economic development challenges.

Building Agricultural Career Pathways Across Eastern North Carolina

Jenny Tinklepaugh on June 9, 2026

As North Carolina agriculture faces workforce shortages and an aging labor force, educational institutions are working together to create stronger pathways from high school classrooms to agricultural careers.

The University of Mount Olive (UMO) has developed a network of agricultural academies that allow high school students to earn college credit, explore career options and gain hands-on experience before graduation. Through partnerships with public schools, private schools and community colleges, the program helps students move seamlessly from education into the workforce.

Ashe County Agricultural Center supports farmers, agribusiness, and the next generation of agriculture

Jenny Tinklepaugh on June 9, 2026

For years, Ashe County farmers lacked a centralized facility where they could market livestock, host agricultural events, and provide hands-on learning opportunities for young people interested in agriculture. Today, the Ashe County Agricultural Center is helping fill that gap while strengthening the local agricultural industry and creating new economic opportunities for businesses, commodity groups, nonprofit organizations, and future farmers.

The Ashe County Agriculture Foundation committee handles the day-to-day operations of the facility. Judy Bare, member of the Ashe County Agriculture Foundation committee, says the committee meets at least once a month to go over planned events and other aspects of the center.

Middle school career labs support workforce pipeline for high-demand careers

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 27, 2026

Two middle schools in Wilson County are helping students think about their futures long before they reach high school through the College and Career Exploration Labs at Darden and Speight Middle Schools.

The labs were designed to give middle school students hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world careers. Students explore a variety of high-demand fields through interactive modules focused on Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing Technologies, Electricity and Electronics, Structural Engineering, Health Science Careers, Computer Drafting and Design, Environment and Ecology, and other career pathways tied to workforce preparedness.

Bolstering North Carolina’s healthcare workforce pipeline

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 27, 2026

Across North Carolina, healthcare providers are facing critical staffing shortages. In 2025 the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded eight community colleges more than $4.1 million total to expand healthcare training capacity and prepare students for in-demand careers to help address these challenges. Funds were used to support expanding training capacity, modernizing facilities, strengthening career pathways, and connecting students directly to high-demand careers.

Plant Sciences Initiative – Keeping Agriculture Competitive

Jenny Tinklepaugh on March 25, 2026

What does it take to keep North Carolina agriculture competitive in a rapidly changing world?

Today’s farmers face complex challenges that require more than traditional solutions. The Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) at NC State University was created to meet that challenge by bringing together researchers, farmers, industry leaders, and government partners to solve real problems and deliver practical innovations to the field.

Montgomery Community College cultivates advanced agriculture program

Jenny Tinklepaugh on March 25, 2026

Montgomery County is seeing tangible returns from the expansion of Montgomery Community College’s advanced agricultural training and Sustainable Agriculture programs.

In 2020, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded Montgomery Community College $375,000 to develop an agriculture program to train current and future growers with best practices in farming and business, advanced technologies, and sustainable techniques. Golden LEAF funding supported the construction of a greenhouse and high-tunnel, as well as the purchase of equipment and instructional supplies.