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 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.
In Rutherford and Polk counties, Isothermal Community College’s new covered riding arena is expanding the hands-on training opportunities that connect students to high-demand careers in agribusiness, equine services, and mental health services.
Madison County High School’s Construction Trades Program is delivering measurable results for students and employers by combining hands-on learning with direct workforce connections in high-demand skilled trades.
Stanly County is seeing tangible returns from a strategic infrastructure improvement at Riverstone Industrial Park. Golden LEAF funding to extend and improve the access road off Brown’s Hill Road transformed both how the park functions and how it was perceived by prospective employers.
In 2021, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $159,034 to extend and improve access into Riverstone Industrial Park. The road improvement helped American Racing Headers locate a new facility at the park, creating 56 new jobs with an average annual wage above the county average and making a capital investment of $4.375 million.
In southeastern North Carolina, strengthening the healthcare workforce is also a strategy for long-term economic growth. At Cape Fear Valley Health System, expanded physician training has helped address provider shortages while generating significant economic impact across the region.
“Developing a physician workforce here in southeastern North Carolina is core to what we do,” said Cape Fear Valley Health System’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Nagowski. “By every statistic you look at, we have a dramatic shortage of healthcare providers in this region.”
The Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center (RCCHC) is bringing new opportunities for both healthcare access and employment to rural Bertie County through the development of the Aulander Dental and Primary Care Clinic. Supported in part by the Golden LEAF Foundation, this 10,000-square-foot facility will house eight dental operatories and four medical exam rooms, offering integrated care in a medically underserved area.
CommWell Health of Newton Grove/Spivey’s Corner has completed a major renovation and reconfiguration of its healthcare facility in Sampson County in time for its 50th anniversary. The updated campus strengthens access to primary care, dental, and behavioral health services for residents in this rural community while creating new jobs in the healthcare field.
When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, the Baptists on Mission organization was ready to respond. The organization mobilized thousands of volunteers to help families recover and rebuild.
With support from $2.94 million in funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation, the Baptists on Mission organization has already helped 521 families return home and has another 240 homes currently under repair. More than 1,300 applications for assistance have been received to date, underscoring the long road to recovery ahead.
Food hubs in both Eastern and Western North Carolina are working to grow their reach, support more farmers, and increase access to local food thanks in part to strategic funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation.
Across Southeastern North Carolina, Feast Down East is scaling its operations to meet rising demand from farmers and buyers. The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded Feast Down East $250,000 through the Open Grants Program to increase refrigeration and storage capacity at its Burgaw food hub and Wilmington satellite location.
