Answering the Call from Rural NC: The Agricultural Institute and the Food Animal Industry

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Organization:

North Carolina State University

Amount:

989418

Program Area:

Special Programs Initiative

County of Applicant:

Wake

Year:

12/03/2020

Description:

The Agricultural Institute (AGI) is a two-year degree program based at NCSU that provides training for careers in agriculture and related fields. AGI has identified several challenges and opportunities for North Carolina agriculture, many of which directly affect rural and economically distressed communities and livestock producers and processors. This grant will support new programs to address those challenges, including creation of an Agricultural Operations Certificate and of a Food Animal and Poultry Processing Curriculum based on needs of industry in rural Tier 1 and 2 counties. It will also support a peer mentorship collaborative that connects AGI students and high school students with faculty and graduate students at NCSU to help with the recruitment of AGI students from Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, and creation of an internship support program that will make it easier for students to participate in internships provided by agricultural businesses in Tier 1 and 2 counties. Golden LEAF funds will be used over the five-year term of the grant for personnel, travel, recruiting costs, mentoring team participant stipends, internship scholarships, and other costs of the program.

Contact:

Dr. Alyssa Degreenia
2601 Wolf Village Way
Admin Services III, Suite 240
Raleigh, 
North Carolina 
27695-7514 
(919) 515-3248