This grant provided funding to help develop an agriculture program that aimed to train current and future growers with best farming and farm-business practices, advanced technologies, and sustainable farming techniques. In addition to courses related to traditional horticulture and animal husbandry, extending crop growing seasons, improving yields, and reducing loss, the program also taught greenhouse production and high tunnel applications. The college had 1+3 and 2+2 agreements with both NCSU and NC A&T University that allowed students to pursue a 4-year degree. Montgomery Community College had recently opened a new Career Technical Education center and housed the county’s sole high school, with its growing FFA program, located adjacent to the college. Golden LEAF funds were used for a greenhouse and high-tunnel (including construction), equipment, and instructional supplies.
