High school students explore career, academic options at 19th Ag Literacy Fest

Students from more than 22 middle and high schools across North Carolina experienced campus life at N.C. A&T, toured the university’s farm and learned about several academic and career opportunities during this year’s Agricultural Literacy Fest.

Middle and high school agriculture students across North Carolina met with 20 exhibitors across N.C. A&T, federal, state and industry partners for this year’s Agricultural Literacy Festival

The annual event, held during National FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) Week, provides middle and high school students in agricultural education programs in counties across the state the chance to learn about potential ag-industry career options as well as academic programs held at N.C. A&T, specifically in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, through guest speakers and an academic and career fair.

“The purpose of this event is to expose students to career and academic opportunities available to them in the food, agriculture, and environmental sciences, as well as expose them to life here at A&T,” said Antoine Alston, associate dean of student affairs. “It’s a dynamic, engaging activity.”

The event, held Feb. 24 at the University Farm Pavilion, featured guest speakers including USDA/1890 Scholars program liaison Larry Hartsfield, Army & Airforce ROTC Major Vincent Nicholson, Janet Archer of N.C. Pork Council, N.C. State FFA officers Izzy Fanning-Wilson and Sydney Loftin, as well as video testimonials of prior CAES students.

Janaia Madden, president of N.C. A&T’s chapter of MANNRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resource and Related Sciences), and Miles Lee, USDA/1890 Scholar and vice president of N.C. A&T MANRRS, presided over the event. Lee told the young students to “expand their mindset” while attending the academic and career fair.

“I’ve learned through my high school career to not just make money, but to “make meaning”: meaningful change and the opportunity to improve life outcomes for others,” said Lee. “So, for me, that meant agriculture, and going to college here at A&T allowed me to fully immerse myself in the field of agriculture. You have the option to choose agriculture, if you decide to enroll in college.”

The academic and career fair featured 20 exhibitors from N.C. A&T departments and numerous federal, state and industrial agencies, including the U.S. and N.C. Forest Services, Tyson Foods, N.C. Pork Council, Butterball, North Carolina Farm Bureau, USDA and Carolina Farm Credit. In addition, the event held interactive features such as a trolley tour of the University Farm, appearances by Smokey Bear and university mascots Aggie & Aggietha, a 360-degree photobooth and performances by sorority and fraternity Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma.

Hoke County Animal Science teacher Denise Cummings called the winter Ag Fest “a great opportunity for students to celebrate FFA Week.”

“It was a great exposure for our students,” said Cummings. “They got to see the campus, they got to experience a little bit of college life, hear from alumni, and learn more about career opportunities in the field of agriculture.”

The 2023 Ag Literacy Fest was sponsored by N.C. Pork Council, Carolina Farm Credit, North Carolina Cattleman’s Association, N.C. Farm Bureau and N.C. Nursery & Landscape Association.