“Stand up if you’re interested in pursuing a career in agriculture,” speaker Miles Lee, a master’s student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, asked the 240 middle and high school students attending this year’s Winter Agriculture Literacy Fest at the University Farm Pavilion on Feb. 20.
Around one-third of the crowd stood.
“How many of you like to work outside?” he continued, asking them to remain standing after each new question.
“How many want to travel the world? How many want to teach, or own your own business?”
By Lee’s last question, the entire room was standing.
“We are all related to agriculture, whether we know it or not,” said Lee. “Sometimes we have to change our perception of agriculture; it’s not always about riding a tractor or taking the animals out to get their shots.”
Jazmin Palma, left, and Josiah Saravia, right, both N.C. FFA Organization vice presidents, pose with N.C. FFA President Adrianna Santiago and a friend during the Winter Agricultural Literacy Fest and Academic Fair. FFA, officially known as the National FFA Organization, is the largest student-led organization in the U.S.
The annual event, held each winter by the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, invites middle and high school students across the state to take part in an academic and career fair, tour the University Farm, and engage with other students, faculty and industry professionals.
“The purpose of this program is to expose students to academic and career opportunities in food, agriculture and environmental sciences,” said Antoine Alston, Ph.D., associate dean of academics.
According to Alston, 240 registered students from 18 schools accounted for the event’s largest attendance in its more-than-20-year history.
On hand to meet students were 20 listed exhibitors from CAES’ four academic departments; university-wide programs such as ROTC and Office of Undergraduate Admissions; industry partners, such as the N.C. Pork Council and poultry company Butterball, LLC.; Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T, and state and federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.
Waynette Kimball, administrative specialist for USDA-Farm Service Agency, said the career fair “opens doorways and builds vast awareness” for interested students to learn about the featured programs and industry partners.
“This is a look into what USDA has to offer and what corporate America has to offer, whether it’s because of the field of study they’re interested in, a career opportunity later on or a volunteer opportunity we have in some of our county offices,” said Kimball.
“It’s never too early to start,” said Frances Crouch, a talent programs consultant with Butterball, LLC.
Between exhibits at the career fair and the farm tour, students also enjoyed photo opportunities with Smokey Bear and the Aggie Dog as well as a performance by the ETA Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma.
Aliya Isaac, a student at Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, N.C., said the event had potentially changed her prospective college major.
“I was originally going to major in biology, but seeing these opportunities has opened my eyes to the possibilities in agriculture,” she said.
Natasha Faircloth, assistant principal of Sampson Middle School, in Clinton, N.C., said the fair was educational to her students not only because of its content, but because of its volume.
“When we bring our students here — the campus is so large compared to the community college in our area,” said Faircloth. “Even the community college wasn’t aware of the many programs and credentials that A&T offers. This campus stresses that they should maintain their grades and stay focused.”
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