By David Monks
I’m excited to share news of an important initiative that will strengthen NC State Extension’s agricultural programming and support for North Carolina farmers for years to come.
NC Ag Leads is a statewide, industry-led effort that brings together agriculture, education, business and government partners to strengthen North Carolina’s agricultural economy. This partnership formed around a shared recognition that North Carolina’s agricultural support systems must become more coordinated, strategic and responsive to today’s realities.
Working alongside industry partners such as the Golden LEAF Foundation, NC Chamber Foundation, NC Farm Bureau, and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NC State helped inform the NC Ag Leads Strategic Plan for North Carolina Agriculture. Announced last spring, the plan identifies the industry’s most pressing needs and recommended strategies, including a more dynamic approach for aligning and deploying Extension’s agricultural expertise in the counties.