BCCC receives Golden LEAF Grant for Agribusiness Technology Program | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Beaufort County Community College has received a $97,075 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation to support the creation and implementation of the college's new Agribusiness Technology Program.

    The grant will be used to pay for renovations to a building on the BCCC campus that will house the program, laboratory equipment, safety equipment and computers and will provide one year of salary and benefits for new Lead Instructor, William "Billy" Askew. Ongoing salary and program expenses will be covered by state reimbursement and tuition and fees.

    "BCCC appreciates this grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation and is grateful for the economic benefits it will provide our four-county service area," said President Barbara Tansey. "The students within our service area will benefit from the job training offered by the Agribusiness Technology Program and businesses will benefit from having trained workers."

    "Over 120 new positions are anticipated in our service area in the agricultural sector within the next 10 years," she said. "This program will train individuals to fill those positions as well as additional positions vacated through the aging of the current workforce."

    BCCC's Agribusiness Technology Program prepares graduates for jobs in agriculture such as equipment, feed and agricultural supply sales, store management, farm operations and office management of agricultural products marketing firms.

    Students in the program will complete course work in two years for an associate in applied science degree in agribusiness technology if taken full-time. Part-time students will be able to complete the curriculum in a format that fits their schedule.

    The Agribusiness Technology Program will also offer a certificate option for students that will give students the chance to take 12 hours of courses they may directly need for a specific job.

    In addition, once the program is established, the Division of Continuing Education will be able to provide specific, short-term training as needed for local agribusiness workers and businesses through occupational extension classes and customized training.

    "Golden LEAF is proud to support agribusiness, North Carolina's number one industry," said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF president. "This program will provide a region that relies heavily on agriculture and its related businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to help further growth and opportunity."

    The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina's economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina's funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on helping tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state.

    The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,275 grants totaling more than $561 million since its inception.

    For more information about BCCC's Agribusiness Technology Program, contact Askew at 252-940-6304 or at billya@beaufortccc.edu. Information about the program is also available on the BCCC website at www.beaufortccc.edu.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.