NC A&T School of Agriculture Hosts Aspiring Leaders

July 9, 1997

Greensboro, NC: Before the summer is over, three programs hosted by the North Carolina A&T State University School of Agriculture will have given 68 high school students and incoming college freshmen opportunities to sample some of the career and academic areas encompassed by the field of agriculture.

According to Dr. Daniel D. Godfrey, dean of the A&T School of Agriculture, agriculture is a diverse field which is spawning careers with a consistent demand for qualified individuals.

"The School of Agriculture now offers students the chance to study animal industry, agricultural engineering, aquaculture, biotechnology, fashion design, human nutrition, landscape architecture and many other subjects that would come as a surprise to most people," said Godfrey. "And just as interesting as the courses and degree programs are the number of employers lining up to recruit qualified graduates. Shortages already exist in some areas and more shortages are predicted in others."

The Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) is a week-long program for selected North Carolina high school students interested in agricultural careers, and is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Farm Bureau and NC A&T State University. This year, 43 students participated in IFAL from June 22 to 27.

The IFAL is designed to develop an understanding of the needs of agricultural industries, including career opportunities and the scientific and commercial aspects of agriculture. IFAL activities also focused on leadership development and other social skills.

During their week at A&T, IFAL participants were given an overview of the academic areas of agriculture, and related programs within the university. Also on the agenda were visits to agribusinesses, and tours of the North Carolina General Assembly, the Governor's office, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and the State Department of Agriculture in Raleigh.

The Institute for Careers in Agriculture and Natural Sciences (ICAN) is also a week-long, campus-based program. This year, ten students participated in IFAL from June 22 to 27.

ICAN was established to give high school students an overview of the broad array of courses offered by the A&T School of Agriculture, a preview of college life, and an introduction to some of the hundreds of careers open to graduates with degrees related to agriculture.

During ICAN, workshops and seminars relating to agriculture and its careers were conducted by School of Agriculture research scientists and faculty members. Each department within the School of Agriculture outlined their courses of study and the ensuing opportunities available to graduates with a degree from the A&T School of Agriculture.

The Research Apprenticeship Program is a six-week study program conducted by North Carolina A&T State University's School of Agriculture. Fifteen students participated in the Research Apprenticeship Program from June 15 to July 25.

For the 19th consecutive summer, a select group of high school students spent six weeks working closely with research faculty from the A&T School of Agriculture, while living on the A&T campus.

While on campus, they attended workshops at which they were given overviews of state-of-the-art scientific equipment, computers and data processing, and other topics. A highlight of the program for each student was a special project, conducted under the direction of one of the School of Agriculture's research scientists. Students' projects ranged from landscape architecture and pesticide studies to air quality and international trade.

For more information on these programs, p lease contact Azell Reeves, NC A&T School of Agriculture, (336) 334-7041.