As we highlight some of the people and groups that come together to make the State Fair possible, we would be making a grave mistake to not mention the impact that local colleges and students have on the fair. Each year the fair serves as a thrilling escape for college students in the middle of midterm season while some students go the extra mile and decide to work at the State Fair as a way to gain experience in a unique and energetic environment.
If you’ve been attending the fair for a while now, then you might already know about NC State’s involvement with the fair — it’s located just down the road, after all! However, NC State isn’t the only local college that’s makes an appearance at the fair.
The aptly named North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, located in Greensboro, has been a champion of agricultural education for decades, and it makes sure to make it’s presence known at one of the biggest events of the year.
The school begins preparing for the State Fair in mid-July by planning what materials they’re going to bring and recruiting volunteers to travel to the state capitol for the fair’s 11-day run. Every year they set up a booth which advertises the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. They share with fairgoers information about the programs and opportunities they host, as well as the current projects the college is working on. Dr. Kenrett is a big supporter of the booth and keeping the school involved with the State Fair and the community.
“We want to educate the community about everything that we are offering,” she stated, “That’s the intent. Anything that comes after that is just a win-win.” She hopes that juniors and seniors in high school that are interested in a future career in agriculture or agribusiness will stop by their booth to learn more.
While their fellow Aggies run the booth, other representatives from NC A&T are busy in different parts of the fairgrounds. Last year, the Blue & Gold Marching Machine, A&T’s marching band, performed at the Military Day Parade, leading the parade route to honor or United State service members.
Members of the Poultry Science Club also participated in the fun, helping with registration and the weigh-in station at the Market Turkey Show. The club, which is the first of its kind at an HBCU, helps prepare student for the poultry industry through trainings, career support, and educational field trips.
Outside of the N.C. State Fair, NC A&T does a lot for the agriculture industry in North Carolina. Researchers at the school work closely with the N.C. Department of Agriculture on agricultural issues across the State and advancing the agricultural industry. They also have one of the most robust biggest agricultural education programs in the state, with over 14 different undergraduate majors across four different areas.
So what’s in the future? NC A&T faculty and students are always looking for new ways to engage with the State Fair as well as support agriculture throughout the state. Antoine Alston, associate dean of the college of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, shared, “We are doing a great deal of work with drone, plant sensors, and robots within Animal Agriculture to increase productivity and efficiency.” Even now, the school is finalizing the construction of their nearly 15,000-square-foot Urban Community Food Complex. Them facility, when it opens, will be a hub for agricultural innovation, education, and community engagement. It will even also house the university’s Creamery — who knows, N.C. State’s Howling Cow may have competition soon.