Front row l-r: Donna Riddle, WCC Horticulture lead instructor and Leslie Sparks, Director, Carolina Farm Credit, ACA
Second row l-r: Alexa Wagoner, Loan Processor; Marsha Williams, Senior Loan Officer; and Carmen Church, Branch Office Coordinator
Back row l-r: Scott Green, Regional Vice President and Ryan Bledsoe, Commercial Ag Loan Officer
The Wilkes Community College Horticulture program has received a $5,000 grant from Carolina Farm Credit. This grant will be used to host the college’s first annual Ag Awareness Day. The purpose of the Ag Awareness day is to increase awareness of Wilkes Community College agriculture programs (Animal Science and Horticulture). The event will showcase the programs and other post-secondary opportunities available to WCC students.
Donna Riddle, WCC Horticulture lead instructor stated, “We are excited to have this chance to demonstrate all the opportunities we have to offer to the high schools in our region. As the only community college in the state to offer associates degrees in both Animal Science and Horticulture, we can provide a well-rounded agricultural experience with a focus on practical skill development.
In 2014, Carolina Farm Credit established the Corporate Mission Fund to provide grants to local, non-profit agriculture-related organizations and scholarships to NC college agriculture students. 2019 marks the fifth year the Association has awarded these grants.