As an intern for NC State’s Executive Farm Management (EFM) program, ABM Senior Julia Griffin spent last summer traveling to farms across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia with EFM Director Michael Best. During these visits, Griffin had the opportunity to connect with EFM alumni, gathering insights into their diverse operations, which span a wide range of crops, livestock and innovative practices.
A highlight of Griffin’s internship was the chance to travel and meet with farmers firsthand, conducting interviews to understand the unique challenges they face and gathering feedback to guide EFM’s goals for 2025. Griffin took the initiative to expand the program’s online presence, creating a LinkedIn page with over 150 connections and launching a “Farmer Friday” series to spotlight EFM alumni who drive success in their communities.
“A significant takeaway from this internship was the warmth and openness of the farmers I met, who taught me so much about resilience, passion and supporting others,” Griffin said. “Working under Dr. Best, who has become a mentor to me throughout this experience, has also been incredibly valuable. His guidance has deepened my understanding of agricultural challenges and reinforced my commitment to making an impact in this field.”
Griffin will graduate this December with a B.S. in Agricultural Business Management and minors in Economics and Entrepreneurship. As she looks toward the future, she is eager to pursue an MBA and focus on building consulting skills to support the agricultural sector.
“I now feel even more passionate about making a meaningful impact in this industry,” she said.
To learn more about the EFM Program and apply, visit go.ncsu.edu/efm or contact Michael Best for additional information.
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