WRITTEN BY: Matthew Burkhart (mkburkha@ncsu.edu)

NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences International Programs welcomed His Excellency Vladislav Kulminski, Moldova’s ambassador to the United States, for a visit highlighting the university’s expanding partnership with Moldova’s agricultural sector. The visit brought together faculty, state officials and Moldovan representatives for a tour, discussions and vision-setting activities across campus.

Kulminski said he was struck by North Carolina’s investment and understanding of Moldova’s challenges and potential.

“I think over the past couple of days I’ve been really overwhelmed by how much North Carolina has done for the Republic of Moldova,” Kulminski said. “Literally, you know, I think you know more about my country than I do. And that has been really impressive. I think this initiative is really important.”

The ambassador’s visit included a tour of the Lake Wheeler Field Labs, led by its Superintendent Bridget Lassiter, and a roundtable with the team who have worked on the Moldova partnership, including José Cisneros, Fernanda Santos, Luke Gatiboni, Farzana Halim, Adrienne Tucker, Elizabeth Driscoll and David Suchoff. Also in attendance were CALS Dean Garey Fox, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Associate Dean of Extension David Monks and Assistant Director of NCARS Loren Fisher.

Since the partnership’s launch in 2023, NC State and Moldova’s Technical University have hosted multiple exchange visits, research workshops and collaborative pilot projects focused on modernizing Moldova’s agricultural extension and workforce training infrastructure. 

“Our objective is not to impose our system on Moldova; it’s for them to build their own system, inspired by what we have in North Carolina but adapted to Moldovan functions,” said Chadi Sayde, faculty lead for the Moldova partnership.

Fox, who opened the meeting with context on CALS’s broader mission, emphasized the importance of sharing proven models and adapting them. 

“The College of Ag and Life Sciences is really one of the leading colleges of ag and life sciences in the entire country in the United States,” Fox said. “From an extension standpoint, we probably have the second-largest extension service of any of the states in the United States. For North Carolina to still have that presence, it’s very unique.”

Marshall, who has overseen the Moldova-North Carolina partnership for more than two decades, called on her own rural upbringing. 

“I have a passion for Moldova. I certainly have a passion for agriculture because I’m a farm girl and 4-H’er and understand what extension can do,” Marshall said. “I think it’s tremendously hopeful for Moldova. Moldova is small enough that you can see results fairly quickly.”

Sayde explained that the partnership began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding and expanded with support from the U.S. embassy’s Speaker Exchange Program, which enabled student and faculty exchanges and eventually fostered broader collaboration among several departments. He described the current stage of the partnership as a model based on two-way communication.

“We have to collect what [farmers and producers] need and respond to it and communicate it back. So it really becomes a complete cycle,” Sayde said.

The effort now includes seven Moldovan universities and a growing list of researchers and student participants. Joint pilot projects, supported by U.S. State Department seed funding, are underway to adapt the North Carolina cooperative extension model for Moldova’s diverse agricultural needs. 

“We are working on the details and execution. The key to this concept is connectivity with the local community. That’s the key of our concept: have the connectivity at the community level,” Sayde said.

During his remarks, Kulminski addressed the broader transformation underway in Moldova. 

“We are called an agricultural country, but today agriculture is only 17 percent of our GDP, which has gone down drastically during independence,” Kulminski said. “But thank you very much for what you’re doing here. If I stay on for a couple more days, then, Madam Secretary, I’m probably going to be ready to join your team here.”

Marshall, who is closely involved in Moldova’s European Union accession process, reiterated the urgency of the partnership.

Marshall, who plays an active role in Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union, emphasized the importance and urgency of the partnership. She explained that the accession process will be challenging, as Moldova must meet a series of EU standards and benchmarks. Delegations visiting through the program, she said, are helping strengthen governance and prepare the country to earn strong evaluations from EU officials. With hopes of completing accession by 2030, Marshall noted that there is still significant work ahead.

The exchange is also shaping a new generation of agricultural leaders. As Sayde said, “There is no single faculty or staff who went to Moldova who doesn’t want to return. First reaction, where’s the next trip? Second reaction, after I return, I want to go back.”

As the day concluded, the optimism was unmistakable. 

“There’s a lot of work to be done,” Sayde said, “but we have a good example here in North Carolina: a working, functional system. We’re not just providing a solution; we’re building a solution together from scratch.”