Jessica Stepp Edney, co-interim director at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center (Mt. Hort), is an all round joy. And NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is lucky to call her one of our own.
Stepp Edney received her undergraduate degree from Clemson University, but her passion for agriculture began long before.
Born and raised in Henderson County, Stepp Edney returned to Henderson County after college to teach and later work for the Boys and Girls Club. After becoming a parent, she wanted to try something new, and found what she calls her perfect fit at Mt. Hort. Even though the position she applied for started as temporary, Edney says, “It felt right, and I was so glad I took the plunge, and now it’s permanent. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, and I’m honored to be here every single day.”
What ties the personal and professional parts of Stepp Edney’s life together? Apples, corn and research stations.
Stepp Edney grew up on an apple orchard, and the research station she works on grows apples and corn, but the coincidences don’t end there. Her grandmother worked at a research station in Florida many years ago well before women worked at research stations.
Dot Carter, Stepp Edney’s maternal grandmother, worked at the Pioneer Research Station in Homestead, Florida, when her mom was a child.
“Working at Mt. Hort has been a wonderful way to honor my grandmother, and working at that research station was her favorite job like this is mine,” says Stepp Edney. The family holds onto Dot’s first paycheck and Pioneer Corn jacket to honor her trailblazing career. Dot Carter’s influence is so great that Stepp Edney named her son Carter in her grandmother’s honor.
From her dad’s side, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is important to the people of Henderson County and a pride point for Stepp Edney. Apples were a huge part of their lives, and her great-grandfather owned a packing house and a produce business. Stepp Edney is thrilled she gets to continue honoring apple growers in Western North Carolina through her work today.
“This [job] feels full circle to me,” says Stepp Edney. “It makes me proud to carry on the Stepp background and my maternal grandmother’s legacy.”
There are 40 permanent members of Mt. Hort, but throughout the year, those 40 people support 90 researchers. The Mt. Hort team loves visitors. If you’re traveling in the western part of the state, stop by to chat with Stepp Edney, pick up some apples, tomatoes, corn or flowers. And you’re welcome to come take a tour, because even though they’re 260 miles from Patterson Hall, the Pack Pride is strong.