AGI Celebrates 65 Years of Developing an Industry-Ready Workforce

The Agricultural Institute (AGI) at NC State University marked its 65th anniversary on Feb. 6 with a special celebration at the NC State Fairgrounds Tobacco Pavilion.

Over 130 current students, alumni and friends gathered to honor the legacy of AGI’s two-year degree program, which has shaped the future of agriculture in North Carolina and beyond.

The celebration was a testament to AGI’s rich history. It featured a panel discussion, during which students and alumni shared how AGI influenced their education and careers — from pork production to farm loans to landscape management.

Founded in 1960, AGI was established to meet the growing demand for real-world agricultural training in North Carolina.

The first class comprised 95 students from 48 North Carolina counties, five other states and one foreign country.

By 1980, enrollment had surpassed 425 students, reflecting the increasing value of AGI’s career-focused education.

Over the years, the degree programs have changed, but the focus on animals, crops and business remains. 

Today, students can major in six areas:  

• Agribusiness Management 
• Livestock and Poultry Management 
• Turfgrass Management 
• Horticultural Science Management 
• Field Crops Technology 
• General Agriculture 

They can also customize their education with concentrations that align with their career goals, such as agribusiness management or field crop production. 

AGI continues its mission with an average enrollment of 330 students, 95.3% from North Carolina. About three-quarters of students are men and a quarter are women. 

The institute leads the way with its graduates joining the workforce in key agricultural sectors, from government agencies and research institutions to family farms and agribusiness.

“The future of the Agricultural Institute is bright,” says Garey Fox, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State. “The institute is instrumental in supporting an industry that contributes over $100 billion to North Carolina’s economy. AGI provides a small-school, family atmosphere with hands-on education, making its 65 years a success.”

Relationships Cultivate Job Connections

Patrick Freeman, area manager for SiteOne Landscape Supply, graduated from AGI in 1999 with a degree in ornamental landscape technology and a concentration in agribusiness. He chose the AGI program because it focuses on industry-ready skills in landscaping and turfgrass.

Small class sizes encouraged camaraderie and a tight-knit community. “With a smaller group, we had the opportunity throughout a semester to get to know everybody in the classroom,” Freeman says. Memorable instructors, such as John Russ, provided mentoring and support that well-prepared him for the workforce. 

A key strength of AGI is its alumni network, which actively supports students through mentorship and career opportunities. 

“The relationships you develop through AGI can last throughout your career.”

AGI’s connections to industry proved invaluable to Freeman. He met and established relationships with industry professionals, which led to job opportunities after graduation, including positions at Bland Landscaping and SiteOne Landscape Supply.

“I met my future employers while I was still in school; both of my current bosses at SiteOne graduated with me. Also, I met the leadership team at Bland Landscaping while on an AGI field trip,” Freeman says. “The relationships you develop through AGI can last throughout your career.”

A Journey Shaped by AGI

Bailee Arnold didn’t grow up on a farm, but that didn’t stop her from building a career in agriculture. She initially pursued pre-veterinary medicine at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina, believing it was her path. However, discovering AGI changed everything — she had found the perfect fit.

Originally drawn to poultry, Arnold’s interests shifted when William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Billy Flowers introduced her to pork production. She pivoted to livestock and poultry management, adding a minor in agribusiness management to broaden her expertise.

“I remember every conversation I had with my professors,” she says, crediting faculty support for improving her academic performance. AGI’s real-world focus, applicable coursework and dedicated faculty have shaped her education.

“I remember every conversation I had with my professors.”

But AGI was more than coursework — it was about connections and professional growth.

Before graduating in 2013, Arnold took a bold step. During an externship at Maxwell Foods, she expressed her desire for a job and promised to follow up. She kept her word and secured her first role, supervising 4,000 hogs in Chocowinity, North Carolina.

Arnold remained at Maxwell Foods for seven years until the company closed in 2020. Once again, her AGI network proved invaluable. A fellow graduate helped her land a role with NC State Swine Extension, allowing her to progress in the industry.

In June 2023, her career came full circle when she joined the NC Pork Council, where she now serves as director of outreach and producer education. The role blends her field-based experience with industry knowledge. And once again, AGI connections helped her land the job.

Scholarships for the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders

John Michael Scott wants to pay his AGI experience forward. A 2018 graduate who majored in general agriculture, agribusiness management and field crop technology, Scott works as a loan officer at AgSouth Farm Credit. He chose AGI over a traditional four-year program for its actionable approach.

“AGI gave me real-life, hands-on knowledge and a practical understanding of agriculture. It prepared me for my career and helped me understand the thoughts and needs of farmers,” he says.

Scott values AGI’s family-like atmosphere, strong industry connections and high job placement rates. “Alumni and industry are deeply involved within the Ag Institute. With over 900 internship positions open to AGI students, students have three to six options right out the door. There’s no other program in America that can do that.”

Committed to giving back, Scott played a key role in creating an endowment program to fund first-year scholarships through alumni contributions.

“We need a way to provide more scholarships for first-year students and a way for the young alumni to give back. What’s better than a gift that gives forever to everyone? I pledged to the endowment, and other alumni also contributed. Hopefully, we can provide scholarships forever.”

65 Years and Growing

As new challenges and opportunities arise, AGI partners with industry advocates to ensure that agriculture in North Carolina thrives for generations to come. 

The Golden LEAF Foundation in 2021 provided the Agricultural Institute with nearly $1 million to support new programs to increase student recruitment and enhance job readiness in agricultural management and the livestock sector. 

Through the foundation’s generous gift, AGI applied the funding to support the four following areas:

• The Agricultural Operations Certificate addresses the need for qualified managers in the agricultural industry. Students say the coursework enhanced their critical thinking abilities and helped them acquire skills employers desire.
• The Food Animal and Poultry Processing Curriculum introduces three courses that address the immediate need for highly trained, qualified professionals in North Carolina’s food animal and poultry processing industry.  
• Internship stipends are awarded to students interning in Tier 1 or 2 North Carolina counties, where support is critical for economic growth. The program has connected students with career opportunities even after their first year of study.
• Mentoring teams of graduate, four-year, two-year and high school students boost recruitment from Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties.

This partnership helps AGI equip the next generation of workers with the know-how and industry connections needed to sustain and advance North Carolina’s agricultural heritage.

“The Agricultural Institute is a story about dedicated educators, driven students and a commitment to positively influencing the agricultural industry,” says AGI Director Lee Ivy. “The program will continue its legacy of producing well-educated, ready-to-work professionals.”