Students

Find Your Pack

CALS clubs and organizations help students connect with like-minded peers, enrich their college experience and create lasting memories.

August 26, 2024 Krystal Lynch 3-min. read

group of students posing in a lobby — Members of SPROUTS (STEM Program to Reach Our Underrepresented Teens)

The start of a new semester is the perfect time to find your Pack!

NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) offers over 30 clubs and organizations for students. The Agri-Life Council unites these groups, promoting leadership through fellowship, scholarship and service, serving as the voice for all CALS clubs.

Caroline Becker, Agri-Life president, is pursuing double majors in general agriculture and livestock and poultry management through the Agricultural Institute. She also serves as the Sigma Alpha historian, an AGI ambassador and a Chancellor’s Aide.

Becker encourages students to join a club that interests them.

”CALS has many great organizations. There are other people interested in what you’re interested in. There’s a home for you at CALS.”

Here are a few CALS clubs to have on your radar.

Agronomy Club

Since 1914, the Agronomy Club has actively promoted an interest in agriculture, farmland and natural resource preservation, and encouraged service for the local and global community.

The club meets in Williams Hall on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. Gatherings feature guest speakers from organizations such as NC Cooperative Extension, North Carolina research stations and the Cotton Board.

The club also launched “Tuesday Talks with Bob,” a YouTube podcast featuring CALS Alumni Distinguished Professor of Crop Science Bob Patterson.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ncsuagronomyclub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncsuagronomyclub/

Group of students sitting at a banquet table — Agronomy Club spring banquet in April 2024

Tall man and female student holding a T-shirt — An Agronomy Club member with guest speaker and CALS alumnus Daniel Radford, communications manager for the Cotton Board

male students preparing barbeque — Agronomy club members preparing barbeque

Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honors Fraternity

Alpha Zeta is the college’s co-ed honors fraternity for students interested in advancing agriculture. Founded in 1897, it’s the oldest fraternal society in agriculture. The NC State charter opened in 1904.

The fraternity promotes scholarship, character, leadership and fellowship. Students enjoy game and trivia nights, team competitions, discussion forums, and farm tours.

Animal science senior Kalya Haire says, “As a transfer student, I didn’t know anyone on campus. Alpha Zeta allowed me to make great connections and expand my knowledge surrounding agriculture.”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphazeta.ncstate/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/aawncstate

group of students posing with a dog — Alpha Zeta members at the Ag Pageant during Ag Awareness Week

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) at NC State supports student growth through biweekly meetings featuring social events, panels and industry presentations. Membership is open to all related majors.

ASABE hosts an annual career fair, sweetpotato sale, farm tour, stream cleanup and back-to-school cookout. The chapter also supports the Pack Pullers, Wolfpack Robotics and Fountain Wars competition teams. In March 2024, they hosted the Southeast Regional Rally with over 13 chapters attending.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncstate_asabe/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asabe-nc-state-university-chapter/
Website: https://asabestudentchapter.wordpress.ncsu.edu/

students sitting in a seminar room — General body meeting featuring a presentation from BASF

four female students looking at a laptop

Biology Club

Founded in 1901, the Biology Club promotes interest in biological sciences, increases awareness of biology and encourages fellowship among students and faculty in the life sciences.

Biweekly meetings in Riddick Hall include faculty research presentations, discussions of current events, social events and special topics in biology.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncsu_biology_club/
Contact: biologyclub@ncsu.edu

Two students sitting at small table in front of a shack — Biology Club selling stickers and mini succulents on campus

Food Science Club

NC State’s Food Science Club promotes leadership, awareness and understanding of food science and technology, and community development among students, faculty and staff in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences.

Students can choose a variety of ways to get involved through the club’s 11 committees: activities, award banquet, college bowl, college bowl awards, dairy bar, dinner, outreach, product development, public service, publicity, and wine and cheese.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncsu_fsc/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/ncsu_fsc
Website: https://www.ncsufsc.com/

Man in green Christmas sweater smiling — Professor and Co-director of Undergraduate Programs for Food Science Gabriel Harris and student at the Food Science Club’s student versus faculty gingerbread house contest

Three students smiling with gingerbread on metal table

SPROUTS

In collaboration with the BAE Graduate Student Association, SPROUTS (STEM Program to Reach Our Underrepresented Teens) connects K-12 students with college-level STEM learning through monthly environmental engineering workshops in science, technology, engineering, agriculture and math.

By fostering an early interest in biological and agricultural engineering, SPROUTS promotes diversity and offers role models through its volunteer cohort, serving local communities around NC State.

SPROUTS was recognized with the 2024 CALS Award for Outstanding Student Organization for its dedication to advancing STEM education and outreach.