Campaign for beloved North Carolina FFA center gets jump start from Murphy-Brown LLC

Media Contact: Joshua Starling, Executive Director of the North Carolina FFA Foundation, 919-513-7069

Murphy-Brown LLC, livestock production subsidiary of Smithfield Foods Inc. and the world’s largest producer of pork products, kicked off a fundraising drive for the North Carolina FFA Center at White Lake with a $50,000 gift.

The popular White Lake Center needs additional girls’ dormitories and bathing facilities to meet the needs of the organization’s growing female leadership, according to Josh Starling, executive director of the North Carolina FFA Foundation.

“We’re very grateful to Murphy-Brown for making a significant lead gift toward this campaign,” Starling said. “Murphy-Brown has been a long-time supporter of North Carolina FFA, and their quick response to the pressing needs at our White Lake Center is another example of their outstanding commitment to our state’s youth and agricultural communities.”

The goal for the fundraising campaign is $700,000, Starling says. “We hope our other partners will follow Murphy-Brown’s lead in this effort to expand a well-used and much-needed FFA facility.”

Don Butler, director of government relations and public affairs for Murphy-Brown, echoes Starling’s sentiment.

“At Murphy-Brown we believe the grounding that students receive during their FFA experience builds character, fosters their development and helps prepare them to be productive citizens and future leaders,” Butler said. “We’d like to challenge others to join us in this effort and help make the White Lake Camp experience one that FFA students can enjoy for many years to come.”

For more information about North Carolina FFA, click here. To learn more about Murphy-Brown LLC, click here.

— Suzanne Stanard, 919-513-3126 or suzanne_stanard@ncsu.edu