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CALS Weekly

From Sea to Soil: Navy Veteran Pursues Horticulture

With the support of the Sycamore Stipend Fund for Veterans in the Agricultural Institute, Wes Fox is exploring a career in horticulture after retiring from military service.

Man in a greenhouse
Twenty-year Navy veteran and AGI horticultural student Wes Fox describes the features of a vanilla orchid.

Wes Fox, a retired 20-year Navy veteran, became fascinated with orchids while stationed in the Pacific.

“Orchids are amazing. They’re the second largest group of flowering plants on the earth,” he says. “With all the hybridized versions, it’s estimated that there are about 38,000 different types of orchids. They’re specialized to where they come from, what makes them bloom or which pollinators they attract.”

Above: Several varieties of orchids bloom in the Marye Anne Fox Science Teaching Laboratory greenhouse.

He brings the same curiosity to his horticultural studies at NC State University.

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Fox graduated from high school at 17 and explored community college. His desire for structure led him to join the Navy, an international career that took him to Japan, Virginia, Tennessee, the Middle East, Florida, California, Guam and Hawaii.  

Navy members posing
Tropical ocean vista at sunset
Naval life enabled Fox to embrace a tropical lifestyle and cultivate an appreciation for plants. The lush lands of Guam (pictured above) and Hawaii made growing plants effortless and encouraged his new hobby.

Fox chose to retire after a 20-year military career because of his family responsibilities and his budding interest in horticulture. “I didn’t want to be in the military and miss parenting,” he says. “And I had this passion for growing plants, so I started looking into it.”

After settling in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fox decided to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in horticultural science management through the Agricultural Institute (AGI). 

“I graduated from high school 22 years ago, so attending AGI felt better than jumping right into a four-year horticulture science program.” Fox plans to graduate in 2026.

His education is supported by the Sycamore Stipend Fund for Veterans in the Agricultural Institute, established by the Harris family, which has military and agricultural roots.

The Harris Connection

Mary Harris Jasmine and her husband, Mark Jasmine, created the fund, and as part of their annual tradition, the Harris family contributes to the Sycamore Stipend Fund each year.

Jasmine’s grandfather started Sycamore Dairy in Fayetteville in 1926. He supplied milk to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), which had cows but needed more milk with the escalation of World War II. The family business also sold milk and fruit juice products to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. 

Her uncle, William S. Harris, graduated from NC State in 1943 with a degree in dairy management, intending to take over the family farm. An NC State Army ROTC graduate, Harris was commissioned as an Army lieutenant but was killed in action in 1944 in Normandy, France. 

“He was never able to return and take the reins of the family business and manage the farm,” Jasmine says. Sycamore Dairy ceased operations in 1989. Witnessing her family’s work ethic and understanding the challenges of military service inspired Jasmine to continue the family’s connection with the community and give back.

“Mark and I had a heart for helping people who wanted to improve their lives through education.”

“Mark and I had a heart for helping people who wanted to improve their lives through education. I felt a tug towards agriculture because of my family heritage,” she says. “Then I read an article about the Soldiers to Agriculture program, and it all fell into place.”

Soldiers to Agriculture is a five-week program through N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Cumberland County Center that offers former military service members an in-depth introduction to the many careers in agriculture.

Inspired to make a similar contribution, Jasmine and her husband established the Sycamore Stipend Fund.

“If the stipend can assist someone on the cusp of not considering an agricultural career or dropping out of college, then I want to help reduce that financial strain,” Jasmine says.

Easing the Burden

After Fox retired from the Navy in June 2024, he used family savings to help with household expenses while waiting for his military pension to activate. “There was a two-month period after retiring with no income sources. I have a wife and four kids, so things were tight.”

Man standing in a greenhouse surrounded by plants
Fox’s summer internship will take place in the Fox Science Teaching Lab greenhouse.

The Sycamore Stipend Fund provided crucial financial support, enabling Fox to pay off debt and plan for updated equipment, such as a new laptop and other school supplies. The fund also allowed Fox to focus on his studies without worrying about transportation costs. 

“I live 60 miles away from NC State and was concerned about the cost of commuting,” he says. “You worry about gas prices and car maintenance when driving 120 miles a day for a class. Those things add up. But the Sycamore Stipend Fund has helped alleviate many financial concerns.”

The AGI Experience

From the military to college, Fox’s thirst for knowledge has flourished.

“I love to learn and listen to the instructors talk about one narrow aspect of a chemical process in a plant, then immerse myself in researching the topic,” he says. “I’m in school because I like growing plants, and I’m intrigued with them.”

Extension Horticulture Specialist and Associate Professor Barbara Fair’s no-nonsense teaching style resonates with Fox and motivates him to learn. “She’s straightforward, knowledgeable and willing to go above and beyond. When you engage with her and ask questions, you can see she enjoys what she does.”

Man sitting at a black table in a greenhouse looking at a laptop
The Fox Science Teaching Lab greenhouse is Fox’s favorite studying space.

Additionally, the AGI staff has provided a welcoming environment for Fox, particularly Kayla Howell, student support specialist, who helped answer his questions before the start of the semester. 

“Her assistance was invaluable as I navigated NC State’s campus. Also, AGI Director Lee Ivy surprised me by knowing my name when we finally met, showing his genuine interest in students’ well-being. So far, my experiences with AGI have been positive and encouraging.”

A Plant-filled Future

Looking ahead, Fox plans to continue his education at NC State by pursuing bachelor’s and graduate degrees. He wants to work in the university’s research greenhouses and laboratories. 

“I plan to enter the four-year horticultural science program and then apply to the master’s program,” he says. “After graduating, I’ll seek employment at NC State because they have all the resources for my second career in plant breeding and research.”

Fox says understanding the intricate processes behind plant growth and development motivates him, and he wants to contribute to the field of horticulture through experimentation and discovery.

“The Sycamore Stipend Fund offers a great opportunity for service members. I completely changed my lifestyle, but my experience at NC State affirms my goals. I’m happy I returned to school to pursue my passions. It was the right choice.”