Northeastern NC’s AgAdvantage State of the Region February 25, 2011 Dr. Johnny C. Wynne Dean

NC State: Locally responsive, globally engaged Research | Teaching | Extension 125-year history building a stronger economy and a better way of life throughout North Carolina

Agriculture and Agribusiness: Leading N.C. industry Today: $74.3 billion industry 18% of gross state product 17% of state’s jobs Tomorrow: Room to grow with rising world population

A biobased economy Farmers will continue to produce traditional commodities Farmers will also grow crops specifically to produce: Biofuels Perfume Drugs Nutraceuticals Functional foods And more!

Vernon James Center: A commercialization campus? Pilot-scale extraction facility Companies test and learn how best to process crops Significant economic development potential – new processing facilities & new jobs

Positioned for success with ag biotechnology Northeastern North Carolina’s assets: Strong agricultural heritage Technologically sophisticated agricultural community Great people Land N.C. State University partnerships

Positioning farmers for ag-biotech success Through N.C. Biotech Center’s Entrepreneurial Farmer Program, producers learned: Production and marketing models to create opportunities Contract-growing value-added products Risk management principles for production, financing and markets

N.C. MarketReady Enhancing profitability of N.C. agriculture –Agricultural enterprise and business skills development –Fresh produce safety –Horticultural production skills –Strengthening markets

Changing the way Americans use fruits and vegetables –sources of nutrients and flavorful calories –powerful resources for components that protect and enhance health and well- being –economic value for North Carolina Plants for Human Health Institute

Empire Foods to open N.C. plant Up to 200 jobs in Halifax Co. HALIFAX, N.C. (AP) - A food processing company plans to create 200 jobs over the next five years at a Halifax County plant that makes packaged fruits and vegetables that don't need refrigeration. Published September 16, 2010

Entrepreneur Initiative for Foods (EI4F) Education and training: Good Manufacturing Practices Food Safety Engineering Customized Courses Assistance with: Food Classification Food Chemistry Food Microbiology Nutrition Labeling Validation Services

Cooperative Extension: Agricultural Programs Solving production problems Increasing profitability Adopting new technology Extending research for strong economic impact

Cooperative Extension: Family and Consumer Sciences Nutrition Food safety Parenting Human development Aging Housing Community and volunteer development Health Family Resource Management

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Education in: Nutrition Food preparation Food resource management Food safety 1 st Congressional District: families improved nutrition knowledge through EFNEP in ’10

4-H Youth Development Community service Hands-on learning Leadership skill development 4-H’ers are: 50% less likely to smoke, shoplift or use drugs 20% more likely to be leaders More likely to earn university degree

Workforce prep Starts with education Bertie Early College High School for Agri-Science and Biotechnology Students: Jumpstart college Gain career skills

Extending the early college high school concept N.C. General Assembly study commission recommended: Creating high school at Vernon James Center to serve four counties Estimated start: Fall 2012

Agri-science early college high school Will be: world-class and internationally recognized game-changer for students new way for N.C. State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to help meet local needs