The Agribusiness Center
"Working Together for the Advancement of Rural North Carolina"
Established in January 2002, the Agribusiness Center at Mount Olive College was created to help meet educational needs of agribusinesses in rural Eastern North Carolina communities.
Established by Mount Olive College with significant financial support from The Golden LEAF Foundation , the Agribusiness Center fosters synergism between agribusiness, environmental stewardship policy, and Christian ethics, as accomplished by providing:
- Opportunities for technology transfer and educational resources to all levels of agribusiness in Eastern North Carolina, through educational workshops, certificate courses and electronic outreach;
- Educational programs in agribusiness, and in environmental science;
- Public forums, conferences, and workshops to facilitate dialog on issues that affect all stakeholders in the agribusiness community in North Carolina.
- Leading edge agribusiness research to equip all stakeholders with a competitive edge at home and abroad.
The Agribusiness Center is directed by an Advisory Board which includes many of the leading visionaries in North Carolina agribusiness.
The Director of the Center is charged with the implementation of the program as mandated by the Advisory Board and the President of Mount Olive College.
What is Agribusiness?
Agribusiness is the business of agriculture, including farming of food and natural fiber. It is also includes manufacturing, and wholesale and retail sales in North Carolina, the U.S.A. and worldwide. Agribusiness is the world’s largest industry responsible for feeding and clothing over 6 billion people worldwide.
Mission of the Agribusiness Center
To provide educational programming to strengthen the business acumen of Eastern North Carolina agribusinesses to help them obtain a competitive edge in today's dynamic agriculture and food economic environment.
Vision of the Agribusiness Center
The Center's vision is to make a positive difference in the lives of rural residents in Eastern North Carolina.
Outreach Activities
The Center is mandated to communicate to the agribusiness community of rural Eastern North Carolina on all important matters that are deemed to be of interest and value to the community. In this regard the Agribusiness Center offers outreach programs such as:
- Forums on topics important to agribusinesses such as:
- Federal and state policy issues relating to agribusiness
- International issues affecting competitiveness of North Carolina agribusiness
- Technical issues relating to production and marketing of agriculture and food.
2. Workshops for the public dealing with:
- Traditional Programs:
- Identifying and implementing specific economic (business) opportunities
- Business tools for the Entrepreneur
- Technical skills for the Entrepreneur
- Special Programs
- English programs for the workplace ( adults - male /female)
- English programs for home and the community( adult and children)
- Skills for the family and community
- Business tools for the Entrepreneur
- Technical skills for the Entrepreneur
- e-agribusiness (www.virtualfarmersmarket.com)
3. Future Farmers of America at Mount Olive College
The Agribusiness Center of Mount Olive College is proud to be the home of one of the leading Collegiate FFA associations in North Carolina.
Many of these outreach activities are conducted in partnership with other organizations, such as the Cooperative Extension Service of North Carolina State University, state and federal agencies, community colleges and with agribusiness firms in the region.
Academic Curricula
Through the Tillman School of Business, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Professional Studies of Mount Olive College, the Agribusiness Center offers three undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness, and a Bachelor of Science in AgriScience Education. The Agribusiness curriculum is oriented toward providing students from rural areas with a background and understanding of the use of business principles in agriculture and food industries. In addition, the Environmental Science curriculum provides students with a greater understanding of the interactions among the natural sciences and the impact that humans have on the spatial and temporal changes in the environmental attributes.
Applied Research Activities
Research is conducted on issues important to agribusiness and/or environmental applications in rural communities of Eastern North Carolina. The goals of these activities are to develop a greater understanding of the fundamental process and relationships among the activities of the agribusiness industry, natural resources, and citizens living in the region.
Publications
From time to time the Agribusiness Center publishes and distributes the results of research that it feels is important to the agribusiness community of Eastern North Carolina.
Recent Publications
Spacial Distribution and Management of Soils – Wayne County North Carolina H. Don Scott, Stephanie Phelps and Robert H. Pleasants
An Economic Evaluation of Agricultural Production Systems in Eastern North Carolina. H. Don Scott and Alan Hollowell
Contact the Agribusiness Center
919-658-7510