UMO Students Participate in “Come Grow With Us” Event
UMO Students Participate in “Come Grow With Us” Event
MOUNT OLIVE – Agriculture is growing in North Carolina and at the University of Mount Olive (UMO). Agriculture is the largest industry in North Carolina contributing 78 billion dollars to the North Carolina economy. Alongside of NC, the Agriculture Department at UMO has doubled in size in less than a year and is working hard to educate the future agriculture leaders of tomorrow.
Recently, over 20 agriculture students attended the Agriculture Awareness Day at the capitol in Raleigh. The students showcased the importance of agriculture to legislators and government officials. Over 4,000 people from across the state gathered at the event to advocate for the agriculture industry. The UMO agriculture students assisted Farm Bureau by serving lunches to over 1,000 agriculture advocates, farmers, and agribusiness owners.
Dr. Sandy Maddox, director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center at UMO, said, “The future of agriculture in NC and at the University of Mount Olive is promising for students looking to make a difference in the world.”
Governor Pat McCrory stated, “The agriculture industry of NC is the leader who’s bringing our state out of its economic recession.”
UMO agriculture education major Bridget Barnes commented on the day, “Agriculture is the industry that feeds and clothes the entire world. By attending this Agriculture Awareness Day in Raleigh, I was allowed to speak and meet with influential North Carolina officials and advocate for the importance of agriculture.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.
UMO Ag students back row (left to right) Phillip Waters, Will Hawthorne, Brandon Smith, Heath Brittain, Matt Shaw, Tyler Carter, and Aaron Warwick. Second Row: Kesley Fleming, Bridget Barnes, Sarah Harkey, Julia Chandler, Clara Ervin, Andrew Sileo, Patricia Purvis, Preston Brown, Elizabeth Rowe, Janeice Leonard, Allie Holton, and Patrick Sharpe. Front Row: Maryanna Bennett and Tiffany Murray
Tractors on Capitol Grounds!