- Duplin County Schools
- Overview
Duplin Agribusiness Academy Holds Women In Agriculture Event
2nd Annual Women In Agriculture Proves To Inspire and Empower
Connecting and inspiring leaders was the theme for November 1, 2019. The Duplin Agribusiness Academy hosted the 2nd annual Women in Agriculture event at James Sprunt Community College, where females from Duplin County high schools, local universities and the professional organizations spent the day learning from guest speakers, asking vital questions to a panel of women, networking with professionals and participating in round tables hosted by local agribusinesses. There were up 42 high school students and teachers, and 27 professionals in attendance for the event.
The day started with a welcome from the Duplin Agribusiness Academy Coordinator, Tiffany Cassell, who explained the inspiration for the day. “Today is about finding your why, finding your people, and finding you. Explore your interests and find your passion because there is much to be said about the power people have with a shared passion.” Cassell shared familiar quotes about leadership and life while drawing connections to STEAMA and students possessing the power to select their pathway to success.
Guest speakers for the day included Margret Bell Ross, Eastern Area Specialized Poultry Agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension, Dawn Williamson with Smithfield Foods, and Marlow Vaughn with Feed the Dialogue NC. Each of these guest speakers referenced their personal experiences as a female in the agriculture industry and then elaborated on the opportunities that were provided based on choices they made. Ross impressed upon the ladies to “make it work,” encouraging students to find a way to achieve goals, but also understanding that plans may change and you can still “make it work.” Dawn Williamson shared Smithfield’s vision for sustainability and discussed how interconnected the company is with various aspects of our daily lives. Ms. Williamson shared, “ There will be hundreds of opportunities that will allow you to walk through various doors in your career journey. No one has just one talent that allows you to do just one thing. You have many talents that will allow you to do many things. Your opportunities and goals will change, so be open to pursue those as you move through life. That will lead you to success. “Be a voice for agriculture,” was the driving focus for Marlow Vaughn’s discussion with the audience as she explained her past and the role of Feed the Dialogue NC.
This year’s event had the addition of a panel consisting of four females in the agriculture industry. Mallory Strickland who is an Animal Care Program Manager with Smithfield Foods, Heather Watson a farm manager with Murphy Family Ventures, Rocio Ramirez a North Duplin Jr./Sr. graduate and current University of Mount Olive student, and Ashley Olvera who serves as House of Raeford’s Occupational Health and Safety Manager in Wallace, NC. The panel participants fielded questions from the audience using their experience and knowledge to provide advice and information. The varying levels of experience and background helped demonstrate to students the variety of pathways that can all lead to careers in agriculture.
A round table session allowed students to talk with professionals from eleven different areas. Each table shared details about the organization they represented as well as their pathway and role in agriculture. Students were able to talk with representatives that included individuals from Cape Fear Farm Credit, Smithfield Hog Production, House of Raeford, Johnson Breeders, James Sprunt Community College, Duplin County Cooperative Extension, Murphy Family Ventures, University of Mount Olive, Ponytail Ag, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and North Carolina State University. One student commented “My favorite part of the day was the round table portion because it provided lots of information, advice and helped me realize how to choose my career path.”
Networking and making connections is a vital skill that students benefited from during lunch. Students were able to sit with individuals from other schools as well as professionals from various agribusinesses. The networking lunch sponsored by Smithfield Hog Production provided an opportunity for over twenty-five agriculture industry professionals to speak freely with forty-five students about their life and career goals.
Students and adults came away from the event with a multitude of information, a common passion and insight on the opportunities available. “This event was more amazing than last year! I learnt so much more and it helped me get an idea of a career,” said one student, in reflection on the day’s events. During Tiffany Cassell’s final remarks she said “It is not about the final result, but how you get there that makes it worth it. Follow the advice of those you’ve met today and make it work. Find what you love and do it! That may be a career in agriculture, or it may not, but create your own path. Agriculture is rewarding in so many ways and we should proudly advocate for it any chance that we have.”
The day would not have been possible without the support of Duplin County Schools, James Sprunt Community College, professionals and agricultural industries that sponsored break, lunch and the many items that were dispensed at each round table. The theme for the day of connecting and inspiring leaders was surely accomplished.
Tarla Smith, Chief of Staff for Innovation stated, “The Duplin Agribusiness Academy continues to provide amazing opportunities for our students. The recently held Women in Agriculture event provided an opportunity to collaborate with local agribusiness/industry professionals and postsecondary representatives to offer insight into various career pathway options in Agriculture. Through these partnerships, we are able to provide seminars, such as Women in Agriculture, to give students the insight needed to discover STEAMA career pathways connecting their talents, aspirations, and education.”