MOUNT OLIVE, NC – The University of Mount Olive (UMO) has received a $175,000 grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) to continue its Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Institute, an immersive week-long residential camp designed to inspire high school students and teachers through hands-on learning in agriculture.
Hosted by the University’s Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center in partnership with the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, the SAE Institute has become a cornerstone program in cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders. Each summer, high school students and educators from across North Carolina participate in workshops, field visits, and interactive sessions that expose them to the many career paths and opportunities within the agricultural industry.
To date, eight camps have been held with 191 students and 111 teachers representing schools across the state. Participants engage in a variety of experiential learning activities designed to broaden their understanding of agriculture, from agribusiness and research to service learning and entrepreneurship.
“The SAE Institute at the University of Mount Olive brings agriculture to life,” said Sarah Johnson, Assistant Director for the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center. “Watching students grow through hands-on experiences reminds me why I fell in love with this field. Having the opportunity to experience this camp as a counselor, an FFA Advisor, and now as a coordinator has been transformational, and I am humbled to be a part of a team that is helping the next generation find their place in agriculture.”
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, central to agricultural education, allow students to apply classroom learning to real-world contexts. Projects may involve working part-time in an agribusiness, conducting research, operating a school-based enterprise, or launching a small business. Teachers attending the Institute also gain valuable professional development, including specialized training in the recordkeeping software used for tracking student progress and FFA award applications.
“We are grateful for the continued partnership with the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to offer another three years of the SAE Institute at the University of Mount Olive,” said Director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center Edward Olive. “Each year, I am inspired by the innovation and creativity that students bring with their ideas and their desire to continue growing and learning. Teachers bring a passion for lifelong learning so that they can pass that knowledge on to help their students even more.”
State Representative Jimmy Dixon, a longtime supporter of agricultural education, praised UMO’s leadership and commitment to cultivating young agriculturalists. “It is a great honor for Representative Larry Strickland, Senator Buck Newton, and me, along with our colleagues in the General Assembly, to support the University of Mount Olive’s SAE program,” Dixon said. “UMO is the only institution in North Carolina that consistently gathers young people and teaches them how to teach others where food comes from.”
The SAE Institute is offered at no cost to participants and the next institute will be held in July 2026. Students and teachers interested in attending should monitor the University of Mount Olive’s social media pages and website for application details.
“The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission has been a steadfast partner in supporting agricultural innovation, workforce development, and rural revitalization,” said UMO President Dr. H. Edward Coomr. “Its investment in the SAE Institute reflects a shared vision to ensure that agriculture continues to thrive as a vital part of North Carolina’s economy and heritage.”
